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**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:08 AM

MLB RUNLINE

MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX@ (972) KANSAS CITY | 2015-09-04 20:10:00 - 2015-09-04 20:10:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 29 Wins and 9 Losses for the last two seasons (+26.7 units)

MLB > (963) LA DODGERS@ (964) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-04 22:10:00 - 2015-09-04 22:10:00
Play AGAINST LA DODGERS using the in Road games in night games
The record is 12 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (-22.5 units)

MLB > (979) PHILADELPHIA@ (980) BOSTON | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 2 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (-14.65 units)

MLB > (975) TEXAS@ (976) LA ANGELS | 2015-09-04 22:05:00 - 2015-09-04 22:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 42 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (+21.5 units)

MLB > (961) SAN FRANCISCO@ (962) COLORADO | 2015-09-04 20:40:00 - 2015-09-04 20:40:00
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 > (973) MINNESOTA@ (974) HOUSTON | 2015-09-04 20:10:00 - 2015-09-04 20:10:00
Play ON HOUSTON using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 74 Wins and 37 Losses for the last two seasons (+36.05 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:10 AM

MLB TOTALS

MLB > (957) MILWAUKEE@ (958) CINCINNATI | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Play UNDER MILWAUKEE on the total in Road games in September games
The record is 3 Overs and 21 Unders for the last three seasons (+17.6 units)

MLB > (963) LA DODGERS@ (964) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-04 22:10:00 - 2015-09-04 22:10:00
Play OVER SAN DIEGO on the total in All games in all games
The record is 77 Overs and 51 Unders for the this season (+25.2 units)

MLB > (977) SEATTLE@ (978) OAKLAND | 2015-09-04 22:05:00 - 2015-09-04 22:05:00
Play OVER OAKLAND on the total in All games against division opponents
The record is 34 Overs and 17 Unders for the this season (+16.6 units)

MLB > (979) PHILADELPHIA@ (980) BOSTON | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 60 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+20.6 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:12 AM

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (951) ARIZONA @ (952) CHICAGO CUBS | 2015-09-04 14:20:00 - 2015-09-04 14:20:00
Line: ARIZONA BTB PowerLine: ARIZONA-138
Edge On: ARIZONA (37)

MLB > (969) BALTIMORE @ (970) TORONTO | 2015-09-04 19:05:00 - 2015-09-04 19:05:00
Line: BALTIMORE BTB PowerLine: BALTIMORE-130
Edge On: BALTIMORE (31)

MLB > (965) CLEVELAND @ (966) DETROIT | 2015-09-04 19:05:00 - 2015-09-04 19:05:00
Line: CLEVELAND BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND151
Edge On: CLEVELAND (6)

MLB > (967) TAMPA BAY @ (968) NY YANKEES | 2015-09-04 19:05:00 - 2015-09-04 19:05:00
Line: TAMPA BAY BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY-144
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (16)

MLB > (979) PHILADELPHIA @ (980) BOSTON | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-133
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (28)

MLB > (955) NY METS @ (956) MIAMI | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Line: NY METS BTB PowerLine: NY METS171
Edge On: NY METS (11)

MLB > (957) MILWAUKEE @ (958) CINCINNATI | 2015-09-04 19:10:00 - 2015-09-04 19:10:00
Line: MILWAUKEE BTB PowerLine: MILWAUKEE114
Edge On: MILWAUKEE (9)

MLB > (971) CHI WHITE SOX @ (972) KANSAS CITY | 2015-09-04 20:10:00 - 2015-09-04 20:10:00
Line: KANSAS CITY-200 BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY-224
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (24)

MLB > (973) MINNESOTA @ (974) HOUSTON | 2015-09-04 20:10:00 - 2015-09-04 20:10:00
Line: HOUSTON-165 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON-180
Edge On: HOUSTON (15)

MLB > (959) PITTSBURGH @ (960) ST LOUIS | 2015-09-04 20:15:00 - 2015-09-04 20:15:00
Line: ST LOUIS-140 BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS-148
Edge On: ST LOUIS (8)

MLB > (961) SAN FRANCISCO @ (962) COLORADO | 2015-09-04 20:40:00 - 2015-09-04 20:40:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO124
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (14)

MLB > (977) SEATTLE @ (978) OAKLAND | 2015-09-04 22:05:00 - 2015-09-04 22:05:00
Line: OAKLAND-115 BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND-125
Edge On: OAKLAND (10)

MLB > (975) TEXAS @ (976) LA ANGELS | 2015-09-04 22:05:00 - 2015-09-04 22:05:00
Line: TEXAS BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-135
Edge On: TEXAS (10)

MLB > (963) LA DODGERS @ (964) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-04 22:10:00 - 2015-09-04 22:10:00
Line: LA DODGERS BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS123
Edge On: LA DODGERS (18)

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:16 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (65-69) at Cubs (75-57)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 04, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

After years of rebuilding, the Chicago Cubs signaled their readiness to pursue a playoff berth by signing Jon Lester to a lucrative deal in December.

