The Bum's MLB April's News-Notes-Trends & Best Bets !!

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (13-9) at Cardinals (13-8)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


Following impressive wins in their respective road series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates appear to be playing with some confidence as they open a three-game set.

Right-hander Lance Lynn will try to build on an outstanding performance and pitch the Cardinals to a fourth straight win Friday night when they host the Pirates, who are also trying to extend their win streak to four.

St. Louis (13-8) completed a three-game sweep in Washington with a 4-2 victory Wednesday and concluded a nine-game trip with six wins.

Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter each had three hits and left-hander Jaime Garcia gave the Cardinals another solid pitching effort to beat the Nationals - one of the favorites to win the NL.

Now they'll turn to Lynn (3-0, 3.68 ERA), who gave up only a leadoff double in the fifth and struck out eight over seven innings in a 5-0 win at Philadelphia last Saturday.

"I'm a better pitcher when I'm pitching with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder," said Lynn, who had allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings of a 10-6 win at Pittsburgh in his previous start.

After a 1-5 start, the Pirates (13-9) seem to be playing with a similar attitude and captured their 12th win in 16 games by rallying for a 6-4 victory at Philadelphia on Thursday.

"You don't try to explain it,' manager Clint Hurdle said. "We just play the game, one at a time. I really like our focus and intensity."

Gaby Sanchez led the way with a homer and three RBIs, while Garrett Jones hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning as the Pirates took three of four for their first series win in Philadelphia since 2003.

Pittsburgh's pitching staff has played a major role, allowing 13 runs while posting a 1.89 ERA over its last seven games.

Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (0-2, 11.12), however, hasn't made it past the fourth inning in each of his last two starts.

After allowing nine runs in 3 1-3 innings in a loss at Arizona, Sanchez threw 74 pitches while giving up two runs and four hits over three innings in a 4-2 win over Atlanta on Sunday.

He's 0-11 with an 8.87 ERA over his last 17 starts dating to last season.

While the Cardinals aren't exactly pounding the ball with .215 batting average over their last eight games, they have been successful manufacturing runs and relying on their pitching and defense to win games.

"When we're not banging balls into the stands every single night, we've got to do other things, whether people like it or not," manager Mike Matheny said.

St. Louis pitchers rank near the top of the league in ERA (3.14) and home runs allowed (12). With just 10 errors and a .988 fielding percentage, the Cardinals are also one of the NL's top defensive clubs.

Allen Craig may be able to spark the offense since he's 7 for 21 with six RBIs in his last five games, and is batting .359 with four homers and 18 RBIs in his last 22 in the series.

Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez, who went 2 for 5 on Thursday, is 9 for 24 (.375) with four homers and six RBIs in his last seven games.

Starling Marte is batting .436 during a nine-game road hitting streak.

The Pirates, who split two home games against the Cardinals earlier this month, have won five of seven at Busch Stadium.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (14-8) at Diamondbacks (13-9)

Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: April 26, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


Arizona's Brandon McCarthy once again couldn't avoid a big inning when he faced the Colorado Rockies this past weekend.

When he faces the Rockies on Friday night, the right-hander again seeks his first win as he tries to help lead the Diamondbacks to a season high-tying fourth straight victory.

McCarthy (0-2, 7.06 ERA) has allowed 15 of his 19 runs in just four of his 21 2-3 innings, and yielded three in the third frame in his first career start against Colorado on Sunday. The Diamondbacks went on to win 5-4, snapping the Rockies' win streak at eight.

"There's only so much you can do with bad contact balls blooping in. Once it leaves my hand, I can't control it. The innings are mostly falling like that," he told the team's website. "Most of the innings where I've given up runs, it's just pitches that are finding holes."

This time, McCarthy will face a team that's dropped four of five. In Thursday's series opener at Chase Field, the Rockies (14-8) were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position in a 3-2 defeat.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a key two-run homer in the fourth inning, his second in three games for Arizona (13-9).

"We were able to scrape across a couple of runs. The pitching has been doing so well lately. They've been keeping us in a lot of games," he said. "It's a good win. We'll come out (Friday) and see if we can do it again."

McCarthy will once again pitch opposite Juan Nicasio (2-0, 5.31), who lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings Sunday. He gave up two runs, three hits and three walks but used up 96 pitches.

Nicasio has failed to make it through the sixth inning in any of his last three outings. He hasn't been efficient enough to make it through five innings in any of his three career starts against Arizona. Nicasio has no record and a 6.94 ERA in those outings, which have all been in Denver.

"I need more command of my fastball," he said. "I've thrown like 90 pitches in the last three games and only gone five innings. I've got to go deeper in the game."

Didi Gregorius is expected to get the chance to face Nicasio again in his first home game for Arizona after getting a scheduled day off in the opener. The shortstop, batting .400 (10 for 25) in his first six games, hit a solo homer off the right-hander in Sunday's victory.

"It's always exciting to play at home," Gregorius said. "I'm looking forward to getting my first chance."

Gerardo Parra, seeking a career-high 11-game hit streak, has one double in his six at_bats against Nicasio. Cody Ross has two doubles and two RBIs in five at_bats, and Goldschmidt is 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Troy Tulowitzki was 2 for 3 with a solo homer in his first matchup with McCarthy while Yorvit Torrealba is 3 for 5 all-time against him.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (13-9) at Athletics (13-10)

Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: April 26, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


Based on the way Wei-Yin Chen fared in two outings against the Oakland Athletics during his 2012 rookie season, the Baltimore Orioles would appear to have a good chance to continue their rare winning stretch in the East Bay.

Trying to improve to 3-0 against the struggling A's, Chen looks to help the Orioles to a third consecutive victory at Oakland on Friday night.

