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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (59-39) at Nationals (48-52)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: July 24, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Francisco Liriano produced a string of dominant outings before the All-Star break but couldn't add to that in his first game back.

A chance to face a scuffling Washington Nationals lineup could help him get back on track Wednesday night.

Liriano (9-4, 2.44 ERA) was 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his final four starts before the break but gave up five runs in a season-low 4 1-3 innings in his return Friday, a 5-3 loss in Cincinnati.

"One of those days I didn't get any rhythm," Liriano said. "I tried to make good pitches and it didn't work out. Everything was up."

That loss kept Liriano from reaching double-digit wins for the third time in his eight major league seasons and for the first time since he had a career-high 14 for Minnesota in 2010. The left-hander would appear to have a prime opportunity to earn his 10th win Wednesday against the Nationals, who are batting .212 and have scored 11 runs during a season-high five-game skid.

"Really, the thing about us right now is we're a little snake bit," outfielder Jayson Werth said. "Things aren't going our way and we're not winning games. We need to find a way to win a game."

Washington (48-52) had three hits in a 5-1 loss Tuesday and is 6 for 78 (.077) with runners in scoring position during a 2-10 stretch. The Nationals fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein on Monday and his replacement, Rick Schu, arrived in Washington on Tuesday.

"I would like to see us put the ball in play a little bit more," Schu told the team's official website. "I think it's just committing to the team's concept - moving runners, putting the ball in play with two strikes, grinding at_bats. That's what this team is capable of doing. We just have to get back to it."

The Pirates' Russell Martin had three hits by himself Tuesday, and Pedro Alvarez hit his 25th homer in his club's third consecutive win. Pittsburgh (59-39) dropped nine of its first 14 this month after winning nine in a row to finish June.

Stephen Strasburg (5-7, 2.97) will try to end the Pirates' run while building on a solid performance in his return from the break. The right-hander gave up two runs over seven innings to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, but he didn't receive a decision in a 3-2 loss.

In his final start of the first half July 12, Strasburg matched a career high by giving up seven runs in two innings in an 8-3 loss at NL-worst Miami.

Washington has scored three runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts and 15 of his 19 this season.

"Stras pitched one heck of a ballgame," manager Davey Johnson told the team's official website. "(He) pitched good enough for us to win."

While Liriano will face Washington for the first time, Strasburg will try to improve to 3-0 in four starts against the Pirates. He did not get a decision in his only matchup this season, a 5-4 win May 4, after allowing Starling Marte and Clint Barmes to hit two-run homers in his seven innings.

Strasburg is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last six home start.


--------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Nationals
Mon, Jul 22 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Nationals
Tue, Jul 23 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at Nationals
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Pirates at Nationals
Thu, Jul 25 - 12:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (59-42) at Red Sox (61-41)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 24, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Boston's Felix Doubront credited his excellent performance last month against the Tampa Bay Rays for boosting his confidence, which hasn't wavered since.

For far different reasons, David Price's most recent outing versus the Red Sox may have provided motivation for his current surge.

The left-handers oppose each other Wednesday night at Fenway Park as AL East-leading Boston looks to deal Tampa Bay a second straight loss for the first time in nearly a month.

The Rays (59-42) had an opportunity to move into first place Tuesday, but had their six-game winning streak snapped with a 6-2 loss to the Red Sox (61-41).

Evan Longoria and Wil Myers hit solo homers for Tampa Bay, which had won 18 of its previous 20 since back-to-back losses June 26 and 28.

"We've been playing pretty darned good, and I am not going to be negative or critical about our group at all," manager Joe Maddon said.

Boston's victory increased its lead to 1 1/2 games over the Rays, and it avoided falling out of first place for the first time since May 25. It has won 10 of the 14 meetings with Tampa.

"Where we are in the standings, where they are (and) knowing we're only still in July, this (still) was a big game for us,' manager John Farrell said.

Doubront (7-3, 3.76 ERA) has gone 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA over his last six starts, beginning when he allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings of Boston's 3-1 win over the Rays in the second game of a doubleheader June 18.

"This game gives me more confidence," Doubront said after that outing. "I needed this. I needed this to get more confident, trust more in my pitches. I'll go the next game and try to do the same and stay on one page, this page."

He's stayed positive while winning three straight starts, most recently giving up two runs - one earned - in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees on Friday.

"My confidence, my focus is improving," Doubront said. "I'm just trying to go deep and help the team win the game, keep the score down and let my team score runs."

Doubront is 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts versus the Rays, though Price is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA in eight starts at Fenway.

Price (4-5, 4.03) was roughed up for four runs in 2 1-3 innings before leaving with a strained left triceps in a 9-2 loss to the Red Sox on May 15, but he's gone 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in four starts since returning from a nearly seven-week stint on the disabled list.

He allowed a career worst-tying three homers and four runs in seven innings but picked up an 8-5 win at Toronto on Friday.

"I thought he kept getting better,' Maddon said. "He wasn't bad at the beginning, he just threw it in a couple of bad spots.'

Price already has matched last season's loss total in 18 fewer starts, but the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner gave up one run and struck out eight in six innings of Tampa's 2-1, 10-inning defeat April 13 at Boston.

Dustin Pedroia, who reportedly has agreed to a seven-year, $100 million extension with the Red Sox, is hitting .343 with a homer and four doubles lifetime off Price.

Boston has won six of the eight meetings at Fenway this season.

----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Red Sox
Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Red Sox
Tue, Jul 23 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Red Sox
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rays at Red Sox
Thu, Jul 25 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (56-44) at Mets (44-52)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 24, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The New York Mets finally broke out against Kris Medlen on Tuesday night.

