Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

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

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • MLB
    Armadillo's Write-Up

    Tuesday, May 21

    Hot pitchers
    -- WRodriguez is 2-1, 2.37 in his last three starts.
    -- Leake is 2-1, 2.79 in his last three starts.
    -- JFernandez is 2-0, 2.25 in his last three starts. Cloyd allowed two runs in 6.1 IP in his first '13 start.
    -- Greinke is 2-0, 1.62 in three starts this season. Burgos is 1-0, 2.25 in his two home starts this season.
    -- Wainwright is 4-2, 2.44 in his last seven starts. Volquez is 3-1, 3.56 in his last five starts.
    -- Cain is 3-0, 3.74 in his last three starts.

    -- Hudson is 3-0, 2.14 in his last three home starts.

    -- Ortiz is 1-1, 1.50 in his first two '13 starts.
    -- Scherzer is 4-0, 3.92 in his last six starts.
    -- Texas won last five Darvish starts (4-0, 2.73).
    -- Norris is 2-0, 2.00 in his last three home starts.
    -- JWilliams is 1-0, 2.84 in his last couple starts. Harang is 1-1, 3.00 in his last two outings.

    Cold pitchers
    -- Garza is 57-61, 3.84 in 167 career starts; this is his first '13 start.
    -- Niese is 0-2, 8.10 in his last three home starts.
    -- Chacin is 0-3, 8.31 since coming off the DL. Kennedy is 1-1, 5.11 in his last four starts.
    -- Strasburg is 1-1, 4.00 in his last four road starts.

    -- Pelfrey is 1-3, 6.23 in his last five starts.

    -- Cobb is 1-1, 4.24 in his last four starts.
    -- Hughes allowed 13 runs in 6.1 IP in his last two starts. MGonzalez is 1-1, 5.79 in his last four starts.
    -- Kluber is 2-2, 6.17 in four starts this season.
    -- Straily is 0-2, 9.31 in his last four starts.
    -- WDavis is 0-4, 9.99 in his last five starts.
    -- Quintana is 0-1, 5.56 in his last four starts. Doubront has a 5.73 RA in his last four starts.

    Starting Pitchers/First Inning
    You can wager on whether teams will score in first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
    -- Garza 0-0; Rodriguez 2-8
    -- Leake 2-8; Niese 3-9 (0 of last 5)
    -- Cloyd 1-1; Fernandez 2-8
    -- Greinke 0-3; Burgos 1-5
    -- Kennedy 4-9; Chacin 2-7
    -- Wainwright 2-9; Volquez 3-9 (0 of last 5)
    -- Strasburg 4-9 (0 of last 3); Cain 2-9

    -- Pelfrey 3-8 (0 of last 4); Hudson 2-9

    -- Cobb 2-8; Ortiz 1-2
    -- Hughes 4-8; Gonzalez 1-6
    -- Scherzer 2-8; Kluber 0-4
    -- Straily 2-5; Darvish 4-8
    -- Davis 2-8; Norris 3-9
    -- Doubront 1-6; Quintana 2-8
    -- Harang 3-5; Williams 1-3

    Totals
    -- Seven of last ten Cub games went over the total.
    -- Eight of last eleven Philly games stayed under the total.
    -- Nine of last fourteen Cincinnati games went over total.
    -- Under is 8-3-1 in last twelve Milwaukee games.
    -- Under is 9-2-1 in last twelve Arizona games.
    -- Four of last six San Diego games went over the total.
    -- Over is 8-2-1 in last eleven San Francisco games.

    -- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Atlanta games.

    -- Over is 19-3 in last twenty-two Tampa Bay games.
    -- Under is 6-3-1 in last ten Bronx games.
    -- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Cleveland games.
    -- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Oakland games.
    -- Nine of last twelve Houston home games went over total.
    -- Seven of last eleven Boston road games stayed under total.
    -- Four of last five Angel games went over the total.

    Hot teams
    -- Pirates won eight of their last ten games; Cubs won five of last seven games on the road.
    -- Reds won eight of their last ten games.
    -- Colorado won three of its last four games. Diamondbacks won five of their last six games.
    -- Cardinals won eight of their last twelve games. San Diego won five of its last seven games.

    -- Braves won their last five home games, scoring 30 runs.

    -- Cleveland won 12 of its last 15 games.
    -- Blue Jays won five of their last seven games. Tampa Bay won nine of its last twelve games.
    -- Bronx won ten of its last thirteen games.
    -- Oakland won its last four games, allowing seven runs. Rangers won nine of their last twelve games.
    -- Boston won five of its last six games.
    -- Angels won their last two games, scoring 18 runs.

    Cold teams
    -- Marlins lost seven of their last nine games. Phillies are 4-6 in their last ten road games.
    -- Mets lost eight of their last eleven games.
    -- Brewers lost ten of their last twelve games. Dodgers lost six of their last seven away games.
    -- San Francisco lost five of its last seven games. Washington lost seven of its last ten games.

    -- Twins lost their last five games, allowing 33 runs.

    -- Mariners are 7-16 in their last 23 road games.
    -- Baltimore lost its last six games, allowing 42 runs.
    -- Tigers lost four of their last five games.
    -- Royals lost 12 of their last 15 games. Astros lost 10 of their last 13.
    -- White Sox lost four of their last six home games.

    Umpires
    -- Cin-NY-- Under is 17-3-1 in last 21 Kulpa games.
    -- Phil-Mia-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten West games.
    -- LA-Mil-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Bell games.
    -- Az-Col-- Four of last five Johnson games went over total.
    -- Wsh-SF-- Last four Dreckman games went over the total.

    -- Min-Atl-- Home teams won six of last seven Nauert games.

