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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (39-44) at Reds (48-36)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: July 03, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Tony Cingrani will certainly have a tough act to follow when he makes his return to the Cincinnati Reds rotation.

After Homer Bailey threw his second career no-hitter and the majors' first this season, Cingrani will try to be the next to stymie the scuffling San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Bailey has now thrown the past two no-hitters in baseball with a 3-0 win Tuesday. He nearly had a perfect game, issuing his lone walk to Gregor Blanco in the seventh inning.

"To do it once is extra special. To do it twice - I don't really have the words for it right now," Bailey said.

Cincinnati (48-36) has outscored San Francisco 11-1 halfway through this four-game set after entering the week having lost eight of 11.

The Giants (39-44), meanwhile, have been held to 18 runs and batted .196 while dropping eight of nine.

"We're going through such a tough stretch with the offense. You'd like to think that we've bottomed out now," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Hopefully, this is rock bottom."

Bochy's club, 2 for 23 with runners in scoring position over the last six games, would appear to be an ideal opponent for Cingrani's first start since June 11. The left-hander had to throw four innings of emergency relief Friday in Texas after Johnny Cueto had to leave with a strained right lat.

With Cueto on the disabled list for the third time this season, Cingrani (3-0, 3.42 ERA) will try to provide some more solid starts. He's earned all of his wins and has a 3.15 ERA in seven starts this season, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one.

Cingrani gave up three runs Friday and walked a career-high six.

"I got better as it went," he told the team's website. "I got a little tired in the last inning I threw. I haven't thrown that many pitches in I don't even remember how long ago. I just tried to keep battling."

In his first appearance against the Giants, Cingrani will pitch opposite Barry Zito (4-6, 4.53). The left-hander went 0-3 with a 5.97 ERA in five starts during June and is 1-5 with a 5.88 ERA in his last nine.

Zito is 0-5 with a 10.41 ERA in six road starts after a 4-1 loss to Colorado on Friday, giving up four runs and 10 hits over 5 1-3 innings.

He was pulled after 2 2-3 innings in his most recent start against the Reds, Game 4 of last year's NL division series. Zito allowed one run and five hits over six frames in each of his two regular-season matchups with the Reds last year but is 0-3 in the last four, getting a combined two runs of support.

Brandon Phillips is 9 for 21 (.429) against Zito, including the postseason. The second baseman hit his second homer in six games Tuesday and is hitting .364 in that span.

The Giants' Pablo Sandoval is batting .107 with nine strikeouts since returning from the disabled list June 24 and has one hit in his last seven contests.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Reds
Mon, Jul 1 Final 1 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Reds
Tue, Jul 2 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Giants at Reds
Wed, Jul 3 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Giants at Reds
Thu, Jul 4 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (36-47) at Rangers (48-35)
Game: 2
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 03, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


Felix Hernandez quickly put his worst start of the season behind him.

Now, the Seattle Mariners, coming off one of their best offensive performances of the season, will try to give Hernandez his first win in three tries this year against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

Hernandez (8-4, 2.70 ERA) wasted little time recovering from a dismal start against the Los Angeles Angels on June 20 in which he allowed season highs of seven runs and 12 hits over five innings. He was back to his usual self last Wednesday, yielding two runs and six hits while striking out 11 in seven innings but left without a decision in a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

"I had pretty good command on my fastball and the breaking ball was a little better,' Hernandez said.

Hernandez, who received just 27 runs of support over his first 11 starts, has garnered 28 while posting a 3-0 record over his last six.

On Wednesday, he'll be backed by a Mariners' offense that is coming off a nine-run display, tied for its second-best output of the season. The Mariners (36-47) managed just three runs in their first series in Arlington this season.

After hitting two home runs Tuesday, Kendrys Morales has doubled his total from June and is 9 for his last 21 (.429).

"I worked in the cage the last three or four days to make adjustments to feel more comfortable,' Morales said through a translator. "I want to take an aggressive approach every time. That's what it takes to be a winner.'

Meanwhile, Raul Ibanez has homered in consecutive games for the sixth time this season. He is tied for fifth in the AL with 20 home runs.