They'll hope to do the same against Tim Hudson when they host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

The Braves had won all seven of Medlen's starts against the Mets before New York knocked him out with three runs in the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory on Tuesday.

"I don't know if it was just command or leaving balls out over the plate, but the swings got better in the sixth than in the first five innings," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Mets (44-52) will try to do the same against Hudson (7-7, 4.08 ERA), who seeks his 17th career victory over New York, which would mark his most against any team.

The right-hander has a 3.52 ERA against the Mets, and the Braves (56-44) have won four of his last five starts against their NL East rivals. Hudson is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in a pair of home starts versus New York in 2013.

John Buck and Ike Davis, who knocked in two of New York's four runs on Tuesday, will look to stay hot against Atlanta.

Buck has five multi-hit performances and nine RBIs in his last nine games. Although he's only hitting .219 against the Braves in 2013, three of his seven hits are homers and he's also been hit five times and walked twice.

Davis has doubled in consecutive games for the Mets, and despite striking out nine times is 7 for 21 in the season series.

"These are all confidence-building things,' manager Terry Collins said of Davis' go-ahead double in the sixth.

Hudson went 10 straight starts without a win from May 10-June 29, but the results have started to catch up with his performance. He's posted a 2.77 ERA since the beginning of June and won three straight starts while being provided with 22 runs of support.

Hudson gave up four runs in 7 1-3 innings of Atlanta's 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

New York, meanwhile, has won eight of its last 12 as its rotation has posted a 2.96 ERA.

Of the 24 earned runs the Mets have allowed over that stretch, eight came against Jeremy Hefner (4-7, 3.93) in two-plus innings of a 13-8 loss to Philadelphia on Friday.

"I don't think he hit a spot the entire first inning," Collins told the team's official website. "Anything he wanted to throw, he didn't throw it there."

The Phillies are batting .448 against the right-hander, but Hefner has limited everyone else to a .220 average.

Hefner held the Braves to three hits over six innings while striking out seven May 24, but he gave up a pair of runs on a homer by Freddie Freeman - the All-Star's second in seven at_bats in their matchups.

Before facing Philadelphia, Hefner had gone 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his previous 10 outings.


--------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Mets
Mon, Jul 22 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Mets
Tue, Jul 23 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Mets
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Braves at Mets
Thu, Jul 25 - 12:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (53-47) at Rangers (55-45)
Game: 3
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 24, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Matt Garza is set to start pitching for a playoff contender again, this time with a team that has long coveted him.

Garza will make his Texas Rangers debut Wednesday night against the visiting New York Yankees.

"He's excited, big smile on his face. I think I sat here with just as big a smile as he did," manager Ron Washington said. "He's ready to go, man. I wouldn't expect anything less."

The Rangers acquired Garza (6-1, 3.17 ERA) on Monday from the Chicago Cubs. Texas immediately traded three players, including major league pitcher Justin Grimm and top prospect third baseman Mike Olt, in a deal with one or two players to be named later.

The right-hander was 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his last six starts for the Cubs. Scratched from his scheduled start Monday night at Arizona, he last pitched July 13 against St. Louis at Wrigley Field.

"He's a power pitcher. He will upgrade any rotation in the big leagues," said Rangers backup catcher Geovany Soto, his former teammate in Chicago. "It's great to have him here.

"He's happy that everything's done, he knows where he's at now, and he's going to be here for 2013 and hopefully go into October. He's going to prepare, he's going to give you 100 percent. Guaranteed."

Derek Holland was initially scheduled to pitch Wednesday against his idol, Andy Pettitte (7-7, 4.47). He will instead pitch the four-game series finale Thursday, a day game when the temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or more.

Washington said the Rangers (55-45) didn't want Garza to sit much longer after not pitching Monday.

"Plus, we want to get him a chance to feel what this heat is like, rather than his first game out he's going in a day game," Washington said. "Derek has done it before, so we send Derek out there."

Garza, who pitched in the 2008 World Series for Tampa Bay and in the 2010 AL division series for the Rays against Texas, can become a free agent after this season. He made 11 starts for the Cubs this year after missing the first seven weeks with a strained left lat muscle.

Tampa Bay traded Garza to Chicago instead of Texas after the 2010 season. The Rangers were also interested in Garza last summer before he missed the last two months with a stress reaction in his elbow.

The last time Garza faced the Yankees (53-47) was in September 2010, and he has a 1-4 record with a 4.48 ERA in 12 games - 11 starts - against them.

"It's been a few years, but we've seen a lot of him, and he's a pitcher that's had success pretty much anywhere he's been," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "He's got very good stuff, he seems pretty durable, he's pitched in the American League, which is not the easiest place to pitch. He's pitched in pennant races, so you would expect it to be a good acquisition for the Rangers."

Texas rallied from a 3-0 deficit Tuesday night, scoring four times in the sixth to take the lead, but the Yankees pushed two runs across in the ninth to come away with a 5-4 victory and win for the second time in seven games.

The Rangers have dropped eight of 10.

Pettitte has also been in a funk, going 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA in his past seven starts. He's allowed at least four runs in each of those outings, tying the longest streak of his career from Aug. 19-Sept. 21, 1998.

In his last four starts, the left-hander has allowed 13 runs over the first two innings.

"It's got to change," Pettitte told the Yankees' official website. "I can't keep going out there and giving up two, three, four runs in the first inning and second inning. I feel too good."

