CnoThe Bum's MLB May's News-Notes-Trends & Best Bets !!

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (22-17) at Rangers (27-14)

Game: 2
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: May 17, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


Not even the Detroit Tigers' ace could slow down the Texas Rangers' red-hot lineup.

After another impressive offensive display in the series opener, host Texas seeks an eighth victory in nine tries Friday night against Detroit.

The Rangers have been on a tear of late, scoring at least six runs in five of their last six games and outscoring opponents 51-33 over their last eight. Eight different players scored one run as they roughed up Justin Verlander for eight runs in 2 2-3 innings of Thursday's 10-4 victory.

Geovany Soto hit a three-run homer that chased Verlander, Nelson Cruz hit a solo shot for his fourth homer in six games and Mitch Moreland added two doubles and three RBIs.

Moreland was hitting .157 on April 20, but he's hit .374 with seven homers among his 18 extra-base hits over his last 24 games to boost his average to .296. He's 7 for 15 (.467) during a four-game hitting streak versus Detroit.

The Rangers, who will be going for a season-best fifth straight home win Friday, have scored at least seven runs six times while winning eight of the last 11 meetings with Detroit.

While Texas (27-14) has the best record in the majors, the Tigers (22-17) have had their share of problems lately, losing six of nine.

Detroit has dropped three straight on the road and Prince Fielder is 2 for 17 (.118) with five strikeouts during a five-game slump. Miguel Cabrera is 2 for 9 over his last two, but he's still second in the majors with a .366 average.

Cabrera is hitting .371 with 12 homers and 24 doubles in his career versus the Rangers, including the Tigers' six-game loss in the 2011 AL championship series.

"We really grinded out our at_bats (Thursday) and (the Rangers) did, too," manager Jim Leyland said. "That's one thing (that) club does and that's one thing we do, too.'

Detroit will be looking to get back on track with help from Rick Porcello, who has pitched much better of late.

Since giving up nine runs in two-thirds of an inning of a 10-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on April 20, Porcello (1-2, 6.68 ERA) is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA over his last three starts. He allowed two runs in six innings of Detroit's 4-3, 10-inning loss to Cleveland on Sunday.

The right-hander has had a rough time against Texas, though, going 2-3 with a 7.83 ERA in five career regular-season starts.

The Rangers will counter with Nick Tepesch as he makes his first career start versus the Tigers.

Tepesch (3-3, 4.03) had an impressive outing Sunday, allowing one run and striking out a season-best eight in six innings of a 12-7 win over Houston. The rookie had allowed 11 runs and 14 hits in 10 2-3 innings while dropping his previous two starts.

"It's something to build off and take into the next start, keep that same focus," Tepesch said.

Manager Ron Washington praised his right-hander for bouncing back from the rough outings.

"Tepesch did a good job," he said. "He had a good sinker working, and his breaking ball had bite. Hopefully he got back on track."

The Rangers have an AL-best 3.45 ERA.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Rangers
Thu, May 16 Final 4 to 10

Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Tigers at Rangers
Fri, May 17 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Rangers
Sat, May 18 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Tigers at Rangers
Sun, May 19 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (24-17) at Twins (18-19)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Minnesota Twins nearly handed Clay Buchholz his first loss of the season 11 days ago.

Now, the Twins will have another chance to send Buchholz home a loser as they host the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

Buchholz (6-0, 1.69 ERA) was outstanding en route to six straight wins to begin the season, posting a 1.01 ERA during that span. In his seventh start, however, he surrendered a season-high four runs in Boston's 6-5 win over Minnesota (18-19) on May 6. Buchholz left the game trailing 4-2, but the Red Sox (24-17) rallied and spared the right-hander his first loss.

Against Toronto on Saturday, it was a similar story as Buchholz allowed two runs over eight innings, but left with a 2-0 deficit. Boston rallied again to get Buchholz off the hook before falling 3-2.

"Left a couple pitches up with runners in scoring position. They were able to put a bat on it,' Buchholz said. "I've got to make better pitches at that point in the game.'

Buchholz now returns to the road where he has posted a 0.64 ERA in two starts. Prior to his four-strikeout performance against the Blue Jays, he had struck out eight-plus in three straight starts.

While Buchholz has soared back from a rough 2012, Minnesota's Vance Worley (1-4, 7.15) hasn't been quite as lucky. Worley has gone 7-13 since posting an 11-3 record in 2011 with Philadelphia. After allowing 10 home runs in 2011, and 12 last year, the right-hander has already surrendered six this season. Opposing batters are hitting .379 off of him.

Worley's last three starts have been particularly rough, as he has given up 30 hits in 15 innings while compiling an 8.40 ERA. That included a rough start against the Red Sox, who roughed him up for three runs and nine hits in five innings May 6. He surrendered five runs and 11 hits over 5 1-3 innings against Baltimore on Saturday, but hung around long enough to earn his first victory in 13 starts dating back to Aug. 1.

He settled down to allow two runs over 4 1-3 innings after giving up three in the first inning to the Orioles.

"After that I went out there and I wasn't thinking so much,' Worley said. "I'm here for a reason. I got to the big leagues pitching and I don't need to think too much about what I need to do out there, just make my pitches.'