Lester will try to contribute to the Cubs' stretch run Friday night when he faces Arizona Diamondbacks lineup that likely won't have Paul Goldschmidt.

Lester was given the largest contract in Cubs history at $155 million for six years, and has reinforced that faith more often than not. He's allowed two earned runs or fewer while pitching at least six innings in 15 of his 26 starts.

The left-hander has also had inconsistent results in his past three. Lester (8-10, 3.59 ERA) was tagged for seven runs in 2 2-3 innings in a 15-8 loss to Detroit on Aug. 19 but yielded one run in 8 2-3 innings five days later in a 2-1 win over Cleveland.

Though Lester was denied a fourth win in six starts Saturday when the Dodgers reached him for four seventh-inning runs in a 5-2 loss, he remained upbeat.

"The good thing is, I don't have to go back to the drawing board," Lester said. "My stuff was there. Location was there, stuff was there, velocity was there. Everything was there.

"Now it's a matter of a little bit of luck going my way and maybe the outcome is a little different."

Despite losing six of eight, Chicago (75-57) still holds a sizable lead over San Francisco for the NL's second wild card.

The Cubs will try to maintain that advantage by sending Arizona (65-69) to a ninth defeat in 12 contests. The Diamondbacks, who have won six of their last eight on the road, split the first four of their current seven-game trek after a 9-4 loss Wednesday to Colorado.

Goldschmidt missed that game to be with his wife for the birth of their first child and is not expected to return until Saturday. The first baseman, batting .322 with 27 homers and 97 RBIs, batted .179 in his last seven games before leaving but is a .383 hitter in 22 career games against the Cubs.

"I think this is a great situation where he can get everything off his mind and he can come back fresh," manager Chip Hale told MLB's official website.

Zack Godley, meanwhile, is expected to return to the majors to face the team that drafted him in the 10th round in 2013. The right-hander was acquired by Arizona on Dec. 9 in a deal that sent Miguel Montero to the Cubs.

Godley (4-0, 1.90) joined Chase Anderson as the only two Diamondbacks pitchers to win their first four decisions, pitching 3 2-3 innings of one-run relief Aug. 22 in an 11-7 win over Cincinnati.

Anderson won his first five starts last season.

Godley will face a team that's averaged 6.5 runs in its last 11 home games, but Chicago dropped two of three to last-place Cincinnati to begin a six-game stay at Wrigley Field.

It's unclear if Kyle Schwarber will be available. The rookie was scratched before Wednesday's 7-4 loss because of soreness in his right ribs, one day after going 2 for 3 with a winning two-run homer.

Jorge Soler, 6 for 13 with three doubles in a three-game series in Arizona in May, is on the disabled list with a strained oblique.

Lester gave up two runs in seven innings in a 5-4, 13-inning loss to the Diamondbacks on May 22.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Fri, Sep 4 - 2:20PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Sat, Sep 5 - 2:20PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Sun, Sep 6 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:19 AM

Preview: Rays (66-67) at Yankees (74-58)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: September 04, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The New York Yankees are about to start a homestand that features more difficult opposition than the two lowly teams they just pounded on the road.

They'll begin a 10-game stretch in the Bronx against AL East foes when they face the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

New York (74-58) completed a 5-1 trip through Atlanta and Boston with Wednesday's 13-8 win over the Red Sox. The Yankees scored 57 runs and hit 12 homers in the six games.

Now they face Tampa Bay (66-67), Baltimore and first-place Toronto in succession. The Yankees are 1 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays.

"We just played the Red Sox now we're playing the other three (East) teams," manager Joe Girardi said. "They're important games."

Stephen Drew was among five Yankees to go deep Wednesday with a three-run homer. He is 9 for 12 with two home runs and nine RBIs in his last four games, while Didi Gregorius also homered and has gone 16 for 28 with 12 RBIs in his past seven.

'It's good anytime we can do that,' Drew said. 'Didi's swinging the bat well, obviously, and myself, so it was a good day overall for everybody.'

Rookie Greg Bird hit his third homer as he continues to start at first base for the injured Mark Teixeira. Carlos Beltran is batting .357 in his last 16 contests and has an 18-game hitting streak at home.

The Rays are 4 1/2 behind Texas for the second wild card and missed a chance at a three-game sweep in Baltimore on Wednesday. Closer Brad Boxberger failed to protect a two-run lead in the ninth of a 7-6, 11-inning loss.

'You want a sweep when you can, especially in our situation,' Boxberger said. 'For me, not being able to hold that kind of lead is not expected. So, it's just one of those it's tough.'

