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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (55-41) at White Sox (37-56)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


After getting two players back in the lineup this weekend, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to get even healthier for their series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

Jason Heyward is expected to make his first start in a little more than a week and will try to help the Braves begin to get on track Sunday.

Atlanta (55-42) had four regulars out of the lineup at the end of its last series, but Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman have returned during this one. Freeman homered and drove in three runs Saturday but couldn't lead the Braves to a victory in his first start since July 13.

The White Sox (38-56) scored nine runs in the third and fourth innings in a 10-6 victory. Alex Rios hit a grand slam and drove in a season-high five runs in breaking out of a 2-for-20 slump.

Rios' performance came after he was pulled from Friday's 6-4 loss for not running hard to first base. The victory was the 10th in 32 games for Chicago while Atlanta fell for the eighth time in 14 contests.

The Braves have alternated losses and wins in the past seven games.

Heyward's expected return from a strained hamstring could help change his team's fortunes. The outfielder, batting .290 in his last 36 games after hitting .142 in his first 31, was injured July 11.

Heyward said he could have played Saturday but decided to give himself an extra day to be certain he was ready.

"(On Friday), I let (manager Fredi Gonzalez) know that if I felt like I could play (Saturday), then Sunday would be the smartest and he agreed," he told the team's official website. "You have to be careful. I've been fortunate enough to avoid the (disabled list) and I don't want to see the DL with this, because it's something that can nag at you for a long time if you don't let it get right."

Mike Minor (9-4, 3.02 ERA) will try to make Heyward's return a winning one while building on a victory in his last start. The left-hander gave up two runs over seven innings and struck out seven in a 5-2 win over Cincinnati on July 13, his first in six outings.

Minor recovered after needing 51 pitches through the first two innings, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first.

"I feel like I've been in that situation a lot this year and battled through it," he said. "Hopefully, it doesn't happen anymore the rest of the season."

In his first start against the White Sox, Minor will be opposed by Jose Quintana, who will face the Braves for the first time.

Quintana (4-2, 3.71) earned his first win in nine starts June 9 in Detroit but couldn't follow with another victory last Sunday. He gave up three runs in six innings - two in the first - in a 4-3, 10-inning defeat, needing a Chicago comeback to avoid his first loss in nine outings.

"Once he gets past that first inning, for one reason or another, he gets in a little trouble in the first and then after that he gets stronger," manager Robin Ventura told the team's website.

Gerald Laird, the only current Brave to face Quintana, is 2 for 5 against the left-hander.

Jeff Keppinger is the only White Sox player to get a hit off Minor, going 2 for 6 with a double.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at White Sox
Fri, Jul 19 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at White Sox
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 6 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at White Sox
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (52-43) at Royals (44-49)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


After entering the All-Star break on a low note, the Kansas City Royals are likely feeling much better about themselves to start the season's second half.

Back-to-back wins over the division-leading Detroit Tigers will do that for a team.

Kansas City looks to complete the sweep on Sunday as it hosts Detroit.

The Royals (45-49) had lost five in a row prior to the break while being outscored 30-12. One run was good enough for a victory in Friday's opener, then they tagged Justin Verlander for eight hits in 5 2-3 innings Saturday in a 6-5 victory, the team's fifth win in its last six games versus Detroit.

Mike Moustakas was 3 for 4 with a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning off Verlander.

"There's a great pitcher on the mound and he doesn't make too many mistakes," said Moustakas, who entered in a 3-for-20 slump. "I got a pitch I could handle and didn't miss it."

Another victory would give the Royals their first three-game sweep of a team with a record over .500 while bringing them within five games of the first-place Tigers (52-44).

James Shields (4-6, 3.21 ERA) will also try to begin the second half in strong fashion after sputtering prior to the break. The right-hander went 2-0 over his last five starts despite a 5.02 ERA.

Perhaps more concerning is Shields' sudden inability to eat up innings. He's lasted seven innings just once in his last six outings after going at least seven 10 times in his first 14 starts. Shields has also been less efficient, needing 18.6 pitches per inning compared to 15.3 previously.

He yielded three runs, seven hits and three walks over five innings of a 6-4 loss at Cleveland last Sunday, throwing 113 pitches.

"I don't feel like I struggled," said Shields, who came away without a decision in two starts versus Detroit earlier this year, giving up five runs over 15 innings. "I threw some really good pitches."

Doug Fister (7-5, 4.02) will try to carry some momentum over from a solid outing prior to the break as he held Texas to two runs over six innings in a 7-2 win July 12. He had given up six runs in three of his previous four starts after allowing no more than five all season.

Despite holding the Royals to three runs in eight innings, Fister was the loser in a 3-2 final in Kansas City on June 10, falling to 1-3 in four career starts at Kauffman Stadium.

Both Shields and Fister saw better results in the second half last year. Shields posted a 2.81 post-break ERA compared to a 4.17 mark before the Midsummer Classic, while Fister followed a 4.75 pre-break ERA with a 2.67 figure.

The Tigers are without a home run in four of their last five contests with Miguel Cabrera going 3 for 14 and Prince Fielder 5 for 19. Cabrera and fellow All-Star Jhonny Peralta have hit Shields hard, going 14 for 32 and 10 for 26, respectively, but are a combined 1 for 10 against him this season.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Royals
Fri, Jul 19 Final 0 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Royals
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Royals
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (35-59) at Brewers (39-56)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


Jonathan Lucroy has picked up right where he left off prior to the All-Star Break, continuing to swing a hot bat.

Considering Lucroy's current run - as well as Wily Peralta's on the mound - the Milwaukee Brewers have to like their chances of completing a home sweep of the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

After a 2-0 win in Friday's opener, Lucroy went 4 for 4 in a 6-0 victory Saturday, doubling and hitting his 14th home run. He's now 15 for 33 with six homers and 11 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

Lucroy's four-hit game was his third of the season. He had not recorded a four-hit performance over 307 career games entering this year.

"It's just a matter of putting the work in," Lucroy said. "I'm trying to stay within myself and find an approach that works. I'm pretty much keeping it simple."