Worley will look to do a better job of taming Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino this time around. Victorino went 3 for 3 with a home run against Worley in their last meeting. He shortly thereafter began an 8-for-19 streak that then led into a slump consisting of 11 straight at_bats without a hit. He put an end to that cold stretch in Thursday's 4-3 comeback victory over Tampa Bay with a double in the fourth inning.

Victorino, though, left after the eighth with lower back tightness.

``We'll check him tomorrow,' manager John Farrell said. ``He's a little banged up right now.'

Boston scored three runs in the ninth off Rays closer Fernando Rodney to win its second straight after a three-game skid.

The Twins won three of four at Fenway Park earlier this month, but have lost five of six meetings at home.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Twins
Fri, May 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Red Sox at Twins
Sat, May 18 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Twins
Sun, May 19 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (16-23) at Cardinals (26-14)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 17, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


The Milwaukee Brewers have struggled of late, and things don't appear to be getting any easier by facing the Cardinals.

Probably the last team they want to see right now, these NL Central rivals open a three-game series in St. Louis on Friday night.

While most teams wouldn't want to play the Cardinals, who have won 12 of 15, the Brewers (16-23) enter this game having dropped 12 of 14 and were swept in a four-game set by St. Louis at home May 2-5. The Cardinals have benefited from a starting rotation that has put up 2.66 ERA in those 15 games, striking out 85 batters while walking only 19 and surrendering just six home runs.

St. Louis (26-14) has flourished against Milwaukee, winning six of seven games against the Brewers in 2013 and outscoring them 42-17. They pelted Milwaukee pitchers for 48 hits in the sweep earlier this month.

Among the pitchers the Cardinals battered was Wily Peralta (3-3, 5.40 ERA), who was tagged for six runs and 11 hits in the Cardinals' 6-5 victory over the Brewers on May 2. Peralta, though, may be happy to be at Busch Stadium since he has a 3.86 road ERA opposed to a 6.49 ERA at Miller Park.

"Like I told you guys before, he can be as good as anybody in this game," Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado told the Cardinals' official website.

Peralta, though, will have to deal with many players who have hit the Brewers hard this season. First baseman Allen Craig is hitting .345 against Milwaukee and catcher Yadier Molina, who is 10 of 27 while hitting safely in all seven games against the Brewers.

Much like the Cardinals, coming off a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon, their starter, Jaime Garcia (4-2, 2.88), hopes a date with Milwaukee will help him recover from a bad start. Colorado reached Garcia for five runs and eight hits, including two home runs, in six innings of an 8-2 win over St. Louis on Sunday.

"He came out and looked pretty good at the beginning," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said, "and had a couple things happen that didn't quite go his way.'

The loss snapped a three-start winning streak for Garcia, who had allowed one run in each of those outings. One of those victories came against the Brewers, whom he limited to one run in eight innings of the Cardinals' 10-1 win on May 5. The left-hander also shut out Milwaukee through seven innings on April 14, but did not receive a decision in an eventual 4-3, 10-inning loss.

Garcia will face a Brewers' offense that struggled against Francisco Liriano in a 7-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday, striking out 10 times. Second baseman Rickie Weeks struck out three times on Thursday and is hitting just .135 over his last 12 games with 12 strikeouts.

While Milwaukee has only been outhit 135-128 during its current slump, it has been outscored 79-45. The Brewers went 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position dropping the last three games of their series with the Pirates and are 21 for 107 (.196) their last 14 games.

"I know we're going to be fine,' Milwaukee center fielder Carlos Gomez said. "This is a problem that can be fixed because we have good players. It's tough now, though. It's embarrassing.'

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Cardinals
Fri, May 17 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 2
Brewers at Cardinals
Sat, May 18 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Brewers at Cardinals
Sun, May 19 - 2:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (24-17) at Rockies (21-20)

Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: May 17, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


The Colorado Rockies likely need Jorge De La Rosa to continue his recent dominance if they want to end their lengthy skid against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.

While De La Rosa looks to continue his current scoreless stretch while trying for a third straight winning start, Bumgarner hopes to maintain his recent success versus Colorado and help the visiting Giants to an 11th consecutive victory over the Rockies on Friday night.

De La Rosa (4-3, 2.98 ERA) has not allowed a run in 14 straight innings, and has yielded just five hits in two starts since he gave up six runs and 11 hits in four innings of a 6-2 loss at Dodger Stadium on April 30.

He's also given up five hits over 12 scoreless innings to win both his starts at Coors Field this season.

The left-hander took a no-hitter in the seventh inning before he gave up two hits over those seven frames in Sunday's 8-2 win at St. Louis.

"He's dominated some good lineups in this league," manager Walt Weiss told the Rockies' official website. "When he's commanding his stuff, he's one of the tougher left-handers in the National League."

De La Rosa has a 6.32 ERA while losing three straight starts against the Giants (24-17) - all at San Francisco. He gave up a three-run homer to Hunter Pence in six innings of a 4-2 loss to the Giants on April 8.

He's 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA in six starts versus San Francisco at Coors Field.

Bumgarner (4-1, 2.18), meanwhile, is 6-0 with a 2.08 ERA in seven starts against the Rockies (21-20) since he went 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in his first five. He gave up two runs and overcame five walks to last 5 2-3 innings in that victory opposite De La Rosa last month.

