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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (18-27) at Tigers (27-19)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 25, 2013 4:08 PM EDT


After Joe Mauer's single saved them from being no-hit, the Minnesota Twins aren't likely to have it much easier against Doug Fister at Comerica Park.

The free-falling Twins will try to avoid their 11th straight defeat Saturday when Fister looks to continue his outstanding pitching at home for the Detroit Tigers.

Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning Friday before Mauer broke it up with a one-out single. That was the only hit the right-hander allowed in the Tigers' 6-0 victory.

"In the end, it's the result of my work. I try to figure out, to put my ball in the strike zone,' Sanchez said. "It's a nice result, and I take it.'

Behind Sanchez and a red-hot offense, Detroit (27-19) won its fourth in a row and leapfrogged Cleveland to reclaim first place in the AL Central.

The Tigers now look to take the first three in this four-game series with Fister (5-1, 3.62 ERA) on the mound.

While Fister has given up 10 runs and 17 hits over 7 2-3 innings in his last two road starts, he's 9-1 with a 2.94 ERA at home dating back to July, and has a 3.00 ERA while winning each of his four starts there this season.

The right-hander is 3-6 with a 3.13 ERA lifetime against Minnesota (18-27), though he hasn't given up an earned run over 17 innings in consecutive victories. He struck out seven and scattered seven hits in a complete-game 8-0 victory over the Twins at Comerica Park on Sept. 22.

This time, Fister faces a Minnesota team that has totaled 28 runs while hitting .219 during its longest skid since an 11-game slide Sept. 9-21, 2011.

"The ball isn't bouncing our way very well," Mauer said. "You just have to stay positive."

Mauer has been a bright spot, hitting .418 over his last 16 games, though he's 4 for 23 (.174) against Fister.

The All-Star catcher hasn't been able to get the most out of the Twins' starters, who have an 8.16 ERA while allowing 80 hits - including 12 homers - in 46 1-3 innings during the losing streak.

Scheduled starter P.J. Walters hopes to end that troubling trend as he makes his first major league appearance since September.

The right-hander went 2-5 with a 5.69 ERA in 12 starts last season, and he's 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in four career outings against the Tigers.

Walters, who had a 3.31 ERA over 54 1-3 innings in nine starts at Triple-A Rochester this season, allowed two runs and four hits over five innings in a 6-4 loss to the Tigers in his last big league start Sept. 29.

Prince Fielder took Walters deep in that meeting and has five hits, including a pair of homers, in eight career at_bats in this matchup.

Andy Dirks is 7 for 17 with a homer in his last four games and may be able to stay hot since he's 3 for 7 with a home run off Walters.

Miguel Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 10 games with two-run single in the second inning Friday. The reigning AL MVP is 10 for 19 with six homers and 15 RBIs over his last five games. He leads the majors with a .388 average and 57 RBIs.

The Tigers are hitting .345 with 29 runs during their four-game winning streak, one shy of a season high.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Tigers
Thu, May 23 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at Tigers
Fri, May 24 Final 0 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Twins at Tigers
Sat, May 25 - 4:08PM EDT

GAME 4
Twins at Tigers
Sun, May 26 - 1:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (27-21) at Giants (26-22)

Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 25, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


Michael Cuddyer welcomed himself back to the Colorado Rockies' lineup with a big performance just in time to help the club end a nine-game road losing streak against the San Francisco Giants.

Now, he'll try to help Colorado win for the seventh time in eight tries while extending its winning steak over San Francisco to five on Saturday.

Cuddyer was hitting .319 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs when he went on the disabled list May 12 with an inflamed cervical disk.

In his first at-bat since May 8, the outfielder hit a two-run double in the first inning before adding a solo homer in the sixth to help the Rockies (27-21) earn a 5-0 win in Friday's series opener.

"Being able to go out there and help us get the win was nice," Cuddyer said. "I felt comfortable in the box. In the grand scheme of things I really didn't miss that much time.'

Colorado has a chance to win five straight over its NL West rival for the first time since 2002.

``They've dominated us every time here,' said Carlos Gonzalez, who homered for the second straight game. ``That gives us a lot of confidence when you can win a series against a team that won the championship a couple of times the last few years.'

Cuddyer, though, is just 2 for 14 lifetime off Barry Zito, who will get the start for the Giants (26-22) as they hope to avoid an eighth loss in 11 contests.

Zito (3-3, 3.91 ERA) allowed one earned run or none in six of his first seven starts, but he surrendered eight runs - five earned - and 12 hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 10-6 loss to Toronto on May 14 before giving up five runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 frames of Sunday's 5-0 defeat at Colorado.

``Yeah, I've given up quite a few hits the last couple of games,' Zito said. ``It doesn't feel good to be allowing all those baserunners."

The left-hander, though, had one of his better outings the first time he faced the Rockies on April 10, yielding seven hits in seven innings of a 10-0 home victory. Zito had gone 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA in four starts versus Colorado before this week's defeat.

Juan Nicasio (4-1, 4.47) opposed Zito on Sunday and had his best outing of the season, giving up three hits in six innings. He also ended a six-start streak of allowing at least one home run.

With starter Jeff Francis hoping to return from injury soon, Nicasio may be fighting for his spot in the rotation.

"I (don't) have pressure,' he said. ``When I go to pitch, I'm focused. I want to do my job, throw strikes.'

The right-hander also faced the Giants on April 9, giving up four runs and walking five in five innings of Colorado's 9-6 defeat.

Nicasio will face a San Francisco lineup that has totaled one run and 10 hits over the last two games. Marco Scutaro is 0 for 7 in those contests after batting .481 during a 19-game hitting streak.

Scutaro, who played 95 games for the Rockies before being dealt to the Giants on July 28, is hitting .412 against his former team in 20 games since the trade despite going 0 for 4 on Friday.

Buster Posey went 1 for 3 to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He's hitting .471 with six homers in his last 19 versus the Rockies.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Giants
Fri, May 24 Final 5 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Giants
Sat, May 25 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rockies at Giants
Sun, May 26 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (29-19) at Brewers (19-27)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 25, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


No matter how poorly the Milwaukee Brewers have played this month, they continue to fare well against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home.

