The Bum's July's MLB POD'S-Stats-News

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (44-48) at Orioles (52-42)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 13, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


Called upon to make his second career start in spot duty for the Toronto Blue Jays, Todd Redmond turned in an impressive performance.

A repeat effort could be tough to come by as he encounters one of baseball's most powerful lineups.

Redmond looks to keep the Baltimore Orioles in the park Saturday as they host Toronto.

The Blue Jays couldn't have asked for much more from Redmond (1-1, 3.55 ERA) Sunday considering their rotation's struggles this year. He limited Minnesota to one hit - a two-run homer - and three walks over five innings of an 11-5 victory.

"He couldn't have done a better job," manager John Gibbons said.

Toronto will take all the pitching help it can get, with its starters ranking near the bottom of the majors with a 4.91 ERA. Redmond's showing was enough to earn another start after he had also posted a 3.52 ERA over three relief appearances earlier this season.

The right-hander's only previous big league experience was a rough start last year for Cincinnati that saw him surrender four runs over 3 1-3 innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Redmond will look to avoid results similar to that of Mark Buehrle in Friday's series opener, an 8-5 Baltimore victory. All eight runs came against the left-hander on homers by All-Stars Chris Davis, Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy.

Davis' homer - his second in as many days and his 13th in his last 27 games versus Toronto - improved his major league-leading total to 35. Hardy had gone 19 games without a home run, a span in which he was 10 for 66. Jones' homer was his fifth in the last eight games versus the Blue Jays.

The Orioles (52-42) lead baseball with 128 homers and they've totaled 19 in their last eight meetings with Toronto 44-48).

"That's what they do in a great park to hit home runs," Gibbons said. "They had the two big three-run homers, but you've got to expect here that's going to happen. You have to go toe to toe."

Baltimore starter Jason Hammel (7-5, 5.03) will also have to mindful of the long ball, as J.P. Arencibia and Edwin Encarnacion homered for Toronto, which ranks second in the majors with 114 home runs.

Hammel gave up one run over five innings in a 2-1 road win against the New York Yankees on Sunday - breaking a six-game losing streak for the Orioles in his starts - but his winless stretch grew to seven starts as he failed to record a decision.

He's surrendered six home runs over his last two starts versus Toronto after giving up four in his previous seven against the Blue Jays.

Encarnacion, who was 5 for 29 during a nine-game homerless drought before Friday, is 6 for 14 off Hammel with two homers, including one in a 7-6 victory June 21.

Jose Bautista fell to 2 for 24 over his last six games after going hitless in five at_bats with four strikeouts Friday. He's 2 for 14 off Hammel and 2 for his last 32 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles have won 10 of 13 at home against the Blue Jays.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Orioles
Fri, Jul 12 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Orioles
Sat, Jul 13 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Orioles
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (52-41) at Braves (53-40)
Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: July 13, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


It would be hard to come up with two more disparate starts than Homer Bailey's last two.

The right-hander will look to bounce back and lead the Cincinnati Reds to a second straight victory over a depleted Atlanta Braves squad on Saturday.

Bailey (5-7, 3.70 ERA) followed his no-hitter against San Francisco on July 2 by giving up a season-high 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings in Milwaukee on Monday. Despite surrendering 14 baserunners, he ultimately allowed just four runs in a 4-3 loss.

"He got out of some tough jams,' Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Bailey walked three, hit a batter and struck out three.

"It was just one of those days,' he said. "Just never could find a rhythm.'

Bailey also wasn't in rhythm in his lone start of the season against the Braves on May 7, when he gave up four runs, five hits and a season-high four walks in five innings of a 5-4 loss, but didn't get the decision. He was 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA in his first three starts versus Atlanta (53-40).

Bailey has held many of Atlanta's leading hitters in check, including Dan Uggla (3 for 15), Chris Johnson (0 for 9 with five strikeouts), Freddie Freeman (2 for 8), Brian McCann (1 for 7) and Tyler Pastornicky (1 for 5).

Pastornicky, usually a backup outfielder, will likely play Saturday as Atlanta contends with an injury-plagued outfield. B.J. Upton strained his right adductor muscle and Justin Upton strained his left calf Friday, joining Jason Heyward (strained right hamstring), Jordan Schafer (right ankle) and Evan Gattis (oblique) on the bench.

"There must be something in the water,' B.J. Upton said.

Schafer is the only one currently expected to miss a lot of time, but it still creates a dilemma for manager Fredi Gonzalez.

"We're talking through it right now,' Gonzalez said. "We've got three guys banged up.'

Atlanta's outfield issues are the last thing Mike Minor (8-4, 3.05) needs. He has received 13 runs of support over his last five starts.

Minor, who last recorded a win June 9, had been scuffling with a 5.63 ERA in four starts leading into his Monday outing against Miami. He allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings, but failed to record a decision in the Braves' eventual 7-1 victory.

The left-hander, who held Cincinnati (52-41) to one run over seven innings in a 7-2 victory May 8, can't be looking forward to seeing Zack Cozart. The Reds shortstop has two home runs off Minor in seven at_bats, including one in May.

Overall, the Reds lineup has perked up. After plating four runs over a three-game skid, they have scored 15 while winning two of three.