Chen (1-2, 3.38 ERA) allowed one earned run, nine hits and struck out 16 in 12 2-3 innings while winning both starts - at home - versus Oakland a year ago. It helped that his teammates scored 16 runs in those contests.

Baltimore (13-9) pounded out a season-high 15 hits and matched its most runs of 2013 in Thursday's 10-2 win over the A's. The Orioles have not won three straight in Oakland since Aug. 15-17, 2005, and prior to snapping a four-game skid there last season, dropped 16 of 18 at the Coliseum.

Chen, however, hopes to pitch better than Saturday when he gave up a run, three hits and overcame four walks in six innings of a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"My stuff was terrible (Saturday), not really good," he told the Orioles' official website. "I was lucky to get a win."

The left-hander might not need to be at his best if the Orioles hit like they did in the opener. Adam Jones had three hits while Chris Davis homered for the eighth time and drove in two runs.

Leadoff hitter Nate McLouth reached base four times and is 8 for 18 (.444) with seven walks in the last six games.

"I'm swinging at good pitches, that's what I'm most happy about,' McLouth said. "I'm working the count and swinging at the pitches I want instead of having to swing at what a pitcher wants.'

Jones, who has hit safely in all but two games this season, is batting .359 with 17 RBIs. He's hit .357 in his last seven at Oakland.

Davis is batting .442 (19 for 43) with four homers and 10 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak against the A's.

Oakland (13-10) swept a three-game home set from Houston April 15-17, then followed with a 1-5 road trip and blew an early 2-0 lead Thursday. Josh Donaldson had a two-run double for the A's, who have scored 30 runs in the last seven games, with 13 coming in their only win Tuesday at Boston.

Center fielder Coco Crisp is 4 for 23 (.174) in six games following a 12-game hitting streak in which he batted .392. He's 2 for 16 in his last four against the Orioles.

Oakland's Tommy Milone (3-1, 4.26) takes the mound looking to bounce back from his first loss of the season. The left-hander allowed six runs - four earned - and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings of an 8-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The A's totaled 28 runs in Milone's first three starts, but managed only three hits in the last one.

"That's the game. It happens. We're not going to score 10 runs every game, as much as we would like that as pitchers,' Milone said. "We've got to do our best to keep the team in the game. That's our job.'

He gave up two runs, including a solo homer to Davis, in 6 1-3 innings in his only previous start versus Baltimore, a 3-2 home win Sept. 14.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (8-13) at Mariners (9-15)

Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


The Seattle Mariners have been hampered by one of baseball's worst offenses, but they hope to keep taking advantage of a Los Angeles Angels pitching staff that has been just as bad.

Kyle Seager and the Mariners look for another big day at the plate Friday night as they seek another win over Los Angeles at Safeco Field.

Seattle (9-15) entered this four-game set having scored three runs or fewer in eight of its last nine games, so a 6-0 victory Thursday felt explosive.

Carlos Peguero, called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday to help fill in for the injured Franklin Gutierrez, launched the third-longest home run in Safeco history with a 451-foot shot in his first at-bat of the season.

Also sparking the offense with a homer was Seager, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. Seager has raised his average from .147 to .306 during the streak, going 21 for 51 (.412) with seven doubles and 11 RBIs. All three of his home runs have come in the last five games.

Seager credited a closed-door meeting held by manager Eric Wedge following Wednesday's 10-3 loss to Houston.

"He got everyone's attention," Seager said. "We know we had to play better. We played with more of an edge today."

Seattle may need another strong night from its offense with Aaron Harang (0-2, 10.24 ERA) on the mound. He's fresh off a shellacking at Texas in which he gave up eight runs and eight hits in 4 2-3 innings of an 11-3 loss Sunday.

"I started guiding pitches, and ended up falling behind in counts and having to throw pitches over the plate, and that's where I got myself in trouble," said Harang, acquired from Colorado earlier this month.

While Harang has seen his individual struggles, the entire staff for the Angels (8-13) has generally been bad. Los Angeles pitchers own a 4.96 ERA, ranking near the bottom of baseball, and have allowed 28 runs and 45 hits in 37 innings this week with 15 walks and just 19 strikeouts.

The only Angels starting pitcher yet to suffer a loss is C.J. Wilson (1-0, 4.13). He's lasted six innings in each of his four starts but has averaged 111.3 pitches in the last three, and his 15 walks are among the most in the AL. The left-hander didn't get a decision Sunday as he allowed three runs and five hits in a 4-3 victory over Detroit.

Command remains a serious concern for Wilson, averaging 3.9 walks per nine innings for his career after issuing four Sunday.

"I was missing with my breaking ball a lot early," Wilson told the team's official website. "It was breaking way too big, then I couldn't throw my curveball for a strike and my changeup was kind of a non-factor. I just had to go out there with a fastball, slider and cutter and compete."

Wilson has been very good against the Mariners over the last two-plus seasons, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts. Seager is 1 for 13 against him.

Seattle will hope Harang can regain the form he showed in two starts against the Angels last year, holding them to three earned runs over 13 innings while with the Dodgers.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (11-9) at Dodgers (10-11)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Only recently has the Los Angeles Dodgers' offense started coming around, though not soon enough to provide much support for Josh Beckett in any of his outings.

Los Angeles seeks a fourth victory in its last five tries Friday night in the opener of a three-game set against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who have won nine of the last 11 meetings.

Since being acquired in a blockbuster deal with Boston in August, Beckett is 2-6 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 starts while receiving just 24 runs of support over 68 innings.