    -- TB-Tor-- Underdogs are 7-5 in last twelve Scott games.
    -- NY-Balt-- Favorites won seven of last nine Cooper games.
    -- A's-Tex-- Last five Davidson games went over the total.
    -- KC-Hst-- Underdogs won 10 of last 14 Reynolds games.
    -- Bos-Chi-- Home side won last six Conroy games, with four of last five going under the total.
    Reply With Quote
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • MLB

      Tuesday, May 21

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Trend Report
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      7:05 PM
      NY YANKEES vs. BALTIMORE
      NY Yankees are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games
      The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
      Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
      The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games

      7:05 PM
      DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
      Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
      Detroit is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
      Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
      Cleveland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Detroit

      7:05 PM
      CHI CUBS vs. PITTSBURGH
      The total has gone OVER in 11 of Chi Cubs's last 15 games
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
      Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

      7:07 PM
      TAMPA BAY vs. TORONTO
      The total has gone OVER in 11 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games on the road
      Tampa Bay is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing Toronto
      Toronto is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing Tampa Bay
      The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games at home

      7:10 PM
      MINNESOTA vs. ATLANTA
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
      The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
      Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

      7:10 PM
      PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
      Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
      The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 11 games
      Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
      The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia

      7:10 PM
      CINCINNATI vs. NY METS
      Cincinnati is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
      Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
      NY Mets are 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
      The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games

      8:05 PM
      OAKLAND vs. TEXAS
      Oakland is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Texas
      Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
      Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
      The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 10 games at home

      8:10 PM
      LA DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE
      The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
      LA Dodgers are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games when playing Milwaukee
      Milwaukee is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
      The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Milwaukee's last 18 games when playing LA Dodgers

      8:10 PM
      KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON
      Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
      The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Kansas City's last 14 games
      Houston is 6-18 SU in its last 24 games
      The total has gone OVER in 14 of Houston's last 20 games

      8:10 PM
      BOSTON vs. CHI WHITE SOX
      Boston is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
      Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
      The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games
      Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games

      8:40 PM
      ARIZONA vs. COLORADO
      The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arizona's last 10 games when playing Colorado
      The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arizona's last 12 games
      The total has gone OVER in 7 of Colorado's last 9 games
      Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona

      10:05 PM
      SEATTLE vs. LA ANGELS
      The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
      Seattle is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels
      The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 7 games when playing at home against Seattle
      LA Angels are 15-7 SU in their last 22 games when playing at home against Seattle

      10:10 PM
      ST. LOUIS vs. SAN DIEGO
      St. Louis is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
      The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games
      The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Diego's last 11 games when playing at home against St. Louis
      San Diego is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games at home

      10:15 PM
      WASHINGTON vs. SAN FRANCISCO
      The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
      Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
      The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 7 games when playing Washington
      The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 11 games
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • MLB
        Short Sheet

        Tuesday, May 21

        National League

        Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
        Garza: 2-11 TSR away in May
        Rodriguez: 16-5 SU at home after scoring 1 or 0 runs

        Cincinnati at NY Mets, 7:10 ET
        Leake: Cincinnati 14-4 SU away off 6+ road games
        Niese: Mets 4-13 SU off an Under

        Philadelphia at Miami, 7:10 ET
        Cloyd: Philadelphia 7-15 SU off an Under
        Fernandez: Miami 60-31 SU at home off BB games allowing 2 runs or less

        LA Dodgers at Milwaukee, 8:10 ET
        Grienke: 9-19 SU as a road favorite of -125 to -150
        Burgos: Milwaukee 28-9 SU after scoring and allowing 3 runs or less

        Arizona at Colorado, 8:40 ET
        Kennedy: 25-9 SU vs. division opponents
        Chacin: Colorado 9-19 SU at home after losing 2 of their last 3 games

        St. Louis at San Diego, 10:10 ET
        Wainwright: St. Louis 11-1 SU after scoring 2 runs or less
        Volquez: 6-12 TSR as an underdog of +125 to +175

        Washington at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
        Strasburg: 15-1 Over after allowing 1 or 0 ER's last start
        Cain: San Francisco 18-6 SU at home off a win by 4+ runs


        American League

        Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7:05 ET MLB
        Cobb: 16-4 Under as a favorite
        Ortiz: Toronto 9-17 SU vs. division opponents

        NY Yankees at Baltimore, 7:05 ET MLB
        Hughes: Yankees 17-6 SU after the bullpen allowed 0 runs
        Gonzalez: Baltimore 29-56 SU at home off 5+ losses

        Detroit at Cleveland, 7:05 ET
        Scherzer: Detroit 9-22 SU as a road favorite of -125 or less
        Kluber: Cleveland 15-4 SU in May

        Oakland at Texas, 8:05 ET
        Straily: Oakland 17-5 Over after having 6+ extra-base hits
        Davrish: 12-0 TSR at home in the first half of the season

        Kansas City at Houston, 8:10 ET
        Davis: Kansas City 11-2 Over away off 4+ losses
        Norris: 10-3 TSR as a home underdog of +125 or less

        Boston at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 ET
        Doubront: Boston 2-10 off 3+ games where bullpen allowed 0 runs
        Quintana: White Sox 31-14 SU with a total of 9 to 9.5 runs

        Seattle at LA Angels, 10:05 ET
        Harang: Seattle 9-2 Over as a road underdog of +150 or less
        Williams: Angels 6-12 SU off BB home games


        Interleague

        Minnesota at Atlanta, 7:10 ET
        Pelfrey: Minnesota 21-8 Over off 5+ losses
        Hudson: 13-3 TSR pitching on 5 or 6 days rest
        Reply With Quote
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

          05/20/13 11-*10-*1 52.38% +*440 Detail
          05/19/13 16-*11-*1 59.26% +*2685 Detail
          05/18/13 11-*16-*0 40.74% -*2880 Detail
          05/17/13 9-*20-*1 31.03% -*6225 Detail
          05/16/13 9-*6-*1 60.00% +*980 Detail
          05/15/13 9-*19-*2 32.14% -*7045 Detail
          05/14/13 12-*17-*1 41.38% -*2870 Detail
          05/13/13 10-*8-*0 55.56% +*680 Detail
          05/12/13 12-*18-*0 40.00% -*3075 Detail
          05/11/13 13-*17-*0 43.33% -*2165 Detail
          05/10/13 16-*14-*0 53.33% +*550 Detail
          05/09/13 10-*10-*0 50.00% -*155 Detail
          05/08/13 13-*13-*0 50.00% -*880 Detail
          05/07/13 15-*12-*0 55.56% +*985 Detail
          05/06/13 8-*10-*0 44.44% -*1870 Detail
          05/05/13 15-*11-*1 57.69% +*1790 Detail
          05/04/13 11-*16-*1 40.74% -*2375 Detail
          05/03/13 12-*16-*0 42.86% -*2225 Detail
          05/02/13 6-*7-*0 46.15% -*1090 Detail
          05/01/13 19-*11-*0 63.33% +*4395 Detail