The Brewers (40-56) hope Peralta can follow the lead of Yovani Gallardo, who threw 6 1-3 strong innings Saturday. Peralta (7-9, 4.61 ERA) appears up to the task after going 3-1 with a 1.08 ERA over his last five starts.

After recording his first career shutout against the Reds on July 9, Peralta struck out a career-high eight while holding Arizona to one run over seven innings in a 5-1 road win last Sunday.

The right-hander has limited opponents to four earned runs over his last 33 1-3 innings, including three scoreless outings.

"I started the season slow, and the last four or five outings I've had better rhythm," Peralta told the team's official website. "I'm not falling behind hitters, and I'm throwing first-pitch strikes. I think that's been the difference."

Peralta toes the rubber against a Marlins (35-60) offense that continues to struggle, totaling 30 runs during a 3-8 stretch. Aug. 12-14 marked the only time in the franchise's 21-year history it has been shut out in three straight games as Miami was blanked once by the Dodgers and twice by Philadelphia.

"I thought we came out flat these first two games, especially offensively," manager Mike Redmond said. "We're getting completely shut down. We're not getting guys on base and we're not getting big hits."

Adeiny Hechavarria continues to seemingly be immune to Miami's collective woes, going 25 for 58 (.431) while hitting safely in 14 of his last 15 contests.

Scheduled starter Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 4.58) tries to pick up the Marlins' offense after giving up two runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 5-2 loss to Washington last Sunday. Alvarez yielded six runs and 11 hits over four innings in his only game against Milwaukee, a 7-6 road loss with Toronto on June 18, 2012.

Ryan Braun drove in two runs with a first-inning double Saturday, then went hitless in three more at_bats with two strikeouts.

Peralta gave up three runs over six innings in both of his starts against the Marlins, winning 8-5 on Sept. 5, and not recording a decision in a 5-4 loss in Miami on June 11.

Milwaukee has won 13 of the last 16 meetings at Miller Park.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Marlins at Brewers
Fri, Jul 19 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Brewers
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 0 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Brewers
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (51-45) at Twins (40-53)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


Though the Minnesota Twins have won four straight, they've dropped four starts in a row by Scott Diamond.

Diamond, however, owns a lower career ERA against the Cleveland Indians than any opponent he has faced more than once as he heads into Sunday's home matchup.

Minnesota (41-53) can match its longest win streak of the year after a pair of 3-2 victories to start this set. The Twins' Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia pitched into the sixth inning in those games before the bullpen finished up with scoreless relief.

That formula would require Diamond (5-8, 5.32 ERA) to fare better than he has in going 0-2 with a 5.49 ERA over his last four outings. He has failed to record an out past the fifth inning three times in that stretch, although his last start, a 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees on July 12, was cut short after 3 1-3 scoreless innings due to rain.

The left-hander will face Cleveland (51-46) for the first time in 2013. He won all three of his starts versus the Indians last year with a 0.78 ERA, lowering his career ERA against them to 2.54.

Jason Kipnis went 1 for 11 against Diamond last season while Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera each had two hits in nine at_bats.

Kipnis hit a two-run homer Saturday, and he and Michael Bourn are the only Indians with RBIs in this series.

Cabrera and Nick Swisher are each 1 for 8 in the two games while Carlos Santana is 0 for 6 and 5 for 27 in the season series, which is tied at four wins apiece.

Cleveland has dropped five straight at Minnesota and has missed a chance to gain ground this weekend on first-place Detroit, which has also lost twice since the All-Star break.

"It's still late July, there's still time,' Kipnis said. "We're not losing too much ground, thankfully. But if we want to get where we want to be, we're going to have to start winning games, and these are games that we need to be winning."

Cleveland has blown two-run leads in the sixth inning in both contests this weekend. Minnesota tied Friday's game with two runs in the sixth and scored all of its runs Saturday in that inning.

"Got the guys in that we needed to score that inning, put ourselves ahead and gave our bullpen a chance to win that game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said about Saturday.

The Indians will try to avoid the sweep behind Justin Masterson (10-7, 3.72), who is 2-7 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 appearances - 15 starts - against Minnesota.

Masterson owns a 4.72 ERA on the road compared to 2.91 at home, although he has a 2.18 ERA in day games and a 4.50 at night. He is 1-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven appearances - six starts - at Target Field.

The right-hander will pitch on 10 days' rest. He's 8-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 16 outings in which he's had at least six days off between starts.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Twins
Fri, Jul 19 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Twins
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Indians at Twins
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (44-52) at Astros (33-62)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


The Seattle Mariners are enjoying their longest winning streak of the year. They would appear to have a good chance to extend it with Felix Hernandez on the hill.

Hernandez tries to win a season-high sixth consecutive decision as the visiting Mariners go for a sixth straight victory Sunday against the Houston Astros.

After taking Friday's opener 10-7, Seattle (45-52) pulled out a 4-2 victory Saturday despite managing one hit - a tiebreaking two-run double from Michael Saunders with two outs in the seventh inning.

"That was the longest double I've ever had," Saunders said. "I definitely put a good swing on it. I guess if the hill isn't out there, maybe he runs it down. Or if the hill isn't out there, maybe it's a home run. I don't know. But it fell, we won and that's all that matters."

The Mariners have hit 10 homers and outscored opponents 32-15 during their winning streak, their longest since posting eight consecutive victories Aug. 14-22. They became the second team since 1916 to score at least four runs with one or no hits, and the first since the Chicago White Sox were no-hit but beat the New York Yankees 4-0 on July 1, 1990.

The Mariners now turn to Hernandez (10-4, 2.53 ERA), the AL leader in ERA. The right-hander, who pitched a scoreless inning in the All-Star game Tuesday, has won back-to-back starts and gone 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in his past nine outings.

Hernandez had everything working his last time out, allowing seven hits in eight innings to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-0 last Saturday.

"Felix did a great job. He had to work hard a couple of innings, but as he usually does, makes pitches and gets through it and gets out of it," manager Eric Wedge said.

Hernandez baffled the Astros in a 7-1 road victory April 22, going six scoreless innings and striking out nine.