Evan Longoria homered three times in the series. Logan Forsythe has 11 hits in his last 14 at-bats and Brandon Guyer is 9 for 20 in his last four games for the Rays, winners of five of seven on the road.

Tampa Bay will get its first look at Yankees rookie right-hander Luis Severino (2-2, 2.17 ERA), who is trying to win his third straight start after pitching six scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Braves.

"It doesn't seem to overwhelm him, the situation here," Girardi said.

Severino has limited opponents to a .128 average in two home starts.

He'll be opposed by Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 3.18), who is 0-1 with a 4.33 ERA in his last six starts. He gave up four runs in 4 2-3 innings of Saturday's 6-3 defeat to Kansas City.

The right-hander has gone 2-3 with a 5.29 ERA in six starts against the Yankees, including 0-2 with a 5.11 mark in two in April.

Odorizzi, who suffers from one of the worst run-support averages in the majors at 3.25, can't explain why Brian McCann is 10 for 16 with two homers and three doubles against him.

"Some guys we see that are high-caliber players, you have good results against," Odorizzi told MLB's official website. "You can't really explain why you do. Or why you don't."

New York leads the season series 8-5.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Yankees
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Rays at Yankees
Sat, Sep 5 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Yankees
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:22 AM

Preview: Orioles (64-69) at Blue Jays (76-57)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 04, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

AL East opponents Baltimore and Toronto have been on virtually opposite paths as the season starts to wind down.

The Orioles' chances at a third postseason appearance in four years have all but slipped away, while the Blue Jays look poised to end baseball's longest active playoff drought.

Baltimore opens a pivotal stretch that figures to decide the fate of its season Friday night when it starts a three-game series at Toronto.

The Orioles (64-69) have plummeted out of the division race, dropping 12 of 14 to fall 12 games back of the first-place Blue Jays (76-57). They've hit .217 in that span with 85 strikeouts in the last eight, and a wild-card berth looks increasingly unattainable as well with a 6 1/2-game deficit separating them from Texas.

Adam Jones has hit .121 with 13 strikeouts in his last nine games, while Chris Davis has struck out 22 times in his past 11.

"How do you get of it? That's the beauty of this game," Jones said. "The way you do it is you collectively come together and go out there and beat ... somebody else instead of getting your tails handed to you.'

After this series, Baltimore's nine-game stretch against the AL's top three teams continues with three-game sets versus New York and Kansas City. The Orioles stopped a six-game skid with a 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Wednesday, which came after they had scored fewer than four runs in 12 of 13.

Ubaldo Jimenez's freefall has mirrored the Orioles' collapse. Jimenez (9-9, 4.34 ERA) is 2-5 with a 7.50 ERA in his last nine outings, surrendering 10 homers in 48 innings. He had given up eight over the previous 99 1-3 while posting a 2.81 ERA - which would have been the lowest mark of his career over a full season.

He allowed four runs and eight hits while needing 92 pitches to get through 5 2-3 innings of Saturday's 4-3 loss at Texas.

Jimenez performed like a completely different pitcher in three meetings with Toronto in April and May, going 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA while striking out 23 in 19 innings. He's 5-4 with a 4.10 ERA in 12 career matchups - 11 starts.

A number of Blue Jays have struggled against the right-hander with Jose Bautista going 2 for 29 and Josh Donaldson 2 for 15.

Donaldson has batted .404 with 24 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits in his last 14 games for Toronto, winner of 26 of 32. The Blue Jays, who own a 1 1/2-game edge over the Yankees as they seek their first playoff appearance since 1993, are averaging 8.0 runs during a 10-2 stretch.

They're hoping Drew Hutchison (13-2, 4.87 ERA) continues his night-and-day contrast at home and on the road, at least for his sixth straight start at Rogers Centre. The disparity between his home (2.46) and road (9.00) ERAs is the largest for a pitcher with at least 10 starts both at home and on the road going back to at least 1914.

He improved to 11-1 in Toronto with Saturday's 15-1 win over Detroit, limiting the Tigers to one run over seven innings.

Manny Machado hasn't been quite as cold as other Orioles, though he's hitting .243 with four extra-base hits in his last 17 games. He's batted .500 with three homers, six doubles and 10 RBIs in his last eight games against the Blue Jays, however.

These teams haven't met since June 19-21 when Baltimore took two of three in Toronto, though the Blue Jays lead the series 7-5.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Blue Jays
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 2
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sat, Sep 5 - 1:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:07PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:25 AM

Preview: Braves (54-79) at Nationals (67-65)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: September 04, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals are going to have to do without Stephen Strasburg this weekend, but quality of starting pitching hasn't much mattered against the Atlanta Braves.

