The Bum's June MLB POD'S and Stats,News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (28-39) at Cardinals (44-25)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Shelby Miller has routinely confounded hitters this season. The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander, though, is still trying to solve his own first-inning struggles.

Miller faces the Chicago Cubs on Monday night when the NL Central rivals meet in St. Louis for the first time this season.

The Cardinals' rotation is tops in baseball with a 2.97 ERA and Miller (7-4, 2.21 ERA) has played a big part, leading all rookies in wins. He also has the most strikeouts among first-year players with 91 after recording 10 in a 5-1 road loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday.

Despite his impressive record and ERA, Miller has a .357 opponents' batting average in the first inning and has given up two runs in the first in three of his last four starts.

"I don't necessarily know what it is, but I'm going to go back and watch film through those first couple of innings to see if there is something I can pick up," Miller told the Cardinals' official website.

Miller will make his second appearance and first start against the Cubs (28-39), who are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Mets on Sunday. Chicago was three outs from a fourth consecutive victory - and season-best fourth in a row on the road - before Carlos Marmol gave up all the runs in the ninth inning.

"When you blow a save, you lost the game. It's tough,' Marmol said.

The Cubs will now try to end a four-game skid in St. Louis, where they were outscored 23-1 while getting swept in their last visit July 20-22.

Travis Wood (5-5, 2.65) knows all too well about the Cubs' offensive struggles. The left-hander has been the team's most consistent pitcher but has lost his last two starts despite allowing three runs in 13 innings. Chicago totaled one run in those outings.

"It's a broken record,' manager Dale Sveum said after Wood threw seven innings of two-run ball in a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday. "Woody's just pitched another great game and has nothing to show for it.'

Wood, who has a league-best .191 opponents' batting average, surrendered a home run to Allen Craig in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-1 home win over St. Louis on May 7.

Wood will take on a Cardinals team that dropped two of three to Miami over the weekend. St. Louis (44-25) hadn't lost a series since April 26-28.

Carlos Beltran had his 14-game hitting streak snapped in a 7-2 defeat Sunday, but he went 5 for 9 with two RBIs as St. Louis and Chicago split two games May 7-8. He was 1 for 3 against Wood last month.

So was Yadier Molina, who's batting an NL-best .352. He should be behind the plate for the start of this seven-game homestand after walking in a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday.

Molina, 4 for 8 against Chicago in May, is a .335 hitter at home versus the Cubs after going 9 for 25 (.360) with a homer and 10 RBIs in seven such games last season.

The Cardinals outscored the Cubs 54-26 while winning six of eight meetings at Busch Stadium in 2012.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (41-28) at Reds (42-28)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates aren't separated by much in an NL Central division that is one of the strongest in baseball.

Given how well Mike Leake has pitched of late, he may be able to help the Reds provide more distance between the clubs in the opener of a four-game series with the visiting Pirates on Monday night.

Cincinnati (42-28) and Pittsburgh (41-28) trail major league-best St. Louis (44-25) in a division that could end up providing the NL with half of its postseason qualifiers by season's end.

The defending Central champion Reds have won five of seven after beating Milwaukee 5-1 on Sunday. Jay Bruce, who is hitting .407 over his last six, homered for the second time in three days.

Bruce, though, is just 5 for 48 (.104) with 18 strikeouts in his las 12 games versus the Pirates.

Shin-Soo Choo has hit safely in his last five, but manager Dusty Baker gave him Sunday off. He'll likely be back in the lineup versus the Pirates.

"I just told him to stay in and rest some, come in late," Baker said. "I don't think he knows how to."

Leake (6-3, 2.76 ERA) has been playing at a high level as well, going 4-1 with a 1.13 ERA over his last six starts. He had another solid outing Wednesday, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings of a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The right-hander has given up five earned runs in 40 innings during his hot stretch and struck out five over six innings to beat Pittsburgh 2-0 on June 1. Leake, though, also was roughed up by the Pirates on April 12, giving up five runs and 10 hits in six innings of Cincinnati's 6-5 loss.

Pittsburgh has won four of the six versus the Reds this season and has six victories in its last nine games overall after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 on Sunday.

Alex Presley hit a solo homer and Pedro Alvarez added a three-run shot, but Andrew McCutchen had his seven-game hitting streak snapped for the Pirates, who are starting a nine-game road trip.

Pittsburgh had two hits with runners in scoring position Sunday after going 2 for 24 in such situations over its previous three contests.

``We needed someone to click one with men on base and (Alvarez) clicked one,' manager Clint Hurdle said.

Pittsburgh will look to Francisco Liriano to help it win for only the third time in nine tries in Cincinnati.

Liriano (5-2, 2.36) didn't have his best stuff Wednesday when he allowed four runs in six innings, but the offense provided enough support in a 12-8 win over San Francisco. It marked only the second time in seven starts he's given up more than one run, entering that outing with a 1.75 ERA.