Looking to win consecutive games for the first time in May, the Brewers hope to continue that home success against the Pirates on Saturday.

Milwaukee (19-27) is 5-16 in May and has not won back-to-back contests since April 29-30 at home against Pittsburgh. However, with Friday's 2-1 victory, the Brewers have won three of four against the Pirates at Miller Park this season and seven of the last eight there.

Since the start of the 2007 season, Milwaukee is 47-8 versus Pittsburgh (29-19) at home.

Alex Gonzalez had a two-run double in the second and Marco Estrada pitched seven strong innings to help the Brewers snap the Pirates' four-game winning streak.

"That was big. It was a good pitch and Alex went down and got it. It was smart hitting,' Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. "We certainly needed to get a lead and with the way Marco pitched we held on.'

The loss was the third in 14 games for Pittsburgh, which hopes Jeff Locke (4-1, 2.73 ERA) can help it bounce back and continue his recent success.

After he went 1-1 with a 5.17 ERA in his first three starts, Locke is 3-0 with a 1.70 ERA in the last six. He allowed three hits in seven innings of a 1-0 win over Houston on Sunday.

Manager Clint Hurdle was pleased with the left-hander's latest effort even though both believe he did not have his best stuff.

"'Pitched' is the imperative word,' Hurdle said. "He was behind a number of counts, his first-pitch strikes were below 50 percent ... but, that being said, he didn't give up anything. He was able to put a foot down, get balls on the ground when we needed them.'

Locke is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts versus Milwaukee while surrendering four homers in 10 innings. He allowed three runs over six in a 4-3, 12-inning win May 14.

The Brewers counter with Mike Fiers (1-2, 5.93), who makes his second start of the season while Kyle Lohse continues to deal with elbow irritation.

With a demotion to the minors included, the right-hander's last seven appearances came out of the bullpen after he allowed six runs in five innings of a 9-2 loss to Arizona on April 6. He earned the victory after 1 2-3 scoreless innings in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"The deeper I go, the better it is for the baseball team," Fiers told the Brewers' official website.

He went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA over 22 starts in his first full major league season in 2012, including 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA in three against the Pirates. Fiers allowed the game-winning homer to Andrew McCutchen in the extra-inning loss at Pittsburgh last week.

McCutchen, 5 for 9 with three homers against Fiers, is batting .433 (13 for 30) in the last seven games. Despite his team's poor history at Miller Park, McCutchen has batted .420 in 12 games there since hitting .226 in his first 20 in Milwaukee.

Brewers star Ryan Braun hit .440 in his first six games against the Pirates this season before he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Friday.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Brewers
Fri, May 24 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Brewers
Sat, May 25 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Brewers
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (18-29) at Reds (30-18)

Game: 2
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 25, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds are on a roll that has the team ahead of its pace from 2012, when it earned its most victories since the mid-1970s.

Cincinnati will have to go through surprising former Reds pitcher Travis Wood in order to continue its hot stretch against the visiting Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Votto is hitting .511 with four homers and 10 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4 with a fourth-inning solo homer in Friday's 7-4 win.

The 2010 NL MVP is hitting .404 in his last 13 games versus the Cubs.

Cincinnati (30-18) has won four straight and 12 of 15 and is three games ahead of the pace of last season's team that went 97-65 to win the NL Central. It marked the most victories for the team since finishing with 102 in 1976, the second of back-to-back World Series winners.

The Reds have won five straight versus the Cubs and have outscored them 89-63 while winning 15 of the last 17 meetings. Catcher Ryan Hanigan, Cincinnati's No. 8 hitter, delivered the big blow in a five-run fourth inning Friday with a three-run homer.

"They went at me and I got a pitch to handle," Hanigan said. "That was a big turn in the game."

Chicago (18-29) will look to end a season-worst five-game losing streak with help from Wood (4-2, 2.24 ERA), who spent 2010 and '11 with the Reds.

Wood allowed more than two earned runs for only the second time in nine starts Sunday, giving up three - including a tying two-run homer in his seventh and final inning - in Chicago's 4-3 loss to the New York Mets.

He also hit his fourth career homer, a two-run shot in the fifth that gave the Cubs the lead.

"Woody pitched another great game,' manager Dale Sveum said.

The left-hander has made a vast improvement after going 6-13 with a 4.27 ERA in his first season with Chicago in 2012, ranking among the league leaders in ERA and turning in nine quality starts in nine chances.

"He's not doing anything different than last year, except maybe fine-tuning some things," Sveum told the team's official website. "We know how Travis is - he's very competitive."

The Cubs acquired Wood from Cincinnati in December 2011 for reliever Sean Marshall, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a sore left shoulder that has bothered him since spring training.

Wood allowed two runs - including a solo homer to Jay Bruce - in 6 1-3 innings of Chicago's 5-4, 13-inning loss to the Reds on April 22 and has a 4.42 ERA in three starts versus his former team.

Cincinnati will counter with Homer Bailey, who has been stellar in his last two outings.

Bailey (2-3, 3.09) threw a complete game and struck out 10 in a 6-2 win over Miami on May 14 before pitching seven scoreless innings in Cincinnati's 3-2 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.

"Sometimes you win those, sometimes you lose those," Bailey said after his last start. "I am feeling pretty good still."

The right-hander has won four straight decisions against the Cubs, posting a 3.79 ERA in that six-start stretch. He allowed one run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 3-1 victory the last time he faced them Sept. 18.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Reds
Fri, May 24 Final 4 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Reds
Sat, May 25 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Reds
Sun, May 26 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (29-18) at Rays (24-23)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 25, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Baseball hasn't seen a left-hander as young as 23-year-old Matt Moore start a season this well since one of the greatest New York Yankees sluggers of all-time was still putting fear into the opposition from the pitcher's mound 96 years ago.

The current Yankees are privy to just how good Moore has been, and they won't have Curtis Granderson to try and help slow him down.

Moore takes the mound as the host Tampa Bay Rays look to avoid a fourth loss in five games Saturday against first-place New York.

Though he would later be known for his 714 career home runs, a 22-year-old Boston hurler named Babe Ruth began the 1917 season winning his first nine decisions.

No other lefty would win his first eight at such a young age until Moore (8-0, 2.29 ERA), who has dazzled at times in his second season as a full-time starter for the Rays (24-23).