Pettitte gave up four runs in the third inning of an 8-5 loss to Texas on June 26. Including the postseason, he's 13-11 with a 4.81 ERA in 28 starts against the Rangers.


--------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Rangers
Mon, Jul 22 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Rangers
Tue, Jul 23 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Rangers
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Yankees at Rangers
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (55-44) at White Sox (39-58)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 24, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Even with Miguel Cabrera on the bench, the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers didn't have too many problems beating the last-place Chicago White Sox.

With their slugger expected to sit out again, the Tigers will try to earn a fourth consecutive win Wednesday night in Chicago.

Cabrera left Monday's series opener after aggravating a nagging left hip flexor injury. Manager Jim Leyland said the reigning AL MVP and the majors' first triple crown winner in 45 years likely will miss this game, and it's uncertain if he'll return in this series.

Leyland, though, doesn't think Cabrera will wind up on the disabled list.

"I doubt very much he'll play (Wednesday)," he said. "I can assure you, he's not going to play both these games the next two days. ... Will he play one? I can't answer that. But if he played (Wednesday) night, he certainly wouldn't play the day game. I don't know if he'll player either of the two, to be honest with you."

The Tigers (55-44) rolled to a 6-2 victory Tuesday without the benefit of Cabrera's MLB-best .358 average, 31 homers and 96 RBIs. Jhonny Peralta started the scoring in a three-run fourth inning with an RBI single and hit a solo homer in a three-run sixth.

"Everybody has problems," Leyland said. "Everybody has injuries, and everybody has issues that they've got to deal with. We've really had our share this year."

In its 34th loss in 49 games, Chicago (39-58) had as many errors (a season-high four) as hits until Paul Konerko's two-run double in the ninth. The White Sox have committed seven errors in the first two games of this series, and their 68 this season are two shy of matching their 2012 total.

"I don't think anyone saw this one coming this year with the way we played last year and we have pretty much the same pieces," Konerko said. "The ball just kept rolling down the hill the wrong way, and we have not stopped it."

Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 2.85 ERA) will try to help add to Chicago's woes while snapping a two-game skid. The right-hander, though, started that losing streak by giving up five runs over 5 1-3 innings in his first career matchup with the White Sox, a 6-3 loss July 11.

Chicago rookie catcher Josh Phegley drove in most of those runs with his first career grand slam.

Sanchez was sharper in his return from the All-Star break Friday, allowing one run and four hits over six innings. He also walked a season-high five, though, and suffered a 1-0 defeat in Kansas City.

"I feel good because I kept the score right there," Sanchez told the team's website.

While Sanchez will try to repeat his last outing, John Danks (2-7, 4.52) is hoping for a better one. Chicago's left-hander gave up five runs over seven innings Friday in a 6-4 loss to Atlanta after posting a respectable 2.93 ERA in his previous four outings.

Danks, however, is 0-2 with a 14.21 ERA in his last three starts against Detroit. He avoided a loss in his most recent matchup on May 14, 2012, despite giving up five runs and nine hits in just three innings.

Prince Fielder had three hits off Danks in that game, and Austin Jackson is 10 for 25 (.400) with two homers lifetime against him. Martinez is 7 for 31 (.226) but has three home runs.

---------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at White Sox
Mon, Jul 22 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at White Sox
Tue, Jul 23 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at White Sox
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Tigers at White Sox
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (57-44) at Royals (46-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 24, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles are aggressively making changes to get back to the playoffs.

The return of Wei-Yin Chen seems to have already bolstered their chances.

Chen looks to win a third straight start since returning from the disabled list while the Orioles attempt to re-establish themselves at the plate against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Baltimore (57-44) holds one of the league's two wild-card spots and is third in the AL East, two games back of second-place Tampa Bay and 3 1/2 behind Boston for first.

The Orioles are already making moves ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, acquiring reliever Francisco Rodriguez from Milwaukee on Tuesday in exchange for minor league infielder Nick Delmonico.

Baltimore has a proven closer in Jim Johnson, who leads the majors with 35 saves. However, Rodriguez gives manager Buck Showalter another veteran option late in close games.

Rodriguez converted all 10 of his save opportunities, compiling a 1.09 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 24 2-3 innings over 25 games.

"We like Franky Rodriguez's experience, especially in pitching in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette told the team's official website. "And he's done it well. He gives us a little more depth to our bullpen. We really like his changeup, his signature pitch that has had success against left-handed hitters. And he's a major league veteran."

While Rodriguez adds depth to the bullpen, Chen's return has boosted the rotation.

The left-hander missed nearly two months with a strained right oblique, but he's allowed two runs in 13 1-3 innings while winning two starts - both against Texas - since coming off the DL.

Chen (5-3, 2.67 ERA) has won three of his last four starts on the road behind a 2.31 ERA, yielding one run in 19 1-3 innings during those victories.

He didn't get a decision against Kansas City on May 7, allowing two runs and exiting with one out in the seventh of a 4-3 win.

Chen will now try to help the Orioles rebound from Tuesday's 3-2 defeat to the Royals (46-51) that snapped their five-game win streak. Baltimore, which was held to five hits and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, batted .319 during its run.

The bats may be sparked by Matt Wieters' expected return after the two-time All-Star catcher was given a day off. He's 11 for 22 with four doubles, two homers, four RBIs and six runs during a six-game road hitting streak, which includes a single and a double in Monday's 9-2 win to open this four-game set.

The Royals are scheduled to turn to Ervin Santana (6-6, 3.18), who is looking to build on perhaps his best performance of the season. Another strong effort could also make him an attractive option for a postseason contender this month.