The left-hander didn't have the benefit of a potent offense the last time he faced the Reds, though, giving up one run and striking out a season-high 11 in six innings against Leake earlier this month.

Alvarez homered in a 5-4 win over the Reds on June 2, but he's hitting just .128 in his last 11 versus Cincinnati.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (41-29) at Rangers (38-31)
Game: 1
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: June 17, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Oakland Athletics have taken control of the AL West in part because of the Texas Rangers' struggles on their longest homestand of the season.

The A's will try to add to those woes while padding their advantage in a four-game series that begins Monday night.

Oakland trailed by one game in the division after Texas won the opener of an 11-game homestand last Monday. The Rangers (38-31) haven't recorded a victory since, and the A's (42-29) have moved three games ahead.

Texas has been outscored 34-8 in its first six-game losing streak since April 15-21, 2010, and its longest at home since a seven-game skid July 20-Aug. 3, 2005. The Rangers didn't get on the scoreboard until the ninth inning in Sunday's 7-2 loss to Toronto.

Nelson Cruz is 4 for 18 during the skid and Elvis Andrus is 3 for 20.

"We're not the first team to lose six in a row and we probably won't be the last," manager Ron Washington said. "We're tough enough to make it through this challenge."

Facing Dan Straily (4-2, 4.45 ERA) could provide another stern test for the Rangers, who haven't dropped seven in a row since April 18-24, 2008. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last five starts, with the A's winning each time. That stretch started by outdueling Texas' Yu Darvish in a 1-0 road win May 21.

He gave up two runs and three hits in 6 2-3 innings in a 5-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Straily was 1-2 with a 7.27 ERA in the five starts before his win streak and concluded that stretch with a 6-2 loss to Texas on May 15.

"He's on a roll," manager Bob Melvin told the team's official website. "We're giving him more and more rope to face tough at_bats in the game. He's pitching with a lot of confidence right now, and he's been terrific."

Oakland enters having won 22 of 29 but nearly suffered a three-game sweep to Seattle this weekend. The A's scored two runs over the first two games of the series and went scoreless in 13 straight innings before a 10-2 victory Sunday.

A matchup with a struggling Nick Tepesch (3-6, 4.30) might help Oakland keep rolling. The right-hander has given up 11 runs over 12 innings in his last two starts. He yielded five over five innings in a 5-2 loss to Cleveland on Wednesday.

Tepesch has also been given a combined six runs of support over his last five starts - not surprisingly - all losses for Texas.

"I think in Tepesch's case, run support has been his biggest enemies," Washington told the team's official website. "He gives up runs, but in his last four or five games, we haven't scored any for him."

This will be Tepesch's first start against Oakland.

"They're a good team," he said. "Any time you play a team within your division, it gives you a chance to gain a whole game and not worry about somebody else to beat them if we take care of business."

The A's and Rangers have split their first six games this season with Oakland winning two of three in Texas from May 20-22.

Oakland's Josh Donaldson, who hit his 10th homer Sunday, is 8 for 23 with three doubles against the Rangers this year.

Cruz is 3 for 20 with a homer and five RBIs in the season series with the A's.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (28-38) at Astros (26-44)
Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Houston Astros are after their first four-game home sweep in four seasons Monday night.

The slumping Chicago White Sox would settle for one win at this point.

Houston (26-44) won four straight over the Los Angeles Angels from May 31-June 3 as part of its season-best 6-0 run, but hasn't posted a four-game sweep at Minute Maid Park since Sept. 4-7, 2009, versus Philadelphia.

The starting pitching is a major reason the Astros are in this position as that group has allowed six runs in 19 innings in this series and owns a 1.76 ERA in the last seven games.

"It starts and ends with those guys on the mound," manager Bo Porter said after the Astros won their third straight by one run, 5-4 on Sunday.

Houston goes for its fifth straight victory overall with Bud Norris (5-6, 3.47 ERA) trying to avoid his third defeat in as many starts. The right-hander has allowed three runs in seven innings in each of his last two outings, but the Astros have backed him with one total run.

Norris, though, is not going to use that, or pitching with flu-like symptoms, as an excuse.

"I understand I'm not going to feel 100 percent every start, but to go out there and do battle for my team is what I've always played the game to do," he said after Tuesday's 4-0 loss at Seattle - his fifth consecutive quality start

Perhaps a start at home will help Norris, who is 7-3 with a 1.94 ERA in 19 Minute Maid Park starts since the start of 2012.

That doesn't bode well for a White Sox team that's dropped 12 of 13 on the road, plating three runs or less in nine of those games.

Chicago (28-38) has lost four in a row overall - by a total of five runs - to fall 10 games under .500 for the first time since it was 12-22 on May 7, 2011.

The White Sox could drop even farther if they don't start hitting. They're batting .224 in the series, totaling eight runs with 25 strikeouts - 10 with runners in scoring position.