Moore's ERA rose more than a point while posting a 5.06 mark over his previous three starts, but he allowed just one run in seven innings of a 3-1 win at Baltimore on Sunday.

He has won nine straight decisions dating back to last season to break the franchise record set in 2012 by Cy Young Award winner David Price.

"Historically speaking, it's been wonderful,' manager Joe Maddon said.

Opponents are hitting just .175 off Moore, the third-best mark in the majors.

"It's good for our team. That's the biggest thing we can take away from my record,' Moore said. "On my days to pitch, we're winning all the games. That's the most important part."

Moore gave up one run and two hits - including a solo homer to Robinson Cano - in a season-high eight innings of a 5-1 win over the Yankees on April 22, striking out nine.

New York (29-18) hopes to have a better performance this time after ending a two-game slide with a 9-4 victory in Friday's series opener. They lost Granderson, though, to a broken knuckle on his left pinkie after he was hit by a pitch in the fifth, and manager Joe Girardi indicated the outfielder could miss a minimum of four weeks.

Granderson also missed the first 38 games with a broken right forearm suffered when he was hit with a pitch in his first spring training at-bat.

"It's sad,' Cano said. "He's one of those guys you're going to miss. Hopefully he gets back soon.'

Brett Gardner hit a two-run homer in the fourth while Lyle Overbay and Jayson Nix also drove in a pair of runs Friday.

Though Ivan Nova was activated from the disabled list Friday, Girardi decided to send him to the bullpen and give Vidal Nuno another start Saturday.

Nuno (1-1, 1.13) will be making his fourth career appearance and second start after allowing a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 10th in a 3-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday.

His only start came May 13, when he gave up three hits and three walks in five innings of a 7-0 win over Cleveland.

It's unclear how many more starts the left-hander will receive with Nova back. Nova, who had an inflamed right triceps, has been put into a long-reliever role to get back on track before he returns to the rotation.

The Yankees had lost 13 of the previous 16 meetings in St. Petersburg prior to Friday, when the Rays' Evan Longoria went 0 for 4 to end his career-best 16-game hitting streak.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Rays
Fri, May 24 Final 9 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Rays
Sat, May 25 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Rays
Sun, May 26 - 1:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (13-35) at White Sox (22-24)

Game: 5
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 25, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


Jake Peavy was off his game last time out.

Facing the majors' worst hitting team could help the former Cy Young winner deliver a better performance this time.

Peavy and the Chicago White Sox go for an eighth victory in 11 games Saturday night when their series against the Miami Marlins continues.

After yielding eight walks in 45 2-3 innings over his first seven starts, Peavy (5-2, 3.31 ERA) surrendered five free passes over six innings in Sunday's 6-2 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels, including two with the bases loaded.

"I felt really good today, and that's the most frustrating part for me,' he said. "I went out there with a good game plan and felt like we could execute, but I just didn't quite execute well enough. My slider was the best it's been all year, so I've got some positives to take out of it. It's just hard to be positive right now.'

Peavy might feel better about facing a Marlins team that's last in the majors in batting (.221) and runs per game (2.7) following Friday's 4-3, 11-inning defeat.

Miami (13-35), which has lost 13 of 16, has totaled five runs in the last four starts of Saturday's pitcher Ricky Nolasco (3-5, 3.96).

The veteran right-hander, though, helped the Marlins snap a season-worst seven-game losing streak Sunday, throwing eight-plus innings of one-run ball in Sunday's 2-1 home win over Arizona. Nolasco's 11 strikeouts were his most in two years.

"Ricky's been solid all year and I really wanted him to finish that game," manager Mike Redmond said. "He looked good and was in complete control.'

That was not the case in Nolasco's only start against the White Sox, an 8-0 road loss May 21, 2010, when he allowed all the runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Right fielder Alex Rios, 2 for 6 with a double off Nolasco, will try to extend his career-best hitting streak to 19, which would tie the longest in the majors this season. San Francisco's Marco Scutaro had a 19-game streak snapped Wednesday.

Chicago (22-24) is batting .278 with 4.7 runs per game during its 7-3 run. The team is hitting .240 and averaging 3.7 runs this season.

"It just feels like our offense is starting to do a little bit more and we're still getting good pitching,' said infielder Jeff Keppinger, who had two singles Friday, including the game-winner.

While Keppinger has hit safely in six straight and eight of nine, Paul Konerko is also finding his stroke, equaling a season high with three hits Friday to improve to 5 for 9 in the last two contests.

Adam Dunn, 6 for 22 with a homer, triple and double against Nolasco, has struck out twice in each of the last three games and is hitless in 12 at_bats during that stretch.

Peavy will face the Marlins for the first time since 2008 while with San Diego. The right-hander has not enjoyed much success against Placido Polanco, who is 9 for 17 in that matchup.

Peavy will get his first look at rookie Marcell Ozuna, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak - the Marlins' longest of 2013.

These teams have split 10 all-time matchups, with the White Sox leading 4-3 in Chicago.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at White Sox
Mon, May 20 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at White Sox
Tue, May 21 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at White Sox
Wed, May 22 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Marlins at White Sox
Fri, May 24 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 5
Marlins at White Sox
Sat, May 25 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 6
Marlins at White Sox
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (23-25) at Nationals (25-23)

Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 25, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


Following a rare productive game at the plate, the Washington Nationals are hoping to have their scruffy-looking manager clean-shaven by the end of their five-game homestand.

The Nationals will attempt to build on a resurgent offensive effort as they go for their eighth win in 11 home games Saturday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Washington (25-23) scored its most runs in a week and plated four in an inning for the first time in almost a month in a 5-2 victory over Philadelphia on Friday.

While it might not have been enough for manager Davey Johnson to get his razor out, it was plenty for Jordan Zimmermann, who became the first eight-game winner in the NL.

Johnson said before the game that he wouldn't shave again until his team started hitting. The Nationals totaled nine runs and batted .189 while losing four of five to wrap up their recent West Coast road trip.

"My wife, she probably wants me to take it off, I'm sure she does,' Johnson said. "But I might leave it on, see if this is not something strange happening here.'