The right-hander dominated one of those teams Friday, limiting Central-leading Detroit to two hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 1-0 win.

"Everything was working, especially my location. Everything was down," said Santana, who is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA over his last four home starts.

He allowed three runs in six innings opposite Chen on May 7, giving up an RBI double to Wieters and two hits to Manny Machado.

Mike Moustakas is 7 for 16 over the past four games, getting two doubles while driving in a run Tuesday. He's 2 for 6 with a double off Chen.

-----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Royals
Mon, Jul 22 Final 9 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Orioles at Royals
Tue, Jul 23 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Orioles at Royals
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Orioles at Royals
Thu, Jul 25 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (45-56) at Brewers (41-58)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 24, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Will Venable and Nick Hundley are two of the big reasons behind the San Diego Padres' recent surge at the plate.

Facing the Milwaukee Brewers has been another.

Venable and Hundley try to help the Padres match their longest road winning streak of the season Wednesday night against the Brewers.

San Diego (45-56) has broken out at the plate while winning four of six, batting .308 with seven homers and 34 runs. That equaled its scoring and home run totals over the previous 15 games, which included 14 losses and a .200 average.

The Padres' offensive turnaround continued Tuesday as they pounded out 15 hits in a 6-2 win at Milwaukee (41-58) after opening this four-game series with a 5-3 victory.

They last won three straight as the visitor during a series sweep of the Dodgers from April 15-17.

"There's no doubt there was a struggle," manager Bud Black said. "We didn't hit and we didn't pitch. Now, you're seeing better offensive outputs.

"It's no secret. It's good to see guys performing like they're capable of."

Black may be referring to Venable and Hundley, who each had a homer among their three hits Tuesday.

Venable is hitting .232 this season but is 8 for 21 with two homers over his past five games. Hundley is 8 for 18 with a pair of long balls and six RBIs over his last five contests.

"I know they say hitting is contagious or whatever, but it's just the ability to string together good at_bats," Venable said.

Venable's good fortune may continue. He has a .397 average in 18 visits to Miller Park, his best in any NL park.

Milwaukee's starters have surrendered seven runs and 12 hits over 9 2-3 innings in this series, but Kyle Lohse (6-7, 3.49 ERA) has won three of his last four starts versus San Diego behind a 2.63 ERA.

The right-hander earned a 7-1 road victory against the Padres on April 22, allowing one run in five innings.

A meeting at home may be beneficial to Lohse, who owns a 2.28 ERA while winning four straight starts there. He battled through his latest outing Friday, tossing 105 pitches in six innings of Friday's 2-0 win over Miami.

Lohse may not be expecting much help from the lineup, which has a .206 average over the past 11 games. The Brewers have mustered eight hits in this series, their first two games since the announcement of Ryan Braun's season-ending suspension.

"We haven't really hammered the ball for a while," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Some of it is personnel, but I still expect a lot of these guys to have better at_bats."

Sean O'Sullivan (0-1, 6.43) will face Milwaukee for the first time in a spot start in place of Jason Marquis, who is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery.

O'Sullivan is looking to win for the first time since beating the New York Yankees on May 12, 2011. The right-hander, who spent all of last year in the minors, gave up two runs and six hits over five innings in a 10-1 loss to San Francisco on July 12 - his first start since Sept. 27, 2011.


----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Brewers
Mon, Jul 22 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Brewers
Tue, Jul 23 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Padres at Brewers
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Padres at Brewers
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (49-51) at Cardinals (60-37)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 24, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


Allen Craig has been a pitcher's nightmare of late.

The left fielder will look to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10th win in 13 games as they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

The NL Central leaders have been bolstered by an offense that has batted .289 with 31 doubles in the previous 12 games.

No one has been hotter for St. Louis (60-37) than Craig, who is batting .424 since June 29. All four of his plate appearances were productive on Tuesday - he had an RBI fielder's choice, a double, a walk and an RBI single in St. Louis' 4-1 victory over Philadelphia.

"I put the ball in play, had a couple of good at bats, and was able to get the job done," Craig said.

Craig is hitting a major league-best .490 (47 for 96) with runners in scoring position.

"He's done some impressive things, he's definitely for real,' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "People are starting to notice.'

He's had two eight-game and one nine-game hitting streaks since June 18 to raise his batting average from .309 to .335.

Craig will look to hit in his ninth straight game against a pitcher who has been equally hot in Philadelphia's John Lannan. Lannan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) has lasted eight innings in two straight starts, posting a 0.56 ERA in that stretch.

On July 13, the left-hander yielded one run and four hits in eight innings of a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Lannan hasn't faced the Cardinals since 2011, but he has fared well against them. The left-hander has held the Cardinals to two runs or fewer in all seven starts against them.

The Phillies (49-51), who have scored just five runs during their three-game losing streak, are 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position during their slump. They have 10 home runs in 13 games since slugger Ryan Howard went on the disabled list with left knee inflammation.

Domonic Brown, who went 0 for 4 on Tuesday, is 5 for his last 31 (.161). John Mayberry, who had just seven July at_bats through July 12, is batting just .219 this month, though he had an RBI double to account for the lone run on Tuesday.

That's the type of weak lineup Jake Westbrook (6-4, 2.88) has feasted on. Eleven of the right-hander's 13 starts have come against teams in the lower half of the league in runs scored. Since allowing a season-worst six runs and 10 hits at Oakland, he has posted a 2.66 ERA against the Miami Marlins, the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres.

On Friday, he continued the trend, holding the Padres to two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-6 win.

