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**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:28 AM

LEADING OFF: Bumgarner vs. Greinke, rosters reboot

August 31, 2015

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Tuesday:

ACE IT

Giants vs. Dodgers, Madison Bumgarner vs. Zack Greinke. A marquee matchup as San Francisco tries to draw closer to LA in the NL West. Bumgarner ranks among the big league leaders with a 16-6 record and 192 strikeouts. Greinke goes into this start at Dodger Stadium with a majors-best 1.61 ERA.

ROSTER EXPANSION

Clubs are limited to 25 active players through the end of August, but as of Sept. 1, they're allowed to carry any player on the 40-man roster. The Cubs are expected to use the extra space to recall Javier Baez, while the Mets have already announced they'll promote catcher Kevin Plawecki. Other youngsters who may see the majors in September: Corey Seager (Dodgers), Blake Snell (Rays), Jose Berrios (Twins) and Jurickson Profar (Rangers).

LOCKED IN

Too late now for teams to add players for the postseason. The Cubs beat the deadline by getting outfielder Austin Jackson from Seattle on Monday and the Royals got outfielder/DH Jonny Gomes from Atlanta. Players acquired after Aug. 31 aren't eligible for their new teams in the playoffs.

RESHUFFLED ROTATION

Pirates ace Gerrit Cole (15-7, 2.44 ERA) starts at Milwaukee. He originally was set to pitch Wednesday, but was moved up a day so he can start Sunday night at NL Central-leading St. Louis.

HEADIN' HOME

The Royals return to Kauffman Stadium with the best record in the AL, ready to face Detroit in the opener of a nine-game homestand. Kansas City starter Johnny Cueto is 2-3 since being acquired from the Reds. Tigers starter Justin Verlander lost his no-hit bid in the ninth inning last week against the Angels.

BACK LATER

Marco Gonzales will be promoted from Triple-A to start for the Cardinals in place of Carlos Martinez vs. the Nats. Martinez hurt his back in his last outing and is expected to miss just one start - manager Mike Matheny says the team had already been trying to get some rest for Martinez.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:31 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (63-68) at Rockies (53-76)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 01, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

While star Paul Goldschmidt attracts most of the attention, A.J. Pollock has blossomed into one of the NL's top offensive forces for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Pollock will try to stay hot away from home as Arizona looks to bounce back from a humbling series-opening defeat in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies.

Goldschmidt leads the NL in RBIs (96) and ranks among the league leaders in average (.325) and home runs (26). With Pollock right behind him at a career-best .320, the Diamondbacks are the only club with two players in the league's top four in batting.

Pollock is hitting .422 with 10 RBIs in his last 15 road games and he's 11 for 25 with two home runs and three doubles in his last six at Coors Field. His two-run homer Monday put Arizona ahead in the third inning before closer Brad Ziegler failed to preserve a three-run lead in a 5-4 defeat.

'It was a win we felt like we should've had,' Pollock said.

Since getting within five games of the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 23, the Diamondbacks (63-68) have dropped seven of eight to fall out of contention.

Patrick Corbin (3-3, 3.78 ERA) will pitch the opener Tuesday, when the teams will also play a makeup game from a May postponement. Aside from two starts in which he didn't make it past the second inning, the left-hander has posted a 2.70 ERA in his other eight outings.

Corbin has gone 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA in his last six starts against Colorado. In his season debut July 4, he gave up two runs over five innings in a 7-3 home win over the Rockies.

NL West-worst Colorado (53-76) seeks its first three-game winning streak since a four-game run July 9-12. Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu had three hits apiece Monday.

Ben Paulsen hit a walk-off, two-run single off Matt Reynolds to cap Colorado's four-run ninth.

'We've done that all year,' Paulsen said. 'It almost seems like when the closers come in we kind of step our game up and everybody hones in. Our lineup is dangerous.'

Blackmon is batting .421 over a 10-game hitting streak at Coors, and he's hitting .442 with three home runs in 23 career home meetings against the Diamondbacks.

Yohan Flande (3-1, 4.09) is 2-0 with a 4.13 ERA in six starts since joining Colorado's rotation in late July. In his only start against the Diamondbacks, the left-hander gave up two runs over five innings in a 7-6 walk-off win last September.

Goldschmidt is still one walk away from setting a single-season franchise record with 101. David Peralta, 5 for 8 in his last two games, is batting .372 against the Rockies this season.

Colorado's Game 2 starter, Kyle Kendrick, is 2-5 with a 7.27 ERA in 10 outings at Coors. He had an 8.02 mark in a five-start stretch overall before missing August with right shoulder inflammation.

Kendrick (4-12, 6.43) hasn't fared much better against Arizona, posting a 6.37 ERA in 11 starts.

The Diamondbacks counter with Rubby De La Rosa. He had been 5-0 with a 2.54 ERA over a seven-start stretch before giving up five runs over five innings in Thursday's 5-3 loss to St. Louis.

The right-hander yielded one run over seven innings June 25 but did not factor in the decision of a 6-4 loss at Coors. He then surrendered six runs over five in a 6-4 home loss to the Rockies on July 5.

Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado have taken De La Rosa (11-6, 4.46) deep this season.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Mon, Aug 31 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:40PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:33 AM

Preview: Rays (65-66) at Orioles (63-68)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 01, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Buck Showalter's Baltimore Orioles were five games over .500 and on the cusp of the AL's final playoff spot less than two weeks ago.

Whatever managerial moves he's made since - creative, necessary or otherwise - simply haven't been able to provide a spark.

Fading Baltimore looks to avoid a sixth straight defeat when it hosts the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

The defending AL East champions picked up their 62nd win by beating the New York Mets on Aug. 19 and sat just one-half game out of the second wild-card spot. Baltimore (63-68) has dropped 11 of 12 since that victory while scoring three runs or fewer in each defeat.

Showalter platooned Paul Janish and Ryan Flaherty at shortstop for the first seven of those contests after J.J. Hardy went on the disabled list with a groin strain, but the duo has hit a combined .250.

Showalter elected to move Gold Glove-winning third baseman Manny Machado to short for the first time in his major league career Monday while starting all three catchers - Caleb Joseph behind the plate, Matt Wieters at first and Steve Clevenger at designated hitter.

Machado had two hits and Clevenger had a two-run single, but the Orioles fell 6-3 to the Rays (65-66). Baltimore now would have to leap over five teams in the wild-card race to sneak into the playoffs.

"We did some good things getting some people out there," Showalter said. "It seems like we're always a hit away."

Tampa Bay also has plenty of work ahead to catch Texas for the second wild-card spot, but it began a nine-game trip with its second straight victory after losing five of six.

Evan Longoria, Asdrubal Cabrera and Tim Beckham homered, and Logan Forsythe added three hits for the Rays, who have won three of four meetings at Camden Yards this season.

"If we play hard and put some wins together, you never know what could happen in a month," Cabrera said.

Drew Smyly (1-2, 3.82 ERA) takes the mound after going 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in three starts since spending over three months on the disabled list with left shoulder soreness.

The left-hander has lasted fewer than five innings in two of those outings, including Thursday when he allowed each run in Tampa Bay's 5-4 win over Minnesota. Smyly, who made three starts before being injured, threw a season-high 100 pitches while walking two.

Smyly made all three of his career starts against the Orioles last season, going 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA. Chris Davis is 2 for 11 against him - both hits leaving the yard - but has gone 2 for 18 with 10 strikeouts over his last five games.

Chris Tillman (9-9, 4.58) gets the call for Baltimore looking to avoid a third straight defeat. He's allowed seven runs in 12 2-3 innings over the last two after going unbeaten in his previous 12.

"Any time you lose it's disappointing," Tillman said after Thursday's 5-3 loss at Kansas City. "Made some mistakes that they were able to hit the ball hard and drive."

Tillman is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in his last five home starts. He's lost twice in four outings against the Rays this season, but he allowed two runs or fewer while going into the seventh three times.

Rays centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier robbed Machado of a leadoff home run in the first Monday, but he left in the third with a mild right ankle sprain that could keep him out of this contest.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Orioles
Mon, Aug 31 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Orioles
Tue, Sep 1 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Orioles
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:37 AM

Preview: Indians (64-66) at Blue Jays (74-57)
Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 01, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians stayed hot in their opener in Toronto in large part because they got seven strong innings from a reliable starter.

The pitcher the Indians will send to the mound Tuesday night has totaled the same number of innings in his last two starts and struggled against tamer offenses than that of the Blue Jays.

Cody Anderson will make his second start after a 19-day stay on the disabled list and try to guide the Indians (64-66) to their first seven-game winning streak since closing 2013 with 10 straight a night after Danny Salazar led Monday's 4-2 victory.

The win gave Cleveland a 2.39 ERA and .208 opponent batting average over a 7-1 span with the bullpen stringing together 13 2-3 scoreless innings over five-plus games, but Anderson (2-3, 4.30 ERA) will be the third rookie starter Toronto (74-57) has faced in five games. The other two gave up 11 runs in 10 innings.

Anderson got off to an impressive start with a 2-1 record and 0.89 ERA in his first four big league outings, including an eight-inning complete game in Pittsburgh on July 4. The right-hander, though, has since gone 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in five starts.

Complete games have been out of the question as the 24-year-old has made it through at least six innings once. After allowing two runs, two hits and two walks in 4 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 6-2 home win over Milwaukee, he's lasted just seven innings over his last two starts.

It was, however, his first start since Aug. 7 due to an oblique strain, and the loss of Carlos Carrasco cost him the opportunity to get in a rehab start.

"I thought for Cody being down 19 days or whatever, that he did a really good job," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "First time through the order he was really good, second time, I think he was starting to get up a little bit. There were probably more fly balls than he's normally (getting). I thought he was starting to tire a little bit. But, I thought what he did was great. That was probably farther than we thought he might get."

He's up against Marco Estrada, who's been much more of a sure thing lately.

Estrada (11-8, 3.19) was stuck with the decision in Thursday's 4-1 loss in Texas after limiting the Rangers to a run and four hits in six innings. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA and .161 opponent batting average in his last six starts.

He's been even better at home with a 4-2 record, 2.02 ERA and .126 OBA in his last six.