That includes a 0-3 mark with a 3.48 ERA this season as the Dodgers (10-11) have scored only six times in the 24 innings Beckett has pitched. He struck out nine and gave up the game's only run in the bottom of the ninth of a loss to Arizona on April 14 in his best start since coming to Los Angeles.

He's likely hoping for some offense from a Dodgers team that has scored 20 runs while winning three of its last four following a six-game skid.

Los Angeles entered Thursday's contest with the New York Mets hitting just .190 with runners in scoring position, but Andre Ethier and Juan Uribe had RBI singles in the top of the ninth of a 3-2 win.

Ethier had just two hits in his previous 22 at_bats prior to his tie-breaking single.

``Just hope to get `Dre turned in the right direction,' manager Don Mattingly said.

He's likely hoping the same for Beckett, who had possibly his worst effort as a Dodger his last time out after allowing six runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-1 loss at Baltimore in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The right-hander hasn't faced the Brewers since giving up six runs in an 11-7 loss while pitching for Boston on May 18, 2008, dropping him to 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA in four career starts against them.

Los Angeles hasn't had much luck lately against Milwaukee, either. This marks the first meeting since the Brewers swept a four-game series at Dodger Stadium from May 28-31.

Ryan Braun, who homered twice off Beckett the last time he faced Milwaukee, is only 2 for 19 in his last six versus the Dodgers, but he's hit safely in six of his last seven contests as the Brewers (11-9) have recovered from a slow start.

Milwaukee, though, had its nine-game winning streak snapped Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at San Diego. It had the tying run in scoring position when Martin Maldonado was ruled out for being struck with his own batted ball outside the batter's box to end the game.

"To go into the ninth getting people on base gives you hope," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Then you score a run and get really excited and then you end it in a goofy way.'

Milwaukee looks to get back on track while giving the ball to Hiram Burgos, who is scheduled to make his second career start.

Burgos (1-0, 1.80) gave up one run and five hits in five innings of a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and impressed catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

"He threw well and he definitely earned a second start right there," Lucroy told the team's official website. "He can throw strikes with all of his pitches, and that's a key point to being successful."

The Brewers haven't lost a road series to the Dodgers since dropping two of three from Aug. 15-17, 2008.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (13-9) at Padres (6-15)

Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Tim Lincecum has shown signs of returning to his dominant form, and the San Francisco Giants hope the right-hander can help get them back on track.

San Francisco will send the two-time Cy Young Award winner to the mound as it seeks its fifth straight win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in the opener of a six-game road trip.

After winning four straight - including a three-game sweep of San Diego at AT&T Park - the Giants (13-9) lost 3-2 in 10 innings to Arizona on Wednesday for their second straight extra-inning home defeat.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford was one of the bright spots, ending a 2-for-17 slump by going 3 for 4 with a game-tying homer in the ninth and two RBIs to push his batting average back up to .320.

"Here's a kid who keeps getting better and better," manager Bruce Bochy said. "The confidence has grown with him. I like the way he's using the whole field and driving the ball."

Bochy's club looks to snap a three-game road skid behind Lincecum (2-0, 3.97 ERA), who has won five of his last six regular-season decisions dating to last season.

After setting career worsts with 15 losses and a 5.18 ERA in 2012, Lincecum has allowed zero earned runs in two of four starts this season. He scattered four hits while striking out eight over 6 2-3 innings in a 2-0 win over the Padres on Saturday.

"I just went out there with purpose and knowing that every pitch has got a meaning to it," Lincecum said.

Lincecum may be able to build on that performance since he's 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA in his last eight starts in this series and will face a San Diego offense that has been struggling.

The Padres, last in the NL West at 6-15, have totaled eight runs and batted .198 while losing five of six. They rank near the bottom of the majors with 12 home runs, 69 runs and a .349 slugging percentage.

San Diego did manage to avoid its longest losing streak of the season with a 2-1 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday.

"After losing five games in a row, we stopped the bleeding," said Edinson Volquez, who threw seven shutout innings.

Carlos Quentin broke out of a 1-for-14 slump, going 2 for 4 with his first homer. He's batted 3 for 7 with a home run and double against Lincecum, while Yonder Alonso is 1 for 15 with six strikeouts.

Andrew Cashner (0-1, 4.05) will try to pitch the Padres to consecutive victories for the first time since a three-game run April 15-17. The right-hander makes his second start after making five appearances out of the bullpen.

Cashner, who is 0-2 with a 4.40 ERA in seven career starts, allowed two runs and two hits over four innings while taking the loss against the Giants on Saturday.

Buster Posey is expected to return behind the plate for the Giants after not starting Wednesday. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning and singled to extend his hitting streak to six games.

The reigning NL MVP has batted .389 (7 for 18) with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs during that span. He's also fared well with three hits - two home runs - in six at_bats against Cashner.

San Francisco has won 26 of 35 in this series.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

-- Phillies are 9-14, 6-8 at home; they just look old.

-- Bulls were held to two points in last 5:47, but they held on to beat Nets 79-76-- Brooklyn covered the spread by half a point.

-- Miami won by 13 at Milwaukee, in maybe the worst playoff series ever. Bucks led this game by hoop at the half, but got outscored 30-18 in third quarter. You get the idea the Bucks don't even think they can win.

-- Not surprising that Boston beat the Astros 7-2; David Ortiz hit his first home run of the season. Red Sox are 15-7 and looking good.

-- Royals are 11-8, Pirates 13-9; is it too early to suggest a shift in balance of power in the two Central divisions?

-- Doug McDermott is staying at Creighton for his senior year, giving his father Greg another top 25 team in Omaha. Merry Christmas, Dad.


*****

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Notes while watching the NFL draft.......

