2018 MLB Spring Training Look At All Teams-Trades-Rumours-Injuries ETC. !

[StarDust Bum]

Greinke's start cut short because of groin tightness
March 14, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona ace Zack Greinke's start against Cincinnati was cut short Wednesday after one inning because of right groin tightness.

Greinke had been scheduled to throw five innings. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner retired Ben Revere on a groundout, allowed Jesse Winkler's single, then struck out Joey Votto and Scooter Gennett.

Albert Suarez relieved to start the second.

Greinke was making his just second big league exhibition appearance this year. The 34-year-old right-hander pitched 1 2/3 innings against Milwaukee on Feb. 25, then made a pair of appearances in ''B'' games.

RED SOX 2, TWINS 1

Chris Sale pitched five shutout innings of two-hit ball and struck out seven, lowering his ERA to 1.00. Mitch Moreland homered in the third off Tyler Duffey, who gave up two runs - one earned - and four hits in three innings. Mookie Betts, batting .130, singled and drove in a run. Miguel Sano doubled.

CARDINALS 3, ASTROS 1

Adam Wainwright allowed one run and four hits in five innings to outpitch Houston's Justin Verlander, who gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings. A day after his spring training debut, Matt Carpenter hit a two-run homer off Verlander. Carpenter had been sidelined by a back strain. Max Stassi doubled for the only extra-base hit off Wainwright.

MARLINS 5, METS 1

Dan Straily allowed four hits in five scoreless innings. Christhian Adames tripled and raised his batting average to .318. Miguel Rojas, Adames competition at shortstop, had two hits and his batting .226. Mets starter Steven Matz allowed two runs, three hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Adrian Gonzalez had two hits.

ORIOLES 7, YANKEES 4

Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop off Chance Adams, who gave up five runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Baltimore's Miguel Castro allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Colby Rasmus doubled twice. Wade LeBlanc allowed one run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings for New York, and Erik Kratz homered.

BRAVES 5, PHILLIES 3

Atlanta's Julio Teheran allowed two runs and six hits, including Jorge Alfaro's homer, in six innings. Phillies starter Ben Lively gave up three runs and four hits in five innings. Preston Tucker doubled and hit his first home run. Fernando Abad got just one out, allowing two runs and two hits. He has a 135.00 ERA.

RAYS 9, PIRATES 3

Rays starter Yonny Chirinos struck out six over three innings, allowing one run and three hits. Micah Johnson homered, stole a base and scored twice. Ivan Nova gave up( three runs and six hits in five innings.

ROYALS 7, CUBS 6

Ian Kennedy allowed just one run and two hits, with two walks and three strikeouts, in the start for the Royals. However, Wily Peralta walked two and gave up four runs on four hits in just an inning of relief. Frank Schwindel doubled and hit a home run to drive in three runs.

Alec Mills worked two, one-hit innings in the start for the Cubs. Anthony Rizzo singled and drove in three runs and Jacob Hannemann had two hits and scored three runs.

BREWERS 11, WHITE SOX 3

Jhoulys Chacin did not give up an earned run over his 4 2/3 innings as the Brewers starter, lowering his spring ERA to 0.87. Ryan Braun homered off White Sox starter Carson Fulmer in each of the first two innings and Travis Shaw also went deep in the second as the Brewers finished with five home runs.

Fulmer lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs and five hits with three walks. Matt Skole had the White Sox's only extra-base hit, a double off Yovani Gallardo.

INDIANS 7, ANGELS 0

Corey Kluber, the 2017 Cy Young Award winner, had a one-hitter through five innings and the Indians used five pitchers to shut out the Angels. Brandon Barnes hit his second home run. The Angels' Matt Shoemaker gave up just two hits in five innings, and the one run he surrendered came on a home run by Tyler Naquin. Cam Bedrosian, son of former major league closer Steve Bedrosian, walked two and struck out a pair in an inning of relief. Eric Young Jr. doubled.

DIAMONDBACKS 7, REDS 3

Arizona managed just one extra-base hit, a double by David Peralta. Robert Stephenson lasted two innings in the start for the Reds, giving up three runs on five hits. Scott Schebler and Tucker Barnhart both homered.

[StarDust Bum]

Bundy, Orioles agree to $1.64M, 1-year contract
March 14, 2018

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) Right-hander Dylan Bundy has agreed to a $1.64 million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, the same as his salary last year.

Bundy is in an usual situation because he was in the last class allowed to sign major league contracts directly from the amateur draft and made his major league debut in 2012, but does not have enough service time to be eligible for salary arbitration.

He had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and did not return to the major leagues until 2016, when he was 10-6 with a 4.02 ERA. After agreeing to a $6.25 million, five-year contract that ran through 2016, Bundy had a split contract last year calling for $1.64 million in the majors and $500,000 in the minors. He went 13-9 with a 4.24 ERA.

The 25-year-old was the fourth overall pick in 2011. He is on track to be eligible for arbitration next winter.

In other moves Wednesday, the Orioles optioned outfielder Joey Rickard to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned infielder and left-hander Ruben Tejada to their minor league camp.

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Marlins' Martin Prado to begin season on disabled list
March 14, 2018

MIAMI (AP) The Marlins say third baseman Martin Prado will begin the season on the disabled list while he recovers from right knee surgery.

Hamstring and knee injuries limited Prado to 37 games last year, and while he has been working out, he has yet to play in spring training. Brian Anderson, who played in 25 games as a rookie last year and batted .262, is expected to start at third on opening day.

Prado, 34, is a career .291 hitter but hasn't played since July 17.