Tanner Roark takes the mound Friday night at Nationals Park as Atlanta's Julio Teheran tries to put possibly his worst start of the season behind him and end his club's longest losing streak in nine years.

Strasburg's ongoing health issues are pushing Roark (4-4, 4.54 ERA) into the rotation after being recalled from Double-A Harrisburg following Monday's abbreviated start.

Strasburg (upper back tightness) threw an extended bullpen session Thursday and will likely return next week against the first-place New York Mets.

Roark made two starts in a brief stay in the minors to stretch out after being sent down Aug. 25, surrendering one run and five hits in six innings.

In the majors, he's pitched exclusively out of the bullpen since the beginning of July, and after some initial struggles posted a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings over his last nine outings. The right-hander's time in the rotation ended on a terrible note with eight runs and 12 hits allowed in 3 1-3 innings of an 8-5 loss in Philadelphia on June 28.

Teheran (9-7, 4.62) can relate. The right-hander gave up eight runs and nine hits with three home runs in 4 1-3 innings of Sunday's 20-6 home loss to the New York Yankees. The 24-year-old had gone 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA in his first five August starts, but the majority of that success came at home.

Away, Teheran is 2-5 with a 6.32 ERA in 13 outings, including one in Washington with six runs allowed in five innings of an 8-6 walk-off loss May 9. He is 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA in five starts at Nationals Park.

Bryce Harper is 9 for 21 with two home runs and three doubles when facing Teheran, and catcher Jose Lobaton (7 for 13 with two home runs) could also be in the lineup, though Wilson Ramos is on an 11-game hitting streak.

Roark is 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA in five starts and five relief efforts against the Braves. Jace Peterson (0 for 8), Andrelton Simmons (1 for 12) and Nick Markakis (1 for 6) have struggled in the matchup, but Freddie Freeman is 7 for 17.

Washington (68-65), six games back of New York, opened the series with Thursday's 15-1 win for its second-highest hit (18) and run totals of the year. Harper walked four times and scored four runs without swinging his bat, giving him nine walks and a .688 on-base percentage in the last four games.

It's benefited cleanup hitter Ryan Zimmerman, who's batting .405 with seven home runs, 23 RBIs and a 1.428 OPS in his last 11.

"That's why Bryce didn't swing at a pitch and scored four runs," manager Matt Williams said. "There's your proof in the pudding right there."

The Braves (54-80), having their worst season since 1990, have lost nine straight and 16 of 17. They last lost 10 in a row in 2006, and they're also in danger of dropping 11 straight on the road for the first time since 1977. The next stop might be last place in baseball's worst division with Philadelphia one game back.

Over a 3-20 span in which it hasn't won consecutive games, Atlanta is averaging 2.6 runs with a 6.64 ERA while giving up 15 or more runs three times in the last seven games.

"These guys are professional, they're major leaguers," Freeman said of Atlanta's staff. "Some of these guys have a lot of years playing in the minor leagues, and for them to get hit around like that is not really acceptable."

The Braves have lost seven straight in Washington.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Nationals
Thu, Sep 3 - Final 1 to 15
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Nationals
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Nationals
Sat, Sep 5 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Braves at Nationals
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:27 AM

Preview: Phillies (53-81) at Red Sox (61-72)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 04, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

One of the worst stretches of Joe Kelly's career spurred a demotion to the minor leagues.

The right-hander pieced things together after being called back up, though, and turned in a historic month for Boston.

He seeks his seventh straight victory Friday night against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Kelly (8-6, 4.94) has finally found himself at the tail end of his first season in Boston, posting a 1.69 ERA over his last five starts. Opponents are 0 for 26 with runners in scoring position in that span after batting .322 in those situations previously.

He became the first Boston pitcher to go 6-0 in a month since Pedro Martinez in May 1999 with Saturday's 3-1 victory against the New York Mets.

Kelly went 2-5 with a 5.67 ERA through his first 14 starts, prompting the Red Sox to send him to Triple-A Pawtucket for nearly a month. He credited a better mix of pitches for his improvement. His opponents' .268 BABIP against his change-up is the lowest for any of his four pitches.

"Earlier in the year, I was throwing all fastball and obviously that didn't work out," he told MLB's official website. "It's just something we've been trying to make a point of emphasis early on in the game. Mix in some offspeed pitches and try to get the hitters off the fastball."

Philadelphia is one of two teams Kelly has yet to face along with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Red Sox (61-72) had a streak of 30 straight starts of at least five innings snapped in Wednesday's 13-8 loss to the New York Yankees as rookie Henry Owens surrendered seven runs over 1 2-3. New York put together an eight-run second inning, though Boston chipped away with at least one run in each inning from the fifth onward.