He also went 3 for 3 at the plate with a double.

"I had a lot of fun out there," said Westbrook, who entered the game 2 for 20, to the team's official site. "It was the first time I had run the bases that much since high school."

"They take their at_bats seriously," Matheny said. "They put a lot of pride in them. It's frustrating to them. They don't get enough repetitions to consistently be able to do what they want to do."

The Phillies could be a tougher challenge for Westbrook - on the mound, that is. Jimmy Rollins (.444), Michael Young (.379), Laynce Nix (.364) and Chase Utley (.364) have all had success against the right-hander.

Utley, who had three hits on Tuesday, is batting .400 over his six-game hitting streak.


-----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Cardinals
Tue, Jul 23 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Cardinals
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Cardinals
Thu, Jul 25 - 7:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (37-61) at Rockies (48-53)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 24, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


The Miami Marlins were at a low point heading into their four-game series in Denver.

A pair of wins and an outstanding major league debut by Christian Yelich have the NL-worst Marlins feeling much better about themselves heading into Wednesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.

After ending a franchise-worst 37-inning scoreless stretch - the longest run-scoring drought in the majors in nearly three decades - with Monday's 3-1 victory, the Marlins (37-61) won 4-2 on Tuesday with Yelich delivering three singles and two RBIs in his big league debut.

The 21-year-old left fielder and center fielder Jake Marisnick, who went hitless in four at_bats in his first major league appearance, were called up from Double-A Jacksonville following Monday's victory.

"You can think about it and dream about it all you want, but going out there and actually living it and being able to be a part of something like this is pretty special and something I'll never forget,' said Yelich, who matched Giancarlo Stanton and Marlins manager Mike Redmond for the most hits by a Marlin in a major league debut.

Miami, winner of four of five in Denver, now go for a third straight victory with Jacob Turner (3-2, 2.44 ERA) on the hill.

The 22-year-old right-hander has surrendered two runs or fewer in seven of nine starts since getting called up from Triple-A New Orleans on May 31. Turner, though, was admittedly not at his best in Friday's 2-0 loss at Milwaukee, walking four and getting tagged for two homers in five-plus innings.

Turner had yielded one long ball in his previous eight starts.

"Some days you have it, some days you don't," he said.

Turner will get his first look at the Rockies (48-53), who have scored two runs or fewer in nine of 15 games, losing each time they've failed to plate three during that stretch.

Rockies All-Stars Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer were a combined 1 for 11 on Tuesday after going 5 for 12 on Monday.

"We should be better. We should score more runs," Gonzalez told the Rockies' official website. "I don't think our focus was the same tonight and the game got away."

Jorge De La Rosa (9-5, 3.12) knows all too well about Colorado's offensive struggles - he has a 3.31 run-support average in his last six starts. The left-hander is 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA during that stretch after not factoring in the decision in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday when he surrendered one run - a homer by Alfonso Soriano - in six innings.

De La Rosa is 3-4 with a 5.93 ERA in eight starts against the Marlins, but he hasn't faced them since 2010.

He'll try to reach double-digit victories for the first time since winning a career-best 16 for the Rockies in 2009.

Stanton is batting .355 with seven homers and 12 RBIs in nine career games at Colorado after hitting a solo shot Tuesday.

First baseman Todd Helton, whose solo homer Tuesday tied him with Joe DiMaggio for 76th on the all-time list with 361, is a lifetime .394 hitter versus the Marlins at home.


---------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Rockies
Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Rockies
Tue, Jul 23 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Rockies
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Rockies
Thu, Jul 25 - 3:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (44-54) at Diamondbacks (52-48)
Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: July 24, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


A struggling Ian Kennedy hasn't been at his best when facing the Chicago Cubs, but he's gotten enough run support to collect wins in his past two matchups.

Judging by how his Arizona teammates have hit against the Cubs this season, Kennedy might get similar backing in Wednesday night's game at Chase Field and could help the Diamondbacks return to the top of the NL West.

Kennedy (3-7, 5.29 ERA) is 3-2 with a 6.65 ERA in seven career starts against Chicago, his second-highest ERA versus any NL opponent.

Kennedy, though, has gotten a combined 13 runs while winning his past two starts against the Cubs. He gave up four runs over seven innings in his lone matchup this season, a 12-4 win June 1.

The Diamondbacks (52-48) are batting .315 with 34 runs in their five games against Chicago (44-54) and had 14 hits in a 10-4 win Tuesday. A.J. Pollock and Eric Chavez each had three RBIs to help their club stay within one-half game of division-leading Los Angeles.

Arizona, which batted .194 in its previous 11 games, went 6 for 13 with runners in scoring position after a 6-for-42 stretch.

"It's definitely good to get the offense going," Pollock said. "We know we have it. For whatever reason it's kind of been lacking in the last week or so. It's good to bust out and show we've got it. We've just got to relax."

Kennedy would appear to need all the run support he can get as he's 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in his last three games. The right-hander, however, gave up two runs over six innings in a 2-0 loss in San Francisco on Friday.

"You just try to be positive," he said. "Just keep going out there, grind away, find adjustments to do. That's what I really tried to do."

Jeff Samardzija, meanwhile, will try to build on a strong outing in his return from the All-Star break. The Cubs right-hander gave up one run over 7 1-3 innings in a 3-1 win in Colorado on Friday after going 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in his first two starts this month.

"We changed a couple things with my mechanics, kept me on line a little more," said Samardzija, who is 4-5 in 10 road starts despite a 2.56 ERA. "I'm really excited to stop making adjustments and really just working on pitch selection and pitch location. As a pitcher, sometimes those things happen. It clicks for you and you go from there."