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Mets' David Wright hopes to start baseball activities in May
March 14, 2018

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) After yet another medical setback that will stretch his layoff from the major leagues past two years, New York Mets captain David Wright hopes to start baseball workouts in May.

Dr. Robert Watkins examined the 35-year-old third baseman in Los Angeles on Monday and said he should not participate in baseball activities for two months because of back and shoulder issues.

''it certainly wasn't positive news. I guess the news could have been worse,'' Wright said during a telephone news conference Wednesday. ''The goal would be to take these eight weeks - and it's not like I have to be idle for eight weeks - and kind of focus on the actual rehab and kind of forget about doing some stuff and progress to baseball stuff.''

New York also said star left fielder Yoenis Cespedes had a cortisone injection in his injured right wrist. The 32-year-old was hurt while swinging in a game on March 6.

A seven-time All-Star, Wright has been limited to 75 regular-season games during the past three years. He was on the disabled list from April 15 to Aug. 24, 2015, when he strained his right hamstring and then developed spinal stenosis.

He returned as the Mets won their first NL pennant since 2000 but has not played for them since May 27, 2016. Watkins operated that June 16 to repair a herniated disk in Wright's neck. After Wright's minor league rehabilitation assignment was ended after three games last year due to shoulder pain, he had surgery Sept. 5 to repair his right rotator cuff, and Watkins performed a laminotomy in early October in which a bony layer over the spinal canal was removed to treat nerve compression.

''I knew that things weren't going as well as I'd hoped just based on feel,'' Wright said from Los Angeles. ''We were trying to progress, and it just seemed like the more that we tried to put on my plate, the worse my body was responding. he time line has definitely been pushed back from what I was and expecting, but this is the case and there's nothing I can do about it.''

Wright is guaranteed $47 million by the Mets over the next three seasons. New York signed Todd Frazier in case Wright would not be able to play.

Wright said when camp began last month that he was not yet running. He said Wednesday when he attempted baseball activities, the frequent turning and torque of his body produced too much pain to continue.

''Once it got to start preparing to try to do some baseball stuff and more twisting and turning, that's when my back in particular . just wasn't ready for it,'' he said. ''My back certainly let me know that once we started doing more of that twisting and turning - things that require your back to cooperate, for sure.''

He plans to remain in Los Angeles to work Watkins, then join his teammates for the March 29 opener at Citi Field.

[StarDust Bum]

Schwarber gets $604K deal with Cubs
March 14, 2018

MESA, Ariz. (AP) Kyle Schwarber has a $604,500 salary in the major leagues as part of the one-year contract the Chicago Cubs announced last weekend.

The outfielder's salary would drop to $271,150 while in the minor leagues as part of the split contract. It represents a slight raise from last year, when his contract was for $565,500 in the majors and $261,000 in the minors. Schwarber is on track to be eligible for salary arbitration next winter.

He missed most of the 2016 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during an outfield collision with teammate Dexter Fowler. Schwarber returned for the World Series and helped the Cubs win their first title since 1908.

Schwarber slumped to a .211 average with 30 homers and 59 RBIs last year and was demoted to the minors for 11 games in late June and early July. He earned $542,205.


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Dodgers renew contracts for top rookies
March 14, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers have renewed the contracts of 2017 NL Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger for $585,000 and of 2016 NL Rookie of the Year Corey Seager for $605,000.

The NL champions gave Bellinger a $233,900 salary in the minor leagues in the unlikely event the first baseman is sent down. Seager's minor league salary under the renewal is $287,500.

Bellinger made his big league debut last April 25 and hit .267 with an NL rookie-record 39 homers and a team-high 97 RBIs. He will not be eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2019 season.

Seager's contract also was renewed by the Dodgers last year, when the shortstop earned $575,000. He hit .295 with 22 homers and 77 RBIs. He will be eligible for arbitration next winter.

Los Angeles also renewed the contracts of outfielder Chris Taylor ($575,000/$254,100) and catcher Austin Barnes ($555,000/$270,000).

The Dodgers reached agreements with third baseman Kyle Farmer ($547,500/$88,900); outfielders Andre Toles ($555,000,$270,000) and Alex Verdugo ($547,500/$88,900); right-handers Ross Stripling ($555,000/$256,100), Dylan Baker ($547,500/$88,900) and Wilmer Font ($550,000/$88,900); and left-handers Scott Alexander ($555,000/$258,100) and Adam Liberatore ($565,000/$247,400).

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Hughes hopes to adjust to reduced velocity
March 14, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) CC Sabathia knows what Phil Hughes is going through.

Sabathia has learned to cope with a loss of velocity and the 37-year-old left-hander went 14-5 for the New York Yankees last year in his best season since 2012.

Hughes, a 31-year-old right-hander, was limited to 26 games during the past two seasons because of injuries, mostly to his shoulder as a result of thoracic outlet syndrome, which that required a rib to be removed. Hughes went just 4-10 with a 5.92 ERA in 112 2/3 innings over the last two years.

He had an encouraging outing for Minnesota on Monday night, limiting the Yankees to one run and four hits over four innings. He struck out three and walked none

''Keep these guys off balance,'' Hughes said. ''If my velocity isn't what it used to be, and that's a permanent thing, at least I have some fall back options. I'm going to try to adapt and adjust as much as I can to be productive without that 93, 94 (mph).''

Hughes and Sabathia were teammates on the 2009 Yankees' World Series champions.

''He's kind of reinvented himself,'' Hughes said. ''A lot of people thought he was done.''

The pair have discussed the adjustments needed with age.