The Indians have won three of five over the Blue Jays and another loss would give Toronto consecutive defeats for just the second time in 31 games. The 24-6 stretch includes 6.3 runs per game and an .843 OPS.

Edwin Encarnacion has led the way with a 26-game hitting streak - the longest in the majors this year - which is tied with Shannon Stewart's 1999 run and John Olerud's 1993 streak for second-longest in franchise history. Shawn Green went 28 in 1999.

He's batting .412 on the streak and .373 since the All-Star break, which actually trails Cleveland's Michael Brantley (.385) for the AL lead. Indians rookie Francisco Lindor (.359) isn't far behind in that time, though the more impressive tandem might be Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson had two RBIs for a third straight game Monday and made them the first since the Boston Red Sox in June 1950 to have multiple players drive in at least 35 runs in a month.

Boston had three players do it - Ted Williams (40), Walt Dropo (37) and Bobby Doerr (36).

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Blue Jays
Mon, Aug 31 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Blue Jays
Tue, Sep 1 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Blue Jays
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:07PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:39 AM

Preview: Yankees (72-58) at Red Sox (61-70)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 01, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

As the New York Yankees look to avoid the uncertainty of a wild-card game, Michael Pineda believes he's one of the veterans who needs to step up in September.

After missing out on a chance to gain ground in the AL East, the visiting Yankees hope the right-hander can move past his recent struggles Tuesday night against the rival Boston Red Sox.

New York (72-58) holds a four-game lead on the AL's first wild-card spot, though it would much rather overtake first-place Toronto than play in a one-game playoff.

The Yankees had an opportunity to move within a half-game Monday but couldn't get it done in a 4-3 loss at Fenway Park. They left 14 runners on base, including three in the ninth inning, after totaling 38 runs in a three-game sweep at Atlanta.

'That's just a tough one,' manager Joe Girardi said. 'Guys had great at-bats there at the end.'

Pineda (9-8, 4.19 ERA) will try to rediscover his early season form as Girardi's club looks to avoid its first back-to-back losses at Fenway since September 2013. He went 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA, 54 strikeouts and three walks over 46 1-3 innings in his first seven starts.

But since allowing one run over 6 2-3 innings in a 5-1 win at Boston on July 10, Pineda has given up 14 runs over 16 in losing his last three outings. In his first start in more than a month due to a forearm strain, he yielded five runs over 4 1-3 in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Houston.

"I don't feel good right now because I want to win," he told MLB's official website. "The only thing is, keep my head up and continue working to be ready for my next start. The good thing is, I'm feeling good and I'll be back for pitching every five days. Just keep going."

Pineda has gone 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in four starts against Boston while with the Yankees. The last-place Red Sox (61-70) are playing better of late, winning nine of 13.

Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer Monday and also took Pineda deep in July. David Ortiz added his 495th home run in the series opener, but he's 2 for 9 when facing Pineda.

After going 1-9 with a 7.03 ERA over a 12-start stretch, Rick Porcello (6-11, 5.47) allowed five hits over seven innings in Wednesday's 3-0 road win over the Chicago White Sox in his first start in four weeks due to a triceps injury.

"If there's one thing I'm really focusing on going forward, it's keeping the ball down, sinking the ball below the zone," the veteran right-hander said.

Porcello has had success against the Yankees, going 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA in his last six matchups. He'll have to be cautious with Jacoby Ellsbury, who is 11 for 17 with four home runs off him.

Carlos Beltran has gone 6 for 11 against Porcello, though Alex Rodriguez is 2 for 10. Didi Gregorius had a career high-tying four hits Monday and is 13 for 21 with 11 RBIs in his last five games.

Mark Teixeira is back in New York to have further tests on his bruised right shin, while Boston's Hanley Ramirez is day to day after missing the past four games with a sore shoulder.

The Red Sox traded outfielder Alejandro De Aza to San Francisco after Monday's game. De Aza hit .292 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 60 games with Boston after being acquired from Baltimore on June 3.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Red Sox
Mon, Aug 31 Final 3 to 4

Boxscores
GAME 2
Yankees at Red Sox
Tue, Sep 1 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Red Sox
Wed, Sep 2 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:41 AM

Preview: Marlins (53-79) at Braves (54-77)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 01, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Since they've rarely been out of contention, the free-falling Atlanta Braves have seldom had to undergo a rebuilding effort over the past two and a half decades.

Looking toward the future late in a lost season, the Braves are expected to bring up Cuban sensation Hector Olivera on Tuesday night against the visiting Miami Marlins.

The 30-year-old Olivera was viewed as the prized acquisition for Atlanta when it traded top prospect Jose Peraza and Alex Wood to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30.

The third baseman was one of this year's top international free agents before he signed a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Dodgers. He battled through a hamstring injury earlier in the season before hitting .231 in 42 plate appearances during a rehab stint at Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Braves (54-77) have begun planning ahead while trying to avoid losing seven straight at home for the first time since June 2006. Atlanta is headed toward its first back-to-back losing seasons since 1989-90 after its first 20-loss month since August 2008.

