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

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Monday, July 29

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Monday's MLB betting notes and tips
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NATIONAL

St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates (-140, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Cards starter Jake Westbrook went six strong innings in his last start against the Pirates on April 17. He gave up six hits but K'd six and did not allow a run.

Cold batting stat: Pirates star OF Andrew McCutcheon is batting .188 (3-for-16) against the Cardinals this season. It is his worst average against any team in the majors this season.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s and skies will be mostly sunny at gametime. Wind will blow out to left field at 8 mph.

Key betting note: The Cardinals are 1-8 in Westbrook's last nine road starts versus a team with a winning record.


Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves (-145, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy is scheduled to make his first appearance of the season Monday. He made one start against the Rockies at Turner Field in 2012, lasting 6 1/3 innings and allowing two ER en route to a 7-2 victory.

Hot batting stat: With a home run Sunday, Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki has now homered in back-to-back games.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The Rockies are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings.


New York Mets at Miami Marlins (-115, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Mets starter Jeremy Hefner is 0-2 with an 18.47 ERA over his last two starts.

Hot batting stat: Marlins star OF Giancarlo Stanton continues his torrid pace at the dish. Stanton is 9-for-13 (.692) over his last four games. He has four doubles and two homers over that span.

Weather: The roof could be closed in Miami due to a 20 percent chance of rain by gametime. Temperatures will be in the low-90s and wind will blow in from center field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The Mets are 1-5 in the last six meetings in Miami.


Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs (-120, OFF)

Cold pitching stat: Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija took the loss in his only 2013 start against the Brewers on April 19. He lasted seven innings, giving up five runs on six hits en route to the 5-4 loss.

Hot batting stat: Cubs OF David DeJesus is a career .462 hitter (12-for-26) against Brewers scheduled starter Kyle Lohse. He has a double, triple, homer and four RBIs versus the veteran righty.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from right field to left field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The Brewers are 7-23 in their last 30 versus the National League Central.


Cincinnati Reds at San Diego Padres (+130, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Reds starter Mike Leake is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA over his last three starts.

Cold batting stat: The Reds were 4-for-26 with runners in scoring position in their four-game series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. They dropped three of the four games.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with partly cloudy skies and 10 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow in from left field at 3 mph.

Key betting note: The Reds are 8-1 in Leake's last nine road starts.


AMERICAN

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox (+105, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Rays ace David Price is 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his five starts since returning from the DL. He has three complete games in that span.

Cold batting stat: Sox DH David Ortiz is 7-for-31 (.226) with no homers and seven strikeouts in his career versus the lefty Price.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 7 mph

Key betting note: The under is 7-0 in the last seven meetings.


Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers (-129, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Rangers starter Matt Garza went 7 1/3 strong innings while giving up one run (unearned) on five hits in a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in his Rangers debut on July 24.

Hot batting stat: Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 23-for-62 (.371) with four doubles, two homers and five RBIs in his career versus Angels starter Jered Weaver.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-90s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right field at 9 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 14-3 in the last 17 meetings in Texas.


Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians (-150, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Indians starter Zach McAllister is 0-3 with a 6.14 over his last three starts.

Cold batting stat: White Sox OF Alex Rios is 4-for-31 (.129) this season versus the Indians. It is his lowest batting average against any American League club.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies and 10 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 10 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 9-0-3 in Sox SP John Danks' last 12 starts versus the American League Central.


Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland A's (-162, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: A's starter A.J. Griffin has given up five homers in his last two starts (11 1/3 innings). He is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA over those two starts. Griffin has given up eight dingers in his five July starts.

Hot batting stat: Jays OF Colby Rasmus continued his scorching-hot July with the game-winning RBI in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros. Rasmus is hitting .375 with 11 doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs in the month.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-50s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 12 mph.

Key betting note: The Athletics are 11-2 in Griffin's last 13 starts as a home favorite.


** Odds, probable starting pitchers and weather forecasts as of 7:27 p.m. ET.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, July 29

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ST LOUIS (62 - 39) at PITTSBURGH (61 - 41) - 7:05 PM
JAKE WESTBROOK (R) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 52-58 (-19.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WESTBROOK is 53-66 (-25.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 61-41 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 32-18 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 11-1 (+9.6 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
PITTSBURGH is 26-17 (+11.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
PITTSBURGH is 61-41 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 39-24 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 51-31 (+25.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 328-344 (+43.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 10-2 (+8.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 (+1.9 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

JAKE WESTBROOK vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
WESTBROOK is 1-7 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 5.31 and a WHIP of 1.618.
His team's record is 2-8 (-9.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.6 units)

FRANCISCO LIRIANO vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LIRIANO is 1-0 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

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NY METS (46 - 55) at MIAMI (39 - 63) - 7:10 PM
JEREMY HEFNER (R) vs. JACOB TURNER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 65-93 (-24.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 24-41 (-18.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 36-24 (+17.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 63-68 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 102-104 (+25.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 53-43 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 28-17 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 108-156 (-32.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 91-118 (-33.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 107-152 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 64-92 (-33.8 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 71-109 (-28.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-3 (+9.0 Units) against NY METS this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

JEREMY HEFNER vs. MIAMI since 1997
HEFNER is 1-2 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 2.31 and a WHIP of 0.915.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.1 units)