''You've got to try and trick them with the stuff you've got,'' Sabathia said.

Twins manager Paul Molitor said Hughes is pitching during spring training to prove he deserves more regular-season innings.

''All I can do is be as productive as I can and show that I'm back to at least close now to form,'' Hughes said. ''If I can do that, the very least it makes some tough decisions.''


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Austin Jackson brings vet mentality to SF
March 13, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Austin Jackson got a lesson on the intense the rivalry between his new team, the San Francisco Giants, and the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Walking into the Giants' spring training clubhouse for the first time after being reaching a $6 million, two-year contract in January, Jackson was wearing blue clothing.

''I wouldn't say it was Dodger blue, but it was sort of a blue shirt,'' Jackson said, smiling. ''I got some funny looks right away.''

With Hunter Pence and Andrew McCutchen set to be the primary corner outfielders, Jackson projects as at least a part-time center fielder for the Giants, though he can play all three spots in the outfield.

Jackson has hit leadoff, sixth and seventh in exhibitions and was 6 for 15 going into Tuesday night. The Giants also are giving prospect Steven Duggar plenty of playing time in center, and they have veterans Gregor Blanco and Gorkys Hernandez in camp, too.

''You can control what you can control. I think that's something over time that I started to accept,'' Jackson said. ''But the same time I will not change who I am as a player and as a person, and continue to do the things that I've always done no matter where I am in the lineup or in the field. Just try to keep your focus and be ready. ... It's all about being ready and keeping that mindset.''

The 31-year-old Jackson is entering his ninth big league season and is playing for his sixth team, Jackson has been traded in midseason three times.

''You understand the business side of it, and you just try to put yourself in the best position to succeed and to win,'' he said.

A center fielder for most of his career, Jackson has just 24 errors over eight seasons at the position and has a .275 career batting average. He made one of the best catches of last season when he leaped to rob Boston's Hanley Ramirez of a home run, tumbling headfirst over the short bullpen wall in right-center field at Fenway Park.

''It's pretty cool. I don't get tired of it,'' he said. ''It's something you can always remember. Family, friends, they still talk about it. Big moment in my life.''

Jackson chose to sign with the Giants after seeing the moves the club made to improve the roster, including acquiring McCutchen from Pittsburgh and third baseman Evan Longoria from Tampa Bay.

''It really just seemed like a group I would fit best with,'' Jackson said. ''Good core players. A team that I played against in the World Series in 2012. They're looking to win.''

[StarDust Bum]

date w-l-t % units record
( all opinions until the season starts & i only play the dog or totals )

03/14/2018 11-7-0 61.11% +1490
03/12/2018 8-7-0 53.33% +5.60
03/11/2018 8-9-0 47.06% -0.50
03/10/2018 3-10-3 23.08% -39.60
03/09/2018 7-9-1 43.75% -14.95
03/07/2018 6-3-1 66.67% +14.90
03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
03/04/2018 7-10-0 41.18% -20.90
03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45


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Thursday’s 6-pack

Some prop bets for the NCAA tournament; wins by team: (Westgate SuperBook)

— wins for Villanova, 3.5 (under -$120)

— wins for Duke, 3 (under -$130)

— wins for Michigan State, 2.5 (under -$135)

— wins for Virginia, 4 (under -$140)

— wins for North Carolina 2.5 (under -$140)

— wins for Michigan 2 (under -$130)

Quote of the Day
“It’s an interesting process. People trying to evaluate your game, trying to find your flaws. But you only get to do it once. You’ve got to enjoy it. … You’ve got to be yourself. That’s the most important thing. You’ve got to be able to talk ball. You’ve got to be able to handle the outside noise and relax and do your thing. I think I’ve put myself in a good spot.”
Baker Mayfield, who hopefully will play as well as he talks

Thursday’s quiz
How many times has a #16-seed beaten a #1-seed in the NCAA tournament?

Wednesday’s quiz
James Harden played his college basketball at Arizona State.

Tuesday’s quiz
NBA’s Hawks played in St Louis before moving to Atlanta.

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Thursday’s List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud……

13) USC star Chimezie Metu sat out the Trojans’ NIT game Tuesday, because he doesn’t want to get hurt before the NBA Draft, which is in late June. This ignited a heated Twitter debate.

I’ll say this: Metu has the right to do as he pleases, it is a free country. But…….

In 2000, Kenyon Martin was the star of a Cincinnati team that was going to be a #1-seed in the NCAA’s, but in the first round of the C-USA tournament, he broke his leg and also injured knee ligaments, the kind of disastrous injury that Metu obviously fears now.

Long story short: Martin was still picked 1st in the NBA Draft that year; he played 15 years in the NBA, scored over 9,200 points and earned $113M in his career.

My opinion is that you should finish what you start, but thats just my opinion.

12) Klay Thompson has apparently broken his right thumb, will miss at least four games; he hasn’t missed more than five games in a season since he became a full-time starter.

11) Stupid new baseball rule: In minor league baseball this year, all extra innings will start with a runner on second base. I’m beginning to think the people who run baseball don’t like baseball.

10) Patrick Beilein is the 34-year old coach at LeMoyne, a D-II school in Syracuse; he is the son of Michigan coach John Beilein. It has been rumored that Patrick Beilein has already gotten three job offers from D-I schools this spring.

9) Ole Miss is going to hire Middle Tennessee State coach Kermit Davis, whose dad used to be the coach at Mississippi State. Rough couple weeks for the Blue Raiders, who got screwed out of an NCAA tournament bid and now are losing their coach of the last 16 years.