13) Four offensive linemen were taken in the first seven picks of the draft for the first time ever; unclear whether these linemen are that good, or everyone else is just so subpar this season.

12) Watching TV people bash the Raiders' drafts for the last 10-15 years without mentioning the late Al Davis by name is always funny, even as they show Davis' brother manning the Raiders' phone at Radio City.

11) Raiders have started 15 different QBs over the last decade. Yikes.

10) Jets' first round pick Dee Milliner has had five surgeries and has a rod in his leg; he had shoulder surgery in March. He also played for Alabama, so he's well-coached and used to winning.

9) USA Today reports that when Dolphins' pick Dion Jordan was a senior in high school, he set himself on fire in a bizarre accident.......

".........Jordan was watching a friend as he tried to siphon gas from a car while using a vacuum cleaner. When the friend finished, Jordan walked over to the vacuum to turn it off. When he flipped the vacuum’s “off” switch, it released a spark, spreading flames onto Jordan."

You can get gas out of a car with a vacuum cleaner?

8) Patriots got four draft picks from Minnesota for the #29 pick; who did the Vikings want so bad? WR Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee. They'll be comparing this to when the Falcons traded up to get Julio Jones, in what was an excellent trade for Atlanta.

7) Nine offensive linemen were taken in the first round; one QB, not one running back, in what was a very unusual first round.

6) Bad night for Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib; not only wasn't he drafted, but his old college coach, Doug Marrone, took EJ Manuel for his new team, the Buffalo Bills. If Marrone didn't draft his old QB, who will?

5) Lions' draft pick Ezekiel Ansah, #5 pick in the draft, had never started a game until last fall. Last time a BYU guy went in Top 10 of draft was 1982, when the Bears took Jim McMahon.

4) NFL Network's Mike Mayock is never surprised by anything. Ever.

3) When the three Alabama kids went with picks 9-11, it was the first time ever three college teammates got picked in succession.

2) Rough night for Geno Smith, Manti Te'o, Matt Barkley, as none of them got picked in the first round Thursday night. There's always Friday.

1) Last time Rams drafted a WR in first round (Torry Holt, '99), they won Super Bowl that year. I'm just sayin'...........
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[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Dunkel

Colorado at Arizona

The Rockies look to take advantage of an Arizona team that is 2-5 in its last 7 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150. Colorado is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.405; Washington (Zimmermann) 15.519
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Washington (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-130); Over

Game 953-954: Chicago Cubs at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Feldman) 14.454; Miami (LeBlanc) 14.712
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+100); Under

Game 955-956: Philadelphia at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Kendrick) 15.020; NY Mets (Gee) 14.597
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-105); Over

Game 957-958: Pittsburgh at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Sanchez) 16.203; St. Louis (Lynn) 16.544
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-200); Under

Game 959-960: Colorado at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Nicasio) 16.692; Arizona (McCarthy) 15.612
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Under

Game 961-962: Milwaukee at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Burgos) 15.171; LA Dodgers (Beckett) 15.674
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-160); Over

Game 963-964: San Francisco at San Diego (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.881; San Diego (Cashner) 14.697
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-120); Over

Game 965-966: Toronto at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Johnson) 15.627; NY Yankees (Nova) 15.388
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+105); Under

Game 967-968: Houston at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Bedard) 13.369; Boston (Dempster) 15.703
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-260); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-260); Over

Game 969-970: Texas at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Grimm) 15.156; Minnesota (Diamond) 15.425
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+105); Under

Game 971-972: Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Hernandez) 15.722; White Sox (Peavy) 15.181
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+125); Under

Game 973-974: Cleveland at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 14.435; Kansas City (Santana) 16.267
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-165); Over

Game 975-976: Baltimore at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Chen) 14.697; Oakland (Milone) 15.591
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Under

Game 977-978: LA Angels at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Wilson) 14.045; Seattle (Harang) 14.707
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-155); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+135); Over

Game 979-980: Atlanta at Detroit (7:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Maholm) 15.560; Detroit (Sanchez); 15.961
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, April 26

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CINCINNATI (13 - 9) at WASHINGTON (10 - 11) - 7:05 PM
HOMER BAILEY (R) vs. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 190-160 (+27.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 125-102 (+24.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 91-78 (+20.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
ZIMMERMANN is 19-5 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 112-77 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 616-690 (+55.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 108-102 (+29.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 112-77 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 404-448 (+37.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 444-501 (+40.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 337-301 (+55.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
BAILEY is 14-4 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BAILEY is 18-6 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-1 (+0.7 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.3 Units)

HOMER BAILEY vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
BAILEY is 1-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.714.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.7 units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
ZIMMERMANN is 2-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 1.88 and a WHIP of 1.083.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.3 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (6 - 14) at MIAMI (5 - 16) - 7:10 PM
SCOTT FELDMAN (R) vs. WADE LEBLANC (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 67-115 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 26-67 (-29.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 21-51 (-24.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 136-169 (-52.9 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 67-115 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 28-61 (-24.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 28-50 (-21.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
FELDMAN is 7-17 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FELDMAN is 7-17 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 74-109 (-33.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 15-34 (-17.2 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 71-97 (-36.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-30 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 73-107 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 52-74 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 49-72 (-21.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

SCOTT FELDMAN vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.