The left-hander bounced back after giving up five runs in six innings of a 6-2 loss at Philadelphia on May 6, yielding one and striking out a season-high 11 in seven of a 10-1 win over Atlanta on Saturday.

"He's nasty,' Braves third baseman Chris Johnson said. "For me, he is one of the best lefties in the game. He throws his cutter in to righties. He makes righties feel uneasy.'

The Rockies should feel the same way after they blew a 6-0 lead in Thursday's 8-6 loss to San Francisco. Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the sixth inning and Marco Scutaro added two hits to extend his hitting streak to 15 games for the Giants, who have won 35 of 45 over the Rockies, including 12 of 14 at Coors Field.

"We're awesome,' San Francisco first baseman Brandon Belt said. "We got down early (Thursday), but there was a lot of game left. We don't give up.

The ex-Rockie Scutaro is batting .475 during his current hitting streak and .455 while hitting safely in 13 straight games versus Colorado.

Pagan has batted .371 with four RBIs in his last eight against the Rockies.

Catcher Wilin Rosario hit a three-run shot for one of the three homers Thursday for Colorado, which has dropped seven of nine.

"It was just a bad game," said Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who is 4 for 42 (.095) in his last 13 games against the Giants.

Rosario is 6 for 13 with two home runs and six RBIs in his last three home games versus San Francisco.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Rockies
Thu, May 16 Final 8 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Rockies
Fri, May 17 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Rockies
Sat, May 18 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Giants at Rockies
Sun, May 19 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (18-21) at Angels (15-26)

Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 17, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


The Los Angeles Angels' latest funk began the last time they saw Chris Sale, whose dominant performance helped get the light-hitting Chicago White Sox on the right track.

Sale takes the mound again as visiting Chicago seeks a season-best fourth straight victory Friday night against struggling Los Angeles.

The Angels had won the first two of last weekend's series in Chicago, but Sale (4-2, 2.88 ERA) took a perfect game into the seventh inning and finished with a one-hitter in the White Sox's 3-0 victory Sunday.

The only hitter to reach base was Mike Trout, whose one-out single in the seventh inning ended the perfect game.

"Honestly, I didn't wake up and say, 'I want to throw a perfect game or a no-hitter,'" Sale said. "I come to the ballpark every day when I'm pitching and just want to keep my team in the game. That's the most important part at the end of the day."

Sale has gone 3-0 with a 1.48 ERA over his last four starts, striking out at least seven three times with opponents hitting .160 against him. He's 2-0 with a 0.55 ERA in two starts and two relief appearances in his career versus the Angels.

C.J. Wilson matched zeros with Sale through six innings Sunday before giving up three runs in the seventh. He also walked four, marking the fifth time in eight starts he's walked at least that many.

"It was a really well-pitched game," Wilson said. "And Sale just had video-game stuff."

Wilson (3-2, 3.88), who has lost his last two starts, will again oppose Sale. He's 2-2 with a 2.78 ERA in four career starts versus the White Sox, though he's walked 10 over his last two against them.

The left-hander will face a White Sox lineup that has come on of late despite ranking last in the AL in average (.237), runs scored (141), on-base percentage (.287) and hitting with runners in scoring position (.218).

Chicago (18-21) set a season best for runs in a 9-4 win at Minnesota on Wednesday before scoring three in the eighth to beat the Angels 5-4 on Thursday. Adam Dunn hit a tying RBI single and Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases load for the go-ahead run, the first one he's drawn in 141 plate appearances this season.

``I just like the way the offense battles," manager Robin Ventura said.

Dunn is 6 for 12 with three homers and seven RBIs during the White Sox's three-game winning streak, though his .167 average is still fourth-worst in all of baseball among qualifiers.

He went 2 for 4 on Thursday and is now 3 for 29 (.103) in his last eight versus the Angels (15-26), who have lost five of six at home.

Albert Pujols, whose only hit in six at_bats off Sale is a solo home run, hit a two-run homer Wednesday and is 6 for 16 (.375) during a four-game hitting streak. Trout went 0 for 3, though, as his streak ended at six.

``You've got to start a streak somewhere, and we're going to have to do something pretty special to get back into it,' Mark Trumbo said. ``If you let enough of them slide, you're not going to be able to do that.'

The Angels had won six of their last seven at home versus Chicago prior to losing the series opener.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Angels
Thu, May 16 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Angels
Fri, May 17 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Angels
Sat, May 18 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Angels
Sun, May 19 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Royals (20-17) at Athletics (20-22)

Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: May 17, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


Kansas City's slumping offense seemed to come alive upon the Royals' arrival in California.

That's a trend James Shields would like to see continue when he takes the mound Friday night against the Oakland Athletics, as minimal run support has left him with an unimpressive record despite some outstanding outings.

The Royals (20-17) took two of three in Anaheim, capped by a 9-5 win Wednesday. It was their second big offensive performance in three days after matching a season high with 19 hits in Monday's 11-4 victory.

Kansas City entered the series averaging 3.3 runs over a 1-6 stretch. Billy Butler went 3 for 28 in that span, then broke out versus Los Angeles, going 8 for 13 with nine RBIs.

"Keeping those losing streaks down is definitely key throughout a long baseball season," said Lorenzo Cain, who was 5 for 13 with five RBIs and two stolen bases in the series. "So if we just continue to pitch the way we've been pitching and hit like we know how to hit, we'll be fine."