JACOB TURNER vs. NY METS since 1997
TURNER is 1-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.83 and a WHIP of 1.017.
His team's record is 2-1 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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COLORADO (50 - 55) at ATLANTA (59 - 45) - 7:10 PM
JORGE DE LA ROSA (L) vs. BRANDON BEACHY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 26-59 (-22.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 114-153 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 138-243 (-54.3 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997.
COLORADO is 70-150 (-62.8 Units) against the money line in road games in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 187-241 (-56.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 21-7 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
DE LA ROSA is 14-6 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 (+0.9 Units) against COLORADO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JORGE DE LA ROSA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
DE LA ROSA is 1-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 7.59 and a WHIP of 1.593.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

BRANDON BEACHY vs. COLORADO since 1997
BEACHY is 1-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 6.55 and a WHIP of 1.909.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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MILWAUKEE (43 - 60) at CHICAGO CUBS (47 - 55) - 8:05 PM
KYLE LOHSE (R) vs. JEFF SAMARDZIJA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 43-60 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 51-78 (-28.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 43-60 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 60-63 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 27-20 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 31-22 (+14.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-16 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1295-1422 (-260.1 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 694-661 (-151.2 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 137-176 (-58.9 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 46-78 (-21.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1238-1338 (-237.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 193-201 (-66.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 947-1045 (-184.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-3 (+1.6 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

KYLE LOHSE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LOHSE is 5-4 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.415.
His team's record is 12-5 (+7.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-12. (-8.7 units)

JEFF SAMARDZIJA vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
SAMARDZIJA is 0-3 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.042.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.1 units)

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CINCINNATI (59 - 46) at SAN DIEGO (47 - 58) - 10:10 PM
MIKE LEAKE (R) vs. SEAN O'SULLIVAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 123-141 (+3.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 158-114 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 642-713 (+57.6 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 158-114 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 419-462 (+38.6 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 464-513 (+47.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 91-51 (+19.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 202-163 (+46.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MIKE LEAKE vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LEAKE is 0-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 26.95 and a WHIP of 4.790.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

SEAN O'SULLIVAN vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHI WHITE SOX (40 - 61) at CLEVELAND (55 - 48) - 7:05 PM
JOHN DANKS (L) vs. ZACH MCALLISTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-61 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 50-66 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 18-34 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 12-23 (-11.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 38-56 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 21-41 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 31-45 (-13.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 28-17 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CLEVELAND is 55-48 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-19 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 52-45 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 15-28 (-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.
CLEVELAND is 199-204 (-50.6 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 7-2 (+5.7 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.5 Units)

JOHN DANKS vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
DANKS is 4-8 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.93 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 7-9 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-8. (-1.8 units)

ZACH MCALLISTER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
MCALLISTER is 2-1 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.07 and a WHIP of 1.193.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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LA ANGELS (48 - 54) at TEXAS (56 - 48) - 8:05 PM
JERED WEAVER (R) vs. MATT GARZA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 48-54 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 2-8 (-8.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday this season.
LA ANGELS are 18-26 (-17.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA ANGELS are 48-54 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 30-43 (-26.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 38-39 (-12.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
GARZA is 9-3 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
GARZA is 9-3 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 686-676 (+57.8 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
WEAVER is 31-12 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WEAVER is 15-2 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WEAVER is 31-12 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WEAVER is 12-1 (+10.5 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. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 8-14 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
GARZA is 52-61 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-2 (+1.7 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

JERED WEAVER vs. TEXAS since 1997
WEAVER is 13-8 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.239.
His team's record is 18-13 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 18-12. (+4.1 units)

MATT GARZA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GARZA is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 5.83 and a WHIP of 1.602.
His team's record is 1-4 (-3.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-4. (-3.6 units)

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TORONTO (47 - 56) at OAKLAND (61 - 43) - 10:05 PM
ESMIL ROGERS (R) vs. A.J. GRIFFIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-13 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
TORONTO is 47-56 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 7-15 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
TORONTO is 26-37 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 61-40 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 40-24 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 105-71 (+40.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 73-43 (+27.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 34-13 (+17.1 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 61-43 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 32-16 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
OAKLAND is 32-13 (+19.9 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 19-9 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
GRIFFIN is 25-12 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 15-3 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 24-12 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 16-6 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

ESMIL ROGERS vs. OAKLAND since 1997
No recent starts.

A.J. GRIFFIN vs. TORONTO since 1997
GRIFFIN is 1-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.782.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

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TAMPA BAY (62 - 42) at BOSTON (62 - 43) - 6:10 PM
DAVID PRICE (L) vs. FELIX DOUBRONT (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 62-43 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 48-41 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 62-42 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 32-15 (+14.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-1 (+9.9 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 72-60 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 19-3 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 503-587 (+23.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 81-55 (+24.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
PRICE is 24-9 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 66-85 (-24.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-44 (-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 68-66 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-35 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 113-124 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 89-99 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-5 (+5.6 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
11 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.6 Units)

DAVID PRICE vs. BOSTON since 1997
PRICE is 9-5 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 1.179.
His team's record is 11-7 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-8. (+0.6 units)

FELIX DOUBRONT vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
DOUBRONT is 2-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 1.309.
His team's record is 5-2 (+4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.2 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Hot & Not - AL Edition

July 29, 2013


The American League has a tremendous spread of its teams thus far this year and there is a huge difference between the haves and the have nots as we head towards the trade deadline. This week, we take a look at the American League teams that are rolling and the AL teams that are falling quickly.

Money-Makers

Tampa Bay Rays (21-4, +$1,425 in L/25) – Simply put, there is no team in the AL that is playing better ball right now than the Rays. All of the starting pitchers are doing their part, and on this streak, both Chris Archer and Matt Moore earned their first ever shutout victories.