"I think the whole team swung the bats well,' Ibanez said. "Even the outs that were made were good swings. It was a good collective effort.'

Hernandez might need the help given his history against Texas (48-35). The Rangers have beaten him 18 times, while no other team has topped him on more than 12 occasions. Texas has beaten Seattle's ace twice in 2013 and is also responsible for two of three outings this season in which the right-hander has surrendered double-digit hits. The Rangers reached Hernandez for three runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings April 11 and then followed with five runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings May 25.

Several Texas hitters have fared well against him. David Murphy is 21 for 69 (.304) in their matchups though he has struck out 16 times, while Elvis Andrus is 17 for 57 (.298) and Adrian Beltre is 7 for 22 (.318).

Looking to restore the Rangers pitching staff's prior success over the Mariners is Derek Holland (6-4, 3.14). The left-hander is coming off one of the best games of his career, a two-hit shutout at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

Holland needed just 92 pitches to record his sixth career complete game and his first since he recorded three in July of 2011.

"You think positive thoughts,' Holland said. "You can't let any negativity get in there.'

Holland, who had surrendered four runs in each of his three starts prior to Thursday, has dominated the Mariners of late. In his last two starts against Seattle, he has scattered eight hits and two unearned runs over 14 1-3 innings.

Texas DH Lance Berkman (sore right knee) could return to the lineup Wednesday after missing four straight games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Rangers
Tue, Jul 2 Final 9 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Rangers
Wed, Jul 3 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Rangers
Thu, Jul 4 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (45-38) at Royals (38-42)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Cleveland Indians needed all the help they could get from their red-hot hitters to win their series opener against the Kansas City Royals.

The Indians' lineup might not have as much pressure in the next game if Scott Kazmir can continue his recent turnaround.

The left-hander will try to provide another superb effort and lead Cleveland to a season high-tying sixth straight win Wednesday night.

The Indians (45-38) have batted .333 in their five consecutive wins - all on the road - but had to hold on for a 6-5 victory Tuesday. After his team blew a 4-0 lead, Jason Giambi hit a key RBI double in the seventh, and closer Chris Perez worked out of a jam in the ninth.

Jason Kipnis went 1 for 4 with two runs scored to extend his hit streak to 13 games. He also reached base for the 33rd straight contest while helping Cleveland earn its fifth win in six matchups with Kansas City (38-42).

"The offense is putting up some big numbers. Hopefully we can keep rolling like we have the past couple of weeks," said reliever Joe Smith, whose team has won 10 of 15 and nine of 11 on the road.

Kazmir (4-4, 4.83 ERA) will try to make it a little easier on the Indians by building on his last two starts. After earning his first win in nearly a month June 21, the left-hander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning last Wednesday in Baltimore but did not get a decision in a 4-3 victory.

"I'm feeling comfortable where I'm at right now. There's still a lot to work on, but I feel like my delivery is getting a lot more consistent, that's for sure," he told the team's website.

Kazmir was charged with one unearned run, one hit and one walk, but the bullpen couldn't hold on to a slim lead after he had to leave because of nagging back spasms.

"It's something that's just more frustrating and irritating than anything. The start of the third inning, it seemed like it started tightening up quite a bit. The later innings it got a lot harder," said Kazmir, who was 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA in his first three starts in June.

He gave up two runs over five innings in his only other game against Kansas City this season, a 3-2 road loss April 27.

While Kazmir will attempt to build on a strong finish to this past month, the Royals' Jeremy Guthrie (7-6, 4.11) will try to end a three-start skid. The right-hander had a 6.89 ERA in his last three outings in June but gave up three runs over 6 1-3 innings in Thursday's 3-1 loss in Minnesota.

"For sure, today was much better. I was able to execute. Even the inning where they got the hits, I felt like they were hitting my pitch more so than hitting mistakes,' he said.

Guthrie, who will make his 200th career start Wednesday, was part of a 9-0 victory in his only matchup with Cleveland this season, throwing 6 2-3 innings April 28.