Shields (2-3, 2.48 ERA) has given Kansas City a good chance to win each time out, though the offense hasn't exactly returned the favor. He's recorded one victory over his last six starts despite a 2.15 ERA in that span, receiving three runs of support or fewer five times.

The right-hander suffered a similar fate Saturday as he limited the Yankees to two earned runs and six hits over eight innings in a 3-2 defeat.

"He'll be the exact same James Shields next time he steps on the mound," manager Ned Yost said. "He doesn't buy into frustration. He doesn't panic. He's a steady, steady guy. He's a pro's pro."

Shields was certainly steady the last time he took the hill in Oakland. He allowed three singles without a walk and struck out 11 while going the distance in an 8-0 win for Tampa Bay on July 31.

The Athletics (20-22) are certainly struggling coming into this meeting, having dropped eight of 10 after Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Texas. Oakland is 11-20 since starting an AL-best 9-2.

"We're not playing well right now and we have to power through this, win some games and get on a roll," manager Bob Melvin said.

Oakland's rotation continues to scuffle, posting a 6.69 ERA over the last seven games. It's uncharacteristic for a staff mostly intact from last year, when the team's starters ranked ninth with a 3.80 ERA.

Jarrod Parker (2-5, 6.86), one of the many Athletics pitchers failing to match his 2012 numbers, gets the nod Friday. He recorded a 2.88 ERA through his first seven starts as a rookie last season and finished with a 3.47 ERA.

Parker's latest outing was encouraging, however. He yielded three runs and three hits - walking four - while matching a season-high with 6 1-3 innings in a 4-3 win at Seattle on Saturday.

"One good start's one thing, but we'd like to see him get on a roll," Melvin said.

Coco Crisp was hitless in three at_bats Wednesday as he returned from a strained left hamstring that sidelined him since April 29. He's 3 for 17 with four strikeouts against Shields.

Parker gave up five runs and four hits over 4 2-3 innings in a 5-0 road loss to the Royals last season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Athletics
Fri, May 17 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Royals at Athletics
Sat, May 18 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Royals at Athletics
Sun, May 19 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (22-19) at Padres (18-22)

Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 17, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Adam LaRoche seems to enjoy visiting Petco Park.

Bryce Harper just seems to like facing the San Diego Padres.

LaRoche and Harper look to continue their success against the Padres and help the Washington Nationals beat them again on the road Friday night.

LaRoche has a .322 career average at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, going 9 for 23 with five doubles, one homer and four RBIs in the past six visits.

The first baseman connected for a two-run shot in a 6-2 win in the opener of this four-game series Thursday.

LaRoche homered for the second straight day and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he's batting .386 with seven RBIs.

Harper leads the Nationals (22-19) with a .298 average, 11 homers, 22 RBIs and 20 walks on the season. He hit a mammoth solo homer in his return to the lineup after running full-on into the scoreboard in right field during Monday's 6-2 win at Los Angeles.

The 20-year-old slugger has three career hits against the Padres - all home runs.

Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.20 ERA) may not mind some help from his teammates after his dazzling performance was wasted in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Chicago. He carried a perfect game into the sixth, but gave up two singles and left after the seventh only to watch the bullpen give up all of the Cubs runs over the next two frames.

Still, the left-hander wasn't blaming his teammates.

"I feel like we have a great bullpen," said Gonzalez, who was pulled after throwing a season-low 86 pitches.

Washington's relievers have allowed one run and four hits in 8 1-3 innings over four games since Gonzalez's last appearance.

The entire staff seems to thrive in San Diego (18-22), where it has a 1.02 ERA while helping the Nationals win six of the past seven games there.

One of those victories belongs to Gonzalez, who yielded two hits with six strikeouts in six innings of a 3-1 win in his only meeting with the Padres on April 24, 2012.

Thursday's defeat was only the Padres' second loss in the last 11 home games.

Chase Headley is hitting .370 over his last 13 games at Petco after collecting two hits for a fourth consecutive home game Thursday. However, the third baseman is 0 for 3 versus Gonzalez.

Rookie Burch Smith is scheduled to get a second turn in the rotation with Clayton Richard on the disabled list recovering from an intestinal virus.

Smith's major league debut started well Saturday, tossing a perfect first inning with two strikeouts. However, it was all downhill from there as he was pulled before getting an out in the second, getting charged for six runs and five hits - one homer - with two walks while not getting a decision in an 8-7 loss at Tampa Bay.

The 23-year-old right-hander is confident he can show improvement.

"I think the side session went well, and I tried to absorb as much information as I could," Smith told the team's official website. "We discussed the differences between a fastball-dominant pitcher in the minor leagues and one in the big leagues.

"I'm learning when it's a good time to throw a curveball or changeup. I'm going to try and incorporate that in my next start."