"For once, I am speechless. I don't know why our offense is sputtering," Adam Dunn said after Chicago fell a season-high 9 1/2 games off the AL Central lead.

The White Sox were last swept in a four-game series Aug. 1-4, 2011, against the New York Yankees.

Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.86) will try to prevent that from happening as he eyes his first victory in five starts. The left-hander, 0-1 with a 4.62 ERA since a 3-1 victory over Boston on May 21, was in line for the win Tuesday after allowing four runs in 6 1-3 innings, but failed to earn a decision in his third straight outing with the White Sox falling 7-5 in 10 innings to Toronto.

Carlos Pena (0 for 2) is the only current Astro who has faced Quintana.

Jason Castro hasn't fared well off southpaws this season, hitting .182, but he's homered off left-handers John Danks and Matt Thornton in the last two games. Castro is 5 for 11 during the winning streak, and he's tied with Jose Altuve, Chris Carter and Matt Dominguez for the Astros' lead with three RBIs in those contests.

Dunn, a Houston native, has faced Norris more than any other current White Sox, going 1 for 3 with a double.

Houston has won eight of the last 10 against Chicago.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Astros
Fri, Jun 14 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Astros
Sat, Jun 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Astros
Sun, Jun 16 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
White Sox at Astros
Mon, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (21-47) at Diamondbacks (37-32)
Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: June 17, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


After getting the best of baseball's top team over the weekend, the major league-worst Miami Marlins visit the desert with momentum on their side.

Keeping things going, though, could prove difficult against the undefeated Patrick Corbin.

The Marlins open a three-game set against Corbin and the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks, who try to avoid a season worst-tying fourth consecutive defeat Monday night.

Although light-hitting Miami (21-47) ranks last in the majors in several offensive categories, manager Mike Redmond's club proved plenty formidable at the plate in taking two of three from St. Louis. The Marlins, winners in five of eight, hit .308 and scored 19 runs over the weekend.

"We didn't see it. The team we saw is hitting the ball and making good pitches," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Regardless of what their record shows, they've got some talent, and they're going about things the right way right now."

Placido Polanco went 3 for 4 and combined with Juan Pierre and Justin Ruggiano to drive in six runs during Sunday's 7-2 victory.

"This is a big series win," said Pierre, batting .385 with 10 runs over a 12-game hitting streak. "To beat a team like that definitely gives you confidence."

Miami's improvement can partly be attributed to Giancarlo Stanton's return from injury. The slugging right fielder has hit safely in all six games since missing six weeks due to a strained right hamstring, going 9 for 24 with two homers, three doubles and seven RBIs.

"When you have Giancarlo back in the lineup, that's a whole different team," Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter said. "Having him back is a big advantage."

Though things are starting to go their way, the Marlins could have their hands full against Corbin (9-0, 2.28 ERA). The 23-year-old lefty, who hasn't received a decision in his last two starts, again has a chance to become the first Diamondbacks pitcher to open 10-0. Arizona has won all 13 games when he takes the mound.

Among the NL leaders in wins and ERA, Corbin compiled a 1.44 mark over his first nine starts before posting a 4.44 ERA in his last four. He surrendered four runs and eight hits over a season-low five innings Wednesday in an 8-6, 12-inning road win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In his only appearance against the Marlins, Corbin allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings in a 9-5 road win April 30, 2012.

A solid performance from Corbin could go a long way for the Diamondbacks (37-32), who have dropped six of eight. Arizona hit .181 and was limited to six runs during a three-game sweep at San Diego, falling 4-1 in Sunday's finale. Paul Goldschmidt is hitless in his last 12 at_bats, and mired in a 4-for-39 slump.

"We got outplayed in every aspect of the game in this series," said manager Kirk Gibson, whose club lost four straight April 29-May 3. "We have to redeem ourselves."

Arizona will try to do just that against 22-year-old Jacob Turner (1-0, 1.80), who's set to make his fourth start since getting called up from Triple-A New Orleans. The right-hander allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings but didn't get a decision in Tuesday's 5-4 win over Milwaukee.

Miami has dropped the first game during each of its five road trips.

"Obviously, with a (seven)-game road trip, you want to start it off with a win," Turner told MLB's official website. "It's just a matter of me keeping the team in the game, and hopefully we can score a few runs and scratch out a win."

The Marlins have dropped 10 of 14 to Arizona, including two of three May 17-19.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (31-38) at Angels (30-39)
Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 17, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


While Aaron Harang has experienced plenty of ups and downs, he was at his best during his last start.

He's never had any success against the Los Angeles Angels, though.

Harang aims for his first win in six tries against the Angels, who look to continue their home dominance of the Seattle Mariners in the first of four Monday night.

Acquired from Colorado in April, Harang (3-6, 5.60 ERA) has posted mixed results since joining the Mariners (31-39). The veteran right-hander has compiled a 1.76 ERA in six of his outings and a 17.12 mark in the other four.