The club also traded outfielder Jonny Gomes to the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals on Monday in exchange for cash and Class A shortstop Luis Valenzuela.

"It was obviously tough news regarding one of the best guys in the clubhouse," Monday's starter, Shelby Miller, told MLB's official website.

Miller didn't receive any run support for the sixth time in nine home starts and his franchise single-season record winless streak reached 19 in a 4-0 defeat.

The Braves, who had just three hits, have scored 2.8 runs per game during a 1-13 stretch. Michael Bourn (5 for 45), Jace Peterson (15 for 79) and A.J. Pierzynski (10 for 46) are among those mired in a slump.

Rookie Justin Nicolino (2-2, 3.65 ERA) has been a bright spot for the Marlins, allowing two runs while going at least six innings in each of his last three outings. He gave up two runs over six on Thursday, but also walked a season-high four in a 2-1 home loss to Pittsburgh.

"The ability to go and navigate through the sixth and only allow two runs and give us opportunities was great," manager Dan Jennings said.

Atlanta rookie Manny Banuelos (1-2, 2.49) is hoping for better run support as he makes his sixth career start but first since missing five weeks with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Banuelos will likely be monitored closely after working just two innings in last Thursday's rehab start.

The left-hander has gone 0-1 with an 0.87 ERA in two starts at Turner Field.

He'll get his first look at a Miami team that has finished with four runs and 10 hits in each of its past two games after batting .206 with 18 runs in its previous nine. The Marlins (53-79) seek their first back-to-back wins since a three-game run Aug. 16-18.

After homering in his previous two games, Justin Bour had three hits in the opener. Martin Prado is batting .355 with two homers in his last eight after going 2 for 4 with a double.

Atlanta's Andrelton Simmons is day to day after sitting Monday due to right ankle inflammation.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Braves
Mon, Aug 31 Final 4 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Braves
Tue, Sep 1 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Braves
Wed, Sep 2 - 12:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:44 AM

Preview: Phillies (52-80) at Mets (73-58)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 01, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The New York Mets' status as NL East leaders can be traced to their outright dominance of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Mets go for a franchise-record 11-game winning streak against the Phillies on Tuesday night.

New York (73-58) has built a 6 1/2-game lead on second-place Washington and facing major league-worst Philadelphia (52-80) is aiding its hunt for its first division title in nine years.

The Mets have won 23 of the past 27 matchups, including 13 of 14 this year. Their 10-game winning streak against the Phillies matches their longest in the series set from 1971-72.

A victory Tuesday would make this streak the second-longest in team history against an opponent, tying a run versus San Diego in 1969 and their current one against Colorado.

New York extended its home winning streak against Philadelphia to eight after opening this three-game series with a 3-1 victory Monday.

The Phillies are tired of losing to their fierce rival.

"We're going to take it to them the next two days," interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "We've got to beat them."

That would mean beating Jonathon Niese (8-9, 3.95 ERA) for the first time since April 28, 2013.

The left-hander is 5-0 with a 2.24 ERA while each of his last eight starts against the Phillies have ended in Mets wins. He's 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his past five home matchups.

Niese wasn't that sharp at Philadelphia on Thursday, giving up five runs in the third before leaving after the sixth of a 9-5 win in 13. He issued a season-high five walks and hit a batter five days after allowing seven runs and 11 hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 14-9 win at Colorado.

He should feel more comfortable at Citi Field, where he's 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA over his last three starts.

Curtis Granderson is hitting .353 with three homers, eight RBIs and 13 runs in his past 12 games. That includes going 6 for 17 in four against the Phillies after hitting a two-run blast Monday.

Michael Conforto is also hot, going 2 for 2 with a solo shot Monday to give him a .458 average in his last nine contests. The rookie left fielder hit .224 over his first 20 games.

He's 6 for 13 over the last three meetings with Philadelphia, driving in one run in each.

"I feel a little bit more comfortable," Conforto told MLB's official website. "I just had to go back to working hard, getting into the cage and working on some things, take a step back and ... go back to the drawing board and figure it out. But I do feel comfortable."

The Phillies, losers of six of eight, hand the ball to Aaron Harang (5-14, 4.79), who is tied with Milwaukee's Matt Garza for the most losses in the majors.

The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in his past five starts, wasting a five-run lead Thursday. He surrendered five runs and three homers in six innings.

Harang is 0-2 with a 3.79 ERA in three starts against New York this year, and this will be the third straight with Niese also getting the call.

Granderson is 3 for 9 against Harang this season after going 1 for 12 to start his career.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Mets
Mon, Aug 31 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Mets
Tue, Sep 1 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Mets
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:45 AM

Preview: Reds (54-76) at Cubs (74-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 01, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs fans haven't had many opportunities to revel around the North Side with their beloved team sitting in playoff position heading into September.

What's all too familiar is the sinking feeling of watching the Cubs struggle with the season's final month on the horizon.

Dan Haren serving up home-run balls also has become an unwelcome sight, and he'll take the mound Tuesday night against the visiting Cincinnati Reds looking to help the Cubs avoid a sixth defeat in seven games.