Houston (33-63) has dropped four straight and 14 of 17 after Saturday's bizarre loss.

"I would say it was the strangest game I've been involved from little league to the big leagues when you give up one hit and punch out 15 guys and end up on the losing side of it," said manager Bo Porter, whose club has been outscored 56-23 during a 1-8 stretch at home.

"But it's crystal clear how we ended up on the losing side of it. When you walk (six) guys and all four of their runs that score are via the walk, there's no defense for it."

The Astros have walked 14 in the first two games of this series and are second in the major leagues in walks per nine innings at 3.67.

Carlos Pena, mired in an 8-for-65 (.123) slump, has gone 1 for his last 19 against the Mariners.

The Astros try to bounce back behind Jordan Lyles (4-3, 4.02), who went 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in his final four starts before the break. The right-hander yielded four runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-4 loss at St. Louis last Wednesday.

"A couple breaking balls got away, but for the most part, fastball command was pretty good," he said. "Just need to make better pitches."

Lyles allowed three hits and struck out a career-high 10 over seven scoreless innings but didn't get a decision in a 6-1 win at Seattle on June 12. That was the only time he's faced the Mariners.

Lyles has gone 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA in his last five home starts.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Astros
Fri, Jul 19 Final 10 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Astros
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mariners at Astros
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (49-47) at Nationals (48-49)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: July 21, 2013 1:35 PM EDT


The surging Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to take over sole possession of the NL West lead if they can record their first sweep in the nation's capital.

Having Clayton Kershaw on the mound appears to give them a good chance after his recent performance against the Washington Nationals, but the Dodgers ace will be opposed by NL wins co-leader Jordan Zimmermann on Sunday.

The Dodgers (49-47) moved to within a half-game of Arizona with a 3-1 win in 10 innings Saturday and the Diamondbacks' 4-3 defeat in San Francisco.

Mark Ellis hit a tying single in the seventh inning and Hanley Ramirez had a tiebreaking double to help send their team to its 19th victory in 24 games.

"We're winning all kinds of different ways as the momentum has started to go our way,' manager Don Mattingly said. "We lost of lot of these early in the year, but now it seems like we're hanging in there, feeling like we're going to win these."

Kershaw (8-6, 1.98 ERA) will try to follow with his third victory in as many starts against Washington, losers of seven of nine. The Nationals (48-49) have scored 22 runs and gone 6 for 67 with runners in scoring position in that stretch, including 1 for 12 on Saturday.

Kershaw has allowed two runs over 16 2-3 innings in his past two matchups with Washington. He finished one out shy of a five-hitter in his lone one this season, a 2-0 victory May 14.

The major league ERA leader had a three-game win streak snapped in his final start before the break, giving up three runs over seven innings and striking out 10 in a 3-0 defeat to Colorado on July 12. Kershaw allowed a combined three runs in his three prior outings for a 1.08 ERA.

"It's frustrating because we want to give our boy the win," outfielder Skip Schumaker said. "More times than not our ace is a little bit better (than the opposing pitcher). It feels like we run into a good pitcher every time Kershaw throws."

That's certainly the case Sunday with Zimmermann (12-4, 2.58) set to take the ball. The right-hander, though, is on the verge of his first three-start stretch without a win this season after a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia on July 11.

After his first defeat in eight starts, Zimmermann skipped the All-Star game because of tightness in his neck.

"I rather be healthy than go out there and just pitch one inning and then have the whole second half shot," he told the team's official website. "I think taking a few days off, no throwing and rest, we'll be good to go."

The well-rested Zimmermann will try to earn his third win in as many matchups with the Dodgers (49-47). He's posted a 1.98 ERA in his past two and gave up two runs in 7 2-3 innings during his only one this season, a 6-2 victory in Los Angeles on May 13.

He'll try to prevent the Dodgers from taking sole possession of first place for the first time since Aug. 19.

Los Angeles' most recent road sweep of the Nationals franchise was May 24-26, 1996, when the team was the Montreal Expos.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Nationals
Fri, Jul 19 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Nationals
Sat, Jul 20 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Nationals
Sun, Jul 21 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (43-55) at Cardinals (58-37)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 21, 2013 2:15 PM EDT


Adam Wainwright missed his opportunity to take sole possession of the NL wins lead before the break, but a home start against the San Diego Padres might help him accomplish that feat.

Wainwright will try to continue his dominance of the Padres and lead the Cardinals to their ninth victory in 12 games Sunday.

After tying Washington's Jordan Zimmermann for the NL lead July 9, Wainwright (12-5, 2.45 ERA) gave up four runs over six innings last Sunday against the Chicago Cubs and left before the Cardinals rallied for a 10-6 victory.

With Zimmermann also starting Sunday, Wainwright will try at least to remain tied atop the league's wins list with another stellar outing against the Padres. He tried to stay fresh during the break by not pitching in the All-Star game and doing very little throwing over the four days.

"I think that will benefit me more than any amount of bullpen sessions or throwing can do right now," Wainwright told the team's website.

Wainwright is 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in three career home starts versus San Diego and 4-2 with a 1.02 ERA in six overall. The right-hander gave up one run over 7 1-3 innings in his lone matchup this season, a 10-2 rout at Petco Park on May 21.

He tossed a four-hitter with nine strikeouts in his last home meeting with the Padres, a 4-0 victory May 22, 2012.

In this one, Wainwright will pitch opposite Eric Stults (8-7, 3.40), who will seek his third win in as many starts. The left-hander has a 1.20 ERA in his past two outings and gave up one run over six innings in a 10-1 drubbing of San Francisco last Sunday.

"Offensively, it was just a great game for us. Just to get that cushion definitely helped me," Stults told the team's website after receiving a combined eight runs in his previous six outings.

Stults won his only start against the Cardinals on Sept. 10, allowing three runs in 5 1-3 innings of an 11-3 victory.

He'll try to help San Diego build off the end to a 10-game road losing streak and its third victory in 18 overall contests. The Padres (43-55) scored a combined four runs in the first three innings en route to a 5-3 win Saturday, snapping a five-game skid in St. Louis.

The Cardinals (58-37) had four hits after producing a combined 47 in their prior three games.