Harang had everything working during Tuesday's 4-0 win over Houston, striking out a season-high 10 and walking none in a two-hitter.

"He was fantastic," manage Eric Wedge said. "When he commands his fastball and it rides like it was (Tuesday), and he's able to leverage it downhill and climb when he wants to, he's real good. When he does that his secondary stuff is locked in, too."

Harang, who's allowed two or zero runs in five of his last seven games, also shut out San Diego on May 27.

"It comes with feel," he said. "Some days you feel great, when you can throw every pitch whenever you want in any count. And there are other days when you can't throw one pitch for strikes."

Harang, in contrast, has been awful against Los Angeles (30-39) this year, yielding a combined 12 runs and 15 hits - four homers - in losing both his starts spanning 6 2-3 innings. He's gone 0-3 over five career outings against the Angels while posting an 8.02 ERA - his second-highest mark against any team he's faced more than once.

Harang now tries to lead the Mariners to a rare road win over the Angels, who've hit 40 homers while going 26-9 over their last 35 home matchups in the series.

Seattle had won four of five before falling 10-2 at Oakland on Sunday. Hisashi Iwakuma labored through five innings and the bullpen gave up four homers over the next three frames, surrendering six runs and nine hits.

Mariners relievers own a 6.12 ERA over the last 10 games.

"When you know you can turn the ball over with a lead it gives you confidence," catcher Mike Zunino told MLB's official website. "It's one of those things that as a group we have to be a little bit better."

The Angels, meanwhile, saw their three-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a 6-5 loss to the New York Yankees. Los Angeles scored five runs in the ninth inning to make things interesting before Albert Pujols struck out with the bases loaded to end the game.

"The fight's always there, it's just we really executed well in the ninth inning," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think some guys off the bench did a good job with some situational hitting. Unfortunately, we couldn't get that tying run across."

The Angels now turn to Jason Vargas (5-4, 3.74), who allowed three runs and seven hits over 6 2-3 innings Tuesday in a 3-2 loss at Baltimore. The left-hander could benefit from getting back home, where he's 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA.

Vargas, who spent the previous four years with Seattle before signing with Los Angeles this offseason, went the distance against his former team in a 2-1 road loss April 28. Former Angel Kendrys Morales, mired in a 2-for-26 slump, is 4 for 10 with two homers against Vargas since the start of 2012.

Mike Trout, who is 5 for 10 with five walks in his last three games, went 6 for 9 with five RBIs and four runs as Los Angeles swept a two-game home series from Seattle last month.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (25-39) at Braves (41-28)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: June 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


While the New York Mets were all smiles after a thrilling comeback win, staying upbeat could prove difficult at Turner Field.

The Mets look to snap their woes against the Atlanta Braves, who try to continue their home dominance Monday night in the opener of a five-game set.

New York (25-39) had dropped 10 of 12 before Sunday's 4-3 walkoff win over the Chicago Cubs. Marlon Byrd led off the ninth inning with a solo homer before Kirk Nieuwenhuis delivered a game-ending three-run shot.

"You don't forget about this. You build off of it, remember how much fun it is coming in the clubhouse, the celebration," said Byrd, batting .295 with seven homers and 12 RBIs over his last 15 games. "You try to build off it and keep winning games."

The Mets sit in fourth place in the NL East, 13 1/2 games behind the division-leading Braves (41-28).

"Winning is a good feeling no matter your record," said David Wright, batting .421 with two long balls and six RBIs over a nine-game stretch. "And a win is a win, no matter how it happens."

New York hasn't experienced many victories versus Atlanta lately. The Braves have hit .328 with runners in scoring position and clubbed 24 homers while taking 15 of 19 in the series by a 117-61 margin.

Atlanta has also thrived on its own field, going a major league-best 23-8 while posting a 2.32 ERA - by far the lowest mark in baseball. The Braves are coming off their 15th home win in 18 games, 3-0 over San Francisco on Sunday.

Julio Teheran threw six strong innings and Freddie Freeman collected three hits and an RBI. Hitting .333 with five homers and 28 RBIs in 28 home games, Freeman's .456 average with runners in scoring position ranks third in the majors.

"He's swinging it pretty good,' Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Braves will try to stay hot against Dillon Gee (5-6, 4.84 ERA), who's posted a 1.29 ERA with 26 strikeouts and three walks in 21 innings during a three-start winning streak. Dealing with tendinitis in his throwing elbow, the right-hander allowed one run and six hits over 6 2-3 innings in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over St. Louis.

"He had a little tendinitis and pitched great," manager Terry Collins told MLB's official website. "Ultimately, it didn't get any worse than it was, but I thought he pitched very, very well. I think he's back."

Gee is 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in his last five starts against Atlanta. Jason Heyward is 7 for 15 with a homer against him, but Freeman is 2 for 14.

The Braves counter with Tim Hudson (4-6, 4.41), who's is 0-2 despite a 1.66 ERA in three starts this month.