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Padres
Thu, May 16 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Padres
Fri, May 17 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Padres
Sat, May 18 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Nationals at Padres
Sun, May 19 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Friday, May 17

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Tampa Bay 0 Bot 0 Baltimore -108 500
Baltimore 0 Under 9 500

Seattle 0 Bot 0 Cleveland -159 500
Cleveland 0 Over 9 500

Cincinnati 0 Bot 0 Cincinnati +110 500 POD # 1
Philadelphia 0 Over 7 500

Houston 0 Bot 0 Houston +171 500 POD # 6
Pittsburgh 0 Over 8 500

Toronto 0 Bot 0 Toronto +126 500 POD # 2
NY Yankees 0 Over 8.5 500

Arizona 0 Bot 0 Miami +140 500
Miami 0 Under 7 500

LA Dodgers - 7:30 PM ET LA Dodgers +117 500 POD # 1
Atlanta - Under 7 500

Detroit - 8:05 PM ET Texas -123 500
Texas - Over 10.5 500

Boston - 8:10 PM ET Boston -141 500
Minnesota - Under 8.5 500

Milwaukee - 8:15 PM ET Milwaukee +158 500 POD # 3
St. Louis - Under 8.5 500

San Francisco - 8:40 PM ET San Francisco -110 500
Colorado - Over 9 500 POD # 4

Chi. White Sox - 10:05 PM ET Chi. White Sox +108 500
LA Angels - Over 7 500

Kansas City - 10:05 PM ET Kansas City -112 500
Oakland - Over 7 500 POD # 5

Washington - 10:10 PM ET Washington -129 500
San Diego - Under 7 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (17-25) at Yankees (26-16)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: May 18, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


If the Toronto Blue Jays plan to turn around their disappointing season, they may want to figure out how to beat the New York Yankees.

New York seeks an eighth victory in nine meetings this season and sixth straight at Yankee Stadium over the Blue Jays, who get starter Brandon Morrow back Saturday afternoon.

Toronto (17-25) appeared to be gaining momentum after a dreadful start, outscoring opponents 36-15 during a four-game winning streak heading into Friday's series opener.

After scoring in double digits the previous three contests, the Blue Jays mustered only four hits - two each from Melky Cabrera and Edwin Encarnacion - in a 5-0 defeat.

Last-place Toronto, nine games behind the AL East-leading Yankees, has lost five straight to New York, all in the Bronx.

The Blue Jays will look to get back on track with help from Morrow (1-2, 4.69 ERA), who has been dealing with back and neck soreness and hasn't pitched since giving up two runs and striking out eight in eight innings of a 10-2 win over Seattle on May 5.

He was slated to start Tuesday against San Francisco, but the team decided to push him back again.

"It was not my decision to do that. They are being extra cautious," Morrow told the team's official website. "(I'll) take the extra couple of days (rest)."

The right-hander had gone 3-1 with a 1.30 ERA in his previous four starts versus the Yankees before allowing seven runs - five earned - in 5 1-3 innings of a 9-4 loss April 19.

Lyle Overbay, who had some of the best seasons of his career with Toronto from 2006-10, homered off Morrow in that contest and has hit safely in six of the seven games he's played against his former team this season.

Vernon Wells, another former long-time Blue Jay, hit .440 with three homers in the first six meetings of 2013 but is 0 for 4 in each of the last two.

Brett Gardner, David Adams and Austin Romine each had two hits Friday for the Yankees (26-16), who bounced back after dropping the final two of a three-game set with Seattle.

New York will look to provide some more run support for David Phelps, who will be making his third career start against Toronto.

Phelps (1-2, 4.33) has a 3.44 ERA in three starts this season after suffering a tough-luck 1-0 loss to Cleveland on Monday, going 6 2-3 innings and allowing the game's only run on a solo homer in the first.

The right-hander received only two runs of support in six innings of his previous start, which the Yankees won 3-2 over Colorado on May 8.

"(Run support) hasn't been a problem," Phelps said. "We've got a great group of guys in there - guys who have done it and guys who have had great careers. There are going to be games they pick us up and there are going to be games we pick them up.'

Phelps is 1-0 with a 4.57 ERA in two starts and three relief appearances versus the Blue Jays. He gave up one run in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-1 win in his last start against them Sept. 19, but he's allowed four runs and walked four in seven innings over two relief outings versus Toronto this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Yankees
Fri, May 17 Final 0 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sat, May 18 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sun, May 19 - 1:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (20-22) at Indians (23-17)

Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 18, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


It's been hard for Joe Saunders to figure out why he can't lose at home but has yet to win on the road.

The veteran left-hander looks to avoid a fifth consecutive losing road start as the Seattle Mariners face the surging Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

Saunders (3-4, 5.51 ERA) is 3-0 with an 0.94 ERA in four home starts this season, but 0-4 with a 12.54 ERA on the road.

"It's killing me,' he said after allowing one run in 6 1-3 innings of a 6-1 victory over Oakland on Sunday to improve to 9-0 with a 1.72 ERA in 13 career starts at Safeco Field. "I know I have it in me. It's just a matter of doing it on the road."

Saunders has given up 22 runs and 29 hits over 14 2-3 innings of his last three starts away from home. He went 41-31 with a 3.66 ERA in 90 road starts in his previous eight seasons.

"It's hard to explain," he told the Mariners' official website. "I pride myself on being a good road pitcher and that hasn't happened yet. So hopefully the next start I can finally turn the page."

Saunders is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in six starts against the Indians, including 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA in two at Cleveland - where he last pitched in 2008.

He'll try to help Seattle (20-22) bounce back from a 6-3, 10-inning loss Friday.

Jason Kipnis' second three-run homer in as many games came with two outs in the 10th and sent the Indians (23-17) to their 15th win in 20 games. They are 10-2 during that stretch at home.