          Totals 237-*262-*9 47.49% -*20350


          Tuesday, May 21

          Game Score Status Pick Amount

          NY Yankees - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore -114 500
          Baltimore - Under 9 500

          Chi. Cubs - 7:05 PM ET Chi. Cubs +132 500 POD # 1
          Pittsburgh - Over 7.5 500

          Detroit - 7:05 PM ET Detroit -126 500
          Cleveland - Over 8.5 500

          Tampa Bay - 7:07 PM ET Tampa Bay -137 500
          Toronto - Under 9.5 500

          Minnesota - 7:10 PM ET Minnesota +172 500 POD # 6
          Atlanta - Under 8 500

          Cincinnati - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets +101 500
          NY Mets - Over 8 500

          Philadelphia- 7:10 PM ET Miami -106 500
          Miami - Over 7 500

          Oakland - 8:05 PM ET Oakland +182 500 POD # 2
          Texas - Under 9 500

          Boston - 8:10 PM ET Boston -105 500
          Chi. White Sox - Under 9 500

          Kansas City - 8:10 PM ET Houston +117 500 POD # 3
          Houston - Over 8.5 500

          LA Dodgers - 8:10 PM ET LA Dodgers -128 500
          Milwaukee - Under 8.5 500

          Arizona - 8:40 PM ET Colorado -119 500
          Colorado - Under 9.5 500

          Seattle - 10:05 PM ET Seattle +141 500 POD # 5
          LA Angels - Over 8.5 500

          St. Louis - 10:10 PM ET San Diego +126 500 POD # 4
          San Diego - Under 7 500

          Washington - 10:15 PM ET San Francisco -114 500
          San Francisco - Under 7 500
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • Diamond Trends - Wednesday

            May 22, 2013


            SU TREND OF THE DAY:

            -- The Braves are 10-0 since September 25, 2012 as a 140+ favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $1000.

            OU TREND OF THE DAY:

            -- The Royals are 0-12 OU since September 24, 2007 as a road favorite of more than -110 and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $1200 when playing the under.

            PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

            -- When Hiroki Kuroda starts the Yankees are 0-10-1 OU since May 05, 2012 as a favorite after he had a WHIP of less than one his last start for a net profit of $1000 when playing the under.

            MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

            -- The Athletics are 20-1 ($2,243) since August 26th 2004 in the last game of a 3+ game series following a shutout win where they scored less than 15 runs.

            ACTIVE TRENDS:

            -- The Mets are 0-8 since August 01, 2011 at home within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they were shut out in the first 6 innings for a net profit of $810 when playing against.

            -- The Twins are 0-8 OU since May 01, 2012 as a road 140+ dog after a one run loss for a net profit of $800 when playing the under.
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • Preview: Twins (18-24) at Braves (27-18)

              Game: 3
              Venue: Turner Field
              Date: May 22, 2013 12:10 PM EDT


              A favorable schedule has helped the Atlanta Braves put together another strong stretch, and it may not end any time soon.

              Evan Gattis is making his own contributions.

              The Braves may opt to put Gattis in the lineup as they try to sweep their second consecutive series against a last-place opponent Wednesday, when they face the spiraling Minnesota Twins.

              Atlanta (27-18) is atop the NL East, and the team's schedule is giving it a chance to stay there.

              The Braves are in the midst of a 13-game stretch against teams with losing records, and three of those four opponents occupy the basement in their respective divisions.

              Coming off a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta continued its momentum by beating Minnesota 5-1 on Monday, and Freddie Freeman's two-out, RBI single in the 10th proved to be the difference in Tuesday's 5-4 win.

              After this series, the Braves are scheduled to face the New York Mets for three games before facing Toronto for four.

              Getting Gattis to the plate more often may also keep Atlanta rolling.

              The 26-year-old rookie is hitting .254 with nine homers and 23 RBIs in 36 games, spending time at catcher, first base and left field.

              He's 4 for 6 with three homers, a double and six RBIs as a pinch-hitter. Two of those homers have come in the past four days, including a solo shot in the ninth Tuesday.

              "It's awesome to see," starter Tim Hudson said. "People around the league are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to make sure he doesn't put the ball in the seats."

              The Braves tend to do that with regularity - they rank among the league leaders with 58 homers - and Paul Maholm (5-4, 3.83 ERA) is again hoping to be a beneficiary.

              The left-hander has won all of his starts when he's been backed by at least two runs, compiling a 1.13 ERA. He owns a 7.77 ERA while dropping the other four games, during which he's received one or no supporting runs.

              Maholm got plenty of help in Friday's 8-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed four runs - two earned - in six innings, but left with the lead after Justin Upton hit a grand slam in the bottom of the frame.

              He's 0-1 while surrendering 11 runs in 12 innings over two starts versus the Twins, whom he has not faced since 2009 with Pittsburgh.

              The Twins have lost seven games in a row for the first time since an 11-game slide from Sept. 9-21, 2011.

              The staff has been a major problem during the current skid, compiling a 5.94 ERA - 7.11 from the rotation.

              Giving the ball to Vance Worley (1-4, 6.20) may not solve those issues since he's 0-1 with a 5.82 ERA in four starts on the road.

              The right-hander's last two outings were at home, and his latest was perhaps his best performance of the season. His only blemish in six innings was an unearned run in the first, and he did not get a decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to Boston.