"I feel like the last two or three times out, I'm right where I want to be," the veteran right-hander said. "I just don't have a whole lot to show for it from a wins standpoint. But if I just keep throwing the way I have been the last three or four starts, it's going to be a good year."

Hudson surrendered three runs and five hits over a season high-tying 7 1-3 innings during Tuesday's 3-2 loss at San Diego. He could like his chances of regrouping at home, where he's 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in six starts, with the Braves winning each time.

Hudson gave up three runs in 7 1-3 innings in a 9-4 home win over New York on May 5, improving to 16-10 with a 3.61 ERA in the series. John Buck is 2 for 16 in their matchups.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Braves
Mon, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Mets at Braves
Tue, Jun 18 - 1:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Braves
Wed, Jun 19 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Mets at Braves
Thu, Jun 20 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (35-34) at Giants (35-33)
Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: June 17, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


Edinson Volquez bounced back from the worst start of his career with one of his best outings of the season to keep the San Diego Padres' win streak intact his last time out.

The right-hander will now try to help the Padres extend their season-best run to seven games and end their recent road woes against the San Francisco Giants in Monday night's opener.

Before his latest outing, Volquez (5-5, 5.87 ERA) was 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA over a five-game stretch. He gave up a career-worst nine runs and 11 hits in 2 1-3 innings in a loss in Colorado on June 7. He rebounded by yielding one run over seven innings and striking out a season-high nine in a 5-3 win over Atlanta on Wednesday.

"For him, it's about the secondary pitches in the strike zone," manager Bud Black said. "He threw the hook in the strike zone and made some great pitches with the change."

Volquez's effort is part of a string of strong performances by the Padres' rotation over the last six games. San Diego starters have posted a 1.94 ERA during the win streak but the team needed Kyle Blanks' three-run homer in the eighth inning Sunday to keep their run going with a 4-1 victory over Arizona.

The win pushed the Padres (35-34) above .500 this late in the season for the first time since ending 2010 at 90-72.

After hitting .256 with three homers in the season's first two months, Blanks is batting .321 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in his first 15 games in June.

"There is no secret. I've been just trying to stay consistent ... really focusing on trying to get good swings and putting those good swings on good pitches and typically good things happen when you do that," Blanks said.

He'll try to keep hitting well against the struggling Barry Zito (4-5, 4.79). The left-hander is 1-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last six starts and was tagged for eight runs in 4 2-3 innings in a 12-8 loss in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

"His command wasn't on and he left a lot of pitches up and you'll always get hurt when you do that against big-league hitters," bench coach Ron Wotus said.

Zito, though, will get the benefit of pitching at AT&T Park on Monday. He's 4-1 with a 1.94 ERA in eight home starts this season, compared to going 0-4 with an 11.28 ERA in his five on the road.

Zito threw seven shutout innings in a home win over the Padres on April 21, but was hindered by five unearned runs in an 8-7 loss in San Diego six days later.

Zito will try to keep the Padres from moving a step closer to matching their longest win streak in 2012, an eight-game run Aug. 19-27.

The Giants (35-33) have won 15 of their past 19 home games against San Diego and swept a three-game set April 19-21. The Padres swept San Francisco in three home games the following weekend.

It's unknown if San Diego's Carlos Quentin (shoulder) and Everth Cabrera (hamstring) or San Francisco's Marco Scutaro (finger) will return from injuries during this series or go on the disabled list. Scutaro missed his fifth straight game in a 3-0 loss in Atlanta on Sunday.

Volquez will try to limit the Giants again while earning his first win over San Francisco since Aug. 29, 2008. He has given up two runs in each of his last four matchups, including April 19, but has not received a decision in any of those games.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Giants
Mon, Jun 17 - 10:15PM EDT

GAME 2
Padres at Giants
Tue, Jun 18 - 10:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Giants
Wed, Jun 19 - 3:45PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Around the Horn - Monday

June 17, 2013


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Washington at Philadelphia - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Washington Nationals Haren (4-8, 5.70 ERA) 34-34 UNDER 7-2 L9 away

Philadelphia Phillies Lannan (0-1, 6.14 ERA) 33-37 6-1 L7 home Game 1's

-- Nationals lost to Indians, 2-0 on Sunday
-- Phillies lost to Rockies, 5-2 on Sunday



Chicago at St. Louis - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Chicago Cubs Wood (5-5, 2.65 ERA) 28-39 2-7 L9 away Game 1's

St. Louis Cardinals Miller (7-4, 2.21 ERA) 44-25 13-1 L14 off loss

-- Cubs lost to Mets, 4-3 on Sunday
-- Cardinals lost to Marlins, 7-2 on Sunday



N.Y. Mets at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

New York Mets Gee (5-6, 4.84 ERA) 25-39 5-2 L7 as away underdog

Atlanta Braves Hudson (4-6, 4.41 ERA) 41-28 UNDER 4-1 L5 home Game 1's

-- Mets beat Cubs, 4-3 on Sunday
-- Braves beat Giants, 3-0 on Sunday



Pittsburgh at Cincinnati - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Pittsburgh Pirates Liriano (5-2, 2.36 ERA) 41-28 11-4 L15 vs. division