On Deck: It almost seems like it doesn't matter who is on tap for Tampa Bay. The Rays are probably going to continue to roll. They have a makeup game in Boston on Monday before flying back home for visits from Arizona and San Francisco in Interleague play.

Kansas City Royals (6-0, +$674 in L/6) – The Royals are one of these teams that go back and forth between "in it" and "not really in it." With six straight wins, they're back at .500, they are just four back of the Wild Card slots, and they are, we suppose back "in it" once again. A trade at the deadline to bolster the back of the rotation would prove that this team is indeed going for "it" in '13.

On Deck: It's a perfect time to have nine straight games against teams that are absolutely atrocious! The Twins, Mets, and Twins again are on tap. KC very well could be a few games over .500 when they head to Detroit on Aug. 15, and that could make that four-game set very, very interesting indeed.

Detroit Tigers (8-1, +$656 in L/9) – The Tigers had to go on a roll at some point if they were going to fend off the Indians (and maybe the Royals?) in the AL Central. They got what they needed by taking eight out of nine out of the break.

On Deck: There are five more home games against the Nats and White Sox on deck. Detroit had better do some winning in there, because after that comes a wicked 10-game road trip in 10 days against the Indians, Yankees, and White Sox.

Money-Burners

Houston Astros (6-22, -$950 in L/28) – The Astros are back to being the Astros. They have lost 22 of their last 28 games, but at least it isn't costing them anything. They're destined to be the worst team in baseball, and 100 losses seems like a given at this point.

On Deck: What's on deck are clearly more losses. Expect to start seeing some of those wild +300 games for the Astros, especially knowing that over the course of the next four weeks, there are series set to go against Baltimore, Boston, Texas, Oakland, LA, and Texas again.

Texas Rangers (2-9, -$930 in L/11) – The rest of the Lone Star State is checking in here in the AL duds of the week, as the Rangers have lost nine out of 11 since the last game before the break. They have fallen six-games back in the division, and they are on the wrong side of the Wild Card picture as well. Matt Garza is 1-0 since he came to town. The rest of the team is 1-9 in that stretch.

On Deck: There's a whole bunch of AL West teams coming up on tap. The Halos are on the schedule for six of the next 10 games for Texas, and a crucial series at the O.co Coliseum against the A's is smashed in the middle of it all.

Chicago White Sox (1-6, -$536 in L/7) – The White Sox knew when they left US Cellular Field on Sunday that a lot of the players in that locker room were never getting the chance to come back. Jake Peavy expects to be traded, and he probably won't be the only one before Wednesday's trade deadline.

On Deck: Whatever is left of the White Sox will be hitting the road this week, visiting Cleveland and Detroit in what almost seems to be a guaranteed 2-5 week.

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Monday

July 29, 2013


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Indians are 12-0 since April 30, 2013 at home when they are off two wins in which they never trailed for a net profit of $1227.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Rangers are 0-16 OU since April 02, 2013 as a favorite after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $1600 when playing the under.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When David Price starts the Rays are 10-0 since September 27, 2009 on the road vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $1114.

MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Padres are 8-1 (+$695) in database history when facing a team which has scored less than a run per game in the past three games.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Braves are 10-0 since September 25, 2012 as a favorite after a win in which they allowed 1 or fewer walks and it is not the last game of a series for a net profit of $1000.

-- The Padres are 11-0-1 OU since April 27, 2013 after a win in which they allowed 1 or fewer walks for a net profit of $1105 when playing the over.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, July 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Tampa Bay - 6:10 PM ET Tampa Bay -110 500
Boston - Over 8 500

Chi. White Sox - 7:05 PM ET Cleveland -170 500
Cleveland - Under 8 500

LA Angels - 7:05 PM ET Texas -134 500
Texas - Under 8 500

St. Louis - 7:05 PM ET St. Louis +142 500 POD # 3
Pittsburgh - Over 7 500

Colorado - 7:10 PM ET Colorado +122 500 POD # 5
Atlanta - Under 7.5 500

NY Mets - 7:10 PM ET Miami -126 500
Miami - Over 7 500

Milwaukee - 8:05 PM ET Milwaukee +115 500 POD # 4
Chi. Cubs - Over 7 500

Toronto - 10:05 PM ET Toronto +150 500 POD # 1
Oakland - Over 7.5 500

Cincinnati - 10:10 PM ET San Diego +136 500 POD # 2
San Diego - Over 7.5 500

[WThotrod]

Best of luck, Bum! I am going heavy on all POD.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (44-61) at Cubs (48-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: July 30, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Chicago Cubs' winning streak is over, yet their run of impressive starting pitching performances isn't.

Carlos Villanueva and newcomer Jake Arrieta will try to keep that going in Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field.

With Jeff Samardzija going seven shutout innings in Monday's 5-0 series-opening defeat, Cubs starters have now allowed three runs or fewer 33 times during a 22-18 stretch.

Chicago's bullpen had gone 9 1-3 scoreless innings over the previous four contests before Pedro Strop gave up all the runs in the ninth inning Monday. He had not allowed any runs in 12 previous appearances since he and Arrieta came over in the July 2 Scott Feldman deal.

The Cubs (48-56), losers of eight of 11 at home to Milwaukee, look to even this four-game series with Villanueva (2-7, 4.23 ERA) trying to end a career-worst three-start losing streak.

The former Brewer, 0-3 with a 6.16 ERA in four outings since being reinserted into the rotation following the Feldman deal, needed 103 pitches to go five innings in Thursday's 3-1 loss at Arizona. Villanueva's 37-pitch first inning set a bad tone, but he only yielded one run in that frame and finished with just three allowed.