              Worley has no record while throwing seven shutout innings over three appearances in Atlanta. He tossed five scoreless frames in a 7-0 win in his only start there with Philadelphia on Oct. 2, 2010.

              Worley, though, has struggled versus Freeman and Dan Uggla.

              Freeman is 3 for 7 with a pair of doubles off him, while Uggla is 4 for 9 with two homers.

              Freeman enters this meeting 8 for 22 (.364) with three doubles and seven RBIs over his last six games.

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

              SERIES AT A GLANCE

              GAME 1
              Twins at Braves
              Mon, May 20 Final 1 to 5
              Boxscores • Recaps

              GAME 2
              Twins at Braves
              Tue, May 21 Final 4 to 5
              Boxscores • Recaps

              GAME 3
              Twins at Braves
              Wed, May 22 - 12:10PM EDT
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • Preview: Dodgers (18-26) at Brewers (18-26)

                Game: 3
                Venue: Miller Park
                Date: May 22, 2013 1:10 PM EDT


                More than three weeks have passed since the Milwaukee Brewers posted back-to-back victories.

                They'll ask rookie Wily Peralta to put an end to that stretch Wednesday in the series finale against the last-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

                Milwaukee (18-26) earned a rare win Tuesday, 5-2 over the Dodgers to give them four victories in 19 games. The Brewers, who had lost seven of eight at home, last won two straight April 29 and 30.

                Peralta's brief history suggests there's a good chance that drought could continue Tuesday. He's surrendered 11 runs in 11 innings over his last two starts - both road losses - and getting back into the win column could be a challenge given his struggles in Milwaukee.

                Peralta (3-4, 5.94 ERA) has gone 2-2 with a 6.49 ERA in five starts there, though he threw six innings of three-run ball in his last outing at Miller Park, a 6-3 win over Texas on May 7.

                The right-hander will get his second look at the Dodgers after earning a 6-4 victory at Los Angeles on April 27. He went six innings and surrendered three runs.

                If Peralta runs into any problems against a Dodgers team hitting .184 with eight runs in its last four games, manager Ron Roenicke should feel very confident about turning to his bullpen. The relievers have not allowed a run in the last five games, though they had to log 5 2-3 innings Tuesday due to a rough outing from rookie Hiram Burgos.

                "We definitely did a great job coming out of the 'pen," said right-hander Mike Fiers, who went 1 2-3 innings for the win.

                That was also the case for the Dodgers' relievers, who worked four scoreless innings, but Los Angeles lost for the fourth time in five games and seventh time in eight road contests.

                The Dodgers (18-26) matched a season high by allowing 14 runners Tuesday. Though Los Angeles produced 10 hits, all of them were singles.

                "That's really kind of been the story as far as our offense has been concerned,' manager Don Mattingly said. "We had the right people up in the right spots. We had our chances. We just weren't able to do it.'

                Matt Kemp has gone 3 for 21 and Adrian Gonzalez 2 for 18 in the first five games of a trip that ends Wednesday.

                The Dodgers will turn to Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2, 3.42) to get them back on track.

                The left-hander is coming off his shortest outing of the season, lasting five innings in an 8-5 loss at Atlanta on Friday. He walked a season-high five and three of the first six he faced, though he yielded only two runs.

                Mattingly would like to see Ryu push past the 100-pitch limit, which has been the point where he feels he starts to struggle. Ryu, who threw 100 on Friday, has allowed a .280 average (7 for 25) after reaching 91 pitches in six starts this season. Batters are 3 for 6 against him starting with the 106 mark.

                "At 100, he's pretty much out of gas," Mattingly said.

                Ryu will be facing the Brewers for the first time.

                The Dodgers, 3-2 versus Milwaukee in 2013, can win the season series for the first time since 2010.

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

                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                GAME 1
                Dodgers at Brewers
                Mon, May 20 Final 3 to 1
                Boxscores • Recaps

                GAME 2
                Dodgers at Brewers
                Tue, May 21 Final 2 to 5
                Boxscores • Recaps

                GAME 3
                Dodgers at Brewers
                Wed, May 22 - 1:10PM EDT
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • Preview: Reds (28-18) at Mets (17-26)

                  Game: 3
                  Venue: Citi Field
                  Date: May 22, 2013 1:10 PM EDT


                  Matt Harvey might be the most well-known undefeated pitcher taking the hill Wednesday afternoon, but he's not the only one.

                  The Cincinnati Reds will send Mat Latos to the mound as they attempt their second straight three-game series sweep of the New York Mets at Citi Field.

                  The Reds have not lost a series in New York since 2009 and have won 10 of the last 13 overall between the teams.

                  On Wednesday, however, the spotlight will be on Harvey (5-0, 1.55 ERA), who is third in the majors in ERA and seventh with 68 strikeouts. He survived a shaky first inning Friday against the Chicago Cubs, who reached him for two runs and three hits, by retiring 20 of 21 batters and provided a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh of a 3-2 victory.

                  "He had such a rough first inning," Mets manager Terry Collins said after Harvey allowed five hits overall in 7 1-3. "Then all the sudden he started cruising. He started getting a feel for it. I tell you, he is a horse, no doubt about it.'

                  Harvey has a 2.12 ERA entering his 20th career start, better than notable Mets Tom Seaver (2.78) and Dwight Gooden (2.91) at this point in their respective careers.

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

                  Harvey has managed to avoid losing a game despite his offense leaving him little margin for error. He has received just nine runs of support over his last five starts from an offense that has been held to three or fewer runs in 13 of 16 games.

                  Harvey won his only start against the Reds (28-18), limiting them to one run and four hits while striking out eight in 7 2-3 innings of an 8-4 victory on Aug. 16.

                  Latos (4-0, 2.91) has had success against the Mets, posting a 2-1 record and 2.70 ERA in five lifetime starts. In his last appearance on Aug. 14, he scattered five hits and two walks in seven innings, but did not get a decision in Cincinnati's 3-0 win.

                  Latos could have been 5-0 if not for a rough ninth inning against the Marlins on Thursday. Latos surrendered two runs and four hits in 8 1-3 innings, but Aroldis Chapman failed to get the final two outs after Latos allowed a ninth-inning triple in Cincinnati's eventual 5-3, 10-inning victory.