WADE LEBLANC vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LEBLANC is 1-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (9 - 13) at NY METS (10 - 9) - 7:10 PM
KYLE KENDRICK (R) vs. DILLON GEE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 90-91 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 44-56 (-21.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 90-94 (-22.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 111-93 (+26.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday since 1997.
KENDRICK is 28-18 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 271-279 (-76.6 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
NY METS are 77-96 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 45-65 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 77-96 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against NY METS this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.2 Units)

KYLE KENDRICK vs. NY METS since 1997
KENDRICK is 6-5 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 6-7 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-5. (+2.3 units)

DILLON GEE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
GEE is 2-2 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 7.03 and a WHIP of 1.812.
His team's record is 3-3 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-1. (+3.9 units)

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PITTSBURGH (12 - 9) at ST LOUIS (13 - 8) - 8:15 PM
JONATHAN SANCHEZ (L) vs. LANCE LYNN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 302-534 (-111.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 217-435 (-94.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 362-249 (+53.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
LYNN is 14-2 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LYNN is 15-1 (+13.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 12-20 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JONATHAN SANCHEZ vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
SANCHEZ is 2-0 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.62 and a WHIP of 1.619.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-0. (+5.1 units)

LANCE LYNN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
LYNN is 3-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.321.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)

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COLORADO (14 - 7) at ARIZONA (12 - 9) - 9:40 PM
JUAN NICASIO (R) vs. BRANDON MCCARTHY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 154-224 (-50.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 64-93 (-30.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 130-101 (+27.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 31-36 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against ARIZONA this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

JUAN NICASIO vs. ARIZONA since 1997
NICASIO is 0-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 6.94 and a WHIP of 1.971.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. COLORADO since 1997
MCCARTHY is 0-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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MILWAUKEE (11 - 9) at LA DODGERS (9 - 11) - 10:10 PM
HIRAM BURGOS (R) vs. JOSH BECKETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 19-29 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 36-18 (+17.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons.
BECKETT is 23-6 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in home games in April games since 1997. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 10-22 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 9-22 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BECKETT is 5-17 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

HIRAM BURGOS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSH BECKETT vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
BECKETT is 1-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 8.84 and a WHIP of 1.800.
His team's record is 2-2 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (13 - 9) at SAN DIEGO (6 - 15) - 10:10 PM
TIM LINCECUM (R) vs. ANDREW CASHNER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LINCECUM is 9-16 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 54-30 (+20.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 118-82 (+29.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 75-44 (+28.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 490-479 (+50.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 50-32 (+16.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 67-40 (+18.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 118-82 (+29.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 57-42 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 13-32 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 17-37 (-20.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 93-138 (-32.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

TIM LINCECUM vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LINCECUM is 11-5 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.33 and a WHIP of 1.161.
His team's record is 16-7 (+6.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 12-11. (-0.5 units)

ANDREW CASHNER vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
CASHNER is 0-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 0.750.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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TORONTO (9 - 13) at NY YANKEES (11 - 9) - 7:05 PM
JOSH JOHNSON (R) vs. IVAN NOVA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 23-7 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 2-1 (+1.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

JOSH JOHNSON vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
JOHNSON is 1-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.298.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

IVAN NOVA vs. TORONTO since 1997
NOVA is 3-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.24 and a WHIP of 1.364.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.3 units)

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HOUSTON (7 - 14) at BOSTON (14 - 7) - 7:10 PM
ERIK BEDARD (L) vs. RYAN DEMPSTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 62-120 (-34.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 23-67 (-29.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 62-120 (-34.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 80-168 (-60.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 52-117 (-40.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 83-100 (-31.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 28-41 (-19.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-52 (-26.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 17-28 (-17.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 3-10 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 71-91 (-36.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 52-72 (-32.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

ERIK BEDARD vs. BOSTON since 1997
BEDARD is 5-4 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.309.
His team's record is 6-6 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-6. (-1.1 units)

RYAN DEMPSTER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
DEMPSTER is 6-11 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.69 and a WHIP of 1.455.
His team's record is 7-18 (-14.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 15-9. (+5.0 units)

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TEXAS (14 - 7) at MINNESOTA (9 - 8) - 8:10 PM
JUSTIN GRIMM (R) vs. SCOTT DIAMOND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 31-12 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 69-103 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 7-19 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 69-103 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 45-72 (-28.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-29 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

JUSTIN GRIMM vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

SCOTT DIAMOND vs. TEXAS since 1997
DIAMOND is 0-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 7.73 and a WHIP of 2.146.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (10 - 11) at CHI WHITE SOX (8 - 12) - 8:10 PM
ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (R) vs. JAKE PEAVY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 12-5 (+11.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 38-46 (-26.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PEAVY is 8-16 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 9-5 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 5.60 and a WHIP of 1.451.
His team's record is 10-6 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-5. (+4.9 units)

JAKE PEAVY vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PEAVY is 2-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 5.25 and a WHIP of 1.417.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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CLEVELAND (8 - 11) at KANSAS CITY (10 - 8) - 8:10 PM
SCOTT KAZMIR (L) vs. ERVIN SANTANA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 70-98 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 41-35 (+12.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KAZMIR is 55-46 (+23.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 4-12 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in home games in April games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
KAZMIR is 3-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.23 and a WHIP of 1.575.
His team's record is 6-4 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+1.1 units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SANTANA is 2-8 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.71 and a WHIP of 1.320.
His team's record is 4-10 (-8.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-5. (+3.5 units)

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BALTIMORE (12 - 9) at OAKLAND (13 - 9) - 10:05 PM
WEI-YIN CHEN (L) vs. TOM MILONE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 109-80 (+40.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 57-35 (+22.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 103-74 (+38.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 76-48 (+37.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 54-44 (+20.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MILONE is 23-13 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILONE is 22-11 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILONE is 18-6 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 108-81 (+41.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 53-41 (+29.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 26-18 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 19-6 (+16.6 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 98-70 (+38.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 72-61 (+21.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 32-23 (+12.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 60-46 (+29.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

