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

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday, May 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Colorado 2 Final Colorado -174 500
Houston 1 Under 9 500

Baltimore - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore -107 500
Washington - Under 8.5 500

Pittsburgh - 7:08 PM ET Pittsburgh +139 500 POD # 1
Detroit - Under 9.5 500

Philadelphia - 7:10 PM ET Boston -132 500
Boston - Under 8 500

Cleveland - 7:10 PM ET Cleveland +134 500 POD # 5
Cincinnati - Under 8.5 500

Miami - 7:10 PM ET Miami +223 500 POD # 4
Tampa Bay - Over 7.5 500

NY Yankees - 7:10 PM ET NY Yankees +113 500 POD # 6
NY Mets - Over 6.5 500

Chi. Cubs - 8:10 PM ET Chi. Cubs +177 500 POD # 8
Chi. White Sox -Over 7.5 500

St. Louis - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -114 500
Kansas City - Under 9 500

Minnesota - 8:10 PM ET Minnesota +115 500 POD # 7
Milwaukee - Over 9 500

San Francisco - 10:05 PM ET San Francisco +131 500 POD # 3
Oakland - Under 8.5 500

LA Angels - 10:10 PM ET LA Angels +118 500 POD # 2
LA Dodgers - Under 8 500

San Diego - 10:10 PM ET Seattle -105 500
Seattle - Under 8 500

[StarDust Bum]

Around the Horn - Wednesday

May 28, 2013


INTERLEAGUE


Chicago (A) at Chicago (N) - 2:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Chicago White Sox Danks (0-0, 4.50 ERA) 24-25 1-7 away Game 1's

Chicago Cubs Feldman (4-4, 2.80 ERA) 20-30 OVER 9-3 L12 home

-- Both teams postponed due to rain on Tuesday



Washington at Baltimore - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Washington Nationals Zimmermann (8-2, 1.71 ERA) 27-25 OVER 7-3-1 L11 overall

Baltimore Orioles Tillman (4-2, 3.68 ERA) 28-24 1-4 L5 Game 1's

-- Nationals beat Orioles, 9-3 on Tuesday



Boston at Philadelphia - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Boston Red Sox Lackey (3-4, 2.72 ERA) 32-21 1-4 L5 away Game 1's

Philadelphia Phillies Kendrick (4-3, 3.29 ERA) 25-27 3-7 L10 as home favorites

-- Phillies beat Red Sox, 3-1 on Tuesday



Cincinnati at Cleveland - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Cincinnati Reds Arroyo (5-4, 3.39 ERA) 33-19 10-2 L12 away

Cleveland Indians Masterson (7-3, 3.20 ERA) 27-24 8-1 L9 as home favorite

-- Reds beat Indians, 8-2 on Tuesday



New York (N) at New York (A) - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

New York Mets Hefner (0-5, 4.76 ERA) 20-29 OVER 5-1-1 L7 away Game 1's

New York Yankees Phelps (3-2, 3.96 ERA) 30-21 5-2 L17 home Game 1's

-- Mets beat Yankees, 2-1 on Tuesday



Detroit at Pittsburgh - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Detroit Tigers Sanchez (5-4, 2.38 ERA) 29-21 6-3 L9 as away favorite

Pittsburgh Pirates Burnett (3-5, 2.57 ERA) 32-20 8-1 L9 home

-- Pirates beat Tigers, 1-0 on Tuesday



Toronto at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Toronto Blue Jays Rogers (1-2, 4.56 ERA) 22-30 2-5 away Game 1's

Atlanta Braves Medlen (1-5, 3.16 ERA) 31-20 6-1 home Game 1's

-- Braves beat Blue Jays, 7-6 on Tuesday



Tampa Bay at Miami - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Tampa Bay Rays Hernandez (2-5, 5.73 ERA) 27-24 OVER 4-0 L4 away Game 1's

Miami Marlins Koehler (0-2, 3.18 ERA) 13-39 UNDER 4-1 L5 home

-- Rays beat Marlins, 7-6 on Tuesday



Arizona at Texas - 8:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Arizona Diamondbacks McCarthy (2-3, 4.36 ERA) 30-22 6-1 L7 Game 1's

Texas Rangers Grimm (4-3, 4.05 ERA) 32-20 UNDER 9-3 L12 home

-- Diamondbacks beat Rangers, 5-3 on Monday (G1/DH)
-- Diamondbacks beat Rangers, 5-4 on Monday (G2/DH)