Cincinnati Reds Leake (6-3, 2.76 ERA) 42-28 0-4 L4 off home win

-- Pirates beat Dodgers, 6-3 on Sunday
-- Reds beat Brewers, 5-1 on Sunday



Miami at Arizona - 9:40 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Miami Marlins Turner (1-0, 1.80 ERA) 21-47 OVER 10-2-1 L13 overall

Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin (9-0, 2.28 ERA) 37-32 7-3 L10 home Game 1's

-- Marlins beat Cardinals, 7-2 on Sunday
-- Diamondbacks lost to Padres, 4-1 on Sunday



San Diego at San Francisco - 10:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

San Diego Padres Volquez (5-5, 5.87 ERA) 35-34 9-2 L11 overall

San Francisco Giants Zito (4-5, 4.79 ERA) 35-33 12-3 L15 home vs. division

-- Padres beat Diamondbacks, 4-1 on Sunday
-- Giants lost to Braves, 3-0 on Sunday



AMERICAN LEAGUE

Kansas City at Cleveland - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Kansas City Royals Shields (2-6, 2.79 ERA) 33-34 2-8 L10 away Game 1's

Cleveland Indians Carrasco (0-2, 15.26 ERA) 34-34 UNDER 6-1 L7 overall

-- Royals beat Rays, 5-3 on Sunday
-- Indians beat Nationals, 2-0 on Sunday



Baltimore at Detroit - 7:08 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Baltimore Orioles Arrieta (1-1, 6.63 ERA) 40-30 UNDER 10-3-1 L14 overall

Detroit Tigers Scherzer (9-0, 3.19 ERA) 38-29 11-0 L11 home Game 1's

-- Orioles beat Red Sox, 6-3 on Sunday
-- Tigers beat Twins, 5-2 on Sunday



Oakland at Texas - 8:05 PM EST (Game 1/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Oakland Athletics Straily (4-2, 4.45 ERA) 42-29 12-3 L15 away vs. division

Texas Rangers Tepesch (3-6, 4.30 ERA) 38-31 UNDER 9-1 L10 overall

-- Athletics beat Mariners, 10-2 on Sunday
-- Rangers lost to Blue Jays, 7-2 on Sunday



Chicago at Houston - 8:10 PM EST (Game 4/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Chicago White Sox Quintana (3-2, 3.86 ERA) 28-38 1-12 L13 away

Houston Astros Norris (5-6, 3.47 ERA) 26-44 UNDER 7-2 L9 home

-- Astros beat White Sox, 2-1 on Friday
-- Astros beat White Sox, 4-3 on Saturday
-- Astros beat White Sox, 5-4 on Sunday



Seattle at Los Angeles - 10:05 PM EST (Game 1/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Seattle Mariners Harang (3-6, 5.60 ERA) 31-39 UNDER 9-1 L10 overall

Los Angeles Angels Vargas (5-4, 3.74 ERA) 30-39 3-6 L9 home

-- Mariners lost to Athletics, 10-2 on Sunday
-- Angels lost to Yankees, 6-5 on Sunday



INTERLEAGUE

Colorado at Toronto - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Record Betcha Didn't Know

Colorado Rockies De La Rosa (7-4, 3.49 ERA) 37-33 OVER 8-2 L10 as away underdog

Toronto Blue Jays Johnson (0-2, 5.40 ERA) 32-36 6-1 L7 home Game 1's

-- Rockies beat Phillies, 5-2 on Sunday
-- Blue Jays beat Rangers, 7-2 on Sunday

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

According to Phil Steele's magazine, the six college football teams that lost the most experience from LY, and stand to take a step backwards:

-- Idaho-- Luckily for them, joining Sun Belt in '14; this year will be rough.

-- Iowa State-- Beat ranked team on foreign soil the last three years.

-- Kansas-- 5-12 vs spread as road underdog the last four seasons.

-- Kansas State-- Covered 15 of their last 18 games as a road dog.

-- Louisiana Tech-- +24 in turnovers last two years; lost top 7 tacklers.

-- West Virginia-- New QB, three new starters on OL, low expectations.


*****

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend...........

13) Spurs outscored Miami 27-12 in the first 2:00 of all five games in the NBA Finals; question becomes now, can they finish the job in Miami?

12) San Antonio shot 60% Sunday night, the first Finals team to make 60% of its shots since the Magic did it in Game 3 against the '09 Lakers.

11) Danny Green was the 46th player taken in the 2009 NBA Draft; he was cut by the Cavaliers, cut twice by the Spurs, had stops in Erie, Reno, Austin and Slovenia-- now he's an overnight sensation. It is good to see people work hard, then find success.