WEI-YIN CHEN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
CHEN is 2-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 0.71 and a WHIP of 1.184.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

TOM MILONE vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
MILONE is 1-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 1.264.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (8 - 12) at SEATTLE (8 - 15) - 10:10 PM
C.J. WILSON (L) vs. AARON HARANG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 16-27 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 60-66 (-24.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 3-10 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 667-656 (+59.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 243-182 (+44.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 556-543 (+61.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
WILSON is 38-13 (+16.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 18-34 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

C.J. WILSON vs. SEATTLE since 1997
WILSON is 6-3 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.42 and a WHIP of 1.317.
His team's record is 10-3 (+5.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-4. (+2.6 units)

AARON HARANG vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
HARANG is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.29 and a WHIP of 1.909.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

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ATLANTA (15 - 6) at DETROIT (10 - 9) - 7:05 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MAHOLM is 21-50 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 30-20 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 109-75 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-39 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 123-84 (+29.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday since 1997.
ATLANTA is 107-74 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 73-41 (+26.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 58-56 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SANCHEZ is 16-22 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANCHEZ is 15-21 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANCHEZ is 5-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

PAUL MAHOLM vs. DETROIT since 1997
MAHOLM is 0-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.60 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.1 units)

ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. ATLANTA since 1997
SANCHEZ is 4-11 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.42 and a WHIP of 1.527.
His team's record is 4-13 (-8.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-5. (+5.1 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, April 26

Hot pitchers
-- Zimmerman is 4-0, 2.67 so far this season. Bailey is 0-0, 1.29 in his last couple starts.
-- Feldman is 0-3, 9.00 in three starts this season. Leblanc is 0-3, 6.75 in four starts this season.
-- Kendrick is 1-0, 1.89 in his last three starts.
-- Lynn is 3-0, 2.25 in his last three starts.
-- Burgos won his first MLB start, allowing one run in five IP.
-- Giants won all four Lincecum starts (2-0, 4.76), scoring 26 runs.

-- Maholm is 3-1, 1.03 in four starts this season. ASanchez is 2-1, 2.61 in his last three starts.

-- Rangers won both Grimm starts (1-0, 5,84), scoring 15 runs.
-- Peavy is 1-0, 1.29 in his last couple starts.
-- Royals won last three Santana starts (2-0, 1.96).
-- Wilson is 1-0, 3.00 in his last couple starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Gee is 1-3, 9.50 in four starts this season.
-- JSanchez is 0-2, 10.80 in four starts this season.
-- McCarthy is 0-2, 7.89 in four starts this season. Nicasio has a 5.31 RA in four starts (Rockies 2-2).
-- Beckett is 0-3, 5.40 in four starts this season.
-- Cashner allowed two runs in four IP in his first '13 start, also vs Giants.

-- JJohnson is 0-1, 7.32 in four starts this season. Nova is 1-1, 6.14 in three starts this season.
-- Dempster is 0-2, 4.50 in four starts this season. Bedard is 0-1, 8.64 in his three starts this season.
-- Diamond is 1-1, 5.23 in two starts this season.
-- Hernandez is 1-3, 5.84 in four starts this season.
-- Kazmir allowed six runs in 3.1 IP in his first '13 start.
-- Orioles lost all three of Chen's road starts (0-2, 4.00). Milone has a 5.89 RA in his last three starts.
-- Harang is 0-2, 11.42 in two starts this season.

Totals
-- Four of last five Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Ten of last thirteen Met games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Pittsburgh games stayed under total.
-- Nine of last eleven Arizona games stayed under the total.
-- Last four games at Dodger Stadium went over the total.
-- Three of four Lincecum starts went over the total.

-- Seven of last ten Detroit games went over the total.

-- 10 of last 13 Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Boston games.
-- Under is 10-4-1 in last fifteen Texas games.
-- Under is 3-1-2 in last six Tampa Bay games.
-- All four Santana starts stayed under the total.
-- 19 of last 22 Oakland games went over the total.
-- 13 of last 16 Angel games went over the total.

Hot teams
-- Pirates won 12 of their last 16 games. St Louis won four of last five.
-- Reds won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Rockies won eight of their last twelve games. Arizona won four of five.
-- Brewers won nine of their last ten games.

-- Braves are 4-0 in road series openers.

-- Red Sox won ten of their last thirteen games.
-- Bronx won 11 of its last 16 games.
-- Rays won six of their last nine games.
-- Texas won seven of its last nine games. Minnesota won five of last seven.
-- Indians won three of their last four games. Royals won four of last six.
-- Orioles won six of their last eight games.

Cold teams
-- Phillies lost eight of their last eleven games. Mets lost six of last nine.
-- Dodgers lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Nationals lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Miami lost eight of its first ten home games. Cubs lost 12 of their last 17 games overall.
-- Padres lost seven of their nine home games. San Francisco lost last three games on foreign soil.

-- Detroit lost five of its last six games.

-- Houston lost eight of its last eleven games.
-- Blue Jays lost seven of their last ten games.
-- White Sox lost four of their last six games.
-- Oakland lost six of its last seven games.
-- Mariners lost 11 of their last 16 games. Angels lost three of last four.

Umpires
-- Cin-Wsh-- Home team won 15 of last 19 Fletcher games.
-- Chi-Mia-- Last five Wolf games stayed under the total.
-- Col-Az-- Nine of last eleven Carapazza games stayed under.