Arrieta makes his Cubs debut in the nightcap after struggling with Baltimore. The right-hander, 1-2 with a 7.23 ERA in five starts for the Orioles this season, told the Cubs' official website that he hopes to stick with the big league club after being sent to Triple-A Iowa following the deal.

"I don't plan on going back (to Iowa)," said Arrieta, who made three trips to the minors this season while with Baltimore. "I plan on making it tough for them to decide and just go from there."

Villanueva will make his first start - and third appearance - against his former team after throwing a scoreless inning of relief in a 5-4 road win June 26.

A doubleheader sweep would give the last-place Brewers (44-61) their first road series win since June 10-12 - and send the Cubs to their first three-game skid since that same stretch - but the recent struggles from Game 1 starter Yovani Gallardo (8-9, 4.88) can't give Milwaukee much confidence. The right-hander seemed to have a breakthrough July 20 when he went 6 1-3 innings in a 6-0 victory over Miami, but he followed that by permitting six runs in 3 2-3 innings of Thursday's 10-8 loss to San Diego.

"It's definitely frustrating, especially coming after the start I had against the Marlins,' Gallardo said.

It's been a "surprising" stretch of bad pitching from the team's ace, according to manager Ron Roenicke.

"This is a guy that's always been known for his consistency and to be able to pitch a lot of games in a row where they're all great games, whether you want to call them quality starts or however you want to describe them, they're really good ballgames," he told the Brewers' official website. "And he does this for a long period of time - and this year, he hasn't been able to do that."

Gallardo, 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in seven starts at Wrigley Field, was charged with five runs - three earned - in four innings June 26.

Tyler Thornburg (1-0, 2.95) is expected to make his first start of the season - and fourth of his career - in Game 2. The right-hander made his sixth appearance of the season last Tuesday, getting tagged for a season-high four runs in four innings of a 6-2 loss to the Padres.

Villanueva (0 for 1) is the only Cub with an at-bat off Thornburg, who has no record with a 5.14 ERA as a starter.

Carlos Gomez, whose RBI single opened Monday's scoring, is batting .542 (13 for 24) with two homers and six RBIs while hitting safely in six straight. The All-Star center fielder is hitless in four at_bats off Villanueva.

Rickie Weeks (1 for 1) and Juan Francisco (1 for 5) are the only active Brewers with a hit against the Game 1 starter.

Yuniesky Betancourt (0 for 3) is the only player on Milwaukee's active roster to have faced Arrieta.

The Brewers are 6-3 against the Cubs this season.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Cubs
Mon, Jul 29 Final 5 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Cubs
Tue, Jul 30 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Brewers at Cubs
Wed, Jul 31 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (62-41) at Pirates (62-42)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 30, 2013 7:35 PM EDT


An erratic offense, some inconsistent play and a 20-year playoff drought hasn't prevented the Pittsburgh Pirates from remaining near the top of the NL Central.

Now the resilient Pirates have a chance to move past the St. Louis Cardinals atop the division with a doubleheader sweep Tuesday at PNC Park.

Francisco Liriano won for the sixth time in seven starts and Pedro Alvarez hit his NL-leading 27th home run in Monday's 9-2 series-opening victory that moved Pittsburgh (62-42) within a half-game of the slumping Cardinals (62-41).

Since averaging 3.2 runs and hitting .229 over a 14-game stretch, the Pirates have batted .267 and scored seven runs or more in three of their last five. They fanned four times Monday after striking out 62 times in their previous five games.

"We're a confident team,' said manager Clint Hurdle, whose club seeks its first playoff berth in 21 years. "I think we're a team whose confidence isn't built on its last game. It's not shattered by a losing streak."

Although they're 9-10 since July 6, the Pirates can take over the division lead behind A.J. Burnett (4-7, 2.96 ERA) in the first game of the doubleheader, which includes a make up of an April 16 rainout.

Burnett hasn't won since coming off the disabled list July 7 despite allowing only six earned runs over 23 1-3 innings in four starts, thanks largely to Pittsburgh's nine runs of support.

The right-hander has pitched well at PNC Park against the Cardinals, going 2-1 with 18 strikeouts and a 1.37 ERA in three starts. He did not allow a run for the second time in three meetings there, giving up one hit and striking out eight over seven innings in a 5-0 win April 17.

Carlos Beltran has five hits - two home runs - and seven RBIs in 15 at_bats against Burnett the past two seasons, but he's 4 for 27 in his last seven games overall.

Teammate and fellow All-Star Allen Craig is also slumping, going 0 for 17 with nine strikeouts in his last five.

While the Cardinals lead the NL with 500 runs and a .274 batting average, they've scored five runs and hit .169 during a season-high four-game losing streak.

"You're going to have times like this in a season,' manager Mike Matheny said. "You've just got to keep your head down and keep going and realize that over the long haul guys have done a real nice job producing offensively. That will be back.'

St. Louis counters with Lance Lynn (12-5, 3.98) as it tries to avoid losing five in a row for the first time since May 29-June 3, 2012.

The right-hander went 1-4 with 6.30 ERA during a five-start stretch before yielding one run and five hits over seven innings in a 3-1 win against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Lynn, though, is 1-3 with an 8.61 ERA in his last four road starts.

He'll attempt to reverse that trend as he goes for his third win versus the Pirates this season. Lynn has given up five runs over 12 innings in two starts, but allowed four in five innings to beat Pittsburgh 10-6 on the road April 15.