Milwaukee at Minnesota - 8:10 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Milwaukee Brewers Estrada (4-2, 4.94 ERA) 19-31 2-9 L11 away

Minnesota Twins Deduno (0-1, 10.13 ERA) 21-28 2-7 L9 home

-- Twins beat Brewers, 6-5 on Tuesday



Kansas City at St. Louis - 8:15 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Kansas City Royals Mendoza (1-2, 5.05 ERA) 21-28 1-7 L8 vs. RHP

St. Louis Cardinals Lynn (7-1, 2.95 ERA) 34-17 9-3 L12 as home favorite

-- Cardinals beat Royals, 4-1 on Tuesday



Houston at Colorado - 8:40 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Houston Astros Bedard (0-2, 5.68 ERA) 15-37 1-4 L5 away Game 1's

Colorado Rockies Chatwood (3-0, 1.90 ERA) 28-24 UNDER 4-0 L4 home

-- Rockies beat Astros, 2-1 on Tuesday



Los Angeles (N) at Los Angeles (A) - 10:05 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Los Angeles Dodgers Capuano (1-3, 5.60 ERA) 22-28 1-6 L7 as away underdog

Los Angeles Angels Weaver (0-1, 4.91 ERA) 23-29 1-4 L5 home Game 1's

-- Dodgers beat Angels, 3-0 on Tuesday



Seattle at San Diego - 10:10 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Seattle Mariners Saunders (3-5, 6.09 ERA) 22-30 3-9 L12 away

San Diego Padres Stults (4-4, 4.22 ERA) 23-28 6-0 L6 as home favorite

-- Padres beat Mariners, 6-1 on Tuesday



Oakland at San Francisco - 10:15 PM EST (Game 1/2)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Oakland Athletics Milone (4-5, 3.80 ERA) 30-23 6-2 L8 away

San Francisco Giants Lincecum (3-4, 4.75 ERA) 28-24 7-2 L9 as home favorite

-- Athletics beat Giants, 6-3 on Tuesday

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, May 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore -111 500
Baltimore - Under 8.5 500

Boston - 7:05 PM ET Philadelphia +121 500 POD # 6
Philadelphia - Under 8.5 500

Cincinnati - 7:05 PM ET Cleveland -137 500
Cleveland - Over 8.5 500

Detroit - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +111 500 POD # 1
Pittsburgh - Under 7 500

NY Mets - 7:05 PM ET NY Mets +174 500 POD # 7
NY Yankees - Over 8.5 500

Toronto - 7:10 PM ET Toronto +170 500 POD # 5
Atlanta - Over 8 500

Tampa Bay - 7:10 PM ET Tampa Bay -159 500
Miami - Over 7.5 500

Arizona - 8:05 PM ET Texas -135 500
Texas - Under 9.5 500

Milwaukee - 8:10 PM ET Minnesota +106 500 POD # 8
Minnesota - Over 8.5 500

Kansas City - 8:15 PM ET Kansas City +177 500 POD # 3
St. Louis - Under 8 500

Houston - 8:40 PM ET Houston +214 500 POD # 4
Colorado - Over 10 500

LA Dodgers - 10:05 PM ET LA Angels -185 500
LA Angels - Under 8 500

Seattle - 10:10 PM ET San Diego -159 500
San Diego - Under 7.5 500

Oakland - 10:15 PM ET Oakland +115 500 POD # 2
San Francisco - Over 7.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Yesterday's POD'S GO 8 - 1........

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

05/29/13 18-*8-*1 69.23% +*6205 Detail

05/28/13 11-*13-*0 45.83% -*1220 Detail
05/27/13 18-*13-*1 58.06% +*1795 Detail
05/26/13 17-*11-*2 60.71% +*3080 Detail
05/25/13 16-*14-*0 53.33% +*660 Detail
05/24/13 9-*18-*1 33.33% -*5175 Detail
05/23/13 3-*5-*0 37.50% -*1375 Detail
05/22/13 9-*16-*3 36.00% -*3760 Detail
05/21/13 17-*13-*0 56.67% +*2015 Detail
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 355-*373-*17 48.76% -*18125

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Thursday

May 30, 2013


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Braves are 11-0 since May 2011 as a home 140+ favorite after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $1100.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Yankees are 0-10 OU since April 29, 2012 at home when they are off a loss in which they never led and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $1000 when playing the under.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Jake Peavy starts the White Sox are 0-13 since July 26, 2011 as a dog vs a team that has hit more grounders than fly balls season-to-date for a net profit of $1300 when playing against.

MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Cardinals are 2-21 (+$2,458) since 2011 when on a 4+ game winning streak, if one of their last two wins was by more than one run and they used less than seven pitchers last game.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Brewers are 0-8 since April 25, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a loss in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $815 when playing against.

-- The Blue Jays are 10-0 OU since August 28, 2009 as a 140+ dog after scoring 3 runs or less and winning as a dog for a net profit of $1000 when playing the over.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (30-22) at Rangers (32-20)

Game: 4
Venue: Chase Field
Date: May 30, 2013 2:05 PM EDT


The Texas Rangers have lost a season-high three straight and now must face a red-hot Brandon McCarthy.

The right-hander has been stellar over his last three outings for the Arizona Diamondbacks heading into Thursday's matchup in Arlington.

Texas (32-20) was swept Monday in a doubleheader at Arizona after falling 4-3 in 13 innings at Seattle on Sunday.

"(Sunday) we had a chance to win the game and today we had a chance to win both of those games,' catcher A.J. Pierzynski said after 5-3 and 5-4 defeats in Phoenix. "It just wasn't meant to be."

Wednesday's contest wasn't meant to be, either, and was postponed due to unplayable field conditions caused by a severe thunderstorm about an hour before the game was scheduled to start.

The contest will be made up at a later date, likely Aug. 15, a mutual off day for both teams.

The Rangers will still see a familiar face on the mound in McCarthy (2-3, 4.36 ERA), who pitched for them from 2007-09 before spending the last two seasons with Oakland. McCarthy has gone 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA in three starts in Arlington since leaving the Rangers.

However, he's allowed one run over 24 innings in his last three starts. He has won back-to-back outings, giving up one run in seven innings of a 5-2 victory over San Diego on Friday.

"That was his third (quality start) in a row, threw the ball the same way," manager Kirk Gibson said. "Just really good command of what he was doing, pretty efficient."

Only one hitter in the majors has faced McCarthy more than Texas' Adrian Beltre, who is 13 for 31 (.419) with two homers against him. McCarthy has fared better against Elvis Andrus (3 for 18) and Nelson Cruz (1 for 17).

Andrus is hitting .227 at home while Cruz is at .215.

Mitch Moreland has gone 6 for 15 with two homers against McCarthy and is batting .338 at home.

Like McCarthy, Justin Grimm (4-3, 4.05) has won his last two outings. Grimm yielded three runs and a season-high 10 hits over 6 1-3 innings in a 9-5 victory at Seattle on Friday.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA at home as he heads into his first start against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona (30-22) has won three straight entering a nine-game trip. The Diamondbacks are 14-10 on the road, but 4-10 all-time at Texas.

"We've been pretty good on the road," Gibson said. "These guys get along well, they prepare well and we've got a good routine."

Gerardo Parra, who left the second game Monday with a strained left calf, was in the lineup Wednesday before the game was rained out.

Willie Bloomquist is close to making his season debut for Arizona. The infielder has been rehabbing in the minors after starting 2013 on the disabled list with a strained right intercostal muscle.

Arizona's Martin Prado has nine hits in his last 16 at_bats, but he's a .200 hitter on the road compared to .311 at home.

Texas' Ian Kinsler (bruised ribs) was eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday before suffering a setback with what the team termed a stress reaction in that same area on his right side.

"We're probably looking at another couple of weeks," general manager Jon Daniels said.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Diamondbacks
Mon, May 27 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Diamondbacks
Mon, May 27 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Rangers
Wed, May 29 - 8:05PM EDT

Recaps
GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Rangers
Thu, May 30 - 2:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (24-26) at Cubs (21-30)

Game: 4
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 30, 2013 2:20 PM EDT


While attempting to bounce back from his worst outing of the season, Travis Wood will try to help the Chicago Cubs to their longest win streak in 2013 and claim the Crosstown Cup for the first time.

Wood will also seek to outduel Jake Peavy again in his second career start against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

Before his most recent outing, Wood (4-3, 2.73 ERA) was the first Cubs pitcher to open the season with nine consecutive quality starts since Hall of Famer Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown in 1908. The left-hander couldn't keep that streak going against his former team in a 5-2 loss at Cincinnati Saturday.

Wood gave up one run in his first five innings before allowing four in the sixth.

"That's baseball," Wood told the team's website. "I kind of lost it, throwing it up in the zone (in the sixth). I wasn't executing."