Washington will try to prove Johnson right by providing some run support for Dan Haren (4-5, 5.54 ERA), who has received 20 runs in his wins but four in his losses.

After going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA over his previous four starts, the right-hander allowed three runs in the first inning and was gone after a four-run fifth in a 13-4 defeat to San Diego on Sunday. He yielded seven runs and nine hits - two homers.

Haren has posted an 0-3 record and 6.14 ERA in four career starts against Philadelphia.

Michael Young has faced Haren more than any Phillie, batting .328 with one homer in 58 at_bats.

Ryan Howard went 1 for 4 with a double Friday and is batting .381 during a five-game hitting streak, though he hasn't homered in 12 games. He's 1 for 6 with a home run and three strikeouts against Haren.

The Phillies (23-25) missed a chance to reach .500 for the first time since April 14 and pull even with the Nationals for second place in the NL East.

"Obviously, we've kind of been up and down all year,' losing pitcher Kyle Kendrick said.

Teammate Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.00) hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in six starts since replacing the injured John Lannan in the rotation.

The left-hander has been much better at home, though, going 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts as opposed to 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in two road outings.

Pettibone makes his first career appearance against the Nationals, who are hitting a major league-worst .196 versus left-handers.

Bryce Harper is hitting .163 with two homers in 43 at_bats versus lefties, while Adam LaRoche is batting .195 with two homers in 41 at_bats against them.

Washington's Steve Lombardozzi, playing second while Danny Espinosa recovers from a broken wrist, had three hits Friday, including a two-run double that capped the rally in the four-run fifth.

Washington's previous four-run inning came April 25 against Cincinnati.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Nationals
Fri, May 24 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Nationals
Sat, May 25 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Nationals
Sun, May 26 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (28-18) at Mets (17-27)

Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 25, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


The Atlanta Braves have won six consecutive games. The New York Mets have lost six straight at home.

The teams had to wait one more day before finding out which streak will end, as they're set to complete a suspended game before meeting in the regularly scheduled one about an hour later Saturday night.

Friday's game is tied 5-5 heading to the top of the ninth, with the Mets rallying to tie in the eighth in the midst of a downpour, having drawn within one on a Daniel Murphy single and scoring again on a wild pitch.

``It was tough to see. As tough as it was to see, I'm sure it was tough to get a grip on the ball and footing on the mound,' Murphy said. ``So, equal playing field and we were really glad to tie the score up there, and we'll come out tomorrow and see if we can win an inning.'

The ninth inning presents an interesting decision for both managers. Atlanta's Fredi Gonzalez is considering putting Anthony Varvaro, who blew the save Friday, back on the mound.

"I could even run Varvaro back out there,' Gonzalez said. ``It's like going back-to-back days.'

Mets manager Terry Collins will also turn to his bullpen, as opposed to giving the ball to scheduled Saturday starter Dillon Gee to pitch in the suspended game.

"I'm going to start the game with a relief pitcher,' Collins said. "Otherwise, if the thing's over in 10 minutes, the guy's already warmed up, now he has to sit for an hour. That's not what I want to happen.'

Once the first game is over, Mike Minor (5-2, 2.78 ERA) will try to put an end to his road struggles against the Mets.

He appears to have a good chance to do so given his performance of late. Atlanta has won his last three starts, during which the left-hander has gone 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 19 2-3 innings.

He set a season high with nine strikeouts and surrendered two runs and three hits in six innings of a 5-2 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday. Minor didn't get the decision.

Minor has a 5.63 ERA in seven career starts versus New York - his worst against any team he's pitched at least 15 innings against. He's turned in a pair of solid effort in his last two matchups, allowing three runs in 13 1-3 innings, but those games came at Atlanta.

Minor, who went seven innings and gave up three runs in a 7-5 win over the Mets on May 3, has gone 1-1 with an 8.04 ERA in three career starts at Citi Field.

New York's Dillon Gee (2-5, 6.04), by contrast, has been very comfortable at Citi Field, posting a 2.35 ERA in four starts as opposed to a 9.97 mark in five starts away from home.

Gee, who gave up three runs in five innings of a 4-3 road defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, has failed to pitch more than five innings in his past four starts.

Gee has held Freddie Freeman to one hit in 11 at_bats, but the Braves slugger hit a two-run homer Friday and has recorded a pair of two-hit games in his last three.

Freeman has eight home runs against the Mets - tying his highest total against any team - and has batted .316 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 19 games against the Mets since the start of last season.

The Braves have won 13 of the past 17 against the Mets, who have surrendered eight first-inning runs over their last four games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Mets
Fri, May 24 - 7:10PM EDT

Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Braves at Mets
Sat, May 25 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Mets
Sun, May 26 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (26-23) at Astros (14-34)

Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 25, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


A late home run by Houston native Chris Young helped the Oakland Athletics continue their winning streak against the Astros.

A.J. Griffin will try to extend that run to 10 when Oakland also goes for a seventh consecutive victory at Houston on Saturday night.

Oakland (26-23) opened this series with a 6-5 victory Friday. Young's three-run homer in the ninth inning was the difference as the A's improved to 12-1 all-time against the newest member of the AL.

Oakland, winner of six of seven overall, is undefeated against Houston (14-34) since a 5-4, 11-inning road loss June 12, 2007.

Young, acquired from Arizona in the offseason, has played in 10 straight road wins over the Astros and 14 in a row overall versus his hometown team.

"Mom's cooking definitely has something to do with it for sure,' said the veteran outfielder, who owns a 15-game hitting streak against Houston and is a .418 hitter in 19 games at Minute Maid Park.

Griffin (4-3, 3.59 ERA) will try to keep the A's rolling after pitching six innings and allowing three runs in a 4-3 home win over Kansas City on Sunday. The right-hander did not get a decision after walking three - matching his total from his previous three starts - and told the A's official website that it left "a sore taste in my mouth."

The A's overcame his career-high four walks in a 4-3 home win over Houston on April 16. Griffin set down the final 11 hitters he faced in that contest, throwing six innings giving up two runs with eight strikeouts.

The Astros continue their eight-game homestand with Lucas Harrell (3-5, 4.63) going for his first win in five starts. Houston has lost the right-hander's last four outings, though he gave up one run in seven innings of a 1-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Harrell, who allowed a homer to Pedro Alvarez, hadn't gotten past the fifth in four outings.