He's done a good job against All-Stars Alvarez and Andrew McCutchen, who are a combined 5 for 30 with nine strikeouts in this matchup.

St. Louis left-hander Tyler Lyons is scheduled to make his first big-league start since June 21 in the nightcap, while Pittsburgh's Game 2 starter has yet to be determined.

Lyons, who was demoted after going 0-3 with a 8.68 ERA in his last four starts with the Cardinals, allowed six earned runs and struck out 37 in 40 2-3 innings over a six-start stint at Triple-A Memphis.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Pirates
Mon, Jul 29 Final 2 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Pirates
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:35PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Pirates
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Pirates
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (35-69) at Orioles (58-48)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles would like to bolster their rotation before the trade deadline. They're about to get a particularly close look at one of the best arms available.

Bud Norris takes the mound in what could be his final start for the Houston Astros as they visit the Orioles on Tuesday night.

In their chase for a second consecutive postseason appearance, Baltimore (58-48) has been bogged down by a starters' ERA of 4.65 that ranks among baseball's worst.

The Orioles already made one move earlier this month to try to improve that weakness, acquiring Scott Feldman from the Chicago Cubs, but he's 2-2 with a 5.12 ERA in five starts with Baltimore. According to the team's official website, general manager Dan Duquette would like to do more before Wednesday's non-waiver deadline.

Houston shipped off one asset Monday, dealing closer Jose Veras to Detroit for minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez and a player to be named.

Norris (6-9, 3.93 ERA) figures to be one of the most coveted pitchers leading up to the deadline, with general manager Jeff Luhnow telling the club's official website the right-hander has attracted "significant interest."

"There's nothing close at this point, but we still have 2 1/2 days to go and still a lot of activity could happen, even though nothing's close," Luhnow said.

Perhaps the possibility of being traded has clouded Norris' focus in recent weeks. He posted a 2.85 ERA over 12 starts from May 3-July 3, but has since gone 0-2 with an 8.47 ERA in three outings.

Manager Bo Porter told the team's website he spoke to Norris last week about ignoring the swirling trade speculation.

"Just go out and pitch and don't worry about what the next day is going to bring and whether you're going to be here or someplace else," Porter said. "Let the decision-makers that are making those decisions be able to be allowed to make the decisions, and you control the portion of this that's in your hands, which is your performance."

The Astros (35-69) have lost 20 of 25 as well as eight of nine to Baltimore, including two of three in Houston from June 4-6. Norris lost the finale of that series, throwing seven innings of three-run ball in a 3-1 defeat.

However, the Orioles have lost five of six after winning four straight to begin the season's second half. The pitching woes have been magnified by an offensive slump, as the club has produced 15 runs in the last six games and is homerless in three of four.

Jason Hammel's losing streak extended to six games in a 5-0 home loss to Boston on Sunday, but the Orioles managed only five hits and were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

"The big emphasis, what I look at, is we didn't score any runs," manager Buck Showalter said. "We didn't mount much of anything offensively."

Chris Davis is 3 for 22 over his last six games and is homerless in 10 straight, his longest drought of the season, while fellow All-Stars Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy are mired in 4-for-32 and 3-for-22 slumps, respectively. That trio was 0 for 12 on Sunday with Davis striking out three times.

Hardy was 3 for 3 off Norris earlier this year while Davis went 2 for 4.

Baltimore will hand the ball to Wei-Yin Chen (5-3, 2.78), who has remained solid amid the rotation's recent struggles. He's 2-0 in three starts with a 2.18 ERA since returning from a strained oblique.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Orioles
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Astros at Orioles
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Orioles
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (52-54) at Tigers (59-45)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: July 30, 2013 7:08 PM EDT


Stephen Strasburg made a huge impression in his first appearance in a big-league uniform in spring training three years ago by striking out Miguel Cabrera.

Those two will finally meet when it counts Tuesday night.

The Washington Nationals starter has never faced Cabrera or the Detroit Tigers in the regular season heading into the opener of this two-game set at Comerica Park.

Strasburg's spring debut with the Nationals on March 9, 2010 against Detroit drew plenty of attention. He yielded two hits in two scoreless innings, striking out Cabrera with a high-90s fastball and drawing praise from the Tigers slugger and Detroit manager Jim Leyland.

Strasburg (5-8, 2.85 ERA) will pitch to the reigning AL MVP for the first time in interleague play. He is 5-2 with a 2.09 ERA in eight career outings against the AL.

Both Strasburg and Cabrera endured frustrating efforts in their last games.

The Nationals right-hander was charged with last Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh despite yielding one run and two hits in eight innings with a season-high 12 strikeouts. Afterward, he emphatically stated that the defending NL East champions needed to start turning their season around.

Washington (52-54) has responded with a 4-1 stretch, winning 14-1 over the New York Mets on Sunday.

"This is definitely what we envisioned coming out of spring training,' outfielder Denard Span said. "Being able to score runs like this and put a lot of pressure on the other teams' (pitching)."

Cabrera, meanwhile, was ejected by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild for arguing a strike call in the third inning of Sunday's 12-4 win over Philadelphia. Leyland was also tossed.

"I said the call was horrible and he threw me out,' Cabrera said. "I think it's not time to blame anybody - to blame the umpires, to blame somebody else. You want to compete and you want to do something special and try to win games. I'm kind of upset at how he threw me out, but that happens."

Detroit (59-45) outscored the Phillies 24-5 in a three-game sweep to improve to 6-2 against the NL East, but both defeats came at Washington on May 8 and 9.