With Wood's help, the Cubs (21-30) will try to win four straight for the first time since Sept. 7-10. Dioner Navarro hit three home runs Wednesday in a 9-3 victory, becoming the team's first catcher to pull off that feat since George Mitterwald in 1974.

"It was one of those days," said Navarro, who drove in a career-high six runs. "I feel good about it, but the most important thing is we got the W."

The Cubs have outscored the White Sox 16-3 in the first two of four meetings between the teams. Tuesday's rainout has yet to be rescheduled, but the Cubs can wrap up the Crosstown Cup for the first time in the four years of its existence with a win Thursday.

"These are the series that kind of get you going back in the right direction because the adrenaline is at another level," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

Wood will try to lead the way while earning his second win in as many matchups with the White Sox. In his only other meeting, he beat Peavy in a 2-1 victory at U.S. Cellular Field on June 19.

Peavy pitched a complete game, giving up five hits and one walk, while Wood allowed one run over six innings.

Peavy (6-2, 2.97) heads into this start after nearly recording a shutout over Miami on Saturday. He gave up a solo homer in the ninth in a 2-1 victory, his fifth in seven outings.

"You hope to win those if you go nine and give up one," Peavy told the team's website.

Peavy will next try to help the White Sox (24-26) avoid their first three-game skid since April 27-30. He's 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his last six starts against the Cubs and 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his past two at Wrigley Field.

Before facing their crosstown rivals, the White Sox had won nine of 12 and three in a row. The Cubs, meanwhile, had dropped six of seven.

The White Sox's three straight road losses are their most since starting 0-5 there this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at White Sox
Mon, May 27 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at White Sox
Tue, May 28 - 8:10PM EDT
Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Cubs
Wed, May 29 Final 3 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
White Sox at Cubs
Thu, May 30 - 2:20PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (22-31) at Padres (24-28)

Game: 4
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 30, 2013 3:40 PM EDT


Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez hasn't been at his best lately.

A start against the San Diego Padres could change that.

Hernandez will try to win a fifth straight start at San Diego and help the Mariners end their seven-game road losing streak in the series finale Thursday.

Hernandez (5-4, 2.51 ERA) has posted an 8.44 ERA while losing his last two outings after going 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his previous six starts. He's failed to pitch at least six innings in consecutive starts for the first time since May 1 and 7, 2010 after lasting 5 2-3 in a 5-2 loss to Texas on Saturday.

"The last couple of games he hasn't been his typical self, that's for sure,' manager Eric Wedge said after the right-hander allowed five runs and a season-high 11 hits.

Hernandez, though, has posted a 1.10 ERA during his winning streak at San Diego. He threw seven innings of one-run ball in a 5-1 victory June 23 in his most recent appearance there.

He'll now try to help the Mariners (22-31) snap their road skid - their longest since an eight-game slide April 12-May 12, 2012 - following a 3-2, 10-inning defeat Wednesday. Seattle was three outs from ending that losing streak after Jason Bay's ninth-inning solo homer, but closer Tom Wilhelmsen yielded the tying run in the ninth and Will Venable knocked in a run in the 10th.

The Padres (24-28), seeking a third consecutive victory, have won eight of 11 against the Mariners. They'll try to make it three of four in this split-venue series with Andrew Cashner (4-2, 3.38) on the mound.

Since joining the rotation April 20, the right-hander has gone 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven games. The Padres have won five of those, including the last four after Cashner surrendered four runs in six-plus innings of a 10-4 victory at Arizona on Saturday.

San Diego has scored 23 runs in his last two outings, during which Cashner has gone 2 for 5 with an RBI.

He'll make his second appearance against the Mariners. He earned his first career save in the last one, a 3-2, 13-inning victory at Seattle on June 24, 2010, while with the Chicago Cubs.

The Mariners team he'll face has totaled three runs and eight hits in two games since a 9-0 series-opening victory Monday. Seattle struck out 13 times Wednesday.

"We have got to get the offense going,' Wedge said. "That's what sticks with you during runs like this. We're not scoring enough runs and we're inconsistent. The guys have to step up.'

Seattle will be without left fielder Michael Morse for a second straight game, but first baseman Justin Smoak could be back in the lineup after returning from a four-game absence Wednesday, flying out in a pinch-hitting appearance.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Mariners
Mon, May 27 Final 0 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Mariners
Tue, May 28 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mariners at Padres
Wed, May 29 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Mariners at Padres
Thu, May 30 - 3:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (31-23) at Giants (28-25)

Game: 4
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: May 30, 2013 3:45 PM EDT


Perhaps the highlight of the Oakland Athletics' current surge would be a four-game season series sweep of their Bay Area rivals.