Samardzija (6-9, 3.91) is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts against the Diamondbacks. He gave up three runs, seven hits and four walks over 6 1-3 innings against Kennedy on June 1, but also struck out 11 and left without a decision.

Junior Lake will try to help Samardzija earn his first win against Arizona by adding to his spectacular debut. Lake is 12 for 22 (.545) in his first five major league games and is 7 for 12 with two homers in this series.

Alfonso Soriano, reportedly drawing interest from the New York Yankees - with whom his career started in 1999 - is 6 for 13 (.462) against Kennedy with three home runs. He's batting .360 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs in his last 33 games versus Arizona but is 0 for 7 with four strikeouts in this series.

Miguel Montero is the Diamondbacks' only active player with more than one hit against Samardzija, going 3 for 6 with a triple.

Cubs outfielder David DeJesus, who has been on the disabled list since June 15 with a sprained right shoulder, could be activated for this game.


------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Tue, Jul 23 Final 4 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Wed, Jul 24 - 9:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Thu, Jul 25 - 9:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (57-44) at Giants (46-54)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 24, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


Mike Leake is unexpectedly unbeatable on the road.

Chad Gaudin's winning streak, however, may be more surprising.

Leake looks to continue his mastery outside Cincinnati as the Reds attempt to solve Gaudin and re-establish their success against the San Francisco Giants in the finale of this four-game set Wednesday night.

Leake (9-4, 2.79 ERA) is tied with Mat Latos for the team lead in wins, and his ERA is among the NL's best.

Much of the right-hander's success stems from a 6-0 record and 1.27 ERA over his last eight starts on the road, reaching at least the seventh inning in six of them. That's a staggering reversal after winning seven games in 25 away starts the previous two seasons.

Two of those wins, however, came at San Francisco. He threw a nine-hitter in a 5-1 victory on June 29, 2012, his only complete game as a visitor. Leake has won his last three regular-season starts against the Giants (46-54) behind a 0.77 ERA.

Gaudin (4-1, 2.15) is enjoying his own impressive stretch for the Giants, going 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in seven starts since replacing the injured Ryan Vogelsong (broken hand) in the rotation.

The journeyman right-hander has been superb over his last four outings, winning two while compiling a 0.77 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 23 1-3 innings. Prior to replacing Vogelsong, Gaudin's last start came in 2009 with the New York Yankees.

"Obviously I'd like to start and enjoy starting," Gaudin said. "I signed over here to do what I'm doing now. It's great. I've put a lot of time and effort and work into having a good craft and pretty much dedicated myself to getting better and staying consistent.

"It's kind of surprising, but at the same time I kind of expect it out of myself."

Gaudin's run continued Friday, when he fanned eight and yielded three hits in seven innings of a 2-0 win over Arizona.

He's 0-1 while allowing five runs and two homers in 9 1-3 innings over three games versus the Reds (57-44), and his only career start against them was a defeat with Oakland in 2007.

Cincinnati will try to get to Gaudin again after splitting an unusual doubleheader at San Francisco on Tuesday. The Reds took the first game 9-3 before falling 5-3 in the nightcap, during which they were deemed the home team in a makeup of a July 4 rainout in Cincinnati.

Despite the defeat, the Reds have won 12 of the past 16 regular-season meetings with the Giants. They're batting .326 with nine homers and 37 runs while winning five of six this year after being ousted in five games in the NL division series last fall.

Todd Frazier is 11 for 25 (.440) with 10 RBIs against the Giants this year, getting seven hits - four doubles - and driving in six runs in this series. He'll face Gaudin for the first time, while Brandon Phillips is 0 for 6.

Joey Votto is also expected to get his first look at Gaudin, and he's hitting .356 over his last 15 games at AT&T Park, including the playoffs.

San Francisco's Hunter Pence is 8 for 21 (.381) in six games since the All-Star break after collecting five hits over the last three. The right fielder is 6 for 18 (.333) with two doubles and a homer off Leake.

--------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Giants
Mon, Jul 22 Final 11 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Reds
Tue, Jul 23 Final 5 to 3 / 3 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Giants
Wed, Jul 24 - 10:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's NL Action

July 24, 2013


Pirates at Nationals - 7:05 PM EST

Probables: F. Liriano (9-4, 2.44 ERA) vs. S. Strasburg (5-7, 2.97 ERA)

Series recap: Pittsburgh silenced Washington's struggling bats on Tuesday, 5-1 to take the second straight game in this set. The Pirates cashed as short underdogs, while the 'under' of 8 ½ came through.

Recent streaks: After losing of eight of 11 in mid-July, the Pirates have rebounded with three consecutive victories. Pittsburgh has won 10 of its past 14 games away from PNC Park, while Washington has dropped all five games since the All-Star break. The Nats have won just once since July 10, a 1-8 stretch, while scoring three runs or less seven times.

Braves at Mets - 7:10 PM EST

Probables: T. Hudson (7-7, 4.08 ERA) vs. J. Hefner (4-7, 3.93 ERA)

Series recap: Atlanta rallied for two runs in the ninth inning of the opener, 2-1 on Monday, but its offense stalled in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat. The Mets overcame an early solo homer to cash as $1.20 underdogs, while beating the Braves for the fourth time in six tries.

Recent streaks: The Braves are now 1-7 in their last eight games off a win, while posting a 6-1 record the previous seven contests off a loss. The Mets are playing better of late with wins in eight of their last 12 trips to the field, including a 6-2 mark to the 'under' the past eight contests.