"We fall down 10 runs and we didn't quit," interim manager Torey Lovullo said. "We kept coming. Despite that moment where the game got away from us, everybody did their job to pick up Henry, and I was proud of that."

Boston has won 26 of its last 38 meetings with Philadelphia and allowed only 14 hits while taking two of three April 6-9.

David Ortiz remains five home runs shy of becoming the 27th player to join the 500 club. He has hit .526 with five homers in his last six interleague contests.

The Phillies (53-81) posted a 6.46 ERA during a 3-7 stretch with the bullpen pitching especially poorly. Relievers have allowed 31 earned runs over 36 2-3 innings in that span.

Rookie Adam Morgan (5-4, 4.03 ERA) was solid his last time out, though, limiting San Diego to two unearned runs and four hits over six innings in a 4-3 home victory Saturday. The left-hander was hammered for four homers in his previous start against the Mets.

"I want to stick here and by having outings like the one (against New York) you're going to get out of here real quick," he said.

Boston's Xander Bogaerts is hitting .356 in his last 23 games and .377 for the season against lefties. He also has 13 RBIs in his last 14 interleague games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Red Sox
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Phillies at Red Sox
Sat, Sep 5 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Red Sox
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:31 AM

Preview: Mets (74-59) at Marlins (55-79)
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 04, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Last month was the New York Mets' winningest of the season, and much of that success came on the road.

The Mets kick off what they hope is another fruitful trip - this time a season-high 10-gamer - when they face a team they swept on the road in August. They'll also start Jacob deGrom, who will seek to add to his dominance over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

New York (74-59) enters its lengthy trek with a sizable lead over Washington in the NL East thanks in part to its 20-8 record in August. The Mets, who begin next week with three matchups in the nation's capital, won 12 of 15 away from home last month after previously being 17-32.

They went 8-1 on their most recent trip Aug. 18-27 behind Yoenis Cespedes' six homers and 15 RBIs. They begin this one looking to duplicate a three-game sweep in Miami from Aug. 3-5, when they battered Marlins pitchers for 25 runs and 39 hits.

Another successful trek could go a long way toward the first playoff berth since 2006 for New York, which has endured six straight losing seasons since suffering late-season collapses in 2007 and 2008.

"There's still a long time to go. I know as well as anybody that nothing is safe. Until it happens, anything can happen," captain David Wright said. "I mean, you probably ask the majority of guys in here, they probably have no idea about that. So I don't think about it. I've learned from it, but I don't think about it."

DeGrom (12-7, 2.32 ERA) facing the Marlins (55-79) is perhaps the closest thing to a safe bet as he's 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA in five lifetime matchups. In the only one this season, he pitched seven scoreless innings, walked none and fanned eight in a 5-4 win April 18.

The right-hander gave up two runs in six innings and struck out 10 in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Boston. New York had won each of his previous eight starts.

The one-run output was uncharacteristic for the Mets, who have plated an MLB-best 103 since Aug. 21 while batting .315 in 13 games. Cespedes hit his second homer in as many days and 10th in 30 games with New York in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Philadelphia.

Like Cespedes, leadoff man Curtis Granderson has keyed the turnaround away from Citi Field with a .352 average and 23 runs in 20 road games since the All-Star break.

The Mets, 9-4 against Miami this season, now get another chance to feast on Tom Koehler (8-13, 4.12). The right-hander is 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA in three games against the Mets this season, most recently getting charged with seven runs in 4 1-3 innings in a 12-1 loss Aug. 3.

Koehler has lost a team-record seven consecutive starts with a 6.81 ERA after allowing five runs in six innings Saturday in a 5-1 loss in Washington.

"I don't know if the results are kind of equal to how I'm throwing right now," he said. "The calendar's going to turn to a new month, which I'm definitely looking forward to."

The Marlins hoped to get Giancarlo Stanton off the disabled list this weekend, but his status is unclear after the slugger experienced discomfort during a rehab assignment. Stanton has been out since June 26 because of a broken bone in his right wrist.

Daniel Murphy's status is unknown because of a quad injury suffered Wednesday.

Fellow Mets infielder Ruben Tejada homered and drove in four runs, and he's 10 for 20 in his past six against Miami. Cespedes is batting .367 in six career matchups after going 6 for 15 with five RBIs in last month's series. Tejada and Cespedes are a combined 5 for 7 with four doubles off Koehler this year.

Dee Gordon is batting .457 during an 11-game hitting streak versus the Mets and is 3 for 3 this season against deGrom.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Marlins
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Mets at Marlins
Sat, Sep 5 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Marlins
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:33 AM

Preview: Brewers (57-75) at Reds (55-77)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: September 04, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Because the award hasn't been given to a player on a last-place team in 28 years, Joey Votto might not be given enough serious consideration to win the NL MVP.