Chicago (74-56) is seeking its first postseason appearance since 2008 and holds the edge over San Francisco for the NL's second wild card. The Cubs haven't played up to their standards lately, though, dropping two of three to the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers on their road trip before falling 13-6 to Cincinnati (54-76) on Monday.

The Reds took the lead with a four-run sixth and broke the game open with a six-run ninth as Starlin Castro committed two of his three errors. Six Cubs relievers combined to allow 10 runs - six unearned - one night after they watched Jake Arrieta throw a no-hitter against the Dodgers.

'I'm over it already," manager Joe Maddon said. "Just throw that one away.'

Kris Bryant made his fourth start in the outfield in the last seven games as Maddon continues shuffling his players around Jorge Soler being on the disabled list and Dexter Fowler battling nagging injuries.

The Cubs acquired Austin Jackson from Seattle earlier Monday to add some outfield depth, and they're expected to promote more young talent from the minors with rosters expanding.

It's unclear what the lineup will look like behind Haren (8-9, 3.90 ERA), who faces a Reds club that is tied with Washington for the third-most homers in the NL.

Haren is tied with Detroit's Anibal Sanchez for the most home runs allowed in the majors with 29, and the 14 he's surrendered in eight starts since July 19 are four more than anyone in baseball.

The right-hander fell to 1-2 with a 6.31 ERA in five outings with the Cubs after giving up five runs and walking three in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-1 loss to San Francisco on Thursday. Maddon was impressed with Haren's performance, though, as he recorded an out in the seventh for the first time in 12 starts.

'Take away the (three-run) home run by (Marlon) Byrd and he pitched pretty darn good,' Maddon said. "Danny has something to build off of going into the next outing.'

The last time Haren went that deep into a game was against the Reds on June 19. He's 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati this season, both while he was with Miami.

Todd Frazier is 3 for 6 with two doubles this season against Haren and has a homer in 11 career at-bats in their matchups.

Anthony DeSclafani (7-10, 3.84) opposes Haren looking to continue his success against the Cubs. DeSclafani gave up one run in seven innings against the Dodgers on Thursday but was outdueled by Zack Greinke in a 1-0 loss.

'DeSclafani was terrific,' manager Bryan Price said. 'He was always on the attack. I was proud of him.'

That marked the fifth time this season that the right-hander hasn't earned a victory when allowing one earned run or none. Two of those instances have come against the Cubs, who he's held to a .197 average while posting a 0.98 ERA in three starts in 2015.

DeSclafani has allowed one run in 13 1-3 innings in two outings at Wrigley Field.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Cubs
Mon, Aug 31 Final 13 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Cubs
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Cubs
Wed, Sep 2 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:47 AM

Preview: Tigers (60-70) at Royals (80-50)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 01, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals are running away with the AL Central, which means they're in the unfamiliar position of being ahead of the Detroit Tigers.

Though the balance of power in the division has shifted, Justin Verlander has reverted to vintage form, and that could mean a challenging series opener on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

With the AL's best record and baseball's only double-digit lead atop a division, the Royals (80-50) are poised for their first division crown since 1985 when they won their only World Series title. Kansas City lost 3-2 Sunday at Tampa Bay, but still has won 17 of 23 and is 27-10 at home since June 7.

While the Royals only hold a 7-6 edge in the season series, they're 20 games ahead of the last-place Tigers (60-70), who are virtually guaranteed to miss the postseason for the first time in five years. Losers of nine of 10, Detroit hasn't finished below Kansas City since 2008.

Verlander (2-6, 3.45 ERA) owns at least one win against the Royals in every year of his career except his first season in 2005 when he made two starts and didn't face them. He could be poised to continue that trend with a 1.38 ERA over his last seven outings and 31 strikeouts over 29 innings in the last four.

He one-hit the Los Angeles Angels in a 5-0 victory Wednesday, fanning nine in his first complete game since 2012. Verlander had posted a 6.62 ERA in his first six outings after missing two months with a triceps injury.

"I think the last month's been really encouraging for me," he said after last week's win. "This just reaffirms that."

Verlander is just 2-3 with a 5.61 ERA in his last five meetings with the Royals and surrendered five runs and a season high-matching 10 hits over seven innings in a 5-1 home loss Aug. 4. The right-hander's 19 career wins against Kansas City are his most versus one team, however.

Starting for the Royals will be Johnny Cueto (2-3, 3.95), who allowed just six runs in his first four games for his new club but has been shakier in back-to-back losses against Boston and Baltimore. He allowed 12 earned runs and 21 hits over 11 innings, and Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Orioles marked the first time he yielded three home runs since 2010.

"It feels a little weird because it doesn't happen to me very often," he said. "I'm not a robot. Just have to keep working, get ready for the next one."

This is already his third matchup with the Tigers since being traded to Kansas City. He turned in a four-hitter in a 4-0 victory Aug. 10 after giving up two runs over seven innings in a 2-1 loss Aug. 5.

Cueto also gave up three runs in 5 1-3 innings in an 8-4, 13-inning win with Cincinnati on June 17.

He hasn't lost three straight starts since 2012.

Eric Hosmer has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 meetings with Detroit with a 1.083 OPS in that span, while Lorenzo Cain is hitting .467 in his last eight home matchups with the Tigers. Cain is also batting .387 during an eight-game hitting streak overall.