Kipnis, batting .477 during his hit streak, went 0 for 2 with one walk in that game, his lone matchup with Guthrie. Nick Swisher is 13 for 31 (.419) with two homers and five doubles all-time against the right-hander.

Alex Gordon, who hit a grand slam Tuesday, is 3 for 13 lifetime versus Kazmir. Miguel Tejada is 12 for 30 (.400) with a home run and three doubles.

The Indians haven't won six in a row on the road since a 10-game streak Aug. 8-Sept. 5, 2008.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Royals
Tue, Jul 2 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Royals
Wed, Jul 3 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Royals
Thu, Jul 4 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (44-39) at Twins (36-44)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


On what had a chance to be a special night for the New York Yankees' C.C. Sabathia last week instead turned into a disappointing performance.

A matchup against the Minnesota Twins could help lift his spirits.

Sabathia again goes for career victory No. 200 as he seeks a ninth win in a row over the Twins on Wednesday night at Target Field.

Sabathia (8-6, 4.15 ERA) carried a no-hitter and a three-run lead into the sixth inning Friday at Baltimore before coming undone in a 4-3 defeat. He allowed all four runs in seven innings, dropping to 1-4 with a 5.76 ERA in his last seven road starts.

"It was just everything from the night," he said. "Not being able to hold the lead, and then the ultimate of giving up the lead and giving up the game. It's frustrating. I try not to show my emotions too much, but it happens."

The left-hander has surrendered at least four runs in six of his last eight outings, a stretch during which he's gone 4-3 with a 5.15 ERA.

"I feel like I'm wasting starts," he told MLB's official website. "I'm feeling great and throwing the ball good. I've just not been able to put together a whole start. It's just frustrating."

Sabathia would appear to have a good chance to get back on track against a Twins team he's baffled in recent years. The former Cy Young Award winner has gone 8-0 with a 1.79 ERA in his last nine matchups with Minnesota (36-44), having his way with Justin Morneau (6 for 43), Joe Mauer (6 for 35) and Ryan Doumit (3 for 17). Sabathia has walked six and struck out 46 in his last 53 1-3 innings versus the Twins.

The Yankees (44-39) also have been dominating them, winning 7-3 on Tuesday for their 29th victory in the past 36 meetings. That stretch includes two playoff sweeps, part of New York's 40-13 record versus Minnesota since the start of 2007.

Robinson Cano delivered a three-run shot - his fourth homer in three days - after going deep twice in Monday's 10-4 series-opening win. The All-Star second baseman has recorded five consecutive multihit efforts, going 12 for 21 with eight RBIs and eight runs scored.

Cano has hit .383 with 14 RBIs over his last 15 regular-season games in Minnesota, which has dropped three straight and eight of 11.

The Twins try to regroup behind P.J. Walters (2-4, 6.03), who is 0-4 in five starts after winning his first two following his call-up from the minors in late May. The right-hander has been especially bad in the last three, losing each while allowing 16 runs, 16 hits and nine walks in nine innings.

"We all have games where we struggle, everybody in the league has them," said Walters, who has never faced the Yankees. "In my eyes, it's unacceptable. To the team I'm sure it is, too. I expect to pitch better ... but obviously I've got some things I need to work on and get better at right now."

Mauer, who snapped an 0-for-18 slump with an RBI single in the third inning Tuesday, is hitting .381 in his last 11 games against the Yankees.

The Twins may be counting on him even more after placing Josh Willingham on the disabled list with a medial meniscus tear and bone bruise in his left knee. Willingham leads the team with 10 homers.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Twins
Mon, Jul 1 Final 10 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Twins
Tue, Jul 2 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Twins
Wed, Jul 3 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Yankees at Twins
Thu, Jul 4 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (45-39) at Astros (30-54)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Tampa Bay Rays are rolling thanks to impressive efforts on the mound and at the plate.

Manager Joe Maddon's club has proven especially dominant against the major league-worst Houston Astros.

The visiting Rays aim for a fifth consecutive win Wednesday night and eighth in a row over the Astros, who try to avoid getting shut out in three straight contests for the first time in nearly 28 years.