The A's can do so with a seventh consecutive victory Thursday against the San Francisco Giants, who look to remain undefeated at home with Barry Zito on the mound.

Oakland (31-23) had dropped 10 of 15 versus San Francisco heading into this week, but after holding the Giants to four runs in the first two at home, then winning 9-6 on Wednesday, it's in position to record the first regular-season sweep in the history of the Bay Bridge Series.

"This has been a lot of fun," said Oakland rookie Nate Freiman, who is 6 for 11 with a homer and seven RBIs in the last four games.

The A's secured their first winning season series over the Giants since 2008 and won for the 11th time in 12 games Wednesday, as Freiman drove in three runs and San Francisco committed three errors.

"That's probably the most fun I've had in a long time outside of the playoffs. People are competing,' said third baseman Josh Donaldson, who had two hits and made a couple of key defensive gems. "Good, clean fun. It was awesome.'

Teammate Yoenis Cespedes tripled to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. The second-year outfielder has eight RBIs during the stretch.

With Wednesday's victory, the A's have now won two straight at San Francisco after losing 11 in a row there.

The Giants (28-25), meanwhile, have lost 10 of 15.

"This is a tough stretch,' manager Bruce Bochy said. "We've got to get our act together.'

San Francisco, however, is 6-0 at home this season when Zito (3-3, 4.14 ERA) takes the ball.

The 2002 Cy Young award winner with Oakland, Zito has won his last two against the A's at home despite a 4.38 ERA.

Though Zito's teammates have fared well behind him at home, the left-hander has given up 17 runs and 30 hits over 17 1-3 innings to go 0-2 in his last three starts overall. He allowed four runs in six innings of a 6-5, 10-inning home victory over Colorado on Saturday.

Zito gave up two runs in 33 innings while going 3-0 in his first five at home.

The A's counter with A.J. Griffin (5-3, 3.84), who is 2-0 in his last three starts but allowed four runs, including three solo homers, and struck out seven in 5 2-3 innings of an 11-5 win at Houston on Saturday.

"Other than the home runs, I felt all right,' Griffin said. "Those home runs happen, so obviously, you have a little bitter taste in your mouth at the end of the day.

"I made it 5 2-3, and I always would like to make it 6, 7, 8. I just tried to keep us in the game and keep making pitches.'

As a rookie last season, the right-hander allowed a two-run homer to Buster Posey and two other hits over six innings of a 4-2 home win over the Giants.

Posey is 1 for 12 with two RBIs versus Oakland this week after batting .421 during a 10-game hitting streak.

San Francisco's Hunter Pence had three hits Wednesday, including his second home run in as many nights.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Athletics
Mon, May 27 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Athletics
Tue, May 28 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Athletics at Giants
Wed, May 29 Final 9 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Athletics at Giants
Thu, May 30 - 3:45PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Early Day Games:

Thursday, May 30

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Arizona - 2:05 PM ET Texas -141 500
Texas- Under 9.5 500

Chi. White Sox - 2:20 PM ET Chi. White Sox -111 500
Chi. Cubs - Over 11 500

Seattle - 3:40 PM ET San Diego +112 500 POD
San Diego - Under 6.5 500

Oakland - 3:45 PM ET Oakland -107 500
San Francisco - Under 7.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (27-26) at Orioles (29-24)

Game: 4
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis and Manny Machado are unexpectedly among the AL's leading hitters.

They're showing the Washington Nationals why.

Davis and Machado look to continue their outstanding production as the Orioles attempt to take the Beltway Series from the visiting Nationals on Thursday night.

Davis tops the majors with 19 homers, while his 50 RBIs and .359 average put the first baseman among the league leaders in those categories.

Machado's .332 average also puts him among elite company in the AL.

The 20-year-old third baseman batted .262 in 51 games as a rookie last year. Davis wasn't much better with a .270 average, but did set career highs with 33 homers and 85 RBIs.

Davis has been extremely hot lately, batting .432 over the past 19 games. He's 18 for 30 with six homers and nine RBIs in the past eight contests.

Machado has a .405 average over that stretch, including five hits to help the Orioles (29-24) win two of three from Washington (27-26) this week.

Davis has eight hits - three homers - in that span. He homered on two of his four hits Wednesday, driving in three to help Baltimore overcome a four-run deficit to win 9-6 in the opener of this two-game set at Camden Yards.