The Tigers have won seven straight and 12 of 14 at home versus the NL East.

The Nationals' five-game surge following a season-high six-game losing streak has coincided with Ryan Zimmerman going 10 for 21. He was 3 for 4 to lead a season-high 18-hit attack Sunday.

"I think we all know what this group is capable of and what kind of people we have in here,' he said. "That's one of the biggest strengths of this team is not worrying about things that happen, good or bad.'

Washington looks to defeat Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 2.68) for the second time after he allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-1 loss May 8.

The right-hander is 5-2 with a 2.19 ERA in seven home starts.

While Zimmerman is a .222 hitter against Sanchez, Jayson Werth - who missed the first series between these clubs with a strained right hamstring - is worse at 5 for 30 with 19 strikeouts. No player has fanned more versus Sanchez.

The Tigers bolstered their bullpen Monday by acquiring right-hander Jose Veras from Houston for minor league outfielder Danry Vasquez and a player to be named.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Tigers
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 2
Nationals at Tigers
Wed, Jul 31 - 1:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (40-63) at Indians (57-48)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: July 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


A fire sale has started on the South Side, and Jake Peavy could be the next player out of the White Sox locker room.

As speculation mounts with the trade deadline drawing closer, Peavy may or may not make his scheduled start Tuesday night when Chicago continues its series against the surging Cleveland Indians.

Peavy (8-4, 4.28 ERA) has been on display all of July as contenders ponder whether to add the right-hander - arguably the most sought-after starter - for a playoff push and help the last-place White Sox (40-63) build for the future. Jesse Crain was dealt by first-year general manager Rick Hahn, who sent the injured reliever - Crain has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since July 3 - along with cash to Tampa Bay on Monday for either players or cash.

"We cannot say enough about what Jesse has meant to our bullpen, and the positive impact he's had on our young relievers," Hahn said. "We certainly think he has the ability to influence this year's pennant race very positively for the Rays.'

Peavy, who won the NL Cy Young Award with San Diego in 2007, has been through this before - the White Sox acquired him at the 2009 deadline. Despite being on the disabled list with a broken rib earlier this year, plenty of teams have made inquiries, and he is taking it all in stride.

"I'm here and expect to go out and, unless I hear anything, pitch against Cleveland tomorrow,' Peavy said before Monday's 3-2 loss. "Obviously, there's stuff being talked about. The coaches and general manager have kept me up to date. As a professional, I've got to be ready for the Cleveland Indians tomorrow. I will be. I expect to win. I hear a lot. All I can do as a player is get ready to do what I know is scheduled for me to do and that's pitch tomorrow night.'

Should he take the mound, Peavy will try to win a third consecutive start. He survived giving up three home runs that led to all four of the runs he allowed over seven innings of a 7-4 victory against Detroit on Thursday.

Peavy, who's served up 14 homers in 80 innings over his 13 starts, already has won at Cleveland this year. He limited the Indians to a solo homer and four other hits in seven innings of a 3-1 victory April 14, his fourth straight victory over the Indians.

As Peavy waits to learn his fate, the Indians (57-48) pushed their winning streak to five games with Jason Giambi's walkoff pinch-hit homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Cleveland has won a season-best eight straight at home, its longest run there since reeling off 14 in a row April 3-May 1, 2011.

"That's what keeps you coming back,' Giambi said. ``There's no moment more special than when you get that embrace from your teammates and all those smiles. It's exciting.'

Cleveland's starters have posted a 0.79 ERA in the last three victories, and Scott Kazmir (6-4, 3.96) will try to extend that impressive stretch. The left-hander was outstanding Wednesday, limiting Seattle to an unearned run and one hit in a season-high eight innings of a 10-1 victory. ``I don't have to throw hard every pitch," said Kazmir, who hasn't allowed an earned run in 14 innings over his last two starts. "I can throw hard when I need it but I'm throwing my secondary pitches more now. I'm more of a complete pitcher.'

This will be his first appearance versus Chicago since 2010 with the Los Angeles Angels.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Indians
Mon, Jul 29 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Indians
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Indians
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Indians
Thu, Aug 1 - 12:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (46-58) at Phillies (49-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: July 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Philadelphia Phillies are on the brink of their longest losing streak in nearly 14 years.

Perhaps returning home to face Barry Zito, who has yet to win a road start this season, will help them avoid it.

Philadelphia tries to end an eight-game skid Tuesday night when it faces a struggling Zito and the San Francisco Giants.

The Phillies (49-56) started their trip with a 13-8 win over the New York Mets on July 19, then dropped the next eight games while being outscored 52-14. Three errors and three walks led to them allowing eight unearned runs in the sixth inning of a 12-4 loss at Detroit on Sunday.

Michael Young is 3 for 24 during the losing streak - he hit .342 in the previous 10 games - and 1 for 8 off Zito since the left-hander joined the Giants in 2007.

An 11-game slump from Sept. 4-14, 1999, marked the last time Philadelphia lost more than eight in a row.

"It's hard, man. It's tough," catcher Carlos Ruiz said. "We're not playing good baseball right now. It's embarrassing to see that."

The Phillies took two of three in San Francisco from May 6-8, though Zito (4-7, 4.92 ERA) started in the Giants' lone win, holding Philadelphia to one run and four hits over seven innings May 8.

Zito's season has taken a turn for the worse more recently. He's 0-4 in his last nine outings with a 6.35 ERA and only one quality start since his last win May 30.