After Matt Moore combined with Cesar Ramos on a two-hitter in Monday's series-opening 12-0 win, David Price returned from the disabled list to throw seven masterful innings Tuesday in an 8-0 victory. Winner in seven of nine, Tampa Bay (45-39) has taken four straight by a 27-4 margin, going 17 for 46 (.370) with runners in scoring position.

Desmond Jennings went 3 for 5 with a homer and career high-tying four RBIs while Yunel Escobar drove in two for the Rays, who have outscored Houston 60-21 during their seven-game run in the series.

The Astros (30-54) have also been outscored 34-5 during a five-game skid overall. Houston, which is hitting .150 during that stretch, hasn't suffered three consecutive shutouts since July 14-19, 1985.

Leading the club with a .286 average, Jose Altuve is hitless in his last 10 at_bats. Matt Dominguez is mired in an 0-for-18 slump, and Brandon Barnes is 4 for his last 31. Chris Carter has also struggled, going 3 for 21 with 10 strikeouts during a seven-game stretch.

"It's just one of those things where we're just not hitting right now," Dominguez said. "Tomorrow, we could go out and get 15 hits or something. Baseball is crazy that way. We just have to keep grinding and doing what we do."

The Astros will try to regroup against Roberto Hernandez (4-9, 4.98 ERA), who's hoping to avoid losing a season-high fourth consecutive start. The right-hander, though, pitched well last Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to Toronto, allowing three runs and six hits in eight-plus innings.

"I thought Roberto was fantastic," Maddon told MLB's official website. "That probably was his best game all year, one walk, (five) punchouts. The ball was alive, the sinker was very good, the slider."

While Hernandez has never faced Houston, he's limited former Rays slugger Carlos Pena to two hits in 12 at_bats in their matchups. Pena returned to the club after missing two games following the death in the family, but did not play Tuesday.

The Astros give the ball to Bud Norris (5-7, 3.35), who's looking to snap a season-high five-start winless stretch. The right-hander allowed one unearned run and four hits in seven innings but didn't factor in the decision of Friday's 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

"He's got the fastball that's sneaky and works his breaking ball in on you," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Norris, who is 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 10 home starts.

Norris is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA in two career outings against the Rays, with the last one coming in 2011. James Loney is 7 for 14 against him.

Norris will also need to be wary of Evan Longoria, who went 2 for 4 in his first game back since missing three due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The All-Star third baseman is batting .448 with four homers, four doubles and 13 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak against the Astros.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Astros
Mon, Jul 1 Final 12 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Astros
Tue, Jul 2 Final 8 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Astros
Wed, Jul 3 - 8:10PM EDT

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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (39-43) at Rockies (41-43)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Behind star rookie outfielder Yasiel Puig, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to surge.

Puig and the visiting Dodgers look for a fourth consecutive victory Wednesday night against the Colorado Rockies, who hope Tyler Chatwood delivers another strong start versus their NL West rival.

Puig had three hits, including his eighth home run, and ace Clayton Kershaw tossed a four-hitter in Tuesday's 8-0 rout of Colorado. The Dodgers (39-43) have won nine of 10 to move out of last place in the West, one-half game ahead of struggling San Francisco.

Los Angeles is 16-11 since Puig made his career debut June 3. He's batting .443 with 17 RBIs in 27 contests, and 7 for 10 with two doubles, a triple and that homer in the last two.

"It's a tough lineup right now to get through," Kershaw said. "Puig's on another planet. You keep thinking he can't keep this up, not just singles, he's been hitting the ball really hard everywhere. I've been really, really impressed.'

Hanley Ramirez added two hits to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He's batting .469 during that stretch, and has hit .393 in his last 16 games versus Colorado (41-43).

Adrian Gonzalez hit his 11th home run for the Dodgers, who have recorded 14 hits in each of their last two games. The first baseman is batting .357 with two homers and nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak against the Rockies.

Los Angeles hopes to fare better against Chatwood (4-1, 2.13 ERA), who allowed five hits without a walk in six scoreless innings of a 12-2 win at Los Angeles on April 29 to improve to 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA against the Dodgers.