"He's been doing that the whole year, so every home run he hits from now on is just another one," Machado said. "It's impressive pop. He's a tremendous hitter and he's swinging the bat well."

Davis may be in for a stiffer test since Washington is scheduled to send Dan Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA) to the mound. He's 2 for 10 with five strikeouts against the right-hander.

Haren, however, is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA over his last three starts.

He rebounded from a dismal performance in a 13-4 loss at San Diego with a much better showing Saturday against Philadelphia. Haren gave up three runs over six innings and struck out a season-high 10 before leaving without a decision in a 5-3 loss.

"The game against the Padres, my arm felt heavy," Haren told the team's official website. "It felt like I was throwing a softball. I just didn't throw good. ... Stuff-wise, (Saturday), is about as good as I've had all year. I just made a couple of mistakes. If I'm throwing like (that), we'll be good."

Haren is 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in his last two starts at Baltimore, but this is his first appearance there since being tagged for seven runs in five innings of a defeat with the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 16, 2011.

Washington wasted Ryan Zimmerman's first career three-homer game Wednesday, losing for the fifth time in six road contests. Zimmerman is 7 for 12 over the past three days and is a career .335 hitter against the Orioles.

He's hitless in four at_bats against scheduled starter Freddy Garcia (1-2, 4.61), who is looking to build on his first win since August.

The right-hander allowed three runs - two earned - in five innings of Saturday's 6-5 win at Toronto. He had been 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight starts, dating to a win over Texas with the New York Yankees on Aug. 15.

Garcia's latest appearance against the Nationals was two perfect innings of relief to earn a 5-3 win in 14 on June 16. He hasn't faced them as a starter since a victory with the Chicago White Sox on June 20, 2010.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Nationals
Mon, May 27 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Orioles at Nationals
Tue, May 28 Final 3 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Orioles
Wed, May 29 Final 6 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Nationals at Orioles
Thu, May 30 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (21-29) at Yankees (30-22)

Game: 4
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The New York Mets have gone four years without sweeping the New York Yankees and have never posted a perfect record against their crosstown rivals in any season.

On Thursday night, the Mets will have a chance to pull off both feats as the teams close out the first edition of the new four-game home-and-home Subway Series.

The Mets (21-29), after losing five straight and 20 of 27 overall, are now on a season-best four-game winning streak, led by a resurgent offense that has piled up a number of clutch hits against the Yankees (30-22).

Following a pair of wins against the Yankees that came down to the latter innings, the Mets burst out for five runs in the first Wednesday and cruised to a 9-4 victory. The Mets entered the night having scored five or fewer runs in 22 straight games.

"Some great at_bats in the first inning,' Mets manager Terry Collins said. "I just think there's a different attitude in the clubhouse.'

Slumping first baseman Ike Davis has two multi-hit performances in his last four games. Mired in a 4-for-53 skid entering Wednesday, Davis came up with a two-run single in the first inning.

"That's a five-star at-bat if you ask me. With guys in scoring position, that was huge,' catcher John Buck said. "You can just see the quality of his at_bats literally the last week. They're completely different.'

David Wright contributed a pair of runs Wednesday and is 5 for 11 with four runs in three games against them this season. He's a .322 lifetime hitter against the crosstown rivals.

Hoping to emerge out of his own skid, Dillon Gee (2-6, 6.34 ERA) will look to pick up his first win since May 1 for the Mets. He has posted an 8.36 ERA over his last three starts, with opposing batters hitting .373 off of him.

The right-hander has surrendered three or more runs in seven of his 10 starts, including Saturday against Atlanta. Gee allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 6-0 loss.

He's been particularly bad on the road this season, going 1-3 with a 9.97 ERA, but pitched well in his lone career start in the Bronx. Gee limited the Yankees to three runs over seven innings in his second start against them June 9, but was on the wrong end of a 4-2 final.

Wednesday's loss was the season-high fourth straight for the Yankees, who have scored nine runs during that skid.

"I think we know what we're capable of doing. We just haven't been swinging the bats well,' center fielder Brett Gardner said. "The Mets have really had our number.'

Vidal Nuno (1-1, 1.93) is used to getting little support from his teammates. The Yankees have given him just two runs in two starts this season.