He wasn't nearly that good in a 9-3 home loss to Oakland on April 7, giving up eight runs, allowing three homers and walking five in 4 1-3 innings.

One of the home runs was hit by Coco Crisp, who could return Saturday after missing two games with a bruised right foot.

"If I wake up tomorrow and feel ready to go, I'm playing," he said.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez's solo shot Friday gave him five homers - his season total - in his last 11 games.

J.D. Martinez struck out twice and went hitless in three at_bats off Griffin last month. Martinez, though, has three consecutive two-hit games and has homered in the last two.

The A's, 3-1 on a six-game trip, have won four of six on the road after dropping a season-worst five straight there.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Astros
Fri, May 24 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Astros
Sat, May 25 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Astros
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (31-16) at Dodgers (19-27)

Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 25, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


While team president Stan Kasten insisted manager Don Mattingly isn't in immediate danger of being fired, a lot could change if things continue to go poorly for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The disappointing Dodgers hope to begin their turnaround and avoid a second straight defeat at Dodger Stadium against the major league-best St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

Despite a $215 million payroll, Los Angeles (19-27) is last in the NL West with a big-name offense that ranks near the bottom of the majors with 3.39 runs per game.

Amid rumors that Mattingly's job could be in jeopardy, Kasten gave his manager, who is in the third and final year of his contract, a vote of confidence before a 7-0 loss to the Cardinals (31-16) on Friday.

"I do expect things to turn around. I expect Donnie to be here for a long time,' Kasten said. "I understand there is another side of that if things don't go well. I don't think of things like that.'

Although they've won three of their last four series, the Dodgers committed two errors and managed only three hits while losing for the fifth time in seven games to open their five-game homestand.

They'll try to bounce back with Ted Lilly (0-1, 5.63 ERA) taking the mound for the first time since coming off the disabled list because of a strained right rib cage.

Lilly, who replaces the injured Josh Beckett (groin) in the rotation, hasn't pitched since allowing five runs and eight hits - two homers - over three innings in a 12-2 loss to Colorado on April 29.

The left-hander has pitched well against the Cardinals, going 7-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 15 career starts.

Matt Holliday is just 2 for 11 with a homer and four strikeouts versus Lilly, while Yadier Molina is hitting .176 with a homer in 34 at_bats.

The Cardinals have batted .291 during a 17-5 surge, but they rank near the bottom of the majors with a .221 average off left-handers.

David Freese went 2 for 3 with a homer and three RBIs against southpaw Chris Capuano on Friday, showing no ill-effects after missing the previous three games with a cut on his thumb. He entered the contest 3 for 25 with no homers versus lefties this season.

"We're still trying to figure that out,' Freese said. "Lefties give us trouble sometimes.'

After going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the opener, Allen Craig is batting .464 with three homers and 12 RBIs in seven career games at Dodger Stadium.

Scheduled St. Louis starter John Gast (2-0, 4.76) looks to win for the third time in as many starts in place of the injured Jake Westbrook (elbow).

The left-hander has opened with five scoreless innings in each of his first two outings before giving up a total of six runs in the sixth.

"It's something to keep an eye on, but I don't think two starts is a big enough sample size to make any conclusions," Gast said.

This time, he'll have to deal with a Los Angeles team that ranks second in the majors with a .285 batting average versus left-handers, though its 3 for 32 against them since Sunday.

Adrian Gonzalez has hit left-handers hard, batting .345 with six doubles and 18 RBIs in 58 at_bats. Carl Crawford (.325), Mark Ellis (.357) and Nick Punto (.464) have also fared well

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Dodgers
Fri, May 24 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Dodgers
Sat, May 25 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Dodgers
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (31-17) at Mariners (20-28)

Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 25, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Derek Holland hasn't been at his best lately.

A start against the struggling Seattle Mariners could be exactly what he needs to get back on track.

Holland will try to extend his 19 2-3-inning scoreless streak visiting the Mariners on Saturday night when the AL West-leading Texas Rangers go for their fifth consecutive victory in this divisional matchup.

After posting a 0.60 ERA while winning his first two starts in May, Holland (3-2, 3.30 ERA) has surrendered four runs and eight hits in each of his last two. The left-hander went a season-low 4 2-3 innings in Sunday's 11-8 loss to Detroit, allowing as many homers (two) as he had in his first eight starts.

Holland, though, hasn't given up any runs in Seattle since his first game there July 10, 2009. Since that relief appearance, and another one two days later that lasted 2 2-3 innings, he has logged 16 2-3 scoreless innings in two starts at Safeco Field. Holland pitched 7 2-3 scoreless innings in a 3-2 victory at Seattle on July 13.

He'll face a Mariners team that's dropped a season-high seven straight following Friday's 9-5 defeat.

A three-run homer by Lance Berkman and a two-run shot by Jeff Baker helped Texas (31-17) win for the seventh time in eight games outside Arlington.

The Mariners (20-28), who had won eight of 11 at home, were back in town after getting outscored 35-9 in the final four games of a 2-7 trip that ended with Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

Seattle's last eight-game slide was a franchise-worst 17-game skid July 6-26, 2011.

A start by Felix Hernandez (5-3, 2.07) on Saturday would seem to be exactly what the Mariners need to avoid that, but even their ace has run into some problems.

The former Cy Young winner permitted a season-high six runs in a season-low five innings in Sunday's 6-0 loss at Cleveland. Hernandez had not allowed more than one earned run in any of his previous six outings.

"You're going to have games like that when a couple of things happen and you make a couple of mistakes,' manager Eric Wedge said.

Hernandez, who made his last four starts outside Seattle, is 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA in three outings at Safeco Field this season. The worst of those starts came against Texas on April 11, when he was tagged for four runs and a season-high 10 hits in six innings.

Texas' A.J. Pierzynski, who hit a solo homer off Hernandez in that game, is tied with Adrian Beltre with a team-best eight hits as the Rangers have won six of eight from Seattle this season.

Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, 3 for 5 with two doubles Friday, has twice as many hits (14 for 31) off Rangers pitching this season as any of his teammates. He's 4 for 11 with a homer against Holland.