Nevertheless, Votto looks to continue arguably MLB's best second-half performance Friday night when the Cincinnati Reds try to deny the visiting Milwaukee Brewers a fifth straight win.

Votto, a four-time All-Star, probably won't be the first player from a bottom-feeding club to win the NL MVP since Chicago's Andre Dawson in 1987. Washington's Bryce Harper and Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt are among the top candidates.

But since the All-Star break, Votto leads the majors with a .399 average, 59 walks and a .576 on-base percentage while ranking among MLB's best in runs (39) and slugging percentage (.748).

The first baseman hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs that gave the Reds their first series win since July 28-30. It also capped a six-game trip in which he homered three times and reached base in 18 of 27 plate appearances.

"I'm starting to play up to a standard I've set for myself," Votto told MLB's official website. "Hopefully, you get an opportunity to help the team win and do your part to feel like you're supporting every win."

Votto went 6 for 10 with a homer as Cincinnati dropped two of three at Miller Park last week. He's batting .306 with four home runs versus Milwaukee (58-75) this season but is 3 for 22 at home.

Votto went 2 for 3 off scheduled starter Matt Garza (6-14, 5.56 ERA) before homering in the ninth inning of Saturday's 12-9 win. Garza had been 3-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his previous four starts versus Cincinnati (55-77) before allowing seven runs over 3 2-3 innings.

The right-hander will try to avoid becoming the first 15-game loser in the majors.

"I don't think I can get any further down," he said. "This is already bottom. I just have to keep fighting and keep going. The worst thing I can do is quit and mentally check out."

Jay Bruce is batting .367 with three home runs in 30 at-bats versus Garza, while Todd Frazier is hitting .316 with three homers in 19. Jason Bourgeois is 3 for 3 off him this season.

The Reds, who begin a 10-game homestand, have hit .218 while dropping 11 of 12 at Great American Ball Park. They haven't won two in a row at any venue since Aug. 12-13.

Milwaukee, 2 1/2 games ahead of last-place Cincinnati, seeks its first five-game winning streak since an eight-game run from June 28-July 5. Hernan Perez had three hits and Domingo Santana hit his fourth home run in Thursday's 5-3 home win over Pittsburgh.

Jonathan Lucroy singled to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games.

The Brewers have batted .343 while averaging 6.8 runs over their past five games. They'll try to keep it going against Keyvius Sampson, who is 0-1 with an 11.45 ERA in his last three starts.

The rookie right-hander hopes to fare better than Saturday when he gave up six runs over 3 2-3 innings. Scooter Gennett had three hits off Sampson (2-2, 6.43).

Adam Lind is batting .457 with four home runs in his last 10 games versus Milwaukee.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Reds
Fri, Sep 4 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Brewers at Reds
Sat, Sep 5 - 1:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Brewers at Reds
Sun, Sep 6 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:36 AM

Preview: Twins (69-64) at Astros (73-61)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 04, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

As Collin McHugh looks to carry over his success from last month, the Houston Astros right-hander should expect to see ailing rookie Miguel Sano in the Minnesota Twins lineup.

McHugh will try to help the Astros avoid losing three straight home games for the first time in almost four months in Friday night's series opener.

Though McHugh went 2-2 in five August starts, he posted a 1.89 ERA. He's also enjoyed some extended rest since allowing two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 6-2 victory at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 26.

"I've always taken a lot of pride in preparing my body well and to try to prepare mentally to be better at the end (of the season) than I was at the beginning," McHugh (14-7, 3.92 ERA) told MLB's official website. "I don't know whether it's willing yourself to do it a little bit better or not."

Making his first appearance against Minnesota (69-64) this year, McHugh yielded one run over seven innings in each of his three home starts last month. However, Houston (73-61) didn't score with him on the mound in the last two.

The Astros dropped two straight to Seattle for their first losing home series since May 29-31. They haven't lost three in a row there since a four-game slide May 4-12.

"We did have our own opportunities and a chance to win the series," manager A.J. Hinch said after Wednesday's 8-3 defeat.

Holding a two-game lead over Texas in the AL West, the Astros face a Minnesota club that took two of three from them last weekend.

Sano's only hit in five at-bats in that series was a two-run homer. Plagued by a sore hamstring, the talented slugger homered in three straight games before being limited to a pinch-hitting role in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the White Sox.

With the Twins 1 1/2 games back of the Rangers for the second wild-card spot, Sano should be back in the lineup.

"I don't imagine - unless things get significantly worse - that we're going to take him out for a week or whatever," manager Paul Molitor said of Sano, who has hit eight of his 15 home runs and recorded 17 RBIs in his last 15 games.

"We're just going to try to monitor it and rest it a little bit when we can and try to find a way to get as many at-bats as we can from here on out."