Shin-Soo Choo, who went 3 for 13 during the Reds' losing streak, is 7 for his last 13 with two doubles. Brandon Phillips, who was 3 for his previous 23, is 5 for 13 over the Reds' last three games. Jay Bruce rebounded from a 1-for-10 slump with a 4-for-10 output over his last three games, though he hasn't homered since he hit five from June 19 through June 22.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Braves
Thu, Jul 11 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Braves
Fri, Jul 12 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Braves
Sat, Jul 13 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Reds at Braves
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (33-59) at Rays (53-41)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: July 13, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


After being stymied by a Houston right-hander making his major league debut, the Tampa Bay Rays will attempt to rebound from their second loss in three weeks.

The Rays look to get back on track offensively while trying to prevent the visiting Astros from winning two straight for the first time in almost a month Saturday.

Tampa Bay (53-41) averaged 5.0 runs during an eight-game winning streak that ended with Friday's 2-1 loss. The Rays scored 28 runs while taking three of four against the Astros (33-59) to open July, but they didn't have a hit against starter Jarred Cosart until Ben Zobrist's single in the seventh inning.

They managed four hits, including Luke Scott's run-scoring single in the ninth.

"If we were hitting the ball consistently, even hard outs, I would have felt more confident," manager Joe Maddon said. "He had it going on."

The defeat was the second in 14 games for Tampa Bay, which has surged into one of the two wild-card spots in the AL. The Rays also had a nine-game winning streak at home snapped.

Houston, meanwhile, ended a three-game slide by winning for the fourth time in 16 games. On the heels of Cosart's two-hit, eight-inning gem, the Astros look to win back-to-back contests for the first time since a four-game run June 12-16.

"Just to get eight innings in and get a win, I can't ask for more," Cosart said. "Hopefully we can get a good thing going here."

Backup catcher Carlos Corporan delivered a two-run single in the first inning for Houston.

All-Star Zobrist had two hits and is 6 for 17 (.353) in the last five games after going 3 for 28 in his previous seven.

Teammate Evan Longoria is 7 for 52 (.135) in his last 16 contests.

Tampa Bay looks to regroup and put forth another strong offensive effort like it did against scheduled Houston starter Dallas Keuchel (4-5, 4.59 ERA) on July 1. The left-hander yielded five runs, eight hits and walked a season-high five in 4 2-3 innings of a 12-0 loss.

Keuchel is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in his last four appearances, which included 2 2-3 innings of relief last month. He gave up two runs over five innings in a 9-5 win at Texas last Saturday.

Tampa Bay starters have a 2.11 ERA in the last 10 games, but Roberto Hernandez (4-10, 4.93) tries to avoid matching a major league high with an 11th loss Saturday.

The right-hander is 0-4 in his last five starts, and Tampa Bay won for the first time during that stretch when he allowed three runs in six innings of a 7-4 victory over Minnesota on Monday.

Hernandez gave up three runs in six innings of a 4-1 loss at Houston on July 3.

J.D. Martinez, who went 0 for 2 with a strikeout against Hernandez in that contest, is 9 for 21 in his last five games.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Rays
Fri, Jul 12 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Rays
Sat, Jul 13 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Rays
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Royals (43-47) at Indians (49-44)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: July 13, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


A struggling Jeremy Guthrie pitched well in his last start.

Whether he has made any permanent strides will be seen when he takes the ball for the visiting Kansas City Royals, who look to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday night against the Cleveland Indians.

Guthrie (8-6, 4.12 ERA) was 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA over a four-start stretch before allowing one run, six hits and one walk in 6 2-3 innings of Monday's 5-1 win at Yankee Stadium - his first victory since June 10.

Making Guthrie's outing even more impressive was that he had to handle a 59-minute rain delay, after a rain delay of greater than two and a half hours interfered with his previous start.

"Tremendous competitor,' Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "He showed it today - to endure an hour rain delay and go out and throw at the level that he threw.'

The Indians might have finally figured a way around Guthrie toward the end of his last appearance against them. The right-hander had 11 2-3 scoreless innings against Cleveland this season entering the sixth inning on July 3. Jason Kipnis hit a three-run home run with no outs in the sixth, and Guthrie was charged with two more in the seventh, but the Royals (43-47) ended up rallying for a 6-5 win.

Their offense hasn't been nearly as productive lately, totaling five over the course of a three-game losing streak and plating five or less in each of the last eight.

Billy Butler is 6 for his last 43 (.140), a skid that began when the Indians held him to two hits in 11 at_bats in the series that began July 2.

All-Star Alex Gordon, who struck out with the bases loaded with one out in the fifth inning in Friday's series-opening 3-0 loss, is 2 for his last 17 (.118). Eric Hosmer, who arrived at Progressive Field batting .389 average with five home runs over a 13-game stretch, followed Gordon with a groundout as part of an 0-for-4 performance.

Cleveland's offense hasn't been much better. The Indians (49-44) have scored 16 runs over their last five games, but they've managed to win three of them behind a pitching staff that has a 1.96 ERA during that span.

The Indians recorded six hits Friday, but five of them came in a row to start the seventh inning. Carlos Santana, who entered Friday in a 3-for-18 slump, had an RBI single and Mark Reynolds, stuck in a 3-for-37 rut, followed with a bunt single. Michael Bourn, who entered 5 for his previous 29 (.172), tacked on a two-run double.

"Reynolds sensed something that could happen, and made a great play by bunting," Kansas City reliever Aaron Crow said. "That pitch to Bourn was down and in, almost on the ground, so that was just a great piece of hitting."

Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.74) certainly didn't mind seeing those slumping bats awaken. The left-hander has received 18 runs of support as the Indians have lost five of his last seven starts.

Kazmir hasn't received a decision in his last two starts and hasn't been able to pitch deep. After giving up three runs in five-plus innings in the defeat in Kansas City on July 3, Kazmir gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings in Monday's 4-2 loss to Detroit.

Gordon is 3 for 6 against Kazmir this season, and Butler is 2 for 4.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Indians
Fri, Jul 12 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Indians
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Royals at Indians
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (53-40) at Tigers (51-41)
Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: July 13, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


Max Scherzer came up short in his first bid for a 14-0 start. He could have a better chance in his second one.

The Detroit Tigers starter is unbeaten in seven regular-season outings against the Texas Rangers heading into Saturday night's matchup at Comerica Park.

Scherzer (13-0, 3.06 ERA) is attempting to become the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to open with 14 straight wins, and the first to take a 14-0 mark into the All-Star break. His six-start win streak ended Monday in Cleveland as he gave up two runs over seven innings in a 4-2, 10-inning victory.

The right-hander has been fortunate to own the majors' best run support average at 7.57. He extended his streak of consecutive regular-season starts without a defeat to 19, and his run of 18 in a row such outings to begin a season matches the fourth-longest streak since 1916.

He's 15-1 with a 2.99 ERA over his last 20 home starts, including two in last year's postseason. Scherzer is also 4-0 with a 3.35 ERA in the regular season against the Rangers.

"For me, I know I have to bring my 'A' game against them," Scherzer told the Tigers' official website. "They're talented from top to bottom. They do a really good job with speed and power - speed at the top of the lineup, power in the middle of the lineup."

Scherzer went 0-1 with a 9.72 ERA in two 2011 ALCS starts against the Rangers (53-40), who feel he has improved since then.

"He's got a tremendous slider and a turbo sinker," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He works fast and throws strikes."

Washington will hand the ball to Derek Holland (7-4, 3.19).

The Rangers are 5-0 in Holland's starts against the Tigers (51-41), including two in the 2011 ALCS. He has a 4.94 ERA in those games, however.

"I've got to match Scherzer pitch for pitch," Holland said. "He's 13-0 for a reason, so I have to do everything I can to match him."

Holland improved to 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in his last seven road starts by allowing five runs over 6 2-3 innings of an 8-5 win over Baltimore on Monday.

Miguel Cabrera, five RBIs shy of 100, is hitting a major league-best .418 against left-handers. He's 3 for 3 with two homers against Holland this year.

"The last time, he took care of me," Holland said. "This time, I have to take care of him. But I can't take for granted the rest of the lineup. They have some pretty good hitters."

That includes Victor Martinez, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games in Friday's 7-2 victory in the opener of this three-game set. He is batting .446 with 10 runs during the streak.

Texas has totaled four runs during a three-game slide as Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz combined to go 0 for 8 on Friday.

"We need to get to the break, give everyone a break, and get it together," Washington said.

Beltre's 13-game hitting streak was snapped while Cruz had been 10 for 29 during a seven-game run.

The Tigers are 9-12 when opponents start left-handers.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Tigers
Fri, Jul 12 Final 2 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Tigers
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Tigers
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (47-46) at Marlins (34-57)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: July 13, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


The Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez was ecstatic after learning he made the NL All-Star team.

While former All-Star Dan Haren can surely relate, he hasn't come close to pitching at that level for the Washington Nationals.

Fernandez takes the mound Saturday night opposite Haren, who tries to snap the longest losing streak of his career.

Despite having never played higher than Class A, Fernandez (5-5, 2.83 ERA) is quickly making a name for himself. The 20-year-old right-hander has struck out 99 in 98 2-3 innings and ranks among the NL leaders in opponent batting average (.194).

"I'm not really thinking about how everything has come," Fernandez, who will be the Marlins' lone representative at Tuesday's All-Star game, told MLB's official website. "It's incredible. It's pretty fun to get a chance, first, to be in the big leagues. And now they trust me to be on the All-Star team. That's something I really can't explain. It's incredible."

Fernandez had gone 3-1 with a 1.34 ERA over a six-start stretch before yielding three runs, four hits and a season-high four walks in six innings Sunday in a 3-2 loss at St. Louis.

"He gave us a chance and that's what he's done really almost every time this year," manager Mike Redmond said.

Fernandez, who is 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA over eight home outings, will try to bounce back in his first appearance versus Washington (47-46).

"I feel great, I feel strong," he said. "Nothing to worry about. Five days, go back out there and do what I do."

Haren (4-10, 6.00), meanwhile, is struggling through the worst big league season of his 11-year career. The right-hander, who was an All-Star selection from 2007-09, owns the NL's highest ERA among pitchers with at least 85 innings.

In his first start back since missing two weeks with shoulder inflammation, Haren allowed two runs, seven hits and three walks in five innings Monday in a 3-2 loss at Philadelphia. He is 0-7 with a 6.66 ERA in nine outings since May 14, with the Nationals losing each time.

"I felt good but obviously I would've preferred the outcome to be different," he said.

Haren gave up a season high-tying seven runs - three earned - in 4 1-3 innings April 16 in an 8-2 loss at Miami, dropping to 1-4 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts against the Marlins. Placido Polanco is 9 for 25 in their matchups.