8) Memphis went 21-13 this year, but apparently they fired Tubby Smith this week and will hire Anfernee Hardaway as his replacement. John Calipari spoiled this fanbase forever; they ran Josh Pastner out of town after he went 166-73 with the Tigers and now they got rid of Tubby, whose career record is 597-302. Tough town.

7) Evansville fired Marty Simmons after 11 years and zero NCAA tournament bids; he went 25-9, 24-12 two and three years ago, but didn’t win Arch Madness so now he is unemployed.

6) Arizona Cardinals signed Mike Glennon as their backup QB, which is a good thing if they’re going to start Sam Bradford at QB this fall.

Bradford has a 34-45-1 W-L record in NFL, missing 48 games in his eight NFL seasons. He has a very bad knee that Mike Zimmer recently called “degenerative.” He is not dependable.

5) There are 11 teams in this year’s NIT that would be favored over Syracuse on a neutral floor.

4) Toys ‘r Us is closing its 800 stores in this country; that just sounds kind of sad.

3) Cleveland Browns’ tackle Joe Thomas retired this week; the man played 10,363 consecutive snaps in the NFL without missing a play, which is astounding for an offensive lineman.

2) Saw a baseball shift this week I’ve never seen before; Kris Bryant is batting for the Cubs with a man on 3rd. San Diego put three infielders on the left side of the infield, and the 1B almost halfway to 2B. If Bryant hits the ball to the right side of the infield, not sure how they get him out, unless he hits it hard right at the first baseman.

1— Dee Gordon is playing centerfield for the Mariners this spring, at least he was until Robinson Cano strained a hamstring. Seattle’s TV guys were bragging on the Mariners’ bullpen, so we’ll see how well they do this season.

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, MARCH 15
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at TB 01:05 PM
TB -135

TOR at BOS 01:05 PM
TOR +145
U 10.0

PIT at NYY 01:05 PM
PIT +175
U 10.0

HOU at WAS 01:05 PM
WAS -111

DET at ATL 01:05 PM
ATL -125

BAL at STL 01:05 PM
BAL +130

MIA at NYM 01:10 PM
NYM -175

CIN at CLE 04:05 PM
CIN +145
O 11.5

KC at LAD 04:05 PM
KC +167
U 11.0

ARI at CHC 04:05 PM
ARI +125
O 9.5

MIL at TEX 04:05 PM
TEX -116
U 11.5

SF at SD 09:40 PM
SD -111
O 10.5

SEA at OAK 10:05 PM
OAK -125
O 10.5

[StarDust Bum]

Price pitches 4 scoreless innings in spring training debut
March 15, 2018

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) David Price made his delayed spring-training debut for Boston, allowing one hit over four scoreless innings in a 7-5 win over Toronto on Thursday.

Price struck out five and walked one. An elbow injury limited to a career-low 11 starts last season.

''Felt good,'' Price said. ''I had really good fastball command early. I made good pitches when I needed to. I stayed away from the big part of the plate with the exception of a couple of fastballs. I thought it was a good day.

Price was 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA last year. The 32-year-old left-hander is entering the third season of a $217 million, seven-year contract.

''This is March 15 and I've never had a four-pitch mix this early in spring training,'' he said. ''I've never been this far along even though I've only thrown in one game. I'm excited about it.''

Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a pair of doubles for the Red Sox, while Christian Vazquez hit his first home run - a two-run drive. Teoscar Hernandez had two hits and two RBIs for Toronto, while Steve Pearce had an RBI double and walked with the bases loaded.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES

YANKEES 9, PIRATES 5

Gary Sanchez hit a three-run home run and a two-run double for New York, while Aaron Judge had an RBI double and drew a bases-loaded walk. Sonny Gray made his third start for the Yankees, pitching three innings and giving up three runs - two earned - two hits and three walks. Jose Osuna hit a two-run home run off Dellin Betances and ex-Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli hit a two-homer shot off Gray.

ORIOLES 1, CARDINALS 0

Baltimore ace Kevin Gausman made his third start, pitching five shutout innings and allowing two hits and a walk. Jack Flaherty, competing for a back-of-the-rotation spot, made his first start for St. Louis, pitching five innings and allowing one run - Jonathan Schoop's fifth homer - on three hits and two walks while striking out eight.

ASTROS 12, NATIONALS 3

Dallas Keuchel pitched five shutout innings for Houston, allowing four hits and a walk. Marwin Gonzalez and Josh Reddick both had two hits and two RBIs, while Alex Bregman had two hits and two walks, scoring twice. Washington closer Sean Doolittle pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and a walk.

MARLINS 7, METS 6

Matt Harvey took the mound for New York, pitching five innings and allowing three runs, six hits and a walk. Harvey fanned eight, including his final five batters. Starter Dillon Peters gave up a hit and a walk, pitching two innings for Miami. Former Met Eric Campbell doubled in a run and scored for the Marlins. Amed Rosario had two hits and two RBIs for New York. The Mets used three straight bases-loaded walks to ignite a five-run ninth-inning rally that fell short when the tying run was thrown out at home.

TWINS 8, RAYS 1

Erick Aybar hit a two-run triple for Minnesota, while starter Kyle Gibson gave up one run on five hits, pitching five innings and striking out five. Nathan Eovaldi started for Tampa Bay, pitching 4 1/3 innings and surrendering three runs and six hits while striking out three. Denard Span hit his first spring double and scored for the Rays.

BRAVES 8, TIGERS 1

Mike Foltynewicz walked one in a start for Atlanta, pitching five shutout innings and striking out five. Ronald Acuna Jr. drove in a run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and hit a two-run home run his next time up for the Braves. Mike Fiers was roughed up in a start for Detroit, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on four hits and three walks.