"You never want to put too much emphasis on different wins, but we knew we had a big crowd," said Kipnis, whose winner came in front of announced 34,282 people. "To get a win in front of them and to get it like this in front of them, hopefully it brings some of them back."

Kipnis is 5 for 8 and also has two doubles in the last two contests. He's batting .389 with two homers and five RBIs during his last four against the Mariners.

Scheduled Cleveland starter Zach McAllister (3-3, 2.68) is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three starts since he opened 1-3 with a 3.52 ERA. The right-hander gave up three runs in six innings of a 4-3, 10-inning win at Detroit on Sunday.

"I didn't feel like I had my best stuff," McAllister told the Indians' official website. "I was definitely happy with the way I battled."

Though McAllister is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in three starts against the Mariners, he allowed a solo homer to Michael Saunders and two other hits in six innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-1 loss at Seattle on Aug. 22.

Michael Saunders is 2 for 19 with seven strikeouts in his last four games, but teammate Raul Ibanez had three hits, including a two-run homer, Friday.

Ibanez, who turns 41 in June, is batting .393 (11 for 28) with five homers and 14 RBIs in eight games this month. He hit .158 (9 for 57) with two home runs and five RBIs in 17 April contests.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Indians
Fri, May 17 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Indians
Sat, May 18 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Indians
Sun, May 19 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Mariners at Indians
Mon, May 20 - 12:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (16-23) at Cubs (17-24)

Game: 2
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 18, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


With their starting rotation finding at least some temporary stability, the New York Mets have put a six-game skid behind them. They can win a third straight for only the second time this season Saturday as they play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

New York (16-23) had lost six in a row prior to Friday's 5-2 win at St. Louis, then followed that with a 3-2 win in the opener against Chicago on Friday.

During the losing streak, Mets starters posted a 7.16 ERA. In the two games since, Jonathon Niese and Matt Harvey combined to limit opponents to four runs over 14 2-3 innings.

Harvey recovered from a shaky first inning Friday and was mostly dominant the rest of the way. He allowed both runs on three hits in the first then followed that with 6 1-3 shutout innings while giving up two hits.

"He's not your run-of-the-mill young pitcher," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "This guy has got some savvy. He's got great confidence."

Harvey also provided the go-ahead run for himself with a single in the seventh, but otherwise, New York's offense remained mostly dormant with 31 runs on 78 hits over the last 11 games. David Wright went 3 for 4 with his sixth home run and is hitting .321 with 14 RBIs over his last 14 games against Chicago.

On the mound Saturday will be Jeremy Hefner (0-4, 4.61 ERA) for the Mets and Scott Feldman (3-3, 2.53 ERA) for the Cubs, two right-handers who have both thrown better of late.

New York has lost all seven of Hefner's starts, though he's yielded just 10 runs over 27 innings in his last four outings. Four of those runs came in the first inning.

"Not everything is gauged on wins and losses, although winning is the most important thing - especially in the big leagues," Hefner told the team's official website. "I need to keep the runs down early in the game, build some momentum and confidence for myself and the team, and hopefully we'll come out on the winning side more often than not."

Conversely, Chicago (17-24) has won each of Feldman's last four starts as he's recorded a 1.57 ERA, allowing 17 hits and seven walks over 28 2-3 innings. The Cubs dropped his first three outings as he gave up 14 runs - seven earned - over 14 innings.

"He's throwing the ball wherever he wants," manager Dale Sveum told the team's official website. "You just hope it continues."

The Cubs' defensive woes continued Friday as two more errors ran their season total to 33, their seventh multi-error game.

David DeJesus is 7 for 16 over his last four contests and Starlin Castro extended his hitting streak to seven games after going 2 for 4. Castro has collected at least one hit in 14 of his 16 games against New York, batting .344 lifetime.

Feldman was hit hard in his only previous start against the Mets, giving up seven runs and eight hits over five innings while with Texas on June 13, 2008. He's only faced two current Mets, with John Buck going 3 for 13 and Wright 0 for 2.

Hefner threw 1 1-3 scoreless innings of relief against the Cubs on June 26, 2012, hitting one batter.

New York's only other three-game winning streak this season was April 6-8.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Cubs
Fri, May 17 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Cubs
Sat, May 18 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Cubs
Sun, May 19 - 2:20PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (21-20) at Orioles (23-18)

Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 18, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles are giving Jair Jurrjens a chance to revive his major league career.

Making his Orioles debut, Jurrjens tries to help his new team avoid a season-high fourth consecutive loss Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

Jurrjens was an All-Star with Atlanta in 2011 when he finished 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA. However, the Braves sent him to the minors after he started 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in four starts last season. Jurrjens was recalled in June and went 3-2 with a 5.63 ERA in six starts before a strained groin ended his season in early August.

After Atlanta opted not to re-sign him, Jurrjens agreed to a minor league deal with Baltimore (23-18) in February. The 27-year-old right-hander went 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA in eight starts for Triple-A Norfolk this season.

"If the command is there, he'll give us a chance to win," manager Buck Showalter told the Orioles' official website. "It's been a long journey for him. I'm sure (Saturday), I don't know if anxiety's the word. He's done this before. We'll see. I'm anxious to see."