"We have a really good offense and sometimes it's just not going to happen for you," said first baseman Allen Craig, who hit a two-run single and now has 76 RBIs.

St. Louis placed outfielder Matt Holliday on the disabled list (strained right hamstring) before Saturday's defeat, but the move is retroactive to July 12. The Cardinals might miss Holliday in this game as he's been one of the team's best hitters against Stults, going 3 for 8 with a solo homer and a double.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Cardinals
Fri, Jul 19 Final 6 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Cardinals
Sat, Jul 20 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Padres at Cardinals
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (56-41) at Angels (46-49)
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: July 21, 2013 3:35 PM EDT


As good as Bartolo Colon has been over the last two months, it's unlikely he will win Sunday if an Oakland Athletics' offense that has been missing Yoenis Cespedes continues to sputter.

The visiting Athletics hope Cespedes can return Sunday and provide some support for Colon as they try to avoid a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Angels.

Oakland (56-41) has totaled one run, 10 hits and 20 strikeouts in dropping the first two games of this series without Cespedes, who has been scratched because of a sore left wrist.

Manager Bob Melvin said the slugger hurt himself in the third round of batting practice Friday. Cespedes, who won Monday's Home Run Derby, has not gone deep in 19 games and could return Sunday.

"He feels better today, but until our training staff feels like he's 100 percent and not putting himself in a position where he could further injure it, it'll be day to day,' said Melvin, whose club has totaled 13 runs over its last eight games.

Colon (12-3, 2.70 ERA), meanwhile, went 9-1 with a 1.59 ERA over his last 11 outings before the All-Star break. He has allowed three runs or fewer and pitched at least six innings every time in a 12-start span for the second-longest such run in Oakland history.

The 40-year-old right-hander, the oldest All-Star in club history, can tie Detroit's Max Scherzer and Tampa Bay's Matt Moore for the major league lead in victories. Colon has also posted a 1.75 ERA in winning his last five road starts.

Colon has not faced the Angels in 2013. He went 2-1 with a 1.66 ERA in three starts against them last year, with Albert Pujols going 4 for 10 off him.

Pujols, 4 for 8 in this series, is one of four Angels to homer in the first two games while the Athletics have failed to go deep.

Los Angeles starters have pitched 15 scoreless innings in this series. C.J. Wilson fell two outs shy of a shutout in Saturday's 2-0 win.

The A's captured the first five meetings with the Angels, who have taken the last three to move within a win of their first three-game home sweep of Oakland since Sept. 27-29, 2010.

The Angels (46-49) have won four straight at home as they send the struggling Jerome Williams (5-5, 4.60) to the mound.

Williams is 0-2 with a 19.13 ERA in three outings this month, failing to last past the fourth inning in any of them. He gave up six runs over 3 1-3 innings - his longest effort of this horrid stretch - in an 8-3 defeat at Seattle on July 12.

"I'm getting behind in the count and have to leave a pitch over the middle of the plate and get hit," Williams said. "I've got to control counts better."

The right-hander has allowed four runs - one earned - over nine innings in three 2013 relief appearances against the A's. He's 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA in seven career starts against them.

Coco Crisp is 2 for 13 against Williams. He's 1 for 9 in this series while Chris Young and Josh Donaldson each are 1 for 8.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Angels
Fri, Jul 19 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Angels
Sat, Jul 20 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Athletics at Angels
Sun, Jul 21 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (50-47) at Giants (45-51)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 21, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


As bad as the San Francisco Giants were in June and earlier this month, a recent surge has brought them closer to the top of the NL West.

They hope to make up more ground Sunday as Madison Bumgarner tries to clinch a sweep of the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park.

The Giants (45-51) followed a 10-17 month of June by starting 1-8 in July, but won three of four before the All-Star break. Back-to-back wins over the Diamondbacks (50-47) - including a 4-3 victory on Saturday - have them 4 1/2 games out of first place. Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey were a combined 4 for 8 with three RBIs.

"This division, nobody seems to want to run away with it," said Arizona's Cody Ross, whose team is one-half game ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers. "It's there for the taking."

San Francisco's rotation has struggled all year with a 4.53 ERA that ranks among baseball's worst. But the starters have keyed the club's surge, compiling a 2.31 ERA over the last six games while yielding two runs or fewer five times.

No Giants starter has been more consistent than Bumgarner (10-5, 3.02 ERA), especially recently. The left-hander is 6-1 over his last seven starts with a 2.30 ERA that ranks among the NL's best during that span. He's racked up 47 strikeouts in as many innings during that stretch while giving up only 26 hits.

Bumgarner has thrown exactly seven innings in each of his last six starts. After yielding two runs and three hits to San Diego in the first inning of his most recent outing July 11, the first-time All-Star bounced back to retire 15 straight while surrendering one more hit.

"Inauspicious start there, but that's what good pitchers do. They limit the damage. He got out of that," manager Bruce Bochy said of Bumgarner, who is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three starts versus Arizona this season. "What was impressive about Madison, he was flat the first inning until he made a nice adjustment and got in a great groove there and pitched great."

Bumgarner will try to extend Arizona's woes with runners in scoring position. The Diamondbacks are batting a mediocre .247 on the year in such situations, but are just 3 for 29 over their last five games, with Paul Goldschmidt and Aaron Hill each 0 for 4.

After a nine-game hitting streak, Goldschmidt is 3 for 17 over his last four contests, going 1 for 9 in this series and failing to deliver in bases-loaded situations in both games.

"Goldy's been carrying us all year," manager Kirk Gibson said. "It's part of the game, those things happen. They're fortunate to get through him. He's got to just suck it up tomorrow and come back. It'd be nice if somebody else would pick him up.'

Goldschmidt is 3 for 14 off Bumgarner, including a 1-for-8 mark this year, while Hill is 4 for 10 lifetime against the southpaw.

Willie Bloomquist is 5 for 13 when facing Bumgarner.

The Diamondbacks will counter with Randall Delgado (1-3, 3.92), who has posted quality starts in five of his six starts. He limited San Francisco to a solo homer by Ross in a 2-1 win with Atlanta on Aug. 16, 2011, his only previous outing against the Giants.