While Sano appears healthy enough to contribute, closer Glen Perkins won't make the trip to Houston because of back spasms. Kevin Jepsen is expected to continue closing games for Perkins, who is second in the AL with 32 saves.

'We've got enough people out there," Molitor said.

Following their third defeat in 13 games, the Twins turn to Mike Pelfrey (6-8, 3.85). The right-hander hopes for a better performance after he allowed four runs, seven hits and walked two in 3 2-3 innings of Saturday's 4-1 loss to Houston.

There might be a chance Pelfrey faces George Springer, who has been on the disabled list since July 2 with a wrist injury but could return in this series. Springer has 13 homers and 29 RBIs in 75 games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Astros
Fri, Sep 4 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Twins at Astros
Sat, Sep 5 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at Astros
Sun, Sep 6 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:38 AM

Preview: Rangers (70-62) at Angels (67-66)
Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: September 04, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels have a terrific opportunity to gain ground on the Texas Rangers this weekend, and Garrett Richards gives them the perfect chance to start this three-game set Friday night on a winning note.

Richards has captured six straight starts against the Rangers for the Angels, who seek to avoid their first five-game home slide in two years.

Time is running out for Los Angeles (67-66) to get into playoff position. The Angels trail the Rangers (70-62) by 3 1/2 games for the AL's second wild card while Texas is hoping to overcome a two-game deficit in the West and catch Houston.

"We're right where we wanna be, we've just got to continue to take care of our business, not worry about anything else," Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland said.

The Angels are 8-4 versus the Rangers, with Richards (12-10, 3.80 ERA) beating them twice to run his record to 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in six outings against them since the start of 2014. He is 7-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 starts against Texas, including 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in seven at home.

Prince Fielder is 5 for 10 over the last two years against the right-hander, but Rougned Odor is 1 for 13 in that span.

Richards yielded three runs with nine strikeouts in seven innings Saturday and did not get a decision in an 8-3 loss at Cleveland. Los Angeles is 4-0 in his home starts against AL West foes.

Moreland will be back at first base Friday after he was forced to the bench for an interleague series this week in which Prince Fielder played the position. Texas took two of three in San Diego, with Moreland doubling home the go-ahead run in the 10th inning in Wednesday's 4-3 win.

The Rangers have won 15 out of 20.

'It's been a good stretch and we've got a ways to go,' manager Jeff Banister said. 'We've got to continue to play well and be on top of our game.'

Josh Hamilton returned as a pinch-hitter Wednesday after being out since Aug. 15 due to left knee inflammation. He was loudly booed during his return to Anaheim from July 24-26.

The Rangers will start Martin Perez (2-3, 5.15), who has gone 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in his last five starts. The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two against the Angels from 2013.

Shane Victorino is expected to be in the Angels lineup since he is 3 for 3 off Perez and batting .266 off lefties compared to .197 versus righties.

The Angels last dropped five in a row at home from Aug. 4-16, 2013, and are opening a nine-game homestand after capturing a three-game set with Oakland with Wednesday's 9-4 victory.

Albert Pujols went deep to became one of four players with 10 35-homer seasons in their first 15 years.

'I've been blessed my whole career,' said Pujols, who has 555 homers and will pass Manny Ramirez for 14th all-time with his next one. 'I was born to play this game and to hit.'

Pujols has 35 homers - two more than Mike Trout, who has gone a career-worst 25 games without going deep. Trout is hitting .432 with four homers and 11 RBIs in the season series.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Angels
Fri, Sep 4 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Rangers at Angels
Sat, Sep 5 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Angels
Sun, Sep 6 - 3:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 03:40 AM

Preview: Mariners (63-71) at Athletics (58-76)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: September 04, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Seattle's offense has been one of baseball's worst for much of the season, but the Mariners look like an entirely different club in the batter's box lately.

They'll look to continue their surge and clinch the season series against the Oakland Athletics as they visit them on Friday night.

The Mariners (63-71) have won with offense lately, averaging 5.5 runs while hitting .293 with 19 homers to overcome a 4.74 ERA in winning seven of their last 11. Previously, Seattle ranked 27th with a .242 batting average and 26th with 3.8 runs per game.

Robinson Cano has caught fire, batting .381 in the last 11 games, while Franklin Gutierrez, Kyle Seager and Mark Trumbo all have four home runs apiece while combining for 24 RBIs. Seager has a .462 average during a six-game hitting streak, but his .210 career average against Oakland is his lowest against an AL West opponent.

Much of the recent production has come without contributions by major league home run leader Nelson Cruz, who is day to day after leaving Wednesday's 8-3 win at Houston with a strained quadriceps. Cruz is 4 for 29 with 12 strikeouts during a seven-game homerless drought, his longest since a 13-game slump July 4-20. He has hit five home runs with 11 RBIs in his last 12 meetings with Oakland, though, going deep in each of the last two meetings.