                  It was a strong bounce-back performance after he surrendered a season-worst seven runs against Milwaukee in his previous start.

                  "Latos was dealing,' manager Dusty Baker said. "That's as pitch-efficient as I've seen anybody.'

                  That's bad news for the Mets (17-26), who were shut out for the second time this season on Tuesday night. They are batting just .209 at home, which ranks last in the majors. Ike Davis is just 1 for his last 36, while Ruben Tejada (3 for 33) and John Buck (7 for 48) also are struggling.

                  "At this point we're not really getting many opportunities with runners in scoring position. So it's not about getting a big hit; it's about getting some runners out there and putting some pressure on the defense, putting some pressure on the pitcher because they're having 1-2-3 innings pretty regularly,' David Wright said. "We've got a handful of guys that kind of are cold at the same time."

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

                  SERIES AT A GLANCE

                  GAME 1
                  Reds at Mets
                  Mon, May 20 Final 4 to 3
                  Boxscores • Recaps

                  GAME 2
                  Reds at Mets
                  Tue, May 21 Final 4 to 0
                  Boxscores • Recaps

                  GAME 3
                  Reds at Mets
                  Wed, May 22 - 1:10PM EDT
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • Preview: Athletics (25-22) at Rangers (29-17)

                    Game: 3
                    Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
                    Date: May 22, 2013 2:05 PM EDT


                    With Jarrod Parker seemingly back to last season's form, the Oakland Athletics hope to continue the outstanding work on the mound that's keyed their win streak.

                    Parker looks to build off his best performance of the season Wednesday when the A's try to complete their first three-game road sweep over the AL-best Texas Rangers in four seasons.

                    Since posting a 5.59 ERA during a stretch of seven losses in nine games, Oakland has won five straight behind a starting rotation that has a 1.91 ERA over that span.

                    Rookie Dan Straily was the latest A's starter to throw a gem, giving up only two singles while facing 22 batters in seven innings to outduel Texas seven-game winner Yu Darvish in a 1-0 win Tuesday.

                    Yoenis Cespedes hit his second homer in three games to account for the only run. He's batting .310 with three homers while hitting safely in each of his 10 career games in Arlington.

                    "As soon as Cespedes hit that home run, I knew just keep it there, 1-0 our best chance,' Straily said.

                    Even with consecutive wins to start the series, Oakland (25-22) still trails Texas (29-17) by 4 1/2 games in the AL West.

                    The A's now turn to Parker (2-5, 6.04 ERA) as they try for their first sweep in Arlington since Sept. 14-16, 2009.

                    Parker, who placed fifth in the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year voting after winning 13 games, got off to a rough start this season before showing improvement lately.

                    The right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.07 ERA over his last four starts since going 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA in his first five. His last outing was his best yet, allowing one run and four hits over seven innings before leaving without a decision in a 2-1 win over Kansas City on Friday.

                    "Parker, just getting him on track, it looked like he was more confident,' manager Bob Melvin said. "Hopefully that's a springboard.'

                    Parker also looks to continue his success against the Rangers, yielding six runs and 12 hits with 20 strikeouts in 20 innings while winning all three career starts.

                    He's certainly made things tough on Texas sluggers Nelson Cruz (0 for 9), Mitch Moreland (1 for 6) and Adrian Beltre (2 for 9).

                    Catcher A.J. Pierzynski went 1-for-3 Tuesday in his first start since May 5 because of a strained right oblique muscle. He's hitting .400 over a nine-game hitting streak against the A's.

                    Texas, which ranks among the major league leaders with 58 homers, had gone deep in 12 straight games before failing to homer in the first two games of this series.

                    The Rangers lost for only the fourth time in 13 games, but have dropped eight of 11 to Oakland. They haven't lost three straight since the A's beat them three straight in Oakland to win the AL West crown last October.

                    Scheduled starter Ross Wolf is expected to make his season debut in place of rookie Nick Tepesch, who was scratched due to a blister on his right middle finger. Wolf made 11 appearances for Oakland when he last pitched in the big leagues in 2010, and was 1-1 with a 1.85 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Round Rock.

                    "He's the hottest guy down there right now," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I hope he can come up and continue that."

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

                    SERIES AT A GLANCE

                    GAME 1
                    Athletics at Rangers
                    Mon, May 20 Final 9 to 2
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 2
                    Athletics at Rangers
                    Tue, May 21 Final 1 to 0
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 3
                    Athletics at Rangers
                    Wed, May 22 - 2:05PM EDT
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • Preview: Diamondbacks (26-20) at Rockies (25-21)

                      Game: 3
                      Venue: Coors Field
                      Date: May 22, 2013 3:10 PM EDT


                      Wilin Rosario has been hitting the ball well of late, coinciding with the Colorado Rockies' solid stretch. Given how well he's batting against the Arizona Diamondbacks, both runs seemingly have a good chance to continue.

                      The Rockies seek a fifth victory in six tries as they host the Diamondbacks in the series finale Wednesday.

                      Rosario went 2 for 4 and hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Colorado (25-21) a 5-4 win Tuesday after it had squandered a four-run lead. He has two hits in each of the Rockies' four wins over the last five games, hitting two homers and driving in eight runs during that stretch.

                      He also has shined against the Diamondbacks (26-20) lately, hitting .421 with two homers and three RBIs in his last five games against them. Rosario, who was hit in the hand with a pitch earlier in Tuesday's contest, is also batting .444 in his last seven home contests versus Arizona.

                      ``I still can play,' Rosario said in regards to his hand.

                      The Rockies have scored 31 runs over their last five, though they may have a tough time keeping up that pace against Arizona starter Trevor Cahill, who is on a solid run of his own.

                      Cahill (3-4, 2.48 ERA) has gone 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA over his last five starts, giving up just six runs in that stretch. He allowed one run in eight innings and retired 13 hitters in a row at one point during a 9-2 win over Miami on Friday.