The rookie left-hander has been very good in both outings, yielding two runs and eight hits in 11 innings. He didn't receive a decision at Tampa Bay on Saturday after giving up two runs in six innings of a 4-3 victory.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Mets
Mon, May 27 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Mets
Tue, May 28 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Yankees
Wed, May 29 Final 9 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Mets at Yankees
Thu, May 30 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 5
Red Sox at Yankees
Fri, May 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 6
Red Sox at Yankees
Sat, Jun 1 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 7
Red Sox at Yankees
Sun, Jun 2 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (33-20) at Indians (28-24)

Game: 4
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Cincinnati Reds haven't managed to beat the Cleveland Indians on the road in more than three years. Homer Bailey may be particularly motivated to change that.

Bailey looks to continue his impressive stretch and help the Reds snap an eight-game losing streak at Progressive Field to clinch the Ohio Cup on Thursday night.

Cincinnati (33-20) is averaging 3.3 runs during its losing streak in Cleveland. The road woes against the Indians continued with a 5-2 loss Wednesday after the Reds outscored them 12-4 while taking two games at home to open the series.

Bailey (3-3, 3.08) is scheduled to get a chance to end the slide, which started with him on the mound May 23, 2010. Tightness in his right shoulder forced him to leave the 4-3 loss after 2 1-3 innings, and he didn't get a decision after allowing three runs.

The right-hander has given up five runs in 14 innings over two starts against the Indians since, but he's gotten one total run of support.

Bailey, though, has received ample help of late while going 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA over his last three starts, with one complete game. He's gotten 13 runs of support over that stretch.

The lineup came through again for him Saturday, when he yielded two runs in six innings with eight strikeouts in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The Reds would like to end the road skid to the Indians heading into Friday's opener of a three-game set in Pittsburgh. They're tied with the Pirates for second in the NL Central, 2 1/2 games back of St. Louis.

Manager Dusty Baker, however, feels it's too early to think about the division race.

"I'm not worried about all year," Baker told the team's official website. "I'm worried about now. The only thing you can control is now. You can look at it both ways. We haven't caught them, but they haven't run off from us either."

The Indians are 1 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Detroit after ending their season high-tying five-game losing streak.

"We had a bad week," manager Terry Francona said. "That's part of the season. I feel every bit as good about our club right now that I did 10 days ago - maybe better because I've seen the fight they have in them."

Francona may feel even better if Michael Brantley can improve upon his 1-for-14 performance over the past four games. Despite going 0 for 3 on Wednesday, he owns a career .333 average in seven meetings with Cincinnati.

Brantley homered on his only hit in seven at_bats versus Bailey, while Mark Reynolds is 3 for 7 with a solo shot.

Scott Kazmir (2-2, 5.94) is scheduled to face the Reds for the first time. The left-hander has gone 0-1 with a 7.62 ERA in his last three starts.

He battled control issues Saturday, walking four and allowing two runs with six strikeouts in five innings of a 7-4 loss at Boston. Kazmir, who threw a season-high 107 pitches, didn't get the decision.

He'll try to cool off Shin-Soo Choo, who is 5 for 11 against the Indians this week. The center fielder, who spent his last six-plus years with Cleveland, mustered a single in his return to Progressive Field on Wednesday.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Reds
Mon, May 27 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Reds
Tue, May 28 Final 2 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Indians
Wed, May 29 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Reds at Indians
Thu, May 30 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (32-22) at Phillies (26-27)

Game: 4
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: May 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Paced by Domonic Brown's hot bat, the Philadelphia Phillies are again in position to reach .500 for the first time since early April.

They can achieve that feat with a third consecutive victory over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

Brown hit two of Philadelphia's four home runs in a 4-3 win over Boston on Wednesday. Winners of 10 of 16, the Phillies (26-27) can move back to the break-even mark for the first time since they were 6-6 on April 14.

This is the third time in the last week that Philadelphia has had a chance to even its record. The Phillies have won three in a row three times this season.

"We still have a way to go, but things are going to click," closer Jonathan Papelbon told the Phillies' official website. "It feels like our hitting and pitching are starting to sync up, and I think if we do that we can do a lot of damage in the NL East."

Brown is batting .306 with seven of his team-high 13 home runs and 17 RBIs in his last 18 games. All four of his hits in 12 at_bats against the Red Sox (32-22) this week have left the park.

"I'm seeing it pretty well,' said Brown, who has 10 homers in May. "I'm getting good pitches to hit. After the first at-bat (Wednesday), I swung at a bad pitch, I told myself to wait for one to handle.'

Papelbon, the ex-Red Sox pitcher, converted his 11th save in as many tries and second straight against his former team Wednesday.