Padres at Brewers - 8:10 PM EST

Probables: S. O'Sullivan (0-1, 6.43 ERA) vs. K. Lohse (6-7, 3.49 ERA)

Series recap: Since the Ryan Braun suspension news broke, the Brewers have been unable to pick up a victory. The Padres grabbed up a second straight triumph at Miller Park on Tuesday, 6-2 as $1.20 underdogs. Each of the first two games in this series barely finished 'under' the total of 8 ½.

Recent streaks: Milwaukee is riding a solid 12-1 'under' stretch, including nine straight 'unders' at Miller Park. The Padres haven't won three consecutive road games since pulling off a sweep over the Dodgers in mid-April, while going 3-1 on the highway since dropping 10 straight away from Petco Park.

Phillies at Cardinals - 8:15 PM EST

Probables: J. Lannan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) vs. J. Westbrook (6-4, 2.88 ERA)

Series recap: St. Louis grabbed the opener, 4-1 as heavy home favorites on Tuesday. The Redbirds have been listed as at least a $1.90 'chalk' in all four games since the All-Star break, while St. Louis improved to 3-2 against Philadelphia this season.

Recent streaks: The Phillies have lost three straight games since winning three in a row, while scoring just five runs during this skid. Since getting swept by the Rangers, the Cardinals have won eight of their past nine at Busch Stadium, even though seven of those victories came against last-place opponents (Marlins, Padres, and Astros).

Marlins at Rockies - 8:40 PM EST

Probables: J. Turner (3-2, 2.44 ERA) vs. J. De La Rosa (9-5, 3.12 ERA)

Series recap: The inept Miami offense found a way to plate some runs the last two nights, including in Tuesday's 4-2 victory. Miami cashed again in the road 'dog role, while the game easily stayed 'under' the total of nine.

Recent streaks: The Marlins are in the midst of seven consecutive 'unders,' which included three games in which they were blanked at Milwaukee. Colorado's hot start to the season has fallen by the wayside by posting a 7-11 record this month. The Rockies have lost three straight games at home four times this season, so don't expect Colorado to automatically "bounce back" tonight.

Cubs at Diamondbacks - 9:40 PM EST

Probables: J. Samardzija (6-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. I. Kennedy (3-7, 5.29 ERA)

Series recap: Arizona's offense busted out late in a 10-4 rout of Chicago last night, as all ten runs came in the fifth inning or later. The D-Backs bounced back as heavy favorites after losing the series opener to the Cubs on Monday, 4-2.

Recent streaks: Arizona has lost four of its past six games, while dropping six of Kennedy's previous seven starts. The Cubs have been up and down of late by posting an 8-6 record the last 14 games, while compiling a 5-1 mark the last six off a road loss.

Reds at Giants - 10:15 PM EST

Probables: M. Leake (9-4, 2.79 ERA) vs. C. Gaudin (4-1, 2.15 ERA)

Series recap: Cincinnati trounced San Francisco in the opener, 11-0 on Monday in the road 'dog role. The two teams split an odd doubleheader last night as the Giants won the nightcap as the 'away' team, 5-3 in a make-up game from a rain-out in Cincinnati on July 4. The victory was the first for the Giants in six tries against the Reds this season, coming off last season's improbable comeback in the NLDS.

Recent streaks: The Reds have won each of their last four games off a loss, while going 5-2 in their last seven road games. The Giants snapped a three-game skid with Tuesday's victory, while San Francisco is 3-8 in its previous 11 home contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

Current odds to win the Canadian Open golf tournament this week.......

12-1-- Brandt Snedeker-- When the favorite its 12-1, its anyone's game.

18-1-- Hunter Mahan-- In final Sunday group in last two majors.

18-1-- Matt Kuchar-- Made 20 consecutive cousts; 6th in adjusted scoring.

20-1-- Charl Schwartzel-- Nine top 25's in 12 tournaments this year.

22-1-- Dustin Johnson-- Dates Gretzky's daughter; people's choice?

25-1-- Watson/McDowell-- McDowell has three wins, five MCs in his last nine tournaments.


*****

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but..........

13) We talked last week about Belmont's Ian Clark playing for Golden State in the Las Vegas Summer League, after scoring 16 ppg for Miami's team in the Orlando league; well, the Warriors won the Vegas league, and Mr Clark had 33 points in the tournament final, making him tourney MVP. Good for him-- you'll be watching Ian Clark in the NBA this winter.

12) To the woman with the crying baby who sat right behind me on the flight from Chicago to Albany Tuesday: Thank you very little.

11) Minnesota Twins' star catcher Joe Mauer didn't play Tuesday, because he flew home to be his wife was in the hospital, where she was delivering twins of their own.

10) In case you care about such things, Iron Maiden concert at MGM in Las Vegas September 12 is already sold out; so are the One Direction concerts at Mandalay Bay early next month. Just thought you should know.

9) Mets starting pitchers allowed one earned run in their last 20 IP.

8) Dodgers were down 8-3 in 7th inning, rallied to win 10-9 in Toronto over the slumping Blue Jays. .LA is 13-4 so far in July.

7) Giancarlo Stanton has played nine games at Coors Field, and has seven homers there; if I'm him, I become a free agent as soon as possible, I sign with the Rockies and I break the single season home run record. All of them.

6) Greedy bastard update: gas went up 15 cents a gallon while I was away on vacation, from $3.74 to $3.89 a gallon; 15 cents in 12 days. Bastards.