Kendrys Morales, who has two doubles in 10 at_bats versus Holland, is 9 for 17 over the last four games.

Mariners infielder Carlos Triunfel could make his first start of the season Saturday after flying out as a pinch-hitter Friday. He was called up earlier in the day along with catcher Jesus Sucre, who went 1 for 4 in his major league debut.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Mariners
Fri, May 24 Final 9 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Mariners
Sat, May 25 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Mariners
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (21-26) at Diamondbacks (27-21)

Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: May 25, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


If the San Diego Padres are going to end their slide, they may need Andrew Cashner to continue his recent success.

Looking for a third consecutive win, Cashner tries to help the Padres avoid a fourth straight loss Saturday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

San Diego (21-26) was ahead 1-0 and cruising behind starter Eric Stults on Friday until Arizona scored five times in the seventh inning en route to a 5-2 victory. The Padres have lost three of four at Arizona since winning seven in a row there, and been outscored 20-7 during a three-game skid overall.

Carlos Quentin had three hits and Everth Cabrera homered, but San Diego lost for the eighth time in 13 contests following a stretch in which it won 11 of 14.

The Padres hope to get back on track behind Cashner (3-2, 3.02 ERA), who has the same record with a 2.80 ERA in six starts since joining the rotation April 20.

"He's got front-of-the-rotation-type of stuff," manager Bud Black told the Padres' official website. "It's a big arm. I think now, he's starting to come into his own."

The right-hander allowed three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 13-4 win over Washington on Sunday and has gone 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last three starts.

"I think it was efficient, but I definitely think there's still a lot of room for improvement," Cashner said. "I thought I could've executed better in some different situations."

He is 0-0 with a 2.19 ERA in three starts versus Arizona, winner of a season-high three in a row at home.

Paul Goldschmidt's two-run double highlighted the Diamondbacks' seventh-inning rally Friday. Among the NL leaders with a .320 average, the first baseman has gone 8 for 15 with five doubles in the last four home games to raise his average at Chase Field from .229 to .282.

Teammate Wade Miley (3-3, 3.67) will try to avoid a third straight losing start Saturday, but he also has a chance to build on his last outing in which he gave two runs in six innings of a 2-1 loss at Miami on Sunday. Both runs scored in his final inning.

"Just a couple of bad pitches cost you late in the game, especially in a game like that where it's 0-0," said Miley, whose teammates have totaled two runs in his last two starts. You've got to do better job.'

The left-hander allowed four runs and nine hits in five innings of a 7-6 loss to the Padres on May 3. He's gone 1-3 with a 6.28 ERA in five starts against San Diego.

Cabrera, 4 for 9 with a triple against Miley, has batted .342 with six RBIs in his last nine games overall.

Quentin, who spent the first two years of his career with Arizona in 2006 and '07, has gone 8 for 16 in last five games at Chase Field.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Diamondbacks
Fri, May 24 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sat, May 25 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

Pacers’ coach Frank Vogel has taken a lot of grief the last three days; here’s six things I didn’t know about the Indiana coach:

-- He grew up on the Jersey Shore, went to Wildwood HS. He’ll be 40 years old next month.

-- When he was in 8th grade, he appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, because he could spin a basketball on a toothbrush while he brushed his teeth. Seriously.

– Vogel played D-III college hoops at Juniata (Pa) for three years, then transferred for his senior year to become a student manager at Kentucky, to further his coaching career.

– He went to the Celtics as the video coordinator for Rick Pitino, who had been at Kentucky.

– He spent two years as an NBA advance scout (Lakers/Wizards), then hooked up as an assistant coach under former Pitino aide Jim O’Brien with the Pacers.

– Before being named head coach of the Pacers January 30, 2011, he had never been the head coach of any team.


*****

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.........

13) Tremendous win by the Pacers Friday in Miami, evening series 1-1 and grabbing the home court advantage as the series goes back to Indiana. Lot of mental toughness for the Pacers when they were down 88-84.

12) Big homer by Chris Young in front of friends/family in Houston, as Oakland scored three times in the ninth inning to beat the Astros 6-5.

11) Braves-Mets was suspended after eight innings, tied 5-5; game will be resumed at 6:10 Saturday night.

10) Pat Riley calls it “The Disease of Me”, when a team wins title(s), then struggles because everyone wants to take credit for the successes; seems like that’s what happened with the Red Sox, when the team stupidly canned Terry Francona because of a lateseason collapse in 2011.

Now Francona is writing another success story in Cleveland, when he should have a statue of himself standing outside Fenway Park. Francona ended The Curse of the Bambino; will there now be a Curse of Tito?

9) New Jersey governor Chris Christie reports that 80% of the Jersey Shore has been rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy wrecked it last fall. Lot of people spend their summer vacations on the shore.

8) If I was a TV network that showed NBA games, I’d think about signing Phil Jackson as a studio analyst, even if it meant he did reports from his home in Montana. Seems like the ol’ coach has a lot to say these days. Either that, or he’s just trying to sell copies of his new book.

7) Rams signed a free agent defensive lineman from Ole Miss named Terrell Brown who is 6-10, 403, almost as big as the late Andre the Giant; they moved Brown to offensive right tackle and might use him to try and block some field goals this fall.

6) Pirate pitcher Jason Grilli’s dad Steve pitched in the majors in late 70’s/ early 80’s; he was the losing pitcher in a 33-inning AAA game when he was playing for the Syracuse Chiefs in 1981, the longest pro baseball game ever played.

5) Heading into Friday’s play, batters who had come to the plate with the most men on base: Brandon Phillips 166, Prince Fielder/Miguel Cabrera 15, Jay Bruce 155.

4) Batters (minimum 100 PA) who knocked in the highest %age of baserunners in their AB’s: Ryan Zimmerman 26.3%, Freddie Freeman 26.1%, David Ortiz 25.3%.

3) Nick Punto has driven in six of seven runners from 3B, best %age in MLB; Freeman has knocked in 15 of 20. Zimmerman has knocked in nine of 21 runners from 2B (42.9%) best %age in MLB, Travis Snider has knocked in five of 14 (35.7%) from first base, which leads MLB.