That start began a stretch of eight straight where the right-hander has yielded two or fewer runs. He's given up a run and four hits over six innings in each of his last two. He has not factored in the decision of either - both one-run losses where the Rockies totaled three runs.

"I really didn't have very good command (in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the New York Mets)," Chatwood told the Rockies' official website. "So to be able to keep our team in the game like that, I was happy with it."

Los Angeles counters with Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.94), who has a 4.44 ERA in nine starts since he missed more than a month with a broken collarbone but is 4-2 over that stretch.

Though the right-hander is looking for a third straight win, he allowed four runs and 12 hits, including two homers, in seven innings of a 6-4 victory over Philadelphia on Thursday.

"Zack probably didn't have his best stuff, but he just competed,' catcher A.J. Ellis said.

Greinke has a 3.18 ERA without a decision in two career starts at Coors Field. The most recent came June 1, when he allowed four runs, nine hits and three walks in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-6, 10-inning defeat.

Colorado's Michael Cuddyer is 5 for his last 16 (.313) against Greinke, but had his franchise-record 27-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-4 performance Tuesday. Batting .339, Cuddyer also had his run of 46 straight games of reaching base safely end.

"You just enjoy the ride as long as you can," he said.

The Rockies have lost two straight and 13 of 19.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Rockies
Tue, Jul 2 Final 8 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Rockies
Wed, Jul 3 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Dodgers at Rockies
Thu, Jul 4 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (49-33) at Angels (40-43)
Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: July 03, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


While Albert Pujols will seek to shake out of his slump, the Los Angeles Angels will try to keep rolling with another win over his former club.

Pujols and the Angels hope to take advantage of a matchup with struggling St. Louis Cardinals rookie Shelby Miller and earn a season high-tying eighth straight win Wednesday night.

Pujols went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk in his first matchup with St. Louis since leaving to sign a 10-year, $240 million deal with Los Angeles after the 2011 season. The Angels, though, had few problems after scoring five runs in the second inning Tuesday, winning 5-1.

``It was a little weird. But I was fine, guys. I swear. I'm being honest,' Pujols said. ``I mean, it would have been a little different if it was in St. Louis. I mean, you can't forget the special times you had with those guys during those 11 years there. That's something nobody can take away - the success I had there and how those fans and everybody in the community treated me."

While with St. Louis, Pujols became the first player to hit .300 with at least 30 home runs in his first 10 seasons but the three-time NL MVP has seen his average dip to .247 during a 4-for-37 slump.

Pujols batted a career-low .285 in his first season with the Angels (40-43), who will try to match their eight straight wins from May 18-26.

Facing the scuffling Miller (8-6, 2.79 ERA) could prove beneficial for Los Angeles and Pujols as he's 1-3 with a 6.38 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander has also posted an 11.05 ERA in his first set of back-to-back defeats.

Miller failed to pitch five innings for the first time in 17 career starts Friday in Oakland, giving up five runs in 1 2-3 frames in a 6-1 loss. That defeat was one of seven in the past nine games for the Cardinals (49-33).

"There are going to be tough times where they have to push through and figure out how to still get outs," manager Mike Matheny told the team's website. "He's been throwing the ball well as a whole, and we'll see how he works through this now."

The Angels are batting .290 while outscoring their past seven opponents 43-19, but Jerome Williams (5-3, 3.21) couldn't benefit in his most recent outing.

The right-hander gave up one run over 6 1-3 innings Friday in Houston but did not get a decision in a 4-2 win. The Angels scored three runs after he exited.

Williams is 1-2 in his last four starts despite a respectable 3.91 ERA. Los Angeles has given him one run or fewer in three of those games.

Williams is 3-3 with a 4.71 ERA in seven career starts against the Cardinals but the most recent was April 21, 2006, while with the Chicago Cubs. Pujols hit a two-run homer off him in that 9-3 loss, and Yadier Molina, the only current Cardinals player to face him in that game, singled in one of his two at_bats.