5) Odd doubleheader in San Francisco last night, where the Giants were the visiting team in the nightcap, since it was the makeup of a game that was rained out in Ohio earlier this season. Visiting side won both games.

4) Matt Garza's first start for Texas is tonight; he won his last five starts for the Cubs, making it way easier to trade him.

3) Joey Votto has a career batting average of .427 in Minute Maid Park, 23 points higher than anyone else in baseball visiting the Astros.

2) Sports Illustrated puts Pirate closer Jason Grilli on its cover, and the guy goes on the DL with arm problems; if I were a superstitious guy, I'd wonder if there was a jinx involved with that magazine.

Oh wait, there are few people more superstitious than me. Pirates need a new closer (Papelbon?)- front office needs to show they're trying to win!!!!

1) Speaking of which, Baltimore acquired Frankie Rodriguez Tuesday, in exchange for a prospect; the Orioles are trying hard to win....

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Cincinnati at San Francisco
The Reds look to bounce back from last night's loss in the nightcap and build on their 7-1 record in Mike Leake's last 8 road starts. Cincinnati is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Liriano) 16.084; Washington (Strasburg) 14.405
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Washington (-145); 7
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+125); Under

Game 903-904: Atlanta at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.879; NY Mets (Hefner) 14.487
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Over

Game 905-906: San Diego at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (O'Sullivan) 13.920; Milwaukee (Lohse) 15.427
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Lannan) 15.984; St. Louis (Westbrook) 15.655
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+160); Under

Game 959-960: Miami at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 14.136; Colorado (De La Rosa) 15.608
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-170); Over

Game 911-912: Chicago Cubs at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Samardzija) 15.571; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.490
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+120); Under

Game 913-914: Cincinnati at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Leake) 16.056; San Francisco (Gaudin) 13.476
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115); Under

Game 915-916: Oakland at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Griffin) 14.302; Houston (Norris) 15.265
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over

Game 917-918: Minnesota at LA Angels (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pelfrey) 14.670; LA Angels (Weaver) 16.263
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-250); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-250); Under

Game 919-920: Cleveland at Seattle (3:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.740; Seattle (Saunders) 14.800
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-105); Over

Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 15.670; Boston (Doubront) 16.565
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+100); Under

Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.466; Texas (Garza) 15.860
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Texas (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-170); Over

Game 925-926: Baltimore at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Chen) 15.657; Kansas City (Santana) 14.463
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-110); Under

Game 927-928: Detroit at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Sanchez) 16.507; White Sox (Danks) 14.737
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Over

Game 929-930: LA Dodgers at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Nolasco) 16.713; Toronto (Rogers) 14.344
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, July 24

National League

Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:05 ET
Liriano: Pirates 7-1 SU in last eight road games with total under 8
Strasburg: Under is 6-1 when Strasburg pitches as HF at night with total above 7

Atlanta at New York Mets, 7:10 ET
Hudson: Braves 3-8 SU when Hudson starts on the road in 2013
Hefner: Over is 9-3 in last 12 home starts for Hefner

San Diego at Milwaukee, 8:10 ET
O'Sullivan: Padres 2-5 SU last 7 road games following two straight wins
Lohse: Under is 7-2 when Lohse starts at home for Brewers

Philadelphia at St. Louis, 8:15 ET
Lannan: Over is 4-1 in 2013 when Phillies are road dogs of more than +150
Westbrook: Cardinals 8-3 SU over the past year when Westbrook starts at home

Miami at Colorado, 8:40 ET
Turner: Under is 6-2-1 when Turner starts on the road
De La Rosa: Rockies 39-16 SU when De La Rosa starts at Coors Field

Chicago Cubs at Arizona, 9:40 ET
Samardzija: Under is 19-9-1 in Samardzija's career road starts
Kennedy: Diamondbacks are 6-2 in last eight home games versus a Cubs righthander

Cincinnati at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
Leake: Reds 7-1 SU in Leake's last eight road starts
Gaudin: All three of Gaudin's starts for the Giants have been Under the run total


American League

Oakland at Houston, 2:10 ET
Griffin: Athletics 6-12 SU in road day games in 2013
Norris: Under is 14-7-2 when Norris starts at home since start of 2012

Minnesota at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 ET
Pelfrey: Twins 2-6 when Pelfrey starts on the road
Weaver: Under is 16-6-1 when Weaver pitches at home during the day

Cleveland at Seattle, 3:40 ET
Kazmir: Indians 2-7 SU when Kazmir starts on the road
Saunders: Under is 18-8-2 since 2010 when Mariners face LHP in a home day game

Tampa Bay at Boston, 7:10 ET
Price: Rays 7-1 SU last eight times Price has started with a total at 9 or higher
Doubront: Over is 16-7-1 when Doubront starts at Fenway

New York Yankees at Texas, 8:05 ET
Pettitte: Under is 10-2-1 in 2013 when Yankees face a southpaw on the road
Garza: Rangers 1-5 SU last six home night contests that preceded a day game

Baltimore at Kansas City, 8:10 ET
Chen: Orioles 10-4 SU when Chen pitches on the road after the team won in his last start
Santana: Under is 8-2 when Santana starts at home

Detroit at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 ET
Sanchez:Tigers 2-7 when Sanchez starts on the road in 2013
Danks: Under is 4-1 when Danks starts at home in 2013


Interleague

Los Angeles Dodgers at Toronto, 7:07 ET
Nolasco: Dodgers 14-2 SU last 16 road games
Rogers: Over is 10-5 in 2013 for final game of a Blue Jay home series
Reply With Quote