NL-worst Miami (34-57) is seeking a season best-tying third straight win after taking Friday's opener 8-3. Marcell Ozuna had three RBIs and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer as the Marlins tagged Stephen Strasburg for a career-high seven earned runs.

"I don't think anybody anticipated that. Fortunately for us we were able to come out there and have some great at_bats," said Redmond, whose club has won nine straight and 15 of 19 overall when Ozuna drives in at least one run.

The Nationals have gone 2 for 29 with runners in scoring position during a 1-4 stretch. Bryce Harper is 2 for his last 15 and Ryan Zimmerman is 1 for his last 16. That one hit, though, left the yard.

Washington, last in the majors with a .215 average on the road, has dropped eight of 13 in Miami.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Marlins
Fri, Jul 12 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Marlins
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Marlins
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (56-35) at Cubs (41-50)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: July 13, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


Matt Garza has been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball of late.

The Chicago Cubs hope the right-hander can stymie the surging St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night at Wrigley Field.

St. Louis (56-35) defeated Chicago 3-2 on Friday to pick up its sixth win in seven games. The Cardinals, who had lost eight of 11 prior to this stretch, have prospered due to a pitching staff that has posted a 3.05 ERA with five home runs allowed over the past seven contests.

The Cardinals, owners of baseball's best road record at 29-19, managed to get back to their winning ways away from home Friday after losing six of eight on the road.

No one has had more fun at Wrigley Field than Cardinals All-Star starting outfielder Carlos Beltran. He had three hits and drove in a run Friday, and his career .349 batting average at Wrigley is his best at any ballpark he's had at least 30 at_bats.

Beltran, batting .414 against Chicago (41-50) this season, had one extra-base hit in his first 29 at_bats in July before posting a double and triple Friday.

"That's baseball," Beltran said. "Some days you feel like you come to the ballpark and you try and nothing works out your way, and today it seems like everything worked out my way."

Garza (5-1, 3.22 ERA) could be the right candidate to quiet Beltran, who has yet to record a hit in their seven matchups. He's also 4-0 with a 0.97 ERA in his last five starts after allowing two runs and five hits over seven innings of an 8-2 victory over the White Sox on Monday.

"I think he'd probably tell you he didn't have the great fastball command, but he did have the velocity," manager Dale Sveum said.

After posting a 7.80 ERA in his first three career starts against the Cardinals, Garza is 1-0 with a 1.06 ERA in his last three.

He will square off against Lance Lynn (11-3, 3.67), who broke out of a mini-slump in his last start. The right-hander posted a 5.93 ERA in losing consecutive outings for the first time in his career before holding Miami to two runs in seven innings of a 3-2 win Sunday.

"I tried to not even think about the last (loss)," Lynn said. "You're going to have times where it seems like every time you throw a pitch and they hit, it's a hit, no matter where it goes."

Lynn has posted a 29-10 record since the start of the 2012 season, giving him the fifth-best winning percentage in baseball during that span. Five of those victories have come against the Cubs, who scored twice off him over seven innings to come away with a 2-1 win at Wrigley Field on May 7.

He limited the Cubs to a run and three hits in six innings of a 6-1 win in St. Louis on June 20.

Starlin Castro appears to have broken out of his slump against the Cardinals. After going 2 for his first 24 versus St. Louis this season, he has five hits in seven at_bats over the first two of this four-game series.

The Cubs have allowed three runs or fewer in six of their last seven games while going 5-2.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Cubs
Thu, Jul 11 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Cubs
Fri, Jul 12 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Cubs
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Cubs
Sun, Jul 14 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (40-49) at Pirates (55-36)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 13, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


The New York Mets are claiming a blister and an innings limit are why they're skipping Matt Harvey's turn in the rotation.

Potentially starting next week's All-Star game might be another reason.

While the young ace rests ahead of the Mid-Summer Classic, the Mets will give Carlos Torres his first start in almost three years Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Harvey has been a revelation in his first full season in the majors, going 7-2 with a 2.35 ERA and a league-leading 147 strikeouts. His emergence landed him on the NL roster for Tuesday's All-Star game at Citi Field, and he's in contention to be named the starter.

Still, Mets manager Terry Collins claims there are other factors involved in skipping the 24-year-old right-hander's scheduled start against Pittsburgh (55-36).

"No. 1, he's thrown 130 innings and he's going to be limited this summer," Collins said. "Part of the reason is also his blister issue.

"We need to back him off and now is a good time. If he pitches in the All-Star game he'll be ready for it."

Collins is hoping Torres (0-1, 0.51 ERA) is ready for his first start since Aug. 3, 2010, as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

The right-hander was already inserted in the rotation earlier this week after Shaun Marcum was lost for the season due to Thoracic Outlet syndrome.

Torres compiled a 1.67 ERA while winning his last five starts at Triple-A Las Vegas before being recalled June 15. His latest appearance for the Mets came in the final two innings of Tuesday's 10-6 win at San Francisco, yielding an unearned run and four hits.

That victory was part of New York's four-game winning streak, which ended with Friday's 3-2, 11-inning loss to Pittsburgh in the opener of this three-game set.

David Wright, the Mets' only other representative for the All-Star game, is batting .347 during a 12-game hitting streak after getting a single, double and an RBI on Friday. The third baseman is batting .361 over his last nine games at PNC Park, but he's 3 for 18 with eight strikeouts against A.J. Burnett, the Pirates' scheduled starter.