With an oblique injury to Wei-Yin Chen, Jurrjens is getting the opportunity to secure a spot in Baltimore's rotation.

"I haven't really been paying attention to my velocity," said Jurrjens, who is 53-37 with a 4.04 ERA in six seasons. "I really cannot tell you how fast I am throwing. I'm just happy with the way I've been performing the last couple outings. I'm getting a lot of swings and misses again, and that's a good sign. I'm just trying to repeat my delivery and keep being consistent and keep on getting innings."

This will be his first appearance versus Tampa Bay (21-20), which held on for a 12-10 series-opening win Friday.

While the Rays have won seven of nine, Baltimore has allowed 17 hits in each of the last two games and an average of 6.1 runs while losing five of seven.

Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar each had three hits and combined for seven RBIs for Tampa Bay, which almost blew a 12-4 lead when the Orioles scored six times in the eighth.

"We really should have been able to put that game away a lot better,' Rays manager Joe Maddon said after his team scored its most runs of the season.

Escobar is 10 for 23 (.435) with four doubles and six RBIs in six games.

Teammate Evan Longoria added two hits, and is batting .419 with 12 RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. He's batted .389 while hitting safely in nine straight versus Baltimore.

Scheduled Tampa Bay starter Roberto Hernandez (2-4, 4.43) has allowed two or fewer runs in three of four starts, and three with 10 hits over 12 innings while going 1-0 in the last two. The right-hander gave up two runs in six innings of a 4-2 win over San Diego on Sunday.

Hernandez is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA against the Orioles this season.

Baltimore's Adam Jones is 5 for 10 with two doubles versus Hernandez.

Chris Dickerson hit a three-run homer while Chris Davis, Manny Machado and Matt Wieters each had two RBIs on Friday for the Orioles.

Davis is batting .414 with 24 RBIs in his last 16 games against the Rays.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Orioles
Fri, May 17 Final 12 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Orioles
Sat, May 18 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Orioles
Sun, May 19 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (19-21) at Angels (15-27)

Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 18, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


While the Chicago White Sox are in the midst of their most successful stretch of the season, the Los Angeles Angels yet again find themselves in a slide.

The visiting White Sox look to extend their season-high winning streak to five games by keeping Joe Blanton winless and handing the Angels a fourth consecutive defeat Saturday.

Chicago (19-21) dropped five of seven before Chris Sale one-hit Los Angeles to salvage one victory during a three-game home set Sunday. The White Sox lost 10-3 the next night at Minnesota, but since have won four in a row, including the first two in Anaheim.

The Angels (15-27), meanwhile, have lost three straight and five of six since winning three in a row.

Sale allowed three hits and struck out 12 over 7 2-3 innings and Alex Rios homered for the second straight game in Chicago's 3-0 win at Los Angeles on Friday. The 24-year-old ace has gone 23 innings without yielding a run.

"A team like (the Angels), they've got some amazing ballplayers," Sale said. "So you've got to make adjustments.

"It's never easy facing a team in back-to-back starts."

Rios is batting .388 with four home runs and nine RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak. He's hit .350 (7 for 20) with three RBIs this season versus Los Angeles.

Teammate Adam Dunn homered for the fourth time in four games Friday. The slugger is 7 for 16 (.438) with eight RBIs during the stretch that followed a four-game span which he went 0 for 14.

Chicago looks to stay hot against Blanton (0-7, 6.46 ERA), who will try a ninth time to earn his first win as an Angel.

The right-hander allowed a season-high seven runs and 12 hits while striking out seven without a walk in 4 2-3 innings of an 11-4 loss to Kansas City on Monday. It marked the first time in franchise history that the Angels have lost each of a pitcher's first eight starts in a season.

"Joe had a rough outing, to say the least,' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We'll turn the page on it, and hopefully he'll get where he needs to be in his next start."

Blanton is 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA against the White Sox, but has not faced them since 2008 with Oakland.

Chicago counters with Hector Santiago (1-2, 2.33), who allowed a solo homer in 12 1-3 innings to go 1-0 in his first two starts after replacing the injured Gavin Floyd, but gave up six - three earned - in 5 2-3 frames Monday.

With injured starter John Danks apparently close to returning to the rotation, Santiago could drop out. With a 3-1 record and 1.93 ERA in seven career starts, Santiago also has heard his name in trade rumors.

"I kind of try not to think about it, but you always have something in the back of your mind," he told the White Sox's official website about his uncertain future.

In his only previous appearance against the Angels, Santiago threw 2-3 scoreless innings of relief on Sept. 21.

Los Angeles' Mike Trout is 0 for 6 in the series after he hit .368 with six homers and 17 RBIs in the previous 15 contests.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Angels
Thu, May 16 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Angels
Fri, May 17 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Angels
Sat, May 18 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Angels
Sun, May 19 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (25-17) at Phillies (20-22)

Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 18, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


The Philadelphia Phillies' pitching staff includes established stars like former World Series MVP Cole Hamels and Cy Young Award winners Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, but arguably the team's most consistent starter has never won more than 11 games in his career.

Kyle Kendrick looks to win a fifth straight decision while helping Philadelphia to its fifth victory in six tries as it hosts the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The Phillies' starting rotation has posted a 4.16 ERA as Hamels (1-6, 4.61 ERA) has gotten off to a slow start along with Halladay (2-4, 8.65), who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery this week and isn't expected to throw again for nearly two months.