He's struggled all year away from home, with an 0-6 record in eight games and a 9.89 ERA that is the highest among all pitchers with more than three road starts. Opponents are hitting .426 against him in those matchups.

Another loss Tuesday would mark his longest road losing streak since an eight-game slide in 2010.

Zito's last road outing, a 10-1 loss at San Diego on July 14, saw him allow four runs in two innings - his shortest start in more than two years.

San Francisco (46-58) is reeling after a 2-1 home loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, its eighth defeat in 11 games. The Giants have homered once over that span while totaling 22 runs. They were 6 1/2 games out of first place prior to that stretch but now trail Los Angeles by 10.

Buster Posey accounted for the one homer but is 1 for 23 over his last eight games.

"We're not playing good baseball," Posey said. "That's about it. We have to play better. When you're struggling, the battle is sometimes trying not to do too much."

Philadelphia will counter with a southpaw of its own in John Lannan (2-4, 4.13). He limited opponents to one run over 16 innings in his final two starts before the All-Star Break, but after waiting 11 days for his next outing, he gave up four runs and eight hits over four innings in an 11-3 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday.

Lannan is 0-1 in three starts versus San Francisco despite a 1.74 ERA, though he hasn't faced them since a 5-4 road loss June 6, 2011.

Jeff Francoeur, 7 for 35 in 11 games since being signed by the Giants, is 15 for 28 off Lannan with six doubles.

Chase Utley is 7 for 20 off Zito, with four of those hits going for extra bases. John Mayberry is 4 for 8 with three home runs.

San Francisco has won five of its last seven in Philadelphia.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Phillies
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Giants at Phillies
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Phillies
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (62-41) at Pirates (62-42)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 30, 2013 7:35 PM EDT


An erratic offense, some inconsistent play and a 20-year playoff drought hasn't prevented the Pittsburgh Pirates from remaining near the top of the NL Central.

Now the resilient Pirates have a chance to move past the St. Louis Cardinals atop the division with a doubleheader sweep Tuesday at PNC Park.

Francisco Liriano won for the sixth time in seven starts and Pedro Alvarez hit his NL-leading 27th home run in Monday's 9-2 series-opening victory that moved Pittsburgh (62-42) within a half-game of the slumping Cardinals (62-41).

Since averaging 3.2 runs and hitting .229 over a 14-game stretch, the Pirates have batted .267 and scored seven runs or more in three of their last five. They fanned four times Monday after striking out 62 times in their previous five games.

"We're a confident team,' said manager Clint Hurdle, whose club seeks its first playoff berth in 21 years. "I think we're a team whose confidence isn't built on its last game. It's not shattered by a losing streak."

Although they're 9-10 since July 6, the Pirates can take over the division lead behind A.J. Burnett (4-7, 2.96 ERA) in the first game of the doubleheader, which includes a make up of an April 16 rainout.

Burnett hasn't won since coming off the disabled list July 7 despite allowing only six earned runs over 23 1-3 innings in four starts, thanks largely to Pittsburgh's nine runs of support.

The right-hander has pitched well at PNC Park against the Cardinals, going 2-1 with 18 strikeouts and a 1.37 ERA in three starts. He did not allow a run for the second time in three meetings there, giving up one hit and striking out eight over seven innings in a 5-0 win April 17.

Carlos Beltran has five hits - two home runs - and seven RBIs in 15 at_bats against Burnett the past two seasons, but he's 4 for 27 in his last seven games overall.

Teammate and fellow All-Star Allen Craig is also slumping, going 0 for 17 with nine strikeouts in his last five.

While the Cardinals lead the NL with 500 runs and a .274 batting average, they've scored five runs and hit .169 during a season-high four-game losing streak.

"You're going to have times like this in a season,' manager Mike Matheny said. "You've just got to keep your head down and keep going and realize that over the long haul guys have done a real nice job producing offensively. That will be back.'

St. Louis counters with Lance Lynn (12-5, 3.98) as it tries to avoid losing five in a row for the first time since May 29-June 3, 2012.

The right-hander went 1-4 with 6.30 ERA during a five-start stretch before yielding one run and five hits over seven innings in a 3-1 win against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Lynn, though, is 1-3 with an 8.61 ERA in his last four road starts.

He'll attempt to reverse that trend as he goes for his third win versus the Pirates this season. Lynn has given up five runs over 12 innings in two starts, but allowed four in five innings to beat Pittsburgh 10-6 on the road April 15.

He's done a good job against All-Stars Alvarez and Andrew McCutchen, who are a combined 5 for 30 with nine strikeouts in this matchup.

St. Louis left-hander Tyler Lyons is scheduled to make his first big-league start since June 21 in the nightcap, while Pittsburgh's Game 2 starter has yet to be determined.

Lyons, who was demoted after going 0-3 with a 8.68 ERA in his last four starts with the Cardinals, allowed six earned runs and struck out 37 in 40 2-3 innings over a six-start stint at Triple-A Memphis.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Pirates
Mon, Jul 29 Final 2 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Pirates
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:35PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Pirates
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Pirates
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (50-55) at Red Sox (63-44)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 30, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The Boston Red Sox once again find themselves out of first place after completing a mediocre stretch against the other three AL East contenders.

A visit from the Seattle Mariners could be what they need to get back on track.

Boston seeks a seventh straight home victory over Seattle in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

The Red Sox (63-44) went 5-5 against the Yankees, Baltimore and Tampa Bay over the last 11 days, falling to the now first-place Rays for the third time in that stretch Monday.