Burnett (4-6, 3.05) will try to pitch Pittsburgh to its first five-game win streak against the Mets since 1998.

The right-hander was sharp in his return from the disabled list Sunday, allowing two runs - one earned - and three hits in five innings of a 4-3 loss in 11 to the Cubs.

"There was nothing not to like," manager Clint Hurdle told the team's official website. "The ball came out of his hand very crisply, efficiently. He was throwing a big curve from a couple of different angles."

Burnett has a 1.33 ERA while winning three straight starts against the Mets, but all those appearances came for the New York Yankees.

Pittsburgh's Starling Marte is batting .346 with 14 runs and six stolen bases over the past 16 games, with 13 of his 27 hits in that span going for extra bases. He's 7 for 16 over his last four meetings with the Mets.

Pedro Alvarez is also 7 for 16 in four games versus New York, hitting two homers and driving in six. His two-run shot Friday was his fourth homer in nine games, and he's hitting .342 with nine RBIs over that stretch.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Pirates
Fri, Jul 12 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Pirates
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Pirates
Sun, Jul 14 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (45-49) at Dodgers (46-46)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: July 13, 2013 7:15 PM EDT


No matter which park Zack Greinke has called home in recent years, he's been practically unbeatable in those surroundings.

While Greinke tries to win a fifth straight start and remain undefeated at Dodger Stadium, teammate Yasiel Puig might not be in the Los Angeles lineup Saturday against the Colorado Rockies.

Whether pitching in Milwaukee, with the Los Angeles Angels or up the 5 freeway for the Dodgers (46-46), Greinke (7-2, 3.91 ERA) is 24-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 38 regular season and playoff home starts since the beginning of the 2011 season. The right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.53 ERA all-time at Chavez Ravine, including 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts during his first season with the Dodgers.

Greinke, who has a 3.33 ERA while winning four straight starts overall, gave up two hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless innings of a 6-1 win at Arizona on Monday.

"This is probably maybe the second time he's had this kind of stuff,' Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Hopefully we're trending toward this more consistently.'

Though Greinke will try to win five consecutive starts for the first time since July 27-Aug. 17, 2011, he needs more outings like his latest.

"It's got to be more consistent,' he said. "(Monday) was good but it can't just be one game and then a couple of OK games and then a bad game and then a good game.'

Greinke is 1-0 in two starts against the Rockies this season - both at Coors Field - despite recording a 7.84 ERA and walking 10 in 10 1-3 innings. He matched a career high with seven walks and allowed five runs in five innings of a 10-8 win over the Rockies on July 3.

It's possible Puig won't be behind him Saturday because of a sore hip.

After leaving in the eighth inning of Thursday's 6-1 win over the Rockies (45-49), the rookie phenom exited in the fourth of a 3-0 loss Friday. He's batting .392 with eight homers and 19 RBIs in 37 games.

"There are a lot of games left in the season,' Puig said. "I'll rest, get some treatment and see how it feels (Saturday).'

Mattingly doesn't seem too concerned.

"If he's healthy (Saturday), he'll play,' he said.

Teammate Carl Crawford also could miss a second straight game because of a stiff lower back.

The Dodgers managed three of their four hits Friday against Colorado's Juan Nicasio, who outpitched Clayton Kershaw and helped snap their five-game winning streak. Los Angeles has lost four times in 20 games.

With a double Friday, Los Angeles' Hanley Ramirez is batting .444 in his last 24 games. He's hitting .448 (13 for 29) versus Colorado this season and is 4 for 7 against scheduled starter Tyler Chatwood (5-2, 2.74).

The right-hander allowed five hits over six scoreless innings during a 12-2 win at Dodger Stadium on April 29, but gave up six runs and 11 hits in five innings against Greinke and Los Angeles last week.

He was much better Monday when yielding two runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 win at San Diego to improve to 3-1 with a 1.26 ERA in five road starts this season.

"I just wanted to go right after guys," Chatwood told the Rockies' official website.

D.J. LeMahieu had three hits with an RBI on Friday for Colorado, which won for the fourth time in 12 contests. He's batting .355 (11 for 31) with four RBIs against the Dodgers in 2013.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Dodgers
Thu, Jul 11 Final 1 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Dodgers
Fri, Jul 12 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rockies at Dodgers
Sat, Jul 13 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 4
Rockies at Dodgers
Sun, Jul 14 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (58-37) at Athletics (54-39)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: July 13, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


The Boston Red Sox have turned around this road trip with four straight wins.

Now they are hoping Jon Lester can turn around his road woes.

Lester was on the mound the last time the Red Sox lost and will look to take advantage of a sputtering Oakland Athletics' offense Saturday night.

Boston (58-37) ended a six-game slide in Oakland with a 4-2 victory Friday in the opener of this weekend series. The Red Sox began 1-3 on this 10-game trip before this surge ensured they will go into the All-Star break with the AL's best record.

Lester (8-5, 4.60 ERA) dropped to 1-5 with an 8.54 ERA - the worst road ERA in the majors since May 20 - in his last five away outings Monday by yielding five runs over five-plus innings in an 11-4 loss to Seattle. He felt he was victimized by bad luck.

"It goes back to, I feel like I threw the ball better than what the line score says," Lester told the Red Sox's official website.