2) Miguel Cabrera is first major leaguer with 55+ RBI in his team’s first 45 games since Manny Ramirez in 2001.

1) Pac-12/DirecTV standoff is still going on; would like that resolved this summer, so I can see some more late night ball this season. Only reason I get DirecTV is for the NFL Sunday Ticket—if I have three soccer channels, you’d think they’d find a way to show Pac-12 stuff, which college football/ basketball fans want to see.
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MLB
Dunkel

Pittsburgh at Milwaukee
The Pirates look to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to the Brewers yesterday and build on their 11-1 record in their last 12 games after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. Pittsburgh is the pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Pirates favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+105). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

Game 901-902: Colorado at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Nicasio) 16.394; San Francisco (Zito) 14.357
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2; 9
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+110); Over

Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wood) 14.797; Cincinnati (Bailey) 16.497
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-160); Under

Game 905-906: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.004; Milwaukee (Fiers) 13.989
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+105); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at Washington (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Pettibone) 14.710; Washington (Haren) 16.231
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Washington (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-150); Under

Game 909-910: St. Louis at LA Dodgers (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Gast) 16.502; LA Dodgers (Lilly) 14.531
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-110); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110); Over

Game 911-912: Atlanta at NY Mets (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Minor) 14.829; NY Mets (Gee) 15.220
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+140); Under

Game 913-914: San Diego at Arizona (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Cashner) 14.897; Arizona (Miley) 16.229
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135); Under

Game 915-916: Baltimore at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Garcia) 16.221; Toronto (Dickey) 15.395
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+130); Over

Game 917-918: Cleveland at Boston (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.126; Boston (Lester) 16.646
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210); Under

Game 919-920: LA Angels at Kansas City (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Buckner) 16.142; Kansas City (Guthrie) 14.405
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 921-922: Minnesota at Detroit (4:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Walters) 13.122; Detroit (Fister) 16.507
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 3 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-210); Under

Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Tampa Bay (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Nuno) 16.501; Tampa Bay (Moore) 15.150
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+145); Over

Game 925-926: Oakland at Houston (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Griffin) 14.281; Houston (Harrell) 14.721
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Under

Game 927-928: Texas at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Holland) 15.883; Seattle (Hernandez) 13.907
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over

Game 929-930: Miami at Chicago White Sox (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Nolasco) 13.520; White Sox (Peavy) 14.948
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-200); 7
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-200); Under
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[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 25

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COLORADO (27 - 21) at SAN FRANCISCO (26 - 22) - 4:05 PM
JUAN NICASIO (R) vs. BARRY ZITO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 156-227 (-51.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 29-49 (-25.7 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 24-46 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 23-45 (-19.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 55-43 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 131-95 (+26.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 61-37 (+19.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 131-93 (+28.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ZITO is 29-15 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 17-6 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 15-4 (+13.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 29-14 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 14-6 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 27-21 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 17-10 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
COLORADO is 27-21 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 4-4 (+0.3 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

JUAN NICASIO vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
NICASIO is 1-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.412.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

BARRY ZITO vs. COLORADO since 1997
ZITO is 8-3 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 2.74 and a WHIP of 1.181.
His team's record is 14-6 (+11.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-10. (-2.4 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (18 - 29) at CINCINNATI (30 - 18) - 4:10 PM
TRAVIS WOOD (L) vs. HOMER BAILEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 79-130 (-35.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 31-73 (-28.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-25 (-14.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-65 (-20.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 16-45 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 79-130 (-35.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 57-94 (-25.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 19-51 (-23.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 6-28 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 129-86 (+23.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 32-16 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 52-29 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 129-86 (+23.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 77-43 (+17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 101-87 (-37.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 318-340 (-78.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
BAILEY is 8-17 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 6-1 (+4.3 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

TRAVIS WOOD vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
WOOD is 0-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.146.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

HOMER BAILEY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
BAILEY is 5-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 5.12 and a WHIP of 1.586.
His team's record is 8-2 (+5.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-3. (+3.2 units)

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PITTSBURGH (29 - 19) at MILWAUKEE (19 - 27) - 4:10 PM
JEFF LOCKE (L) vs. MICHAEL FIERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 120-185 (-48.3 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
MILWAUKEE is 123-71 (+32.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 64-30 (+23.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 97-93 (+19.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 16-7 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-19 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 22-11 (+12.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 21-15 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 29-19 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-13 (+14.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 102-106 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 5-16 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 30-45 (-22.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 102-106 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 4-15 (-12.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-4 (-0.3 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
LOCKE is 0-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
FIERS is 1-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 6.13 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (23 - 25) at WASHINGTON (25 - 23) - 7:15 PM
JONATHAN PETTIBONE (R) vs. DAN HAREN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 104-106 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-20 (-13.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 104-103 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-55 (-16.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 51-63 (-21.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 125-90 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 82-55 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HAREN is 16-23 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 10-16 (-13.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 15-23 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 10-16 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 13-19 (-14.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 4-11 (-13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JONATHAN PETTIBONE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

DAN HAREN vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
HAREN is 0-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.14 and a WHIP of 1.409.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

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ST LOUIS (31 - 16) at LA DODGERS (19 - 27) - 7:15 PM
JOHN GAST (L) vs. TED LILLY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 31-16 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 17-8 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-16 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 19-27 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 6-14 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
LA DODGERS are 19-27 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 47-56 (-18.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 9-18 (-11.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JOHN GAST vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

TED LILLY vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LILLY is 7-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.66 and a WHIP of 0.962.
His team's record is 10-5 (+4.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-10. (-5.7 units)

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ATLANTA (28 - 18) at NY METS (17 - 27) - 7:15 PM
MIKE MINOR (L) vs. DILLON GEE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 122-87 (+22.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 59-48 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 57-30 (+24.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 120-86 (+21.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 81-51 (+22.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 77-44 (+25.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 10-1 (+9.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
NY METS are 47-65 (-21.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 39-65 (-20.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 17-27 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 45-60 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 271-282 (-80.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
NY METS are 17-27 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 48-75 (-26.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 29-48 (-17.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 1-1 (+0.8 Units) against ATLANTA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

MIKE MINOR vs. NY METS since 1997
MINOR is 3-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.64 and a WHIP of 1.383.
His team's record is 5-2 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-6. (-5.9 units)