10) If you owned an NBA franchise, and your money/reputation rode on whether your team won/lost, would you hire Patrick Ewing as your head coach? I'd hire JR Ewing first, and yes, I know Larry Hagman is deceased.

Good Lord, there are three free agent coaches who all won 56+ games this year, and Ewing is complaining about not getting a job?

9) Buck Showalter is doing yet another tremendous managing job with the Orioles; very underrated manager. Baltimore is 40-30 after going 93-69 LY, and they don't have great starting pitching. You have to go back to the mid-90's for the last time the O's were good before Showalter took over.

8) Puig-onometry-- Yasiel Puig is now 23-48 in the big leagues.

7) Milwaukee Brewers became the last team to record a shutout this year when they blanked the Reds in Cincinnati Saturday.

6) Tampa Bay Rays called up hitting prospect Wil Myers Sunday night; he is hitting .342 in his last ten AAA games, after a slow start. He used to be a catcher, but is now an outfielder. Rays could use some offense.

5) Toronto Blue Jays have a new scouting director; he fired eight of their amateur scouts, and is bringing in his own people, as the organization goes in a new direction. Major league Jays have turned things around the last few days, am curious to see if they can stay hot and contend for the playoffs.

4) If Chris Paul stays with the Clippers, he can sign a 5-year deal worth a total of $107.5M; if he goes elsewhere, he'll leave $30M or so on the table. What rational human being is doing that?

3) Heard someone on TV feeling sorry for Phil Mickelson Sunday night; the guy won $696,104 this weekend, has earned $71,062,682 in his tremendous career, with 41 wins, and he earns a lot more off the course than he does on it. So he's finished 2nd in the US Open six times; you know how great you have to be to do that? I'm thinking his life is pretty darned good.

2) You can bet on the Miss America pageant? Who knew? Girl from the Nutmeg State won, so if you bet on Miss Connecticut, you're a winner.

1) Miami is still -$125 to win the NBA title, the Spurs +$105.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, June 17

Hot pitchers
-- Wood is 1-2, 2.37 in his last three starts; Cubs scored one run in his last three starts. Miller is 2-1, 2.84 in his last three starts.
-- Leake is 4-1, 1.35 in his last six starts. Liriano is 5-2, 2.34 in seven '13 starts.
-- Gee is 3-0, 1.29 in his last three starts. Hudson is 0-2, 2.08 in his last three starts; Braves scored four runs in those three games.
-- Arizona is 13-0 when Corbin starts (2-0, 4.81 last four). Turner is 1-0, 2.25 in his three starts this season.

-- de la Rosa is 1-0, 0.64 in his last two road starts.

-- Scherzer is 4-0, 2.00 in five starts this season.
-- Royals won last three Shields starts (0-0, 2.14).
-- Oakland won last five Straily starts (3-0, 2.20).
-- Norris has a 2.18 RA in his last five starts.
-- Harang is 2-1, 2.73 in his last four starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Haren is 0-5, 6.29 in his last six starts. Former National Lannan is 0-1, 6.14 in his three starts this year.
-- Zito is 1-4, 7.94 in his last six starts; he pitches much better at home (1-1, 4.50 in last three at home). Volquez is 2-2, 6.82 in his last six starts.

-- JJohnson is 0-2, 5.97 in six starts this season.

-- Arrieta is 1-1, 6.63 in four starts this season.
-- Carrasco allowed 13 runs in 7.2 IP in two starts this season.
-- Texas lost last five Tepesch starts (0-3, 4.97).
-- Quintana is 0-1, 5.33 in his last four starts.
-- Vargas is 0-1, 6.17 in his last couple starts.

Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Haren 1-13; Lannan 1-3
-- Wood 1-13; Miller 5-13 (4 of last 5)
-- Liriano 2-7; Leake 2-13 (0 of last 9)
-- Gee 3-13; Hudson 3-14
-- Turner 0-3; Corbin 3-13
-- Volquez 4-14; Zito 4-13

-- de la Rosa 3-14 (0 of last 5); Johnson 1-6

-- Arrieta 1-4; Scherzer 3-13 (0 of last 4)
-- Shields 6-14; Carrasco 0-2
-- Straily 2-10; Tepesch 2-13
-- Quintana 4-13; Norris 4-14
-- Harang 4-11 (0 of last 4); Vargas 1-13

Totals
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Washington games.
-- Ten of last thirteen St Louis games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Cincinnati games stayed under total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in Mets' last five games.
-- Over is 6-0-1 in Miami's last seven games.
-- Eight of last eleven San Diego games went over total.

-- Last four Toronto games stayed under the total.

-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Baltimore games.
-- Six of last seven Cleveland games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last twelve A's games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten Seattle games stayed under the total.