All of the left-hander's defeats have come on the road but he could be facing the right opponent in Oakland (54-39), which has totaled six runs while hitting .136 with 29 strikeouts over its last four games. Josh Donaldson and Yoenis Cespedes are both 1 for 13 in that stretch for the Athletics, batting a major league-worst .213 in July.

Lester is 4-3 with a 4.21 ERA in 11 starts against Oakland, going 1-3 with a 4.45 ERA in five on the road.

These offenses are baseball's best in drawing walks, with 353 for Boston and 345 for Oakland. It's not unsurprising then that they also rank first and second in pitches seen with the Red Sox at 15,127 and the A's at 14,230.

Where Boston differs is that it leads the majors with 5.2 runs per game compared to Oakland's 4.5 mark. The Red Sox are second in July with a .299 average.

David Ortiz is 10 for 28 with three homers on this road trip as he remains one homer shy of 20 for the year. It would mark his 11th 20-homer season for Boston, which would tie him with Dwight Evans and Jim Evans for the second-most such years in franchise history behind Ted Williams' 16.

Jacoby Ellsbury went 0 for 4 on Friday as his 19-game hitting streak ended. He batted .413 with 11 RBIs during that run.

Dustin Pedroia hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the eighth inning for Boston, which has scored 11 of hits last 13 runs with two outs.

"There's no secret,' Pedroia said. "We've just been able to find ways to get that one pitch and make sure we don't miss it."

The venue could factor into how well Oakland starter A.J. Griffin (7-6, 3.94) fares Saturday. He went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two home starts against the Red Sox last year but surrendered a career-high nine runs over four-plus innings in a 9-6 defeat at Fenway Park on April 22.

The A's have won the right-hander's last three starts and have taken six of his eight at home.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Athletics
Fri, Jul 12 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Athletics
Sat, Jul 13 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Athletics
Sun, Jul 14 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (44-47) at Mariners (41-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: July 13, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


While things haven't really gone Jered Weaver's way this year, he's starting to find his groove.

He could, however, be in for a challenge against the red-hot Raul Ibanez, who has had his number over the years.

Weaver pitches opposite Felix Hernandez in a marquee matchup as the visiting Los Angeles Angels continue a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

After winning a career-high 20 games in 2012, Weaver (3-4, 3.38 ERA), who missed over seven weeks with a fractured left elbow earlier this year, went 1-4 with a 4.65 ERA in his first seven starts. The right-hander, though, has come around in last three, going 2-0 while allowing two runs in 20 2-3 innings.

Weaver struck out six over 6 2-3 innings of five-hit ball to beat Boston 3-0 on Sunday, winning back-to-back outings for the first time this year.

"It's the best stuff that Jered's had all season, so it's a good time for it," manager Mike Scioscia told MLB's official website.

Weaver lost each of his three matchups against the Mariners (41-52) last year, dropping to 12-7 with a 3.21 ERA in the series. He is 2-3 with a 2.20 ERA in his last five starts at Safeco Field.

Weaver can't be looking forward to facing Ibanez, who is 14 for 30 with four homers and two doubles in their matchups. The 41-year-old Ibanez continues to turn heads, going 25 for 70 (.357) with 10 homers, 18 RBIs and 15 runs in his last 17 games.

Ibanez went 3 for 4 with his team-leading 23rd and 24th homers as Seattle took Friday's opener 8-3 to snap a three-game skid.

"What hasn't he done," winning pitcher Joe Saunders said. "From my perspective, it's fun to be part of. To see what he's doing day in and day out, it's impressive.

"I just hope he can keep it going. He's the heart and soul of this ball club, really, the way he goes about preparing, the teammate he is, the leader he is."

Kyle Seager and Kendrys Morales also went deep for the Mariners, who broke the franchise record by homering in their 20th consecutive game. Seattle has left the yard 35 times over that stretch, the most in the majors since June 20.

The Mariners now turn to Hernandez (9-4, 2.69), who has posted the AL's second-highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.23) - behind only teammate Hisashi Iwakuma (5.89).

Hernandez is looking to win a season-high fifth consecutive decision after yielding two runs in seven innings Monday in an 11-4 victory over Boston.

"He wasn't as tough as I've seen him in the past when he was throwing 96-97, but he still is a great pitcher," Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said of Hernandez, who struck out six. "He goes out there and throws all his pitches for strikes and still gets of lot of swings and misses."

Hernandez is 7-12 versus Los Angeles with a 4.12 ERA - his second-highest mark against any team he has faced more than once. Hernandez has allowed at least five runs in five of his last seven starts in the series.

While Mike Trout is 14 for 30 with a homer, two doubles and a triple versus Hernandez, Josh Hamilton is 8 for 53 with 16 strikeouts.

Mariners rookie infielder Nick Franklin has missed the last two games with a right knee injury but he could return Saturday. He is hitting .327 with a homer, six doubles and 10 RBIs over a 13-game stretch at home.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Mariners
Fri, Jul 12 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Mariners
Sat, Jul 13 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Mariners
Sun, Jul 14 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (42-50) at Padres (41-53)
Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: July 13, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Buster Posey is the NL's reigning MVP and batting champion, and the San Diego Padres are well aware of what he's capable of.

That's especially true at Petco Park.

Posey looks to continue his dominance of the Padres as the San Francisco Giants go for their longest winning streak over the NL West rival in almost seven years Saturday night.