Though Lee pitched seven solid innings and lowered his ERA to 2.83 as the Phillies (20-22) beat the Reds 5-3 on Friday, it's been Kendrick (4-1, 2.47) who has shined the most.

Kendrick has posted a 1.84 ERA in seven outings since losing his first start of the season, highlighted by a three-hit shutout over the New York Mets on April 26. The right-hander has allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings in each of his last two starts, beating San Francisco 6-2 on May 7 before Philadelphia's 4-2, 10-inning win over Arizona on Sunday.

The last time the Phillies lost when Kendrick started was April 16, when he allowed only two hits in seven shutout innings before Jay Bruce's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth gave Cincinnati a 1-0 victory.

Kendrick has a 1.37 ERA in his last three starts versus the Reds but no victories to show for it, getting three runs of support over 19 2-3 innings.

Philadelphia, which was outscored 16-4 during a three-game sweep in Cincinnati from April 15-17, had enough offense in a 5-3 win Friday as Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer to help end the Reds' six-game winning streak.

Rollins, batting .118 (2 for 17) over his last five versus Cincinnati, hit only the third home run in the last six games for the Phillies as they've manufactured runs in other ways during their hot stretch.

``When you talk about playing small ball, you have to have the talent,' manager Charlie Manuel said.

Bruce and Joey Votto homered Friday for the Reds (25-17), who lost for just the third time in 13 games. They'll send Bronson Arroyo to the mound Saturday as he seeks his third straight victory over the Phillies.

Arroyo (3-4, 3.76) scattered five hits in 6 2-3 scoreless innings of a 5-1 win over Milwaukee on Sunday, ending a three-start losing streak during which he posted a 5.50 ERA.

``I didn't have a whole lot of stuff,' said Arroyo, who was feeling ill during his last outing. ``I was grinding from the first inning on. I knew I was getting away with pitches that I normally wouldn't. Luckily, they were beating them into the ground.'

The right-hander had not won since giving up two runs in eight innings of a 4-2 win over Philadelphia on April 15. Arroyo had the same stat line to beat the Phillies 3-2 on Aug. 22 in his previous start against them, ending a six-start regular-season skid versus Philadelphia.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Phillies
Fri, May 17 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Phillies
Sat, May 18 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Phillies
Sun, May 19 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (11-31) at Pirates (25-17)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 18, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Following a stunning late-inning rally, the Pittsburgh Pirates send the NL strikeout leader to the mound against the most strikeout-prone team in the majors.

A.J. Burnett will try to lead the surging Pirates to their season-high fifth straight win Saturday night when they take on the AL-worst Houston Astros at PNC Park.

After Pedro Alvarez hit a game-tying homer in the eighth, the Pirates were gifted a 5-4 victory Friday night when Houston's Jimmy Paredes and Jake Elmore collided and dropped a pop-up with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth.

The Pirates (25-17) won for the seventh time in eight games to move a season-high eight games over .500.

``I like the direction we're headed, the effort and the attitude,' manager Clint Hurdle said.

Now Hurdle turns to Burnett (3-4, 2.73 ERA), who could be in line for a big day against a Houston offense that has already amassed 417 strikeouts.

The right-hander has fanned 72 and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in each of his nine starts.

The Pirates, though, have given him only two runs over his four defeats, including a 5-1 loss at Milwaukee on Monday. He matched a season low with six strikeouts and allowed three earned runs over seven innings.

While he's 4-5 with a 4.54 ERA in 11 career meetings versus the Astros, Burnett has won his last two against them, yielding three runs and striking out 16 over 15 1-3 innings.

Burnett, though, has had trouble keeping runners close. Milwaukee stole six bases, and the 13 steals he's allowed rank among the most in the league. Pittsburgh's catchers have yielded 39 stolen bases, also among the league's worst totals.

The Astros (11-31), however, have only 21 steals and rank in the bottom third of the majors in stolen base percentage (61.8).

Jose Altuve, who is expected to be activated from the bereavement list Saturday following the death of his grandmother, Brandon Barnes and Marwin Gonzalez lead Houston with four stolen bases apiece.

Carlos Pena has hit safely in six straight games, but he's 6 for 37 (.162) with two homers and 14 strikeouts in this matchup.

Scheduled starter Erik Bedard (0-2, 6.67) showed some signs of improvement by reaching the fifth inning for the first time in his last start on Saturday, giving up two runs and striking out seven versus Texas, but Houston's bullpen blew a two-run lead in an 8-7 loss. That's been a common theme for a relief corps that is last in the majors with 30 home runs allowed and a 4.99 ERA.

Bedard, who went 7-14 with a 4.15 ERA for Pittsburgh last season, is 4-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 12 career starts at PNC Park and facing the Pirates for the first time.

Although the Pirates are hitting just .231 against left-handers, they're hitting .297 against them over their last 16 games.

Starling Marte leads Pittsburgh with a .417 (15 for 36) batting average, while Gaby Sanchez is 11 for 32 (.344) with three homers when facing left-handers.

Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5 with a homer Friday and is hitting .388 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 26 career games against the Astros at PNC Park.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Pirates
Fri, May 17 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Pirates
Sat, May 18 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Pirates
Sun, May 19 - 1:35PM EDT