Salvador Perez has hit .474 with two home runs and seven doubles in 38 at-bats against Verlander.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Royals
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Tigers at Royals
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Royals
Thu, Sep 3 - 8:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:49 AM

Preview: Pirates (79-50) at Brewers (55-75)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 01, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates have moved up their top starter with an eye on the best team in baseball this weekend.

Gerrit Cole and the Pirates have good reason to be concerned about first meeting the lowly Milwaukee Brewers given how Jimmy Nelson has dominated them.

The Pirates were swept in their last visit to Miller Park and have been stymied by Nelson as they send Cole to the mound to start this three-game set Tuesday night.

Pittsburgh (79-50) holds the NL's top wild card and trails St. Louis in the Central race. The Pirates visit the Cardinals for three games this weekend.

With that series in mind, the club decided to flip-flop the starts of Cole (15-7, 2.44 ERA) and Jeff Locke to start this series so Cole can pitch Sunday night.

"Any opportunity to throw against the Cardinals is going to be a good one," Cole told MLB's official website. "Without thinking too far ahead, we need to take care of Tuesday against Milwaukee, that's the main priority."

The Pirates, winners of 14 of 18 overall and seven of eight on the road, have good reason to be concerned about the Brewers. These division rivals have split 12 matchups, with Milwaukee (55-75) sweeping a series July 17-19. The Brewers have swept at least one three-game home set from Pittsburgh in nine of the last 10 seasons.

Cole, who is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts at Miller Park, did not pitch in the last series. He gave up two runs in six innings to earn a 5-2 home victory April 19 over the Brewers, improving to 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts against them.

The right-hander allowed one run over 7 1-3 innings to earn Thursday's 2-1 victory at Miami, ending a five-start stretch in which he was 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA.

Cole's 2.13 road ERA is baseball's fifth-best mark.

Scooter Gennett is 7 for 14 against him and Jean Segura is 6 for 18 while Ryan Braun is hitless in eight at-bats in this matchup.

Nelson (10-10, 3.81) is 3-1 with a 1.85 ERA in four starts against the Pirates this year, limiting them to no homers and a .202 average. He has benefited from seeing Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen twice in those four games, with the center fielder going 2 for 3 with two walks.

Josh Harrison and Pedro Alvarez have combined to go 1 for 17 with seven strikeouts off the right-hander, who is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last six home outings. Milwaukee has won nine of Nelson's last 12 starts.

He'll see former teammate Aramis Ramirez for the first time. Ramirez was traded to Pittsburgh on July 23 and returns to Miller Park for the first time after spending his last three-plus seasons with Milwaukee.

The Brewers' Jonathan Lucroy is batting .452 with three homers and 10 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. His average is at .255 compared to .301 last year.

'Any time you have tough year and stuff doesn't really go your way, to be able to finish strong is a big part of feeling good about your season,' said Lucroy, who is 5 for 17 versus Cole.

Pittsburgh starts a nine-game trip after capturing its last five series while Milwaukee took two of three over the weekend at home from Cincinnati.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Brewers
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Pirates at Brewers
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Brewers
Thu, Sep 3 - 7:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:50 AM

Preview: White Sox (61-68) at Twins (67-63)
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 01, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Considering how they've handled the Chicago White Sox in recent home matchups, the Minnesota Twins could keep making strides in the AL wild-card race this week.

Chris Sale would appear to be an imposing obstacle for the Twins on Tuesday night, but they've proved one of his most difficult opponents this season.

Minnesota (67-63) has won six of its seven home games against its AL Central rivals and eight of the last 10 overall meetings. The Twins also enter this series having won eight of 10 after taking two of three from AL West-leading Houston this weekend.

"I know there's character in there. We're resilient. There's a lot of things I've enjoyed watching about us. We're aggressive and we're finding a way to hang in there," manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website following a 7-5 victory Sunday.

That surge has pulled Minnesota within striking distance of Texas for the AL's second wild card, and they'll try to take another step while ending Sale's recent success.

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his last four starts and pitched seven scoreless innings Wednesday against Boston. Sale, though, did not get a decision in the 3-0 loss but set a single-season career high with 229 strikeouts - the most by a White Sox pitcher since Ed Walsh's 254 in 1912.

Sale (12-7, 3.20 ERA) needs one more win for his most since going a career-best 17-8 in 2012, but has dropped three consecutive starts to the Twins while posting an 8.15 ERA after beating them April 12. He gave up six runs in 6 2-3 innings in the latest matchup, a 6-1 loss June 24, and dropped to 0-2 with a 12.10 ERA in his two starts in Minnesota this season.

With their playoff hopes faint at best, the White Sox are hoping Sale can solve his woes quickly - he'll likely face the Twins again in a home series that begins Sept. 11.

The White Sox (61-68) went 5-5 on a 10-game stretch against teams that also had losing records and needed a 6-5 win in 11 innings Sunday to salvage a four-game split against visiting Seattle.

"This is definitely crunch time. A time to get going," Sale said. "We know what we are up against, but you know this is baseball. This is sports. This is a crazy game.