                      The right-hander's current hot stretch began April 25, when he gave up one run in five innings of a 3-2 win over Colorado. He had lost his previous three starts versus the Rockies while posting a 4.12 ERA, including giving up four runs - three earned - in seven innings of a 4-3 defeat April 20.

                      Jorge De La Rosa (5-3, 3.58) opposed Cahill in both of his starts versus the Diamondbacks this season, and he'll do so again Wednesday. He gave up two hits in six scoreless innings April 20 before allowing three runs - including a two-run homer to Paul Goldschmidt - in six frames five days later.

                      De La Rosa, though, has won three straight starts despite giving up five runs and nine hits in five innings of a 10-9 victory over San Francisco on Friday. He had scattered five hits in 13 scoreless innings over his previous two.

                      "When you throw a game like this and your teammates hit well, it's good. I hope we're still hitting like this but (I'm) pitching better next time," De La Rosa said.

                      The left-hander is 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA in his last 10 starts versus the Diamondbacks and likely will not have Rafael Betancourt to help out. The Rockies closer is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right groin after throwing just two pitches on Tuesday and leaving due to tightness.

                      Goldschmidt went 0 for 3 with two walks to end his seven-game hitting streak, during which he went 13 for 29 (.448) with three homers. He's hitting only .143 over his last 11 versus the Rockies.

                      Didi Gregorius went 0 for 5 after going 8 for 13 (.615) with a homer in his first four games versus Colorado this season.

                      Tuesday's win was only Colorado's second in the last seven versus Arizona.

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

                      SERIES AT A GLANCE

                      GAME 1
                      Diamondbacks at Rockies
                      Mon, May 20 Final 5 to 1
                      Boxscores • Recaps

                      GAME 2
                      Diamondbacks at Rockies
                      Tue, May 21 Final 4 to 5
                      Boxscores • Recaps

                      GAME 3
                      Diamondbacks at Rockies
                      Wed, May 22 - 3:10PM EDT
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • Preview: Nationals (23-23) at Giants (26-20)

                        Game: 3
                        Venue: AT&T Park
                        Date: May 22, 2013 3:45 PM EDT


                        Pablo Sandoval has continued to pound the Washington Nationals this week.

                        The opponent hasn't made much of a difference to the red-hot Marco Scutaro.

                        Both players look to continue their torrid hitting Wednesday as the San Francisco Giants look to sweep the Washington Nationals for the first time in almost five years.

                        Sandoval has gone 12 for 28 with two home runs and six RBIs in his last eight meetings with Washington, getting two hits in each of the past three.

                        The third baseman did the Nationals in Tuesday, overcoming flu-like symptoms to connect for a two-run walkoff homer in a 4-2, 10-inning win. He was also 2 for 5 a day earlier but didn't need to deliver any late-game clutch hitting as the Giants (26-20) coasted to an 8-0 victory in the opener of this three-game set.

                        ``We love pressure. It's our favorite part,' Sandoval said.

                        He seems to especially enjoy it against the Nationals (23-23), as his other career walkoff homer was a three-run shot versus Washington in a 9-7 home win May 12, 2009.

                        Scutaro will be trying to match a career-high 20-game hitting streak from the end of last season, as the second baseman has batted .481 during his run.

                        Scutaro is 8 for 20 in five meetings with Washington while with San Francisco. However, he's 2 for 17 versus Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.01 ERA) and went 0 for 5 against him last year.

                        Sandoval is 1 for 7 against Gonzalez, who's been much more effective at home than on the road.

                        The left-hander has gone 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in four road outings compared to 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA in five in the nation's capital.

                        He was shaky early at San Diego on Friday, giving up two runs - one earned - in the opening inning before allowing one more and exiting with two outs in the seventh of a 6-5, 10-inning win.

                        "I was able to make some in-game adjustments and get back on track," Gonzalez said. "It's always good when you can do that. It's also good when things go wrong in a game and the team can rally together and still get the win."

                        Gonzalez has gone 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in five career starts versus the Giants.

                        He'll be looking to end Washington's four-game slide, during which it's been outscored 27-7.

                        Bryce Harper is 0 for 6 in this series, and 2 for 20 in five career games in San Francisco. He'll get his first look at Madison Bumgarner (4-2, 3.09).

                        The left-hander can help the Giants complete their first sweep of Washington since taking three games at home July 22-24, 2008.

                        Bumgarner, though, has posted a 6.62 ERA while dropping two of his last three starts. He was battered for a career-high nine runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 10-9 loss at Colorado on Friday.

                        He's 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts against the Nationals. Bumgarner tossed a five-hitter for a 6-1 victory in the most recent matchup - and his only home win against Washington - Aug. 14.

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

                        SERIES AT A GLANCE

                        GAME 1
                        Nationals at Giants
                        Mon, May 20 Final 0 to 8
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 2
                        Nationals at Giants
                        Tue, May 21 Final 2 to 4
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 3
                        Nationals at Giants
                        Wed, May 22 - 3:45PM EDT
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • Preview: Rays (24-21) at Blue Jays (18-27)

                          Game: 3
                          Venue: Rogers Centre
                          Date: May 22, 2013 4:37 PM EDT


                          It took nearly a month for the Tampa Bay Rays to win five road games, but they're on the verge of winning that many in less than a week as part of a hot stretch.

                          Tampa Bay seeks an 11th victory in 14 contests as Jeremy Hellickson opposes the Toronto Blue Jays' Mark Buehrle in a matchup of struggling starters Wednesday.

                          The Rays (24-21) didn't win their fifth road game until May 3, but they've won four of five on a trip that ends with this contest after beating Toronto 4-3 on Tuesday.

                          Tampa Bay, which began its current 10-3 surge with a 10-4 home win over the Blue Jays on May 8, got solo homers from Desmond Jennings and Kelly Johnson in its latest game.

                          Evan Longoria went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 15. He's batting .400 with three homers and 14 RBIs during the run, which began when he hit a grand slam off Buehrle in an 8-7 loss May 6.

                          The third baseman is batting .512 with 16 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak versus Toronto.