Brandon Snyder's homer in the sixth inning accounted for Boston's only run in the 2-1 defeat, which was a makeup for Thursday's rainout. Manager John Farrell was ejected in the eighth inning after arguing Daniel Nava being called out at home plate. Replays showed Nava was safe.

"He had every right to be upset,' outfielder Shane Victorino said when asked about Farrell's ejection. "The human error is part of the game and that stuff happens."

The Red Sox have dropped four of their last six at home, but they've won six straight over Seattle at Fenway Park and took the final three of a four-game series from the Mariners at Safeco Field from July 8-11.

Brandon Workman made his major league debut in that set, and he hopes this outing turns out better.

Workman (0-1, 4.40 ERA) gave up a homer to Brendan Ryan - the first batter he faced - and allowed three runs in two innings of relief in Boston's 11-4 victory July 10.

"That's not the way I saw it going in my head," Workman told the team's official website after his debut.

The right-hander will be making his third career start Tuesday after giving up two runs in six innings of a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay on July 22. He'll be opposed by Joe Saunders, who is looking to bounce back from a loss of his own.

Saunders (9-9, 4.48) had won his previous four starts while posting a 1.73 ERA before allowing six runs - five earned - in 4 2-3 innings of Wednesday's 10-1 loss to Cleveland.

"Just one of those days," Saunders said.

The left-hander went 0-4 with an 11.25 ERA in his first five road starts this season, but he's gone 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last six outings outside of Seattle. His last start against Boston also went well as he allowed three runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 6-3 win Sept. 30 while pitching for Baltimore.

Saunders will be looking to help the Mariners (50-55) win their fifth straight road game after they completed a 4-3 homestand with Sunday's 6-4 win over Minnesota.

Shortstop Brad Miller and second baseman Nick Franklin, both rookies, had solid efforts. Miller, batting leadoff, went 2 for 3 with a walk, and Franklin, the No. 2 hitter, went 3 for 4 with a three-run homer in the fourth and a solo shot in the seventh.

"They spark us at the top of the order," said acting manager Robby Thompson, who has guided the team the last seven games while Eric Wedge recovers from a mild stroke. "It's not often you see a couple guys come up from Triple-A and hit 1-2 in the order in a short period of time."

Seattle activated Michael Morse from his month-plus stay on the disabled list Monday while also designating veteran outfielder Jason Bay for assignment. Morse, who was battling a strained right quad, could be in the lineup Tuesday.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Red Sox
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Mariners at Red Sox
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Red Sox
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (51-56) at Braves (61-45)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: July 30, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


While outstanding pitching keyed the start of their winning streak, the Atlanta Braves needed their highest run total in more than three weeks to extend it.

The surging Braves might need another big day at the plate as they seek their fifth straight victory Tuesday night when rookie Alex Wood faces the Colorado Rockies.

Andrelton Simmons hit a walkoff triple in the 10th inning as NL East-leading Atlanta (61-45) beat Colorado (51-56) for the ninth time in 10 tries at Turner Field with Monday's 9-8 win.

After their pitching staff limited major league-best St. Louis to three runs over 27 innings in a three-game sweep, the Braves bailed out starter Brandon Beachy, who gave up seven runs over 3 2-3 innings in his first start in 13 months after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery.

They went 5 for 10 with seven RBIs with runners in scoring position, raising their average to .419 (13 for 31) in those situations during their winning streak. Atlanta's nine runs were its most since a 13-4 rout of Philadelphia on July 6.

Atlanta hopes to continue that production with Wood (0-2, 3.42 ERA) making his second straight start filling in for Paul Maholm (wrist contusion), who was placed on the disabled list July 22. The left-hander, 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA in two starts, surrendered four runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings before leaving without a decision in a 7-4 loss to the Mets on Thursday.

"I thought for his second major league start he did OK," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a good experience for him. (Now) he'll get another opportunity to improve."

Wood, though, will likely have to deal with Carlos Gonzalez as he faces the Rockies for the first time.

The All-Star left fielder matched a career best by going 5 for 5 on Monday after missing three games with a sprained right middle finger. He's hitting .444 (12 for 27) with two homers and six RBIs in eight career games at Atlanta.

Catcher Wilin Rosario also is heating up, going 5 for 9 with two homers in his last two games. Nolan Arenado is 8 for 20 in his last five, but his error Monday keyed Atlanta's six-run third inning.

The Rockies will try to avoid their sixth loss in nine games by giving the ball to Juan Nicasio (6-4, 4.40), who looks to win his third straight.

The right-hander has given up one run and eight hits in 19 innings since being recalled from the minors on July 12. He struck out a season-high nine batters and limited Miami to two hits over seven shutout innings before the Marlins rallied for a 5-3 victory Thursday.

"I had good location on my fastball and I was throwing strikes,' Nicasio said. "I can throw it hard when I want to, and I've been able to put it inside, away or down in the zone.'

Nicasio is 0-2 with a 7.53 ERA in three career starts versus the Braves, though, and he'll make his first start in Atlanta since 2011.

All-Star Freddie Freeman has pounded Nicasio with two home runs, a triple, and a double in six career at_bats. Freeman, though, is 4 for 26 with one homer over his last seven games.

Simmons has gone 7 for 13 with five RBIs in his last three contests, while Chris Johnson is batting .462 (12 for 26) over a seven-game hitting streak.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Braves
Mon, Jul 29 Final 8 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Braves
Tue, Jul 30 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rockies at Braves
Wed, Jul 31 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rockies at Braves
Thu, Aug 1 - 7:10PM EDT