ANGELS (SS) 10, ROCKIES 8

Mike Trout hit his first triple and homered for the second time this spring training. Newly signed Carlos Gonzalez went 1 for 3 and scored a run in his spring training debut for the Rockies. Andrelton Simmons returned to the Angels lineup after missing a week with a left-shoulder sprain and got a single and an RBI double for his first hits. DJ LeMahieu hit a grand slam to cap a five-run fourth inning for Colorado. Jefry Marte and Zack Cozart homered for Los Angeles, while Martin Maldonado connected for the second time.. Roberto Baldoquin hit a two-out three-run home run for the Angels in the ninth in his first spring training at-bat.

DIAMONDBACKS 3, CUBS 2

Jason Heyward homered for the first time, a two-run shot off Robbie Ray, who gave up four hits and struck out four. Kyle Hendricks allowed one run and three hits in six innings while striking out seven. Nick Ahmed had an RBI double and prospects Ramon Flores and Christian Walker hit back-to-back solo homers with one out in the ninth.

REDS 10, INDIANS 6

Scott Schebler drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and is batting .519 for Cincinnati. Joey Votto added two hits for the Reds, driving in a run and scoring twice. Tyler Mahle, bidding for a spot in the Reds' starting rotation, allowed two hits in five scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 2.45. Francisco Lindor hit his fourth home run for Cleveland - a two-run shot - while Eric Haase hit a three-run inside-the-park homer.

ROYALS 14, DODGERS 8

Lucas Duda's two-run single ignited a six-run first inning against Rich Hill, who retired just one batter and allowed seven hits. Prospect Ryan O'Hearn hit his second and third spring homers, driving in five runs for the Royals, while Frank Schwindel replaced O'Hearn and homered twice, driving in four runs. Alex Gordon went 0 for 3, striking out twice, and is batting .114. Corey Seager hit his first home run for the Dodgers, while Yasmani Grandal went deep for the fourth time.

RANGERS 6, BREWERS 5

Nomar Mazara and Ryan Rua hit solo home runs for Texas. Doug Fister allowed three hits in five scoreless innings. Eric Sogard hit his first home run for Milwaukee. Prospect Carlos Tocci stole his sixth base for Texas, while Delino DeShields swiped his fourth. Rangers closer Alex Claudio pitched a perfect seventh, striking out one.

[StarDust Bum]

date w-l-t % units record
( all opinions until the season starts & i only play the dog or totals )

03/15/2018 10-11-0 47.62% -6.45
03/14/2018 11-7-0 61.11% +1490
03/12/2018 8-7-0 53.33% +5.60
03/11/2018 8-9-0 47.06% -0.50
03/10/2018 3-10-3 23.08% -39.60
03/09/2018 7-9-1 43.75% -14.95
03/07/2018 6-3-1 66.67% +14.90
03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
03/04/2018 7-10-0 41.18% -20.90
03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, MARCH 16
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

ATL at PIT 01:05 PM
ATL +110
U 9.5

BAL at NYM 01:10 PM
BAL +125
O 9.0

CLE at OAK 04:05 PM
CLE -135
U 11.0

MIL at CIN 04:05 PM
MIL -105

CHC at CHW 04:05 PM
CHW +110
U 11.0

SEA at TEX 04:05 PM
SEA +100

LAD at ARI 04:10 PM
ARI -111
O 10.0

COL at LAA 04:10 PM
LAA -141
U 11.0

KC at SD 04:10 PM
SD -116

HOU at NYY 06:35 PM
NYY -125
O 8.5

[StarDust Bum]

Ohtani rocked for 7 runs and 7 hits over 1 1/3 innings
March 16, 2018

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Shohei Ohtani was rocked for seven runs and seven hits over 1 1/3 innings in his second major league spring training start for the Los Angeles Angels, allowing long home runs to Colorado's Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado that went over the left-field berm on Friday in an 18-6 loss.

The 23-year-old Japanese two-way star made his first big league exhibition appearance since Feb. 24, when he pitched 1 1/3 innings against Milwaukee and gave up Keon Broxton's home run leading off the second.

Desmond hit a solo homer and Arrenado had a three-run shot. Charlie Blackmon had a two-run single, and DJ LeMahieu a run-scoring infield single.

Desmond also hit a solo homer off Tyler Warmoth. Kole Calhoun homered for the Angels and Justin Upton went deep for the third time.

ELSEHWERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES

ROYALS 12, PADRES 4

Mike Moustakas hit a two-run single in his first spring training appearance for Kansas City after rejoining the Royals. Salvador Perez homered twice, driving in three runs. Lucas Duda had two hits, including his first home run, raising his average to .421. Billy Burns stole three bases and scored twice. Nathan Karns gave up two hits and two walks in four shutout innings. Former Royal Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer for San Diego. Recently signed Chris Young saw his first action for the Padres, allowing eight runs, seven hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.

CUBS 6, WHITE SOX 3

Yu Darvish made his third start for the Cubs, allowing one run and three hits in five innings. Willson Contreras homered for the Cubs. Avisail Garcia had three hits, including a double and his first homer for the White Sox. Reynaldo Lopez gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

BLUE JAYS 6, PHILLIES (SS) 4

Philadelphia said starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff is expected to be out six to eight weeks because of a strained lat muscle. Kendrys Morales had two doubles and Yangervis Solarte added two doubles. Jamie Garcia, competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, allowed two hits in five shutout innings. Vince Velasquez allowed one run and five hits in 2 2/3 innings. Cesar Hernandez and Cameron Rupp homered for the first time for the Phillies.