Posey batted .336 with 24 homers and 103 RBIs during a career year in 2012, and he continues to prove that wasn't a fluke. The catcher is headed for his second All-Star game Tuesday in New York, thanks in large part to his .320 average, 13 homers and 56 RBIs.

A series with the Padres seems to be helping him build momentum heading into the break.

Posey is 4 for 9 with six RBIs while helping San Francisco (42-50) win the first two of this four-game set. He plated a season-high five runs while powering Friday's 10-1 romp.

Success at pitcher-friendly Petco Park is common for Posey, whose .370 average in 20 games is the highest by any active player with at least 80 at_bats there.

Despite the Padres (41-53) occupying the division cellar, opponents have a .248 average at Petco.

Posey, meanwhile, is 13 for 27 with nine RBIs over his last seven visits, and another big effort could give the Giants a fifth straight win over San Diego for the first time since a six-game streak in 2006.

Brandon Crawford and Marco Scutaro may also have a say in getting closer to that mark. Crawford is 11 for 22 over the past five games after his three hits Friday gave him a fourth multihit game of that stretch.

Scutaro, who will join Posey and pitcher Madison Bumgarner at the All-Star game, also had three hits to go with his two RBIs Friday, and he's 8 for 17 over his last four meetings with San Diego.

Tim Lincecum (4-9, 4.61 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound in search of his first road win since beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in his season debut April 3.

The right-hander is 0-6 with a 5.82 ERA over eight away games since, including a 2-1 defeat at San Diego on April 26. He allowed two runs with nine strikeouts in seven innings.

Lincecum's latest outing came at home Monday, and he fanned a season-high 11 while yielding three runs in seven innings of a 4-3 loss in 16 to the New York Mets.

The Padres have dropped 17 of 20 games, and they're a season-high 12 games under .500.

Giving the ball to Edinson Volquez (6-7, 5.33) may not help. The right-hander has lost his last two home starts while surrendering nine runs with 11 walks and 10 strikeouts in 11 innings.

He struggled with his control again Monday, allowing four runs and eight hits while issuing four walks and throwing 94 pitches in 5 1-3 innings of a 4-2 loss to Colorado.

"I was off a little bit with my rhythm," Volquez told the team's official website.

That could be said of almost each of his last six starts as host. He's 1-4 with a 5.56 ERA and 38 strikeouts compared to 22 walks in 34 innings over that stretch, which includes only one quality start.

Both of Volquez's starts against the Giants this year have come on the road, and he has no record while yielding five runs in 11 innings.

He's held Crawford to 2 for 14 with five strikeouts, but Posey is 2 for 5 with a double off him.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Padres
Thu, Jul 11 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Padres
Fri, Jul 12 Final 10 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Giants at Padres
Sat, Jul 13 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Giants at Padres
Sun, Jul 14 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (37-55) at Diamondbacks (49-44)
Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: July 13, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Losses once piled up for Kyle Lohse earlier in the season. Now he's working on another long undefeated streak.

The Milwaukee Brewers hope Lohse can extend that run while winning his third straight start Saturday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Lohse (5-6, 3.47 ERA) is 4-0 with a 2.37 ERA in his last eight starts and hasn't lost since an 8-6 defeat at Minnesota on May 30. He's plenty familiar with long unbeaten stints, going 15 starts without a loss for St. Louis at one point last year and 10 starts a year earlier.

Milwaukee (37-55) supplied the right-hander with an average of 2.6 runs of support as he went 1-6 in his first 10 starts. But the Brewers are backing him with 5.3 runs per game over his unbeaten run.

He also received some spectacular defensive help to preserve his latest victory as Carlos Gomez robbed what would have been the go-ahead home run for the final out in a 4-3 win over Cincinnati on Monday. Lohse gave up nine hits - the most he's allowed in 11 starts - but limited the damage to three runs over 6 2-3 innings for his seventh quality start in eight games.

Pitching to contact continues to be successful for Lohse, whose 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings is one of the majors' lowest rates.

"I'm not going to be that guy to get them to swing at balls way out of the zone," he said after beating the Reds. "I'm just up there trying to pound the zone and they took advantage a couple of times, but more times than not I was able to get a weak fly ball or a ground ball."

The Diamondbacks (49-44) only recorded four hits Friday - their fourth time in five games with five or fewer - but it was still enough for a 2-1 win as Patrick Corbin matched a career high with 10 strikeouts in 6 2-3 strong innings.

Paul Goldschmidt drove in a run on a groundout and also doubled, improving to 14 for 32 (.438) during a nine-game hitting streak. He's also 8 for 16 with six RBIs in five games against the Brewers this season.

Arizona scheduled starter Randall Delgado (1-3, 3.82) looks to bounce back from his third loss in four starts after giving up a career-high 11 hits and three runs over six innings of a 6-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. He didn't receive a run of support in any of his losses this season.

Delgado will try to cool off Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who has four homers and is slugging .955 in his last six games after going 2 for 3 with a double Friday.

Norichika Aoki was hitless in five at_bats to end a nine-game hitting streak.

Lohse is 1-0 with a 1.02 ERA over his last three starts versus Arizona, including his first of the season when he gave up one run over six innings but didn't record a decision in a 3-1 loss April 5.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Diamondbacks
Thu, Jul 11 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Diamondbacks
Fri, Jul 12 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Diamondbacks
Sat, Jul 13 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Brewers at Diamondbacks
Sun, Jul 14 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

Odds to win the Big X Conference in football this fall.....