San Francisco has won 17 of the last 25 meetings, including seven of eight.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Giants
Fri, Jul 19 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Giants
Sat, Jul 20 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Giants
Sun, Jul 21 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (43-52) at Rockies (47-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 21, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


While the Chicago Cubs' Edwin Jackson ended a disappointing first half on a strong note, he could be in for a bumpy ride at Coors Field on Sunday.

Jackson tries to win a career high-tying fourth straight start when he takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies, who have hit him especially hard over the course of his career.

After a rough first three months, Jackson (6-10, 5.11 ERA) seemingly found his form in his final three starts before the All-Star break. The right-hander won each outing while posting a 1.93 ERA and holding opponents to a .203 average - significantly lower than his season mark of .271.

"This is probably the craziest start I've had in baseball," he said of his first-half efforts. "It's a game of grinding it out. As long as you believe and you have the confidence that you can come in and turn things around, it's all that matters.

"Nobody expected me to start like I did - myself, the front office, the team, the managers. No one. But it's a game, you have to keep grinding. You can either sink or you can swim."

Jackson pitched seven innings of three-hit ball to beat St. Louis 3-0 on July 11.

"He was really sharp against the best offense in baseball," manager Dale Sveum told MLB's official website. "He had a lot more conviction with his pitches, and wasn't worried about pitching as much as throwing."

Jackson won four consecutive starts July 25-Aug. 10, 2008, while with Tampa Bay.

Despite his hot streak, Jackson may not be looking forward to facing the Rockies (47-51). He's 1-2 with a 15.12 ERA in seven career matchups with Colorado - by far his highest mark against any team.

Jackson has surrendered 18 runs in 5 1-3 innings during his last two starts in Colorado. Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer are a combined 17 for 26 (.654) with a home run, three doubles and two triples in their matchups.

Colorado gives the ball to Tyler Chatwood (5-3, 2.56), who has yielded two or fewer runs in all but one of his last 11 starts. The right-hander recorded his first career complete game in a hard-luck 1-0 road loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Saturday.

"We didn't get a win, but I don't think his outing was wasted," Cuddyer said of Chatwood, who has never faced the Cubs. "I think he can continue to build off that."

After dropping Friday's opener 3-1, the Rockies bounced back Saturday with a 9-3 win. Gonzalez hit his NL-leading 26th homer and Fowler went 2 for 3 with a season high-tying three RBIs.

"I have a lot of confidence in our offense. I know we've struggled but it's a good offensive club and I stick by that," said manager Walt Weiss, whose team has gone 12-21 since a 7-3 stretch last month.

Colorado improved to 20-7 at home when Gonzalez drives in at least one run. He is batting .384 with eight homers, 17 RBIs and 19 runs in 22 career games against Chicago (43-52).

The Rockies have hit .350 in taking 11 of 13 home matchups in the series, a stretch in which they've outscored the Cubs 103-53.

Colorado placed closer Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day disabled list after he had his appendix removed Friday. Rex Brothers is expected to handle ninth-inning duties with Betancourt sidelined.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Rockies
Fri, Jul 19 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Rockies
Sat, Jul 20 Final 3 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Rockies
Sun, Jul 21 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (55-43) at Rangers (54-43)
Game: 3
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 21, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


With a chance to complete a road sweep of one of the best teams in the AL, the Baltimore Orioles will start one of the most successful pitchers of the past two years.

Chris Tillman heads into Sunday night seeking his ninth win in 10 decisions for the Orioles, who look to make it five straight victories over the struggling Texas Rangers.

Baltimore (55-43) has won four in a row in this season series after losing the first two meetings. The Orioles scored in each of the first three innings for a 7-0 lead Saturday and held on for a 7-4 victory to move a season-best 12 games over .500.

Adam Jones homered for the fourth time in five games and Matt Wieters had three of the Orioles' 17 hits.

``You're piggybacking each other. (Nate) McClouth is our ringleader; he starts the game off,' said Jones, 9 for 17 with eight RBIs in those five contests. ``The first two days he's started the game off with hits and he gives us a little bit of energy.'

Chris Davis remained stuck on a major-league best 37 home runs but had two hits after entering with an .088 (3 for 34) average against his former team.

Davis has homered in each of Tillman's last six starts, with Baltimore scoring 38 runs in those games.

A late addition to the All-Star team, Tillman (11-3, 3.95 ERA) is 8-1 in his past 10 starts despite a 4.34 ERA. He's only pitched past the sixth inning once in his last seven outings and has been helped by a 6.29 run-support average, among the highest in the AL.

``I've said it a hundred times - the quicker you get these guys back in the dugout and in the batter's box, the more is going to happen," Tillman said.

While fortunate, Tillman has also been good enough to go 20-6 since the start of last season. His .769 winning percentage ranks behind Detroit's Max Scherzer (29-8, .784) for the league lead during that span.

Tillman continued his trend of slow starts July 12 against Toronto, but settled down to allow three runs over six innings of an 8-5 win. Twelve of the 50 runs the right-hander has surrendered this year have come in the second inning.

He's won his last two starts against the Rangers, both in Arlington, giving up three earned runs in 14 innings.

Texas (54-43) has lost six of seven, totaling 16 runs and going 6 for 43 with runners in scoring position during that span.

``It's obvious we need to pitch better, it's obvious we need to play the type of defense we know we can play,' manager Ron Washington said. ``And it's obvious we need to start hitting with runners in scoring position.'

The lack of offense could leave little room for error for Martin Perez (3-2, 3.00), who is coming off his worst outing of the season.

The left-hander went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA during a four-start stretch, including an 8-4 win at Baltimore on July 9 in which he gave up four runs - two earned - in six innings. However, Perez allowed five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-0 loss at Detroit last Sunday.

He surrendered a career-high three homers after giving up two in his first 30 1-3 innings this year.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Rangers
Fri, Jul 19 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Orioles at Rangers
Sat, Jul 20 Final 7 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Orioles at Rangers
Sun, Jul 21 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (52-45) at Red Sox (59-40)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 21, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


CC Sabathia used a Caribbean vacation to get away from baseball during the All-Star break.