"Anything can happen. We aren't giving up on the season. We definitely aren't going to give up on ourselves or each other."

Tyler Duffey (2-1, 4.29) will try again to claim a third consecutive win in his first start against the White Sox. Since struggling in his major league debut Aug. 5 in Toronto, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his last three games but did not get a decision in a 5-3 win in Tampa Bay on Wednesday after yielding two runs in 5 1-3 innings.

Avisail Garcia is batting .417 in his last 10 games versus Minnesota and is a .340 lifetime hitter at Target Field. Geovany Soto is batting .372 in his last 13 matchups, and Adam LaRoche is a career .323 hitter against Minnesota.

Eduardo Nunez is batting .433 in an eight-game hit streak versus Chicago and has a homer and two doubles in eight at-bats against Sale this season.

Brian Dozier is batting .305 with five homers and 15 RBIs versus the White Sox this season. He's 5 for 14 with a home run and two doubles against Sale this year.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Twins
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
White Sox at Twins
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Twins
Thu, Sep 3 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:52 AM

Preview: Mariners (61-71) at Astros (73-59)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 01, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Terrific performances on the mound have spurred the Houston Astros' recent dominance at Minute Maid Park. Scott Feldman is looking for the offense to balance things out.

Feldman attempts to continue his strong stretch Tuesday night and help the Astros to their 10th win in 11 home meetings with the Seattle Mariners.

Houston (73-59), which leads the AL West by 3 1/2 games over Texas, has won 22 of its last 27 home games behind the starting rotation's 2.37 ERA - a mark that plummets to 1.62 over its current 6-1 stretch at home.

Astros ace Dallas Keuchel turned in the latest dazzling effort Monday, yielding one run with eight strikeouts in seven innings of an 8-3 victory over the Mariners (61-71).

The offensive output was Houston's best in its last seven at home. The bats have come through in the previous nine there against Seattle, hitting .314 with 26 homers while averaging 7.5 runs.

Feldman (5-5, 3.75 ERA) would surely prefer that it continues. He's compiled a 2.36 ERA in seven starts after missing almost eight weeks recovering from knee surgery. However, he's been backed by eight total runs, resulting in a 1-1 record in that stretch.

The right-hander has received two runs of support during his past three outings, going 1-0 while allowing two runs in 21 innings.

Feldman's longest outing was wasted in a 1-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 24. He matched Nathan Eovaldi's eight scoreless innings in a pitchers' duel.

"He's been exceptional," manager A.J. Hinch told MLB's official website. "His tempo, his rhythm, his pitches. He's finishing pitches much better than at the beginning of the season ... He's been conservative with his pitches, he's just been very effective. That type of starting pitching is what we've seen out of the whole group, especially him."

Feldman is 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA over his last five starts against Seattle. However, he had his best performance of that stretch at home April 30, yielding two runs in seven innings of a 3-2 win in 10.

Carlos Correa had one of Houston's three homers Monday, connecting for a two-run blast and adding a single after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury.

"He's a big presence for us; obviously he came up big," Hinch said of the rookie shortstop. "He's very much in the middle of everything that we do."

Correa, though, is batting .200 in seven games against Seattle.

The Mariners are looking for Roenis Elias (4-7, 4.20) to improve after giving up four runs - three earned - and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. It was his first start since being demoted to Triple-A Tacoma one day after losing at Oakland on July 2.

"This kid is a competitor," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He loves to compete and he won't be afraid of the stage. If his stuff is on, if he's throwing strikes with all four of his pitches, he's going to be a bear out there."

The second-year left-hander is 1-2 with a 6.61 ERA in three starts against Houston this year. However, he was terrific in the most recent June 19 with a career high-tying 10 strikeouts while yielding a pair of solo homers in seven innings of a 5-2 home win.

Robinson Cano is hitting .390 in 19 games after going 7 for 12 in the past three. He's 8 for 22 against Feldman.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Astros
Mon, Aug 31 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Astros
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Astros
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:53 AM

Preview: Nationals (66-64) at Cardinals (85-46)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: September 01, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

While Joe Ross might be nearing an innings limit imposed by the Washington Nationals, Marco Gonzales' big league season is just getting started for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gonzales replaces an injured Carlos Martinez on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, where Ross seeks a third straight victory as innings continue ticking off from an undisclosed ceiling. Washington wins in the series, however, have been rare for over three seasons.

Ross (5-5, 3.24 ERA) gave up a hit and an unearned run with seven strikeouts over six innings of Thursday's 4-2 home win over San Diego and was pulled after 77 pitches.

He's thrown at least 90 only once in his last eight starts as the club keeps a close eye on the right-hander. Including the minors, he's pitched 142 2-3 innings, which is up from last season's 121 2-3.

"It's an interesting scenario because he hasn't been hurt," manager Matt Williams told MLB's official website. "It's not like he has had an injury and we are cautious in that regard. It's uncharted territory because he hasn't (pitched a lot of innings). But looking how he has gone about it, all indications are that he is fine."

The 22-year-old has displayed a control that could be the envy of many veterans, issuing 1.49 walks per nine innings. He hasn't been quite as cool on the road, however, with a 1-3 record, 4.97 ERA and 2.48 walks per nine in five starts.