PHILLIES (SS) 6, TIGERS 6, 9 innings

J.P. Crawford had three hits, including his first home run. Nicholas Pivetta, battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Daniel Norris allowed two runs and six hits in four innings. Miguel Cabrera had two hits, raising his average to .314, and Nicholas Castellanos hit his fifth homer.

METS 4, ORIOLES 4

Jacob deGrom pitched five shutout innings in his second start, allowing only Austin Hays' single while striking out eight. Robert Gsellman followed deGrom and allowed two runs - one earned - on Tim Beckham's solo home run and an RBI double by Manny Machado. Jay Bruce singled in a run for the Mets and Asdrubal Cabrera doubled and hit his first homer, a solo shot in the eighth. Andrew Cashner allowed one run and four hits in five innings. Anthony Santander hit his fourth home run, a pinch two-run drive off Jacob Rhame in the ninth.

NATIONALS 4, CARDINALS (SS) 2

Bryce Harper and Matt Adams had RBI singles in a four-run sixth inning, while Brian Goodwin and Trea Turner both had two hits and scored a run. Gio Gonzalez made his third start for the Nationals, pitching five innings and surrendering one run - a solo homer by Jedd Gyorko - on four hits. Miles Mikolas allowed three hits in five scoreless innings.

CARDINALS (SS) 4, MARLINS 2

Yadier Molina had four hits, including two solo homers, and three RBIs. Michael Wacha allowed one run and five hits in six innings. Miami prospect Sandy Alcantara gave up three runs, six hits and three walks in four innings.

PIRATES 12, BRAVES 9

Corey Dickerson had two hits, including a three-run triple in the first inning, and Gregory Polanco added a double and his third home run. Jameson Taillon allowed oen hit in five innings, a solo drive by Ozhaino Albies, who also went deep against Josh Smoker. Josh Bell added his second home run for Pittsburgh.

RAYS 11, TWINS (SS) 1

Denard Span had a two-run triple and an RBI double leading off for Tampa Bay. Jacob Faria, who slots in as the third starter in the Rays' four-man rotation, gave up an unearned run and three hits in four innings. Twins ace Jose Berrios gave up three runs - one earned - four hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings.

MARINERS 9, RANGERS 7

Mike Leake allowed six runs and nine hits in four innings, including homers to Shin-Soo Choo, Jurickson Profar and Drew Robinson. Jean Segura had three hits and two RBIs. Dan Vogelbach hit his third home run and added an RBI double. Matt Moore allowed five runs - three earned - and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, DODGERS 1

Jake Lamb doubled home David Peralta and Paul Goldschmidt to cap Arizona's three-run third inning. Cody Bellinger hit his second homer/

BREWERS 16, REDS 13

Jesse Winker had three hits, including his fifth double, and four RBIs. Adam Duvall had an RBI double among his two hits. Ji-Man Choi hit his third homer, and Eric Sogard had a two-run double. Wade Miley allowed seven runs and 10 hits in three innings.

ATHLETICS 7, INDIANS 3

Bruce Maxwell hit a two-run homer, and Daniel Mengden allowed two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Bradley Zimmer homered leading off the game for Cleveland, while Gio Urshela hit his third homer and is batting .545. Hector Carrasco allowed two runs and three hits in four innings.

[StarDust Bum]

date w-l-t % units record
( all opinions until the season starts & i only play the dog or totals )

03/16/2018 5-11-1 31.25% -38.35
03/15/2018 10-11-0 47.62% -6.45
03/14/2018 11-7-0 61.11% +1490
03/12/2018 8-7-0 53.33% +5.60
03/11/2018 8-9-0 47.06% -0.50
03/10/2018 3-10-3 23.08% -39.60
03/09/2018 7-9-1 43.75% -14.95
03/07/2018 6-3-1 66.67% +14.90
03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
03/04/2018 7-10-0 41.18% -20.90
03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45

[StarDust Bum]

SATURDAY, MARCH 17
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at PIT 01:05 PM
MIN +115
O 10.0

NYM at WAS 01:05 PM
WAS -161

HOU at MIA 01:05 PM
HOU -172

NYY at DET 01:05 PM
DET +100

TB at BOS 01:05 PM
TB +155
O 10.0

SF at CIN 04:05 PM
SF -111

LAD at CHW 04:05 PM
CHW +120
O 12.0

COL at MIL 04:05 PM
COL +110

SD at ARI 04:10 PM
ARI -132
O 11.0

[StarDust Bum]

date w-l-t % units record
( all opinions until the season starts & i only play the dog or totals )

03/17/2018 3-8-2 27.27% -29.10
03/16/2018 5-11-1 31.25% -38.35
03/15/2018 10-11-0 47.62% -6.45
03/14/2018 11-7-0 61.11% +1490
03/12/2018 8-7-0 53.33% +5.60
03/11/2018 8-9-0 47.06% -0.50
03/10/2018 3-10-3 23.08% -39.60
03/09/2018 7-9-1 43.75% -14.95
03/07/2018 6-3-1 66.67% +14.90
03/06/2018 7-4-1 63.64% +14.25
03/05/2018 4-8-1 33.33% -21.80
03/04/2018 7-10-0 41.18% -20.90
03/03/2018 7-8-0 46.67% -7.85
03/02/2018 13-5-0 72.22% +40.50
03/01/2018 9-8-2 52.94% -1.45

[StarDust Bum]