He'll be back on the mound in a place that has been unkind to him since he joined the New York Yankees.

Sabathia will try to avoid losing three straight starts with the Yankees for the first time in Sunday night's road game against the Boston Red Sox.

The left-hander's run of three straight All-Star appearances came to an end this year. Sabathia (9-8, 4.07 ERA) went into the break with two straight defeats, and hasn't dropped three in a row since April 5-16, 2008, with Cleveland.

He was in St. Barts island in the Caribbean over this break.

"I didn't see anything about baseball," he told the Yankees' official website. "It was actually refreshing to be able to get away and relax. It was the first time I'd done that in a while. I feel good."

Sabathia allowed eight runs - three earned - over four innings in last Sunday's 10-4 loss to Minnesota. He will try to bounce back at Fenway Park, where he is 2-3 in seven starts with a 5.44 ERA - his highest in any stadium in which he has pitched more than once since joining the Yankees.

He's 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two starts against Boston this year. Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 6 against him in those games and Jose Iglesias was 4 for 5.

David Ortiz is 0 for 3 versus Sabathia this year to drop to 6 for 34 with 12 strikeouts in their matchups since 2009.

Sabathia was originally scheduled to face Jon Lester in a rematch from opening day, but Lester was pushed back to Tuesday to give him some extra rest.

Ryan Dempster (5-8, 4.24) will start instead as he looks to bounce back from his last outing July 11 when he gave up seven runs over 3 1-3 innings in an 8-7, 10-inning victory at Seattle.

Dempster is 0-5 with a 7.29 ERA in six starts against New York (52-45), including 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in three over the last three seasons.

The right-hander has limited Robinson Cano to a double in six at_bats while Brett Gardner is 2 for 6 against him.

Cano enters with a .389 average during an 11-game hitting streak while Gardner was one of three Yankees with three hits that helped key Saturday's 5-2 victory that evened this series.

Boston (59-40) had a five-game home win streak snapped. Jacoby Ellsbury went 0 for 4 after hitting .396 over his previous 23 games.

Stephen Drew went 0 for 2 with a walk in his first action in over a month after being out with a hamstring injury. Manager John Farrell said he would likely not start Drew on Sunday since the shortstop is hitting .183 against left-handers.

Shane Victorino sat out Saturday after leaving Friday's 4-2 victory with left hamstring tightness. Farrell said before Saturday's game that Victorino "felt better than I think he expected to feel" and that the manager "expect(s) him back in the lineup (Sunday)."


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Red Sox
Fri, Jul 19 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Red Sox
Sat, Jul 20 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Red Sox
Sun, Jul 21 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

Odds to win the first AAC football championship this season........

1-2-- Louisville-- Bridgewater is one of country's best QBs.

3-1-- Rutgers-- Doesn't say much that top two teams here are leaving.

7-2-- Cincinnati-- Guess Tommy Tuberville didn't like Lubbock too much.

10-1-- UCF-- Lost seven of top ten tacklers from last season.

20-1-- SMU-- June Jones hired Hal Mumme as an offensive assistant.

20-1-- UConn-- Football is making their basketball program lag behind.

20-1-- South Florida-- Damn, Skip Holtz didn't last long with the Bulls.

35-1-- Houston-- Remains to be seen if Levine is the right coach here.

50-1-- Memphis-- At least the Tigers will help the AAC's basketball.

60-1-- Temple-- Same here; AAC will be an underrated hoop league.


*****

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday........

13) Houston's Erik Bedard pitched 6.1 innings Saturday and didn't allow a hit, but he gave up three runs, two unearned, as he walked five and struck out 10 while throwing 109 pitches in a 4-2 loss to Seattle.

12) White Sox manager Robin Ventura benched OF Alex Rios Friday for dogging it on a double play grounder, but Rios was back in the lineup Saturday and knocked in five runs as Chicago beat the Braves 10-6.

Hard to trade a guy (and dump his $12.5M salary) if he doesn't always give great effort. Am guessing his pricetag went down this weekend.

11) Texas Rangers lost 13 of their last 21 home games.

10) Mets' rookie Zack Wheeler lasted only 4.2 innings while throwing 106 pitches as the Mets beat Philly 5-4, the Phils' first loss in their last eight games at Citi Field.

9) Tampa Bay Rays won 19 of their last 23 games, during which time their starting pitchers' ERA is a paltry 2.34.

8) Bronx Bombers have used 45 players this year, seven starting 3B's; their shortstops are hitting a combined .208. Sounds like the GM isn't doing a very good job of replacing their injured players.

7) Angels' announcers were criticizing Oakland's second half pitching rotation during Saturday night's game; those nitwits should look at the A's payroll, the Angels' payroll, then take a look at the standings.

6) It only took four days for FOX to talk about Mariano Rivera as the All-Stasr Game MVP, as if he miraculously saved the game somehow. He was given the MVP as a lifetime achievement award, thats it. It was such a dull game, there really wasn't an MVP.

5) Calgary Stampeders rallied from a 24-0 first quarter deficit to stun Montreal 38-27, the greatest comeback in CFL history.

4) Toronto Argonauts' QB Ricky Ray was 19-20 for 286 yards passing Friday, before he hurt his knee. Ray said "I heard a pop", never a good sign.

3) Rory Sabbatini isn't in the British Open? Looked weird to see his name amongst the leaders at this week's PGA event in Mississippi.

2) Kobe Bryant's parents raked in $282,000 by selling some of Kobe's stuff this week; you can pick your friends, but not your relatives.