Martinez is missing the game to rest a sore back, though he's expected to miss only one start.

Gonzales, the club's first-round pick in 2013, has spent time with three St. Louis affiliates this year, posting a 1-4 record and 4.42 ERA in 16 starts and a relief outing.

The left-hander split 10 big league appearances between the rotation and bullpen last season, going 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA. He was 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA in three starts at Busch, though that included 11 walks in 16 1-3 innings - the same number Ross has posted in 66 2-3 for the season.

With Monday's 8-5 win, St. Louis (85-46) has taken the last three against the Nationals (66-64) and hasn't lost a series against them since their first of the 2012 season. The Cardinals are 16-4 in the last six-plus sets.

Getting to 17-4 would also mean the Cardinals have reached 40 games over .500 for the first time since 2005. The only times they've hit the plateau in fewer games during the modern era came in 1944 (90 games with two ties), 2004 (124), 1943 (126) and 1942 (129) - and the club reached the World Series in each of those seasons.

"We don't take it for granted, we're having fun," Jason Heyward said. "We're doing a great job of pushing each other."

They've gotten to the brink of going 40 over with wins in eight of nine while scoring 6.3 runs per game and posting a 2.08 starting ERA.

Stephen Piscotty is hitting .424 with six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs on an eight-game hitting streak, and Heyward is 7 for 13 in his last three. His .293 average is higher than it's been since his third game of the season.

That might not give Washington much to be hopeful about, particularly after falling 6 1/2 games back of the New York Mets in the NL East. If the Nationals can get through this series in decent shape, though, one of the easiest schedules in baseball awaits with 20 games remaining against Atlanta, Miami and Philadelphia.

Those figure to be even easier if Ryan Zimmerman continues hitting. The first baseman is batting .333 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in his last eight games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Cardinals
Mon, Aug 31 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Cardinals
Tue, Sep 1 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Cardinals
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:15PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-01-2015, 10:56 AM

Preview: Angels (65-66) at Athletics (58-74)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: September 01, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Struggling in nearly every facet - especially on the road - the Los Angeles Angels are starting to fade in the postseason chase.

A series with the AL-worst Oakland Athletics was supposed to solve their issues. Instead, the Angels attempt to avoid a five-game skid Tuesday night.

Los Angeles (65-66) has dropped nine of 11, a stretch that transformed the team from the leader of the race for the AL's second wild-card spot to 3 1/2 games back of Texas for that position

The Angels were also a factor in the AL West but a 2 1/2-game deficit to first-place Houston has bloated to 7 1/2.

'We're in this,' manager Mike Scioscia said. 'We need to do things just a little bit better.'

Little is going right, as Los Angeles is hitting .235 and averaging 3.0 runs while the staff has a 7.66 ERA - 8.13 from the starters - over the past 11 games.

The Angels' struggles have been apparent over the last 20 road contests, dropping 17 while batting .213 with 2.8 runs per game with the rotation posting a 5.97 ERA.

While the Angels had 10 hits Monday, starter Hector Santiago was hammered for five runs in 2 2-3 innings of an 11-5 loss at Oakland (58-74).

Los Angeles' latest win came with Matt Shoemaker (6-9, 4.48) on the mound. The right-hander allowed one hit in 7 1-3 innings of Thursday's 2-0 victory at Detroit.

He had given up 13 runs and 16 hits - four homers - in 7 1-3 over his two previous starts, earning him a demotion to Triple-A Salt Lake for nearly two weeks.

"That's as good as it gets from Matt," Scioscia told MLB's official website. "You can't say enough about the adjustments he made. You saw great fastball command, great glove-side fastball command, good slider. He used his split when he needed it. He really wasn't in too many bad counts."

Shoemaker is 0-2 with a 7.85 ERA in four starts against the A's this year. He allowed five runs and eight hits - two homers - in four-plus innings of a 12-7 win at Oakland on June 19.

Mike Trout is looking to put an ugly August behind him. The center fielder hit .218 with one homer and seven RBIs in 29 games after going 0 for 4 on Monday. He had a .462 average over his previous eight meetings with the A's.

Albert Pujols had two hits and an RBI in the opener of this three-game set after batting .172 over his previous 16 games. He owns a .409 average with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last six meetings with Oakland.

The A's are aiming for a fourth straight win and are giving Cody Martin his first career start in place of Chris Bassitt, who has a shoulder injury.

Martin went 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 relief appearances for Atlanta before being acquired July 2.

The rookie right-hander has been at Triple-A Nashville since, going 3-4 with a 5.33 ERA in 10 starts.

"Got a mix of pitches, throws upwards of five different pitches," manager Bob Melvin said. "Got him from Atlanta, and not sure what to expect until (Tuesday)."

Martin is from Dos Palos, California, roughly 2 hours, 30 minutes from Oakland.

Mark Canha is batting .345 with 16 RBIs in his last 13 games. The rookie had a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly Monday.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Athletics
Mon, Aug 31 Final 5 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Athletics
Tue, Sep 1 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Athletics
Wed, Sep 2 - 3:35PM EDT

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