SUNDAY, MARCH 18
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PHI at MIN 01:05 PM
MIN -152
U 8.5

WAS at STL 01:05 PM
WAS +105
O 8.5

ATL at HOU 01:05 PM
ATL +220
U 8.5

DET at TB 01:05 PM
TB -156
O 8.5

NYM at BAL 01:05 PM
BAL -125
U 8.5

MIA at NYY 01:05 PM
MIA +180
U 8.5

ARI at CIN 04:05 PM
ARI -111
O 9.5

CHW at OAK 04:05 PM
CHW +100

LAA at TEX 04:05 PM
LAA +105
O 9.5

SF at COL 04:10 PM
SF -111

[StarDust Bum]

Twins SS Polanco banned 80 games after positive drug test
March 18, 2018

A big second half by shortstop Jorge Polanco helped push the Minnesota Twins into the playoffs last season. This year, they'll try to start fast without him.

Polanco was suspended 80 games on Sunday after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol. He became the sixth player to be banned this year under the major league drug program - one more than last year.

Polanco hit .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs last season while starting 127 games at shortstop. The 24-year-old also stole 13 bases in helping the Twins earn an AL wild-card spot.

In a statement released by the players' union, Polanco said he didn't ''intentionally consume this steroid.''

Polanco said he requested a substance from his athletic trainer in the Dominican Republic, but was given something else.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUES

METS 5, ORIOLES 4

The Mets said lefty Jason Vargas will have surgery after his right hand was broken by a line drive in a minor league game Friday. No timetable was announced for his return.

New York starter Noah Syndergaard pitched seven innings, giving up one run and striking out five. Travis d'Arnaud homered and doubled.

Chris Davis returned to the Baltimore lineup for the first time in two weeks after injuring his right forearm and drove in the only run off Syndergaard with a single. Starter Dylan Bundy allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings.

BRAVES 6, ASTROS 3

Newly signed Anibal Sanchez made his first start for Atlanta and gave up two runs in four innings. He was recently released by Minnesota and pitched in place of Scott Kazmir, who was scratched with a bruised jaw - he was hurt playing catch a few days earlier. Braves prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. got three more hits and raised his average to .432.

Gerrit Cole made his fifth start for Houston, pitching five innings and allowing three runs. Carlos Correa had two hits.

CARDINALS 10, NATIONALS 0

Jose Martinez homered and doubled for St. Louis. Washington starter A.J. Cole gave up one run and two hits in four innings.

YANKEES 8, MARLINS 5

Gary Sanchez hit his fourth spring home run for New York, Greg Bird also connected and newly signed Neil Walker had two hits in his second game. Ace Luis Severino struck out seven in five innings. Brian Anderson had two hits, including his third home run for Miami.

BLUE JAYS 5, PIRATES (SS) 2

Danny Espinosa had an RBI single, a day after getting four hits in his first game since signing with Toronto. Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ gave up one run in six innings and closer Roberto Osuna allowed a run for the first time in six spring games. Starling Marte hit his third homer for Pittsburgh's split squad. Rotation hopeful Steven Brault allowed a hit and a walk, pitching four shutout innings and lowering his ERA to 1.69.

RED SOX 2, PIRATES (SS) 1

Andrew Benintendi homered and Brian Johnson pitched four shutout innings for Boston. Adam Frazier drove in the only run for Pittsburgh's split squad.

RAYS 10, TIGERS 5

Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer pitched two-hit ball for 5 1/3 shutout innings. Matt Duffy had three hits for the Rays and Carlos Gomez had two hits, including a home run. John Hicks had a two-run double for Detroit and Niko Goodrum hit his third homer.

TWINS 4, PHILLIES 3

Byron Buxton had two hits and stole his fifth base for Minnesota. Jake Odorizzi made his third start for the Twins, pitching four scoreless innings. Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola allowed two runs in five innings.

PADRES 2, DODGERS (SS) 1

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw struck out eight without issuing a walk in five shutout innings. He hasn't allowed a run in 14 2/3 innings this spring. Kershaw also doubled home the Dodgers' run - that was the only hit Tyler Ross permitted in four innings. Hunter Renfroe and Freddy Galvis homered for San Diego and Eric Hosmer had two hits and walked.

GIANTS 13, ROCKIES 0

San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner threw one-hit ball for six innings. Hunter Pence homered - batting .065 nine days ago, he has eight hits in his last 17 at-bats. Andrew McCutchen had three hits and Nick Hundley homered and doubled for the Giants. Trevor Story doubled for Colorado and is batting .457.

ROYALS 11, CUBS (SS) 9

Mike Moustakas homered for the second straight game and Jorge Soler hit his sixth homer for the Royals, tying Cleveland's Jason Kipnis for the most spring shots. Willson Contreras hit his fourth homer for Chicago.

Both starters struggled. Tyler Chatwood gave up five runs in five innings and Danny Duffy, who will start the opener for Kansas City, was tagged for six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

INDIANS (SS) 11, CUBS (SS) 4

Yandy Diaz had three hits for Cleveland's split squad and Eric Haase had a grand slam. Anthony Rizzo fanned twice leading off for Chicago's split squad and prospect Ryan Court hit his fourth home run.

INDIANS (SS) 16, MARINERS 3

Yan Gomes hit a grand slam and drove in five runs and Yonder Alonso had his third homer for Cleveland's split squad. Seattle starter Rob Whalen was tagged for nine runs in two-plus innings.

BREWERS 7, DODGERS (SS) 3

Christian Yelich hit his first spring home run for Milwaukee, singled and walked while Ryan Braun had two doubles. Matt Kemp and Yasmani Grandal drove in runs for Los Angeles' split squad.