Boston has totaled four runs and 11 hits in the last two games after scoring 30 times during a four-game winning streak. That run ended following a 9-3 home win over Philadelphia on Monday.

Boston star Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 3 with an RBI hours after he acknowledged that he's been playing with a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, suffered when he dove into first base in the season opener. The injury has not kept the second baseman from batting .332 with three homers and 29 RBIs while playing every game this year.

"I didn't expect this to come out,' he said. "As players here, we all want our medical stuff to stay private. I kind of feel uncomfortable talking about it.'

Pedroia and the Red Sox get their first look at Philadelphia rookie Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.21 ERA), who has not allowed more than three runs in his first seven career starts.

The right-hander gave up three runs and a season-high nine hits while striking out six in six innings of a 5-3 win at Washington on Saturday. The Phillies are 6-1 with him on the mound.

Boston's Franklin Morales will make his 2013 debut after back and pectoral problems delayed his start to the season.

"It was a little frustrating," Morales told the Red Sox's official website. "But right now, I'm healthy. I want to be ready for any situation the manager needs me."

The left-hander went 3-4 with a 3.77 ERA in 37 appearances - nine starts - for Boston in 2012. He's gone 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA in four relief appearances and one start, which came in 2007 while with Colorado, against Philadelphia.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Red Sox
Mon, May 27 Final 3 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Red Sox
Tue, May 28 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Phillies
Wed, May 29 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Red Sox at Phillies
Thu, May 30 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (29-22) at Pirates (33-20)

Game: 4
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


In the midst of his latest scoreless stretch, Jeff Locke has another chance to help the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their surge.

The surprising left-hander looks for a third straight winning start while trying to help the Pirates extend their season-high home winning streak to six games Thursday night against the Detroit Tigers.

Locke (5-1, 2.45 ERA) has not allowed a run in 14 straight innings and yielded six hits while overcoming five walks to win his last two starts. He went 15 consecutive innings without giving up a run earlier this season.

Since going 1-1 with a 5.17 ERA in his first three starts, Locke is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in the last six.

"You're seeing him grow up before your eyes,' manager Clint Hurdle said of the 25-year-old Locke, who was 1-6 with a 5.82 ERA in 10 starts the previous two seasons for Pittsburgh (33-20).

He allowed three hits and struck out a season-high seven in six innings of a 5-2 win at Milwaukee on Saturday.

"That kid has good stuff. He doesn't miss many pitches,' Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Gomez said. "You have to tip your hat to the good job he did (Saturday). That kid is going to be one that people talk a lot about in the future.'

Locke makes his first appearance versus Detroit (29-22), which had won six of seven, including 6-5 at home over Pittsburgh on Monday, before dropping the last two in this home-and-home.

Neil Walker homered for the second straight night and Pedro Alvarez's two-run double highlighted a four-run seventh to help the Pirates rally from two down to win 5-3 on Wednesday. Pittsburgh has won 15 of 19 overall, and seven of nine at home over the Tigers.

"I don't think as a team we ever check out in the seventh inning,' Pittsburgh outfielder Travis Snider said. "We've had a lot of late comebacks we've had a lot of great rallies off bullpens and starters late in the game.'

The Pirates last won six straight at home during a seven-game run April 27-May 12, 2008.

Walker is batting .440 with three homers and five RBIs in six games since he went 1 for 16 in the previous five. He's batted .414 (12 for 29) with three home runs and six RBIs in his last seven against the Tigers after hitting .115 (3 for 26) in his first seven.

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera delivered a two-run homer for his only hit in five at_bats. Cabrera leads the majors with a .368 average but is 2 for 14 with five strikeouts against the Pirates this week.

Scheduled Detroit starter Doug Fister (5-3, 3.65) went 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA in five April starts, but is 1-2 with a 5.20 ERA over five in May. However, he allowed three first-inning runs and was solid the next six during Saturday's 3-2 loss to Minnesota.

"From start to finish, it's a constant battle," Fister said.

In the right-hander's only start versus Pittsburgh last season, Fister allowed four runs - two earned - and struck out seven in six innings of a 4-1 loss at PNC Park.

It's uncertain if Detroit's Torii Hunter will play after he was hit in the elbow with a pitch Wednesday.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Tigers
Mon, May 27 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Tigers
Tue, May 28 Final 1 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Pirates
Wed, May 29 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Tigers at Pirates
Thu, May 30 - 7:05PM EDT