1) Restaurant recommendation; Gordon Ramsay's "Burger" restaurant inside the Planet Hollywood casino is very good eating.
Reply With Quote

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Baltimore at Texas
The Rangers look to salvage a game against the Orioles and build on their 17-5 record in their last 22 games after dropping the first 2 games of a series. Texas is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Texas (-130). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, JULY 21

Game 951-952: Philadelphia at NY Mets (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Lee) 16.080; NY Mets (Harvey) 15.135
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 5
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+105); Under

Game 953-954: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.476; Cincinnati (Bailey) 17.151
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-140); Over

Game 955-956: LA Dodgers at Washington (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 14.773; Washington (Zimmermann) 15.690
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+105); Over

Game 957-958: Miami at Milwaukee (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Alvarez) 14.426; Milwaukee (Peralta) 15.957
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-165); Under

Game 959-960: San Diego at St. Louis (2:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Stults) 13.299; St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.348
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 2; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-210); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-210); Under

Game 961-962: Arizona at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Delgado) 14.536; San Francisco (Bumgarner) 14.085
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-180); 7
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+160); Over

Game 963-964: Chicago Cubs at Colorado (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Jackson) 15.752; Colorado (Chatwood) 14.641
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 12
Vegas Line: Colorado (-160); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+140); Over

Game 965-966: Tampa Bay at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Archer) 15.172; Toronto (Dickey) 16.679
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-130); Under

Game 967-968: Detroit at Kansas City (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Fister) 15.165; Kansas City (Shields) 16.126
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+105); Under

Game 969-970: Cleveland at Minnesota (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Masterson) 15.520; Minnesota (Diamond) 14.182
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-140); Over

Game 971-972: Seattle at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 16.142; Houston (Lyles) 13.945
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 2; 6
Vegas Line: Seattle (-175); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-175); Under

Game 973-974: Oakland at LA Angels (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Colon) 15.320; LA Angels (Williams) 15.830
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+105); Over

Game 975-976: Baltimore at Texas (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.437; Texas (Perez) 16.011
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-130); Under

Game 977-978: NY Yankees at Boston (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.861; Boston (Dempster) 14.930
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+115); Over

Game 979-980: Atlanta at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Minor) 15.880; White Sox (Quintana) 14.250
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, July 21

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PHILADELPHIA (49 - 49) at NY METS (42 - 51) - 1:10 PM
CLIFF LEE (L) vs. MATT HARVEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 20-25 (-10.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 130-130 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 34-46 (-25.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-45 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 130-127 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LEE is 23-26 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 20-14 (+10.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 170-160 (+29.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
NY METS are 5-13 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
NY METS are 18-28 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 37-54 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 7-14 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
NY METS are 18-28 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 7-4 (+2.1 Units) against NY METS this season
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.8 Units)

CLIFF LEE vs. NY METS since 1997
LEE is 5-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.09 and a WHIP of 1.021.
His team's record is 6-3 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-3. (+2.9 units)

MATT HARVEY vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
HARVEY is 3-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 1.37 and a WHIP of 0.760.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

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PITTSBURGH (56 - 39) at CINCINNATI (55 - 42) - 1:10 PM
JEFF LOCKE (L) vs. HOMER BAILEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 223-446 (-96.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 94-222 (-69.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 154-110 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 154-110 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 25-17 (+9.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 14-8 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in road games in day games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 56-39 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 46-30 (+21.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-14 (+12.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PITTSBURGH is 56-39 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-21 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CINCINNATI is 325-348 (-85.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 97-115 (-39.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
BAILEY is 2-7 (-7.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season. (Team's Record)
BAILEY is 11-21 (-13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 6-6 (+2.1 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.1 Units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
LOCKE is 1-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 1.08 and a WHIP of 1.380.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.5 units)

HOMER BAILEY vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
BAILEY is 8-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.54 and a WHIP of 1.094.
His team's record is 10-3 (+5.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.7 units)

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LA DODGERS (49 - 47) at WASHINGTON (48 - 49) - 1:35 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 108-92 (+24.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
ZIMMERMANN is 36-16 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZIMMERMANN is 11-0 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
ZIMMERMANN is 11-0 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 9-2 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games in July games this season.
KERSHAW is 19-5 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 48-49 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 48-49 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-1 (+3.7 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
KERSHAW is 4-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.43 and a WHIP of 1.190.
His team's record is 5-2 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-3. (+0.5 units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
ZIMMERMANN is 2-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.12 and a WHIP of 1.322.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.1 units)

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MIAMI (35 - 60) at MILWAUKEE (40 - 56) - 2:10 PM
HENDERSON ALVAREZ (R) vs. WILY PERALTA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 14-36 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 103-149 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 69-107 (-28.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 57-93 (-26.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 104-153 (-35.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 26-45 (-18.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 80-41 (+26.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 104-55 (+33.8 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 40-13 (+20.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 38-12 (+19.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 15-26 (-14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 10-23 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 40-56 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 57-59 (-17.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 40-56 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-1 (+2.9 Units) against MIAMI this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

HENDERSON ALVAREZ vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
ALVAREZ is 0-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 13.50 and a WHIP of 3.250.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

WILY PERALTA vs. MIAMI since 1997
PERALTA is 1-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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SAN DIEGO (43 - 55) at ST LOUIS (58 - 37) - 2:15 PM
ERIC STULTS (L) vs. ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 29-8 (+18.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN DIEGO is 439-503 (+36.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
SAN DIEGO is 61-56 (+14.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
STULTS is 22-13 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STULTS is 22-12 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STULTS is 13-7 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-3 (+0.2 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

ERIC STULTS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
STULTS is 1-0 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.126.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 4-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 1.02 and a WHIP of 0.902.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.1 units)

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ARIZONA (50 - 47) at SAN FRANCISCO (45 - 51) - 4:05 PM
RANDALL DELGADO (R) vs. MADISON BUMGARNER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 50-28 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 67-57 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 74-47 (+22.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 26-18 (+13.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-49 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-51 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 8-3 (+4.4 Units) against ARIZONA this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

RANDALL DELGADO vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
DELGADO is 0-0 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MADISON BUMGARNER vs. ARIZONA since 1997
BUMGARNER is 4-3 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.33 and a WHIP of 1.197.
His team's record is 6-5 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-5. (+0.4 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (43 - 52) at COLORADO (47 - 51) - 4:10 PM
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. TYLER CHATWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 642-632 (-148.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 104-153 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 11-29 (-13.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 44-84 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 701-722 (-131.4 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 104-153 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 945-1044 (-186.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
JACKSON is 19-31 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 18-31 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 7-15 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-17 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 34-55 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 184-237 (-53.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 77-103 (-34.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 184-240 (-56.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 100-111 (-32.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 20-47 (-31.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
CHATWOOD is 3-10 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 3-2 (+1.3 Units) against COLORADO this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