                          Buehrle (1-3, 6.33 ERA) gave up seven runs in six innings against the Rays earlier this month. He's 5-4 with a 5.13 ERA in his last 14 starts versus Tampa Bay, including a loss in the 2008 postseason while with the Chicago White Sox.

                          The left-hander hasn't won since beating the White Sox on April 15, going 0-3 with a 6.68 ERA in his last five starts. He gave up five runs in six innings of a 5-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Friday.

                          "I can't really pinpoint (my command) from where it was in previous starts," Buehrle told the team's official website. "I haven't changed anything. I go out there and do what I need to do in between starts to get ready for the next one."

                          Hellickson (2-2, 5.82) opposed Buehrle earlier in the month, giving up three runs - including a two-run homer to Colby Rasmus - and walking four in five innings. Unfortunately, that's his best outing in a five-start stretch in which he's gone 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA.

                          The right-hander won Friday despite allowing eight runs and 10 hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 12-10 victory over Baltimore. It was the most earned runs given up in a victory since the Yankees' Andy Pettitte also allowed eight in an 11-10 win over the Orioles on Sept. 29, 2007.

                          "It's probably my ugliest win," said Hellickson, 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA in seven career starts versus Toronto.

                          The Blue Jays (18-27) have dropped three of four following their season-best four-game winning streak, totaling five runs in the defeats. Rasmus went 2 for 4 on Tuesday with a homer - his first since hitting one in back-to-back games versus the Rays on May 6 and 7.

                          Jose Bautista, who went hitless in nine at_bats over his previous three contests, was 2 for 3 with an RBI single Tuesday and has batted .400 in his last eight versus the Rays.

                          Toronto has lost seven of the last 10 home matchups with Tampa Bay.

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

                          SERIES AT A GLANCE

                          GAME 1
                          Rays at Blue Jays
                          Mon, May 20 Final 5 to 7
                          Boxscores • Recaps

                          GAME 2
                          Rays at Blue Jays
                          Tue, May 21 Final 4 to 3
                          Boxscores • Recaps

                          GAME 3
                          Rays at Blue Jays
                          Wed, May 22 - 4:37PM EDT
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • Preview: Yankees (28-17) at Orioles (24-21)

                            Game: 3
                            Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
                            Date: May 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                            The Baltimore Orioles were staring at the possibility of a winless homestand. Instead, they have a chance to take to the road on a positive note when they wrap up their series with the New York Yankees on Wednesday night.

                            Baltimore's struggles at Camden Yards have dropped it into a tie for third with Tampa Bay in the AL East, five games off the pace set by the Yankees (28-17). The Orioles (24-21), though, defeated New York 3-2 in 10 innings Tuesday on Nate McLouth's walkoff homer.

                            ``We really needed this win,' said outfielder Chris Dickerson, who had two solo homers. ``This team continues to grind, continues to push forward even when the chips are down. Nate came up huge. This was one of those things that can turn it around.'

                            The win came a night after the Yankees rallied against closer Jim Johnson and went on to a 6-4 victory in 10 innings. However, Johnson pitched a perfect inning for the win Tuesday to help Baltimore snap a six-game overall losing streak and seven-game slide at home.

                            The Orioles now have a chance to wrap up their eight-game homestand with two victories before facing Toronto and Washington on the road for the next six games.

                            "It was nice to win, period,' manager Buck Showalter said. ``Anytime, regardless of yesterday and the day before. We don't get bogged down in that woe is me and this means that. You've got to keep turning the page.'

                            That may be a challenge with the Yankees turning to Hiroki Kuroda (6-2, 1.99 ERA), who will try to win his third consecutive start and shut down Baltimore for the second time this year. The right-hander scattered two hits and one walk in eight innings of a 5-0 victory over Toronto on Friday, giving him a 5-1 mark and 1.38 ERA in his past seven starts.

                            Kuroda notched his fifth shutout at the Orioles' expense April 14, tossing a five-hitter in a 3-0 victory. He is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in three lifetime starts versus Baltimore and will be making his first appearance at Camden Yards.

                            After a strong start to the season, Jason Hammel (5-2, 5.72) is trying to rediscover that form after being hit hard in his last two outings. He allowed season worsts of seven runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings of a 12-10 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday, and has been reached for 13 runs and 18 hits in 8 2-3 innings in the past two appearances.

                            "I'm missing out over the plate, arm-side with my fastball," Hammel, whose ERA has jumped 1.62 runs his last two starts, told the team's official website. "It's a pretty simple fix, but for right now, it's seemingly a little bit difficult for me."

                            Hammel beat the Yankees on April 13, giving up three runs - two on solo homers - in six innings of a 5-3 victory. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts and 15 lifetime appearances versus New York.

                            Robinson Cano has gone 10 for 26 (.385) with two doubles and a homer against Hammel, while Vernon Wells is 5 for 14 with two solo homers.

                            The Yankees have scored four or fewer runs in all eight of their road losses. They led 1-0 in the first inning Tuesday but lost for the first time in 20 games when scoring first this season.

                            ``We have to do a better job of adding on when we do score runs early,' Wells said.

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

                            SERIES AT A GLANCE

                            GAME 1
                            Yankees at Orioles
                            Mon, May 20 Final 6 to 4
                            Boxscores • Recaps

                            GAME 2
                            Yankees at Orioles
                            Tue, May 21 Final 2 to 3
                            Boxscores • Recaps

                            GAME 3
                            Yankees at Orioles
                            Wed, May 22 - 7:05PM EDT
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                            Comment


                            • Preview: Tigers (24-19) at Indians (26-18)

                              Game: 2
                              Venue: Progressive Field
                              Date: May 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                              Justin Verlander's difficulties began against the Cleveland Indians.

                              The Detroit Tigers ace, coming off his worst start of the season, will look to get back on track against the Indians Wednesday night.

                              Verlander (4-4, 3.17 ERA) began his season on a roll, posting a 1.55 ERA over his first seven starts. Then, he faced Cleveland (26-18) and surrendered three earned runs, six hits and a season-high five walks in five innings against the Indians on May 11.