2.25-1-- Texas Longhorns--Won four of last five bowl games.

5-2-- Oklahoma St Cowboys-- Since 2008, are 32-12-1 vs spread as faves.

3-1-- Oklahoma Sooners-- 9-2 vs spread in game after last 11 losses.

7-2-- TCU Horned Frogs-- Get talented QB Pachall back this year.

12-1-- Baylor Bears-- Scored 116 points in winning last two bowls.

18-1-- Kansas State Wildcats-- Nine new starters on defense this year.

20-1-- Texas Tech Red Raiders-- New coach, new QB, lost 3 of 5 on OL

25-1-- West Va. Mountaineers-- Allowed 63 in a win; scored 49 in a loss.

30-1-- Iowa State Cyclones-- Lost 13 of 22 starters from last season.

60-1-- Kansas Jayhawks-- Why does Charlie Weis keep getting big jobs?


*****

Armadillo: Saturday's List of 13: Random thoughts from the desert.........

13) American basketball team at World University game lost for second day in row, giving up 93-94 points in pathetic defensive efforts vs Canada and Australia; best they can do now is finish ninth in the tournament.

12) Monta Ellis bolted the Bucks for Dallas, which also lost rookie PG Larkin with a broken ankle- he is out for three months.

11) Astros rookie Jared Cosart took a no-hitter into 7th inning, settled for a 2-1 road win in his major league debut at Tampa Bay.

10) Playing conditions in the Minnesota-Bronx game were hideous until the umpires finally stopped the game in the 4th inning; they wound up finishing the game, but they were idiots for playing at least two innings in a rain that was steady at best and torrential at worst.

9) Someone needs to ask David Wright and former used car salesman Alan R Selig if Giancarlo Stanton might've been a better choice for Home Run Derby than Michael Cuddyer?

8) Stanton's Marlins scored seven runs in two innings against Stephen Strasburg Friday, beating the Nationals 8-3; very surprising.

7) Yasiel Puig left his second consecutive game early Friday with a hip injury; he needs the All-Star break to heal up.

6) Golfer named Chad Collins shot 27 for nine holes, 60 for 18 holes as he grabbed a 3-shot lead at the Web.com event in Utah.

5) I like Oklahoma State at 30-1 to win the college basketball title next April; if Marcus Smart had declared for the draft this year, he would've been the #1 pick. NBA-level players tend to dominate in college games.

4) Missouri/Florida Gulf Coast are both 400-1 to win the national title; I have a better chance of dating Pamela Anderson than FGCU has of winning the national title next year.

3) Blue Jays were only baseball team that didn't sign its #1 pick this spring; pitcher named Bickford is going to Cal-State Fullerton instead.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars' owner Shad Khan bought a soccer team in England, a growing trend among NFL owners. Must be nice to have money.

1) We hear every time an athlete does something bad, but when they do good things, it doesn't get mentioned as much; former Fresno State guard Chris Herren damn near died because of his drug addiction, but has rebooted his life and now goes around the country, speaking to kids about his life and how drugs can screw your life up. He is doing good work, saving lives.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Dunkel

Toronto at Baltimore
The Blue Jays look to take advantage of a Baltimore team that is 0-4 in Jason Hammel's last 4 starts as a favorite. Toronto is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jays favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+130). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, JULY 13

Game 951-952: Cincinnati at Atlanta (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 15.569; Atlanta (Minor) 16.935
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-135); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-135); Over

Game 953-954: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lynn) 16.824; Cubs (Garza) 15.728
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120); N/A

Game 955-956: NY Mets at Pittsburgh (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Torres) 15.519; Pittsburgh (Burnett) 17.006
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-180); Under

Game 957-958: Washington at Miami (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Haren) 16.047; Miami (Fernandez) 15.173
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Miami (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Over

Game 959-960: Colorado at LA Dodgers (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Chatwood) 13.955; LA Dodgers (Greinke) 16.093
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2; 6
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-165); 7
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-165); Under

Game 961-962: San Francisco at San Diego (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 13.858; San Diego (Volquez) 12.244
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: San Diego (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-110); Over

Game 963-964: Milwaukee at Arizona (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Lohse) 13.802; Arizona (Delgado) 15.282
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-120); Under

Game 965-966: Minnesota at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Deduno) 15.860; NY Yankees (Hughes) 14.761
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+140); Over

Game 967-968: Toronto at Baltimore (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Redmond) 15.503; Baltimore (Hammel) 14.378
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+130); Over

Game 969-970: Houston at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Keuchel) 14.365; Tampa Bay (Hernandez) 15.699
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-240); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-240); Under

Game 971-972: Kansas City at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Guthrie) 15.567; Cleveland (Kazmir) 14.607
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Over

Game 973-974: Texas at Detroit (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Holland) 14.209; Detroit (Scherzer) 15.871
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-165); Under

Game 975-976: Boston at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 16.424; Oakland (Griffin) 15.394
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+115); Under

Game 977-978: LA Angels at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.801; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.782
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-115); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-105); Over

Game 979-980: Chicago White Sox at Philadelphia (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Santiago) 15.639; Philadelphia (Lannan) 14.622
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 981-982: Chicago White Sox at Philadelphia (3:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 14.139; Philadelphia (Pettibone) 15.505
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A