Oakland (58-76) could be vulnerable against a hot lineup, having lost 14 of 21 after allowing 20 runs and 33 hits in dropping two of three to the Los Angeles Angels. Even staff ace Sonny Gray wasn't immune Wednesday, surrendering six runs over five innings.

The A's, who are 26-29 against AL West foes, haven't finished under .500 in the division since a 26-31 record in 2011, going 115-94 from 2012-14.

Seattle leads the season series, 9-4, and the teams cap also play a three-game series at Safeco Field Oct. 2-4.

Inexperienced pitchers will be on the mound for both teams, with Edgar Olmos (1-0, 2.13 ERA) making his second career start for the Mariners. He yielded three runs over five innings in Seattle's 6-5, 11-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Olmos struggled with his command, walking five batters after issuing two over 7 2-3 innings of relief previously.

Hisashi Iwakuma was originally slated for this outing, but manager Lloyd McClendon flipped the two to give Iwakuma extra rest.

"Just giving him a couple extra days, that's all," McClendon told MLB's official website.

Aaron Brooks (1-1, 5.47) has sandwiched three starts of at least six innings while allowing two runs or fewer around a dreadful, eight-run, 1 2-3 inning outing against Toronto. This is his second start since being recalled to fill in for the injured Felix Doubront.

He gave up two runs over six innings in the club's 3-2 win at Arizona on Saturday, drawing praise from catcher Stephen Vogt.

"That top of the order is hard to get through over there," Vogt said. "It doesn't matter if they're hot, they're not, that's a tough part of the lineup."

Brooks has been solid in two starts in Oakland, limiting opponents to two runs over 14 1-3 innings.

Oakland's 31-38 home record is better than only Seattle (29-36) in the AL.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Athletics
Fri, Sep 4 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Mariners at Athletics
Sat, Sep 5 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Athletics
Sun, Sep 6 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-04-2015, 10:55 AM

Preview: White Sox (62-70) at Royals (82-51)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 04, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Kris Medlen has cashed in on his chance in the Kansas City Royals' starting rotation, while John Danks can't buy a win for the Chicago White Sox.

Kansas City looks to ride its red-hot offense to a sixth straight victory over the visiting White Sox in Friday night's series opener.

Medlen (3-0, 3.51 ERA) has filled in for the ineffective Jeremy Guthrie to pick up wins in his first two starts since 2013. He missed all of 2014 after undergoing surgery on his throwing elbow and returned to the big leagues this year to make seven appearances out of the Royals' bullpen.

The right-hander was plugged into the rotation last week and held Baltimore and Tampa Bay to six runs and nine hits over 11 1-3 innings while walking two and striking out 11.

Medlen benefited from a 10.32 run support average in his two starts, which could keep climbing based on Kansas City's offensive production this week.

Kansas City (82-51) totaled 44 hits and 32 runs in taking two of three against Detroit, winning 15-7 on Thursday behind a season-high 20 hits. Ben Zobrist and Kendrys Morales each finished with four hits, while Lorenzo Cain and Paulo Orlando homered.

The Royals' 20 hits and 15 runs were their most since pounding out 21 hits in a 16-8 victory at Colorado on July 3, 2011.

'It was definitely a long game,' Cain said, 'but we'll take that kind of win.'

Morales is batting .441 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his last nine games, while Cain is hitting .395 with 10 RBIs during an 11-game hit streak.

The White Sox (62-70) are 3-10 against the Royals this year and have six wins in their last 27 meetings with their division rivals. Chicago has lost seven straight in Kansas City and has been swept twice there this season.

Danks (6-12, 4.82) is 0-4 in his last five turns, and three scoreless outings in five July starts is a distant memory.

He limited Seattle to two runs and seven hits over six innings last Friday, but was a tough-luck 2-0 loser. Danks is 1-4 with a 5.23 ERA since shutting out the Royals and St. Louis over 12 1-3 innings in back-to-back July starts. He is 2-8 with a 6.48 ERA on the road this season.

'It's a team game - everybody's got to do their job,' Danks said. 'There's been plenty of times I didn't hold up my end of the bargain... It's frustrating.'

Danks is 9-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 20 career starts against the Royals. He went 4-0 with a 1.73 in his first 10 starts at Kauffman Stadium before losing his two outings there this season.

He's fared very well against Cain (.217), Morales (.207), Salvador Perez (.160) and Zobrist (.130), but Eric Hosmer (.290) and newcomer Jonny Gomes (6 for 19 with a homer and two doubles) have had success.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Royals
Fri, Sep 4 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
White Sox at Royals
Sat, Sep 5 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Royals
Sun, Sep 6 - 2:10PM EDT

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