-- Tor-NY-- Underdogs won six of last nine Fairchild games.
-- Hst-Bos-- Ten of last twelve Meals games went over the total.
-- Tex-Min-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight TBarrett games.
-- TB-Chi-- Six of last seven LBarrett games went over the total.
-- Blt-A's-- Four of last five Reynolds games went over the total.
-- LA-Sea-- Visiting team won seven of last nine Barry games.
Reply With Quote

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, April 26

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Trend Report
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7:05 PM
CINCINNATI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing Washington
Cincinnati is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Washington is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta

7:05 PM
TORONTO vs. NY YANKEES
Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 13 games
NY Yankees are 13-2 SU in their last 15 games when playing at home against Toronto
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Toronto

7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 9 of NY Mets's last 13 games at home
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

7:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. BOSTON
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Boston's last 22 games at home

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. MIAMI
Chi Cubs are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami's last 11 games at home
Miami is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games at home

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. KANSAS CITY
Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Kansas City
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Cleveland
Kansas City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Tampa Bay is 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
Tampa Bay is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi White Sox's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chi White Sox's last 18 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

8:10 PM
TEXAS vs. MINNESOTA
Texas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Texas's last 13 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas
Minnesota is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Texas

8:15 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. ST. LOUIS
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games

9:40 PM
COLORADO vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Colorado's last 10 games on the road
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Arizona's last 12 games at home
Arizona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

10:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Baltimore's last 8 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games at home
Oakland is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games at home

10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games
San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Diego's last 9 games when playing at home against San Francisco
San Diego is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against San Francisco

10:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games
LA Angels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Seattle is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels

10:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA DODGERS
Milwaukee is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Milwaukee's last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of LA Dodgers's last 14 games when playing Milwaukee

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, April 26

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Friday's MLB weather watch: Rain coming to Kansas City
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Here's a look at Friday's notable weather in the major leagues:

Atlanta Braves vs. Detroit Tigers (-125, 7.5)
Site: Comerica Park

The wind will blow in from center field at 10 mph. The Tigers were 4-1 in 2012 at home when the wind blew in from center field.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox (-140, 8)
Site: U.S. Cellular Field

The wind will blow in from right field at 13 mph. The White Sox were 6-2 at home in 2012 when the wind blew in from right field.

Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals (-163, 8.5)
Site: Kauffman Stadium

A 73 percent chance of rain is in the forecast in Kansas City.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-186, 8.5)
Site: Busch Stadium

There's a 56 percent chance of rain and chances of thunderstorms in St. Louis.

[StarDust Bum]

Defiant Derek Jeter is playing the role he knows best

NEW YORK -- Is he always like that?

Yes, he is. And that may be the best thing you can say today about Derek Jeter 's chances of coming back and being the Derek Jeter we remember.

No one really knows now whether he will. No one really knows now whether he can.

He's going to be 39 in June. He's not going to play again until sometime after that. And whenever he does play, he's going to have to defy the natural aging process, and also the history that says 39-year-old shortstops can't move around the way they once did, if they can even make it onto the field at all.

But defiance may be the role Derek Jeter plays best.

Defiance is the role he played Thursday, in his first (and he says only) news conference about the setback he suffered last week, when a CT scan showed another break in his left ankle he originally broke last October.

"Is he always like that?" asked a couple of major-league scouts who watched the press conference on television.

Yes, he is.

He never wants to say that he's hurting. He never doubts that he'll be back. He never doubts that he can be as good as ever.

He never acknowledges doubt.

He treats injuries the way he treats opponents on the field.

At some point, that won't be enough. This may well be that point. But before you say with any certainty that it is, remember who it is you're talking about.

"Derek's never done anything but have success, so I would expect a successful player [when he returns]," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

The Yankees won't predict when Jeter will play again, other than to say it will be sometime after the All-Star break. Jeter refused to give a target date, other than to say it will be as soon as possible.

"As soon as I can physically play, I'll play," he said.

He showed up for the press conference in uniform, and he showed up without the walking boot. He hasn't discarded the boot, even though he insisted that he doesn't really need it.

He admitted, grudgingly, that a broken bone is not something he can play through.

"I can fake my way past people," he said. "But you can't fake a CT scan."

That's as far as Jeter would go, though. There would be no signs of self-doubt, no suggestion that he has even contemplated the idea that his great career could be coming to an end.

"No doubt," he said, over and over.

No doubt that he'll be back. No doubt that he can still be just as successful as he was last year, as good as ever.

No, didn't you hear him?

"No, no doubt," he said. "When you have doubt, that's when you're in trouble. There's no doubt. I have no doubt. I'll be back."

But what about all the time he'll have missed.

"I think I'll be very well rested when I come back," he said.

We can't say when that will be. We can't say what kind of player he'll be.

I have my doubts. Anyone who is being honest and realistic has doubts.

Anyone but Derek Jeter.

He hasn't acknowledged doubt for the 18 years we've known him on the major-league stage. If someone else tries to bring it in, he's always been defiant.

He still is. We saw that Thursday. We saw that Jeter is treating this injury the way he has treated others.

We looked for any sign, any admission that this will be the injury he can't return from. We looked, we probed, but Derek Jeter didn't give us any of that.

None of that guarantees he'll return, and it certainly doesn't guarantee that he'll return as good as ever.

He has plenty going against him, but he still has one thing going for him. He's Derek Jeter.

Do you want to be against him?