                              According to Verlander, his rough start against Cleveland contributed to his most recent appearance Thursday, when he surrendered a career high-tying eight runs on six hits in 2 2-3 innings of a 10-4 loss against Texas

                              "It wasn't much of a night to begin with, but I'd definitely say the whole game kind of (was a) carryover from my last start,' Verlander said. "I'm not somebody who is going to go home and pout about this; I'm somebody who is going to figure it out and figure it out in a hurry.'

                              He'll have to figure it out in a hurry versus the Indians - his 4.57 ERA in 31 career starts is his worst against any team he's faced at least 10 times. Cleveland is also responsible for four of the 10 career starts Verlander has allowed at least seven runs, and his 14 losses to the Indians are his most to any one team.

                              Fortunately for Verlander and the Tigers (24-19), teammate Max Scherzer shut down Cleveland's previously red-hot bats on Tuesday night, holding the Indians to two hits over eight innings in a 5-1 victory. He retired the last 22 hitters to face him, and Cleveland's three hits were its fewest since April 12.

                              "We've got to put that behind us,' leadoff hitter Michael Bourn said. ``Tomorrow we've got Verlander and he's really the ace of their staff.'

                              Verlander has fared well against the Indians' top hitters. Nick Swisher, who missed Tuesday's game after his wife gave birth to their first child, is 12 of 56 with 20 strikeouts against Verlander, while Asdrubal Cabrera is 8 for 47 with 19 strikeouts.

                              Carlos Santana is 4 for 20, and Mark Reynolds has struck out nine times in 15 career at_bats against Verlander.

                              Cleveland starter Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 5.31), meanwhile, has been pitching well of late, recording a 1.90 ERA over his last four starts. After walking 10 batters through his first 12 innings of the season and posting an 11.25 ERA after three starts, Jimenez has walked just nine batters since and Cleveland has won the last five games he has started.

                              That streak includes a win over Detroit on May 11, in which the right-hander yielded one run and three hits over six innings. He then struck out a season-high nine batters in his last start against Seattle, allowing two runs and seven hits in five innings en route to a no-decision in Cleveland's 6-3 victory over Seattle on Friday. Jimenez has struck out eight or more in three straight starts.

                              Jimenez will attempt to rein in Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who has four home runs and seven RBIs over his last two games. Cabrera is riding a seven-game hitting streak and batting .413 (31 for 75) with eight homers and six doubles in the month of May.

                              "There aren't many guys who can do that," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of Cabrera's latest shot. "That's why he is who he is.'

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

                              SERIES AT A GLANCE

                              GAME 1
                              Tigers at Indians
                              Tue, May 21 Final 5 to 1
                              Boxscores • Recaps

                              GAME 2
                              Tigers at Indians
                              Wed, May 22 - 7:05PM EDT
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                              Comment


                              • Preview: Mariners (20-26) at Angels (18-27)

                                Game: 2
                                Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
                                Date: May 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                                The Los Angeles Angels have a chance to record their longest winning streak of 2013 and extend the Seattle Mariners' worst skid of the season.

                                Orange County native Brandon Maurer will try to prevent that Wednesday night when the Angels go for a two-game sweep in Anaheim.

                                Since falling a season-worst 12 games below .500 with a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, Los Angeles (18-27) has reeled off three straight wins to match its longest streak of the season.

                                The Angels are batting .340 with 10.0 runs per game during their current run after pounding out 15 hits in Tuesday's 12-0 victory. Mike Trout's solo homer in the eighth inning capped off the sixth cycle in team history, and first since Chone Figgins on Sept. 16, 2006.

                                "We have to see if we can get back in this thing," said Trout, whose three career five-RBI games have all come against Seattle.

                                The Angels' last four-game winning streak was a five-game run that ended with a 9-4 home loss to Seattle on Sept. 27.

                                The Mariners (20-26), meanwhile, have dropped five in a row and are 9-17 on the road.

                                Maurer (2-5, 5.75 ERA) went 6 1-3 innings in the opener of that series, a 6-0 victory, but he's 0-2 in three starts since. The right-hander walked a season-high four in Friday's 6-3, 10-inning loss at Cleveland, but he delivered a solid six-inning performance with three runs allowed.

                                "I wanted to give him the opportunity to do that (get through the sixth), and it was big for him and us," manager Eric Wedge told the Mariners' official website after Maurer threw a season-high 102-pitches. "He's hard on himself out there. He needs to back off himself a little, but he's learning a great deal every time he goes out there."

                                The right-hander, who grew up in Costa Mesa, Calif., and starred at Orange Lutheran High School, still has plenty of strides to make against left-handed batters, who are hitting .341 off him.

                                Josh Hamilton, the Angels' only everyday left-handed batter, was one of six hitters to go 1 for 3 against Maurer last month.

                                The following day in Los Angeles' 6-3 victory, Wednesday's starter C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.72) won for the sixth time in seven decisions against the Mariners with 5 1-3 innings of three-run ball.

                                The left-hander will try to avoid his first career four-start losing streak after dropping his last two to Chicago by identical 3-0 margins. Wilson pitched a season-high seven innings in Friday's defeat, giving up just two runs.

                                "C.J. did a great job. I hate that we can't score runs for him,' said Hamilton said.

                                Hamilton might be able to help with that. The former MVP has more homers (19) against Seattle than any other team after going 2 for 5 with a two-run shot Tuesday, his 32nd birthday.

                                Eric Aybar, one of five Angels with at least two hits in the series opener, is questionable after leaving Tuesday's game with right knee soreness. If he can't go, Brendan Harris could get the start at shortstop.

                                If the Angels cap off their nine-game homestand with a fifth victory, it will send the Mariners to their first six-game skid since June 9-15.

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

                                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                                GAME 1
                                Mariners at Angels
                                Tue, May 21 Final 0 to 12
                                Boxscores • Recaps

                                GAME 2
                                Mariners at Angels
                                Wed, May 22 - 7:05PM EDT
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X