Hot teams
-- Nationals won five of their last eight games.
-- St Louis is 13-1 in game following its last 14 losses. Cubs won five of their last seven road games.
-- Pirates won six of their last nine games. Cincinnati won five of its last seven.
-- Braves won seven of their last eight home games.
-- Miami won five of its last eight games.
-- Padres won nine of their last eleven games.

-- Colorado is 9-6 in last 15 games, winning three of last four on road. Toronto won its last five games, allowing nine runs.

-- Baltimore won six of its last eight games. Detroit won seven of its last ten.
-- Royals won ten of their last twelve games.
-- Oakland won 22 of its last 29 games.
-- Astros won their last four games, allowing nine runs.
-- Angels won three of their last four games. Seattle won four of last six.

Cold teams
-- Phillies lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Mets lost ten of their last thirteen games.
-- Arizona lost six of its last eight games.
-- San Francisco lost four of its last six games.

-- Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight games.
-- Rangers lost nine of their last eleven games
-- White Sox lost 11 of their last 12 road games.
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[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Monday, June 17

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Trend Report
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7:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Washington is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games when playing Washington

7:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 10 of St. Louis's last 13 games

7:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Kansas City's last 23 games
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
Cleveland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home

7:07 PM
COLORADO vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games

7:08 PM
BALTIMORE vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Baltimore's last 24 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Detroit is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

7:10 PM
NY METS vs. ATLANTA
NY Mets are 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing NY Mets

7:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh

8:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. TEXAS
Oakland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
Oakland is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Texas
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 5 games at home

8:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games when playing Houston
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

9:40 PM
MIAMI vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home

10:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. LA ANGELS
Seattle is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing at home against Seattle

10:15 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
San Francisco is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Monday, June 17

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American League an under bettors' dream last week
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American League teams were a smoking hot under bet last week, going 27-61-6 over/under.

AL West teams were especially kind to under bettors, posting a 6-24-1 over/under mark. The Texas Rangers led the way, going low in all seven of their games.

Other AL teams with impressive under records last week included:

Orioles 1-5-1 O/U
Indians 1-5 O/U
Tigers 1-5 O/U
Twins 1-5 O/U
Red Sox 2-4-1 O/U

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Monday, June 17

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Rounding the bases: The best bets in the bigs
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Every week we take a look at the hottest and coldest teams as well as the best over and under bets in Major League Baseball.

For the week of June 10-16.

Hot team: San Diego Padres
Last week: 6-0
Season: 35-34
Upcoming schedule: at Giants, vs. Dodgers

Skinny: The Friars have strung together six consecutive wins against formidable opponents (Braves, Diamondbacks) to rise above the .500 mark and move within two games of the NL West Division lead.

Cold team: Texas Rangers
Last week: 1-6
Season: 38-31
Upcoming schedule: vs. A’s, at Cardinals

Skinny: The Rangers’ pitching staff is decimated with injuries and their bats have gone cold. Texas has dropped six straight games, scoring just eight runs in the process.

Over team: Miami Marlins
Last week: 5-0-1 over/under
Season: 30-33-5 over/under
Upcoming schedule: at Diamondbacks, at Giants

Skinny: Slugger Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) returned to the lineup on to boost the offense and Marlins pitchers surrendered 6.5 runs per game this past week.

Under team: Texas Rangers
Last week: 0-7-0 over/under
Season: 24-42-3 over/under
Upcoming schedule: vs. A’s, at Cardinals

Skinny: As stated above, the Rangers failed to put runs on the board. Texas continues to be an awesome under play to date (24-42-3 O/U).

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis
The Cubs look to take advantage of a St. Louis team that is 1-5 in its last 6 home games versus a left-handed starter. Chicago is the pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Cubs favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Game 951-952: Washington at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Haren) 13.090; Philadelphia (Lannan) 14.649
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-115); Under

Game 953-954: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Wood) 15.420; St. Louis (Miller) 14.570
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Over

Game 955-956: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Liriano) 15.123; Cincinnati (Leake) 16.515
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-125); Under

Game 957-958: NY Mets at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Gee) 15.797; Atlanta (Hudson) 14.921
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+170); Over

Game 959-960: Miami at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 15.368; Arizona (Corbin) 14.454
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-220); 8
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+190); Over

Game 961-962: San Diego at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Volquez) 14.376; San Francisco 15.480
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Under

Game 963-964: Baltimore at Detroit (7:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Arrieta) 15.573; Detroit (Scherzer) 16.978
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 965-966: Kansas City at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Shields) 17.887; Cleveland (Carrasco) 15.433
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 2 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-130); Over

Game 967-968: Oakland at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Straily) 15.889; Texas (Tepesch) 14.265
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+100); Under

Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Quintana) 14.796; Houston (Norris) 15.167
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+105); Over

Game 971-972: Seattle at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Harang) 15.487; LA Angels (Vargas) 14.457
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+150); Over

Game 973-974: Colorado at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (De La Rosa) 15.366; Toronto (Johnson) 17.637
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-140); Under
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