[StarDust Bum]

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

04/25/13 11-*10-*3 52.38% +*995 Detail
04/24/13 13-*15-*0 46.43% -*1595 Detail
04/23/13 14-*12-*1 53.85% +*790 Detail
04/22/13 12-*10-*0 54.55% +*720 Detail
04/21/13 16-*15-*1 51.61% -*265 Detail
04/20/13 17-*15-*0 53.13% +*555 Detail
04/19/13 9-*3-*0 75.00% +*3030 Detail
04/18/13 11-*6-*1 64.71% +*2720 Detail
04/17/13 10-*13-*1 43.48% -*1265 Detail
04/16/13 14-*11-*1 56.00% +*1560 Detail
04/15/13 12-*4-*0 75.00% +*3650 Detail
04/14/13 15-*13-*0 53.57% +*530 Detail
04/13/13 14-*16-*0 46.67% -*1510 Detail
04/12/13 10-*6-*0 62.50% +*2555 Detail
04/11/13 5-*6-*1 45.45% -*460 Detail
04/10/13 15-*10-*1 60.00% +*2240 Detail
04/09/13 14-*14-*0 50.00% -*440 Detail
04/08/13 12-*7-*1 63.16% +*2080 Detail
04/07/13 15-*13-*2 53.57% +*840 Detail
04/06/13 11-*18-*0 37.93% -*4805 Detail
04/05/13 17-*12-*0 58.62% +*2035 Detail
04/04/13 15-*7-*0 68.18% +*4160 Detail
04/03/13 15-*15-*0 50.00% -*350 Detail
04/02/13 8-*6-*0 57.14% +*1305 Detail
04/01/13 10-*13-*0 43.48% -*1935 Detail

Totals 315-*270-*13 53.85% +17140


Friday, April 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Cincinnati - 7:05 PM ET Washington -127 500
Washington - Under 7 500

Toronto - 7:05 PM ET NY Yankees -135 500
NY Yankees - Under 9 500

Atlanta - 7:08 PM ET Atlanta +127 500 POD # 1
Detroit - Under 7.5 500

Houston - 7:10 PM ET Houston +237 500 POD # 6
Boston - Under 8.5 500

Chi. Cubs - 7:10 PM ET Miami -109 500
Miami - Over 7.5 500

Philadelphia - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets -118 500
NY Mets - Over 7.5 500

Tampa Bay - 8:10 PM ET Tampa Bay +127 500
Chi. White Sox - Over 7.5 500

Cleveland - 8:10 PM ET Cleveland +147 500 POD # 2
Kansas City - Under 8.5 500

Texas - 8:10 PM ET Minnesota +104 500
Minnesota - Under 8.5 500

Pittsburgh - 8:15 PM ET Pittsburgh +172 500 POD # 3
St. Louis - Under 8 500

Colorado - 9:40 PM ET Arizona -130 500
Arizona - Under 9 500

Baltimore - 10:05 PM ET Oakland -122 500
Oakland - Under 7.5 500

Milwaukee - 10:10 PM ET Milwaukee +130 500 POD # 4
LA Dodgers - Under 7 500

LA Angels - 10:10 PM ET Seattle +126 500 POD # 5
Seattle - Under 7.5 500

San Francisco - 10:10 PM ET San Francisco -102 500
San Diego - Over 7 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (13-9) at Blue Jays (9-15)

Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 21, 2013 1:07 PM EDT


It's been a happy homecoming for Vernon Wells, who will try to power the New York Yankees to a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday at Rogers Centre.

A fixture in the outfield for more than a decade with Toronto (7-11), Wells has spent the past two-plus seasons tormenting the Blue Jays - first with the Los Angeles Angels the last two years before joining the Yankees (10-6) in late March. He is hitting .242 in 15 lifetime games versus Toronto, but all five of his home runs and seven of his nine extra-base hits in those contests have come in nine games north of the border.

Wells was at the center of New York's 5-3, 11-inning victory Saturday, scoring the go-ahead run on a two-run throwing error by losing pitcher Aaron Loup after leading off the inning with a single. He also homered for the second time in this series and is 5 for 10 with four runs scored in the two wins.

"You know what, you get in the moment and you make an aggressive play like that and sometimes it works out,' Wells said. "You look great when it works out and bad when it doesn't.'

Wells' limited track record versus Blue Jays scheduled starter Josh Johnson (0-1, 6.91 ERA) isn't much, going 1 for 6 with two walks as the Yankees try to complete their first series sweep at Toronto of at least three games since Aug. 26-28, 2004. Johnson is still seeking his first win with Toronto since being acquired from Miami in the offseason, but the right-hander appears to be on the right track. He did not get a decision Tuesday versus Chicago after limiting the White Sox to two runs and four hits in seven innings before the Blue Jays eventually lost 4-3.

"I was just more aggressive overall," Johnson told MLB's official website. "Fastball, curveball, slider, everything was going - not just to the catcher but through the catcher and through the zone. That was the main focus for this start, and it worked out."

Johnson, who has allowed homers in each of his two outings at home, won his only start against the Yankees back in 2009.

The Yankees go for the sweep behind Ivan Nova (1-1, 5.59), who will try to build on his last outing and win consecutive starts. He worked in and out of trouble Tuesday to get a win versus Arizona, allowing two runs and seven hits with two walks in five innings.

"It feels really good," Nova said of notching the victory. "I was joking with the guys - I don't remember when the last time was that I won a ballgame. I know that I didn't go far enough in the game. It's something we will keep working on. Hopefully, this is a good sign for me."

While Nova has a 17-8 lifetime road record, he has lost his last away from the Bronx dating back to last year, giving up 14 runs and 18 hits over 15 1-3 innings. One of those defeats came at Toronto on Sept. 27 after yielding four runs and six hits in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-0 defeat.

Nova's last road win, though, also came at Rogers Centre, where he struck out 10 in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-2 win Aug. 11. He is 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA in six starts and seven lifetime appearances versus Toronto.

Edwin Encarnacion is 6 for 15 lifetime against Nova, while ex-Yankee Melky Cabrera is 3 for 5 with two homers and a double.