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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Angels
Tue, Jul 2 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Angels
Wed, Jul 3 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Angels
Thu, Jul 4 - 9:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (35-46) at Athletics (49-35)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: July 03, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


A day after the Chicago Cubs traded one starting pitcher, the man who may be the next trade chip dealt will get the ball looking to continue his dominant stretch.

While scheduled starter Matt Garza has been impressive over the last few weeks, Oakland's Bartolo Colon has been fantastic for more than a month.

In what could be a pitchers' duel Wednesday night in Oakland, Garza goes up against Colon, who seeks to extend the longest winning streak of his career.

Colon (11-2, 2.79 ERA) is not only undefeated over his last nine starts, he's recorded a win in each of the last eight with a 1.37 ERA while allowing one home run over 59 innings.

The 40-year-old gave up one run and six hits in eight innings in a 6-1 win over St. Louis on Saturday. He won eight straight decisions for the Angels from July 21-Sept. 10, 2005, the same season he won the Cy Young Award and a league-best 21 games.

"He's been dominant," teammate Josh Donaldson told the club's official website. "It hasn't even been a question."

Donaldson stayed hot in Tuesday's 8-7 series-opening win, going 2 for 4 with a homer and starting the Athletics' three-run eighth with a leadoff single. He's 12 for 26 with four homers and 10 RBIs over his last eight games, posting an OPS of 1.548 for Oakland (49-35), which has won five of six.

The Cubs (35-46) made two trades Tuesday, sending starter Scott Feldman to Baltimore while also shipping Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Feldman had been strong in his only season with Chicago, going 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA.

The move by the rebuilding Cubs clearly seemed aim at cutting payroll while still trying to maximize return. They received veteran reliever Matt Guerrier from the Dodgers, and pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop and two international signing bonus slots from the Orioles.

With the run Garza (3-1, 3.83) has been on of late, he may be the best available arm on the trade market as the July 31 deadline approaches - something he's well-aware of.

"Somebody asked me, 'Well, do you sit by your phone?'" the 29-year old right-hander said. "I said, 'No.' No phone calls. No worries, guys. I'm not too worried about it, just going to keep plugging away every five days."

For prospective suitors, his stock only seems to be rising after he spent almost two months on the disabled list with a strained lat to start the season. He's 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA over his last three starts.

He struck out a season-high 10 while throwing seven innings of one-run ball in a 7-2 win at Milwaukee on Thursday.

"I like where I'm at, and I'm just going to try to keep improving," said Garza, who can become a free agent at the end of the year.

Although Chicago got rid of the much-maligned Marmol, the relief woes didn't end Tuesday. James Russell was tagged with the blown save as he surrendering the go-ahead three-run homer to Derek Norris with two outs in the eighth.

Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Seth Smith are a combined 4 for 35 off Garza with nine strikeouts. He's 1-3 with a 3.09 ERA in five career games - four starts - against the A's, but hasn't seen them since 2010.

Colon is 0-1 with a 5.33 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, whom he hasn't pitched against since 2004. He has a 1.20 ERA in winning his two starts against NL clubs this season, and is 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA in his last six versus the Senior Circuit.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Athletics
Tue, Jul 2 Final 7 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Athletics
Wed, Jul 3 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Athletics
Thu, Jul 4 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Some trends to look at for Week 1 NFL games.......

-- Ravens' last eight road openers: over is 6-1-1.

-- Browns are 1-13 in home openers, 1-7 vs spread in last eight, with seven of last te staying under the total.

-- Falcons lost five of last six road openers, with seven of last nine staying under the total.

-- Last 11 times Jets were favored in a home opener: 3-8 vs spread.

-- Eight of Chicago's last nine home openers stayed under total.

-- Last nine times Patriots were favored in road opener: 6-3 vs spread.


*****

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud..........

13) Fear factor is gone in Anaheim; Albert Pujols was walked intentionally 44 times in 2009, 38 times in ’10, and that was with Matt Holliday batting behind him. Last year, he was only walked intentionally 16 times and so far this year, only eight times. Pujols is playing hurt and his numbers are slipping and I’m playing against him in fantasy this week so he’ll probably be Player of the Week.