REDS 6, DIAMONDBACKS 3

Scott Schebler hit his third home run and prospect Alex Blandino had two hits, raising his average to .387 for Cincinnati. Arizona starter Zack Godley yielded four runs and struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Amir Garrett, competing for a spot in the Reds' rotation, made his first start and fifth appearance, pitching four shutout innings and allowing a hit to lower his ERA to 1.38.

ATHLETICS 14, WHITE SOX 0

Matt Joyce hit a leadoff home run and grand slam for Oakland. Chicago starter James Shields was roughed up for seven runs in 3 2/3 innings and has a 9.39 ERA this spring. Michael Kopech, a pitching prospect for the White Sox, entered in the fifth inning but retired just one batter while giving up seven runs.

ANGELS 4, RANGERS 2

Nick Tropeano made his case for a back-of-the-rotation spot with Los Angeles by pitching five shutout innings, striking out nine and allowing two hits. Martin Perez, recovering from a broken bone at the tip of his right elbow, made his first start for Texas and gave up one run in five innings.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday’s 6-pack

Since 1985, North Carolina’s worst losses in NCAA tournament:

1990— Arkansas 96, North Carolina 73

2018— Texas A&M 86, North Carolina 65

1996— Texas Tech 92, North Carolina 73

2008— Kansas 84, North Carolina 66

1986— Louisville 94, North Carolina 79

2012— Kansas 80, North Carolina 67

In fairness, the Tar Heels’ NCAA record since 1985: 88-26.

Quote of the Day
“This is life. It can’t define you. You enjoy the good times and you gotta be able to take the bad times. When you step into the arena…the consequences can be historic losses…and you have to deal with it.”
Tony Bennett, after Friday night’s loss to UMBC

Monday’s quiz
Which retired NBA great once co-starred with Gabe Kaplan in the 1979 basketball movie Fast Break?

Sunday’s quiz
Michigan coach John Beilein was the coach at West Virginia before Bob Huggins.

Saturday’s quiz
Comedian Bill Murray’s son is an assistant coach for Xavier.

***********************

Monday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a great sports weekend

13) Not the best day in the city of Cincinnati.

Florida State 75, Xavier 70— West #1-seed Musketeers blew a 12-point lead.
Nevada 75, Cincinnati 73— Southeast #2-seed Bearcats blew a 22-point lead.

12) From 2005-17, 46 of 52 #1-seeds made it to the Sweet 16. This year, Virginia/Xavier won’t be going, the 3rd time (2000, 2004) since 1985 that two #1-seeds got KO’d early.

11) Nevada was down 14 to Texas on Friday; they were down 22 in this game. Eric Musselman’s team is the mentally toughest team in America. Seriously— they only used six players in this game, and the same six guys played against Texas Friday.

— Musselman was an NBA head coach for three years, going 108-138 with Kings/Warriors.
— He has coached everywhere:
CBA— 270-122 with the Rapid City Thrillers
USBL— 53-3 with the Florida Sharks and Florida Beach Dogs
G-League— 77-30 with the Reno Bighorns and Los Angeles D-Fenders

— He played high school basketball with Tom Tupa, who went on to QB at Ohio State— Tupa scored the first 2-point conversion in NFL history.
— Musselman went to U of San Diego where his roommate was George Tarkanian, son of the late Jerry Tarkanian, the great coach at UNLV.

10) Nevada-Loyola game in Sweet 16 is the first #7-11 seed matchup in a regional semifinal since a George Mason-Wichita State game in 2006.

9) Jordan Caroline is one of Nevada’s best players; his dad is Simeon Rice, the old linebacker for the Tampa Bay Bucs. His grandfather is JC Caroline, who played 10 years in the NFL— he picked off Johnny Unitas’ first-ever NFL pass and ran it back for a touchdown. JC Caroline is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

8) Syracuse 55, Michigan State 53—Over the last ten years, #11 or lower seeds in regional semifinal games are 3-14 SU but 9-8 vs spread- since 2012, they’re 7-2 vs spread.

7) Texas A&M 86, North Carolina 65— Tar Heels played in national title game last two years, but they got bamboozled here. UNC was 6-31 on arc, A&M was 10-24.

6) Purdue 76, Butler 73— Boilermakers won despite not having their big man Haas, who broke his elbow Friday. Purdue scored 1.27 ppp, making 11-24 on the arc.

5) Clemson 84, Auburn 53— Epic tank job by Auburn had Charles Barkley congratulating Clemson during the halftime studio show. Clemson is in Sweet 16 for first time since 1997, when they lost in double overtime to Minnesota.

4) Gonzaga coach Mark Few stood on his hands in the locker room Saturday after his Zags held off Ohio State to reach the Sweet 16. Coach Few is 55; I am three years older— I’m lucky I can stand on my feet.

3) Kansas State 50, UMBC 43— In the 24 hours after they upset Virginia for the first 1-16 upset ever, UMBC sold more gear on their website than they had in the previous YEAR!!!!

2) Seton Hall’s Angel Delgado had 24 points, 23 rebounds in the Pirates’ loss to Kansas Saturday; he is the first player to grab 23+ rebounds in an NCAA tournament game since 1977, when Phil Hubbard did that for Michigan when they beat a Detroit team coached by Dick Vitale, 87-81.

1) For the first time ever, the Sweet 16 in a region won’t have any of the top four seeded teams in the region: the Southeast Region in Atlanta is: #5 Kentucky, #7 Nevada,#9 Kansas State, #11 Loyola.