EDWIN JACKSON vs. COLORADO since 1997
JACKSON is 1-2 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 15.13 and a WHIP of 2.761.
His team's record is 3-4 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.4 units)

TYLER CHATWOOD vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

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TAMPA BAY (57 - 41) at TORONTO (45 - 51) - 1:05 PM
CHRIS ARCHER (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 32-24 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 26-17 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
TORONTO is 341-248 (+53.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 498-586 (+19.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 106-58 (+30.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 112-97 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 29-12 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 7-5 (+1.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.2 Units)

CHRIS ARCHER vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

R.A. DICKEY vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
DICKEY is 3-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.087.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.3 units)

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DETROIT (52 - 44) at KANSAS CITY (45 - 49) - 2:10 PM
DOUG FISTER (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 52-44 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 2-9 (-8.7 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
DETROIT is 23-25 (-8.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
DETROIT is 19-21 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
DETROIT is 48-41 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
FISTER is 14-28 (-18.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
FISTER is 2-10 (-9.8 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
FISTER is 9-16 (-9.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FISTER is 4-17 (-14.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
FISTER is 7-16 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 64-70 (+13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SHIELDS is 14-4 (+12.0 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 5-2 (+4.9 Units) against DETROIT this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.4 Units)

DOUG FISTER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
FISTER is 1-4 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.10 and a WHIP of 1.158.
His team's record is 3-5 (-3.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-4. (-0.6 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. DETROIT since 1997
SHIELDS is 5-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.53 and a WHIP of 1.243.
His team's record is 9-2 (+7.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-6. (-1.2 units)

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CLEVELAND (51 - 46) at MINNESOTA (41 - 53) - 2:10 PM
JUSTIN MASTERSON (R) vs. SCOTT DIAMOND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 13-26 (-14.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-17 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CLEVELAND is 48-43 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-15 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CLEVELAND is 51-46 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 87-122 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 57-87 (-30.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-42 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 71-117 (-33.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 87-122 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-4 (+1.2 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

JUSTIN MASTERSON vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MASTERSON is 2-6 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.425.
His team's record is 7-8 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-6. (+1.0 units)

SCOTT DIAMOND vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
DIAMOND is 3-1 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 2.34 and a WHIP of 1.010.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.0 units)

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SEATTLE (45 - 52) at HOUSTON (33 - 63) - 2:10 PM
FELIX HERNANDEZ (R) vs. JORDAN LYLES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 26-6 (+21.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 25-16 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 87-167 (-38.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 98-207 (-67.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 93-181 (-48.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 88-169 (-38.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 6-34 (-23.6 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-51 (-25.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 5-18 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 35-90 (-41.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-6 (+0.4 Units) against SEATTLE this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.7 Units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. HOUSTON since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.583.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

JORDAN LYLES vs. SEATTLE since 1997
LYLES is 0-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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OAKLAND (56 - 41) at LA ANGELS (46 - 49) - 3:35 PM
BARTOLO COLON (R) vs. JEROME WILLIAMS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 5-12 (-8.5 Units) against the money line in road games in day games this season.
LA ANGELS are 410-335 (+56.2 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 8-1 (+7.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 28-17 (+11.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 70-65 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 27-11 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 56-41 (+22.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 56-38 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 101-70 (+38.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 68-41 (+25.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 29-11 (+14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 56-41 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLON is 15-4 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
COLON is 31-15 (+14.0 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLON is 12-4 (+9.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLON is 15-4 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
COLON is 15-6 (+10.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 46-49 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 46-49 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 72-60 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 17-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 5-3 (+2.7 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.9 Units)

BARTOLO COLON vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
COLON is 10-6 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.37 and a WHIP of 1.226.
His team's record is 13-8 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-9. (-0.6 units)

JEROME WILLIAMS vs. OAKLAND since 1997
WILLIAMS is 3-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.463.
His team's record is 4-3 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-3. (+0.8 units)

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BALTIMORE (55 - 43) at TEXAS (54 - 43) - 7:05 PM
CHRIS TILLMAN (R) vs. MARTIN PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 175-254 (-76.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday since 1997.
TEXAS is 114-68 (+28.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 80-70 (+14.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 34-20 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BALTIMORE is 33-29 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 55-43 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 70-51 (+21.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 74-60 (+33.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 30-20 (+18.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 50-35 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 38-25 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 44-34 (+12.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TILLMAN is 14-5 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 8-1 (+7.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 7-1 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 9-2 (+9.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 22-9 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 18-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 9-2 (+8.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
TILLMAN is 14-8 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 15-23 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 22-31 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-2 (+2.1 Units) against TEXAS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.0 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

CHRIS TILLMAN vs. TEXAS since 1997
TILLMAN is 2-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-1 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.3 units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
PEREZ is 1-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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NY YANKEES (52 - 45) at BOSTON (59 - 40) - 8:05 PM
C.C. SABATHIA (L) vs. RYAN DEMPSTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 59-40 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DEMPSTER is 26-14 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 15-8 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
BOSTON is 61-71 (-21.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 63-82 (-24.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 20-41 (-19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 47-59 (-24.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 66-64 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 30-37 (-19.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-33 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 110-121 (-35.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 86-96 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-3 (+1.8 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. BOSTON since 1997
SABATHIA is 9-12 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.57 and a WHIP of 1.311.
His team's record is 10-16 (-9.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-11. (+1.9 units)

RYAN DEMPSTER vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
DEMPSTER is 0-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 7.29 and a WHIP of 2.010.
His team's record is 0-6 (-6.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.9 units)

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ATLANTA (55 - 42) at CHI WHITE SOX (38 - 56) - 2:10 PM
MIKE MINOR (L) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 5-11 (-9.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 38-56 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 49-64 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 101-103 (-25.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 23-33 (-16.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 36-51 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against ATLANTA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

MIKE MINOR vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSE QUINTANA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.