DILLON GEE vs. ATLANTA since 1997
GEE is 3-2 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 5-3 (+4.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-6. (-4.7 units)

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SAN DIEGO (21 - 26) at ARIZONA (27 - 21) - 10:10 PM
ANDREW CASHNER (R) vs. WADE MILEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 24-54 (-21.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 101-147 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 138-109 (+26.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 19-12 (+11.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 22-32 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 9-20 (-15.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 37-41 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against ARIZONA this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

ANDREW CASHNER vs. ARIZONA since 1997
CASHNER is 0-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.19 and a WHIP of 0.649.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.6 units)

WADE MILEY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
MILEY is 1-3 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 6.28 and a WHIP of 1.710.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-4. (-3.4 units)

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BALTIMORE (26 - 22) at TORONTO (20 - 28) - 1:05 PM
FREDDY GARCIA (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 45-30 (+13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 122-94 (+41.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 50-38 (+15.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 63-47 (+34.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 24-13 (+18.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 15-8 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in road games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 22-12 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 57-43 (+23.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 40-24 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 87-67 (+30.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 65-56 (+14.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
GARCIA is 109-69 (+32.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
GARCIA is 16-5 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)
GARCIA is 86-47 (+28.3 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 3-2 (+1.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

FREDDY GARCIA vs. TORONTO since 1997
GARCIA is 8-8 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 5.90 and a WHIP of 1.688.
His team's record is 11-8 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-7. (+2.6 units)

R.A. DICKEY vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
DICKEY is 2-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP of 1.029.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-5. (-5.5 units)

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CLEVELAND (27 - 20) at BOSTON (29 - 20) - 1:35 PM
SCOTT KAZMIR (L) vs. JON LESTER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 27-20 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 16-7 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
CLEVELAND is 24-17 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KAZMIR is 56-47 (+23.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 98-113 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 8-13 (-10.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
BOSTON is 2-7 (-11.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 48-58 (-30.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-34 (-23.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 82-102 (-41.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 447-333 (-57.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
BOSTON is 47-69 (-27.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LESTER is 37-38 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 1-7 (-12.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 8-13 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 8-13 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 7-15 (-12.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-1 (+2.7 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. BOSTON since 1997
KAZMIR is 8-8 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.21 and a WHIP of 1.468.
His team's record is 15-13 (+9.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 17-11. (+5.6 units)

JON LESTER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
LESTER is 6-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 3.27 and a WHIP of 1.144.
His team's record is 9-3 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-4. (+3.0 units)

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LA ANGELS (21 - 27) at KANSAS CITY (21 - 24) - 2:10 PM
BILLY BUCKNER (R) vs. JEREMY GUTHRIE (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 3-2 (+0.7 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BILLY BUCKNER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

JEREMY GUTHRIE vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GUTHRIE is 3-4 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.95 and a WHIP of 1.027.
His team's record is 4-6 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-8. (-6.4 units)

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MINNESOTA (18 - 27) at DETROIT (27 - 19) - 4:05 PM
P.J. WALTERS (R) vs. DOUG FISTER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-3 (-0.2 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.6 Units)

P.J. WALTERS vs. DETROIT since 1997
WALTERS is 1-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 2-2 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)

DOUG FISTER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
FISTER is 3-6 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.160.
His team's record is 3-6 (-4.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-3. (+1.5 units)

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NY YANKEES (29 - 18) at TAMPA BAY (24 - 23) - 4:10 PM
VIDAL NUNO (L) vs. MATT MOORE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 96-39 (+32.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 487-577 (+19.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
MOORE is 9-0 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 29-18 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 17-8 (+8.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
NY YANKEES are 23-11 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 2-2 (+0.8 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

VIDAL NUNO vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT MOORE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
MOORE is 3-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.99 and a WHIP of 1.296.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (26 - 23) at HOUSTON (14 - 34) - 7:15 PM
A.J. GRIFFIN (R) vs. LUCAS HARRELL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 75-46 (+35.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 53-30 (+24.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 122-94 (+39.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 39-28 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 57-52 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 10-3 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
OAKLAND is 116-88 (+37.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 86-55 (+41.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 83-58 (+33.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
GRIFFIN is 19-6 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 18-6 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 13-4 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 12-1 (+11.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 82-163 (-48.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 3-23 (-15.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 69-140 (-41.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 4-21 (-15.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
HOUSTON is 198-234 (-59.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday since 1997.
HOUSTON is 69-140 (-41.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 50-104 (-32.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 7-0 (+7.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.1 Units)

A.J. GRIFFIN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
GRIFFIN is 0-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

LUCAS HARRELL vs. OAKLAND since 1997
HARRELL is 0-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 16.63 and a WHIP of 2.771.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

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TEXAS (31 - 17) at SEATTLE (20 - 28) - 10:10 PM
DEREK HOLLAND (L) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 65-58 (-17.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 20-4 (+15.8 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 17-5 (+11.3 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
HOLLAND is 40-16 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 101-112 (-40.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday since 1997.
HERNANDEZ is 16-27 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 6-2 (+3.6 Units) against SEATTLE this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.5 Units)

DEREK HOLLAND vs. SEATTLE since 1997
HOLLAND is 6-2 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.77 and a WHIP of 1.151.
His team's record is 6-3 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-6. (-3.2 units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 12-17 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.77 and a WHIP of 1.260.
His team's record is 14-21 (-14.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 18-13. (+3.6 units)

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MIAMI (13 - 35) at CHI WHITE SOX (22 - 24) - 7:15 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. JAKE PEAVY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 47-78 (-26.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-35 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MIAMI is 13-35 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MIAMI is 54-85 (-27.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 30-20 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 169-124 (+39.4 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
MIAMI is 25-17 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games in May games over the last 3 seasons.
NOLASCO is 56-45 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 54-44 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 43-28 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 17-8 (+12.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 42-50 (-26.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against MIAMI this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
NOLASCO is 0-1 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 13.51 and a WHIP of 1.876.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

JAKE PEAVY vs. MIAMI since 1997
PEAVY is 4-4 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 3.16 and a WHIP of 1.130.
His team's record is 4-4 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-3. (+1.6 units)