12) Remember Greg Oden? He hasn’t played in a basketball game since 2009 (bad knees), but he’s still fairly young, and he’s still 7-feet tall, so he’s gotten multiple offers to try and play next year, including one from the Miami Heat. That’ll be an interesting story to follow.

11) Bryce Harper missed 31 games for the Nationals; in his absence, Washington left fielders hit .200 with eight RBI. Not good.

10) Rajon Rondo was the 21st player taken in the 2006 NBA Draft; the great majority of the 20 guys taken in front of him have long since been forgotten. Phoenix drafted Rondo, then traded him to Boston; whoops.

9) Odd managing by Kirk Gibson in the 13th inning Monday night; we were saying this while the inning was going on, so its not second-guessing because Arizona lost the game. Diamondbacks led 4-3 in the 13th; Mets had tying run on second, one out, and feeble-hitting catcher John Buck (.175 since May 5) up, with the pitcher’s spot up next, and the Mets had no position players left to pinch-hit.

8) For some unknown reason, Gibson walked Buck intentionally; the Mets send a starting pitcher up to sacrifice the two runners over, and then Gibson walks Omar Quintanilla (in fairness, he was 3-5) on purpose to face Andrew Brown with the bases loaded and two out.

Brown is a decent hitter; he gets a solid hit to left-center and the Mets won a game that a few minutes earlier looked lost.

7) Over his last six starts, CC Sabathia has allowed six runs in innings 1-5 (total of 30 IP), but 16 runs in 14.1 IP from the 6th inning on.

6) 161 former NFL players are currently assistant coaches in the league; that’s a little over five per team.

5) Travel Channel has a TV show called Extreme Parking, which rivals Best Ever Funerals as a head scratcher of an idea for a television program.

4) Do kids still learn to write cursive in grade school?

I stopped writing cursive years ago, except for signing my name. Wonder if they still teach that stuff.

3) Cubs are 2-9 in Edwin Jackson’s starts when they score less than six runs. Chicago traded Scott Feldman to Baltimore and Carlos Marmol to the Dodgers Tuesday, as the first round of pre-deadline deals kicked off.

2) All-Star break is a week later than usual this year; I try to fly to Las Vegas on the last day of the break every year, but I never checked MLB schedule and missed it by a week this year, so I’ll get out there the 11th instead of the 18th. Hope it cools down a little; was 115 in Las Vegas Tuesday.

1) Last no-hitter in major leagues was Homer Bailey last September 28 in Pittsburgh; Bailey did it again Tuesday, allowing only one baserunner in a 3-0 no-hitter over the Giants. Last pitcher to throw the last no-hitter one year and the first no-hitter the next year was Nolan Ryan in 1974-75.
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See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Spot bets are a classic handicapping practice that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.

Lookahead spot

The Dallas Cowboys have had a hard time covering the spread at home since opening their $1 billion palace in 2009. America’s Team is a dismal 11-21 ATS at home in that span, including a 3-13 ATS record in Cowboys Stadium the last two seasons. And games like Week 13’s home date with the Oakland Raiders are a big reason why.

The Raiders come to “Jerry’s World” for Thursday Night Football in late November, sandwiched between a huge divisional road game versus the New York Giants in Week 12 and a Monday nighter at Chicago in Week 14, which will likely hold playoff implications. Oddsmakers have set Dallas as an 8.5-point home favorite hosting lowly Oakland, peaking past its AFC opponent and to an important Monday showdown in the Windy City.

Letdown spot

The Pac-12 title hunt should be fun to watch this college football season, if most of the country can stay up that late. A number of teams are contending for the conference crown, including UCLA and Washington, who clash on a Friday night in Week 12. The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas opened the Bruins as 2-point home favorites and early money pushed that spread to -4.

Those two extra points could give Huskies backers some added value with Washington, which catches UCLA coming off an important road game in Arizona the week before. The Huskies have a veteran squad with 20 starters back from 2012, including QB Keith Price. The junior was overshadowed by a surplus of QB talent in the Pac-12 last year and is a sleeper to win the 2013 Heisman Trophy.

Schedule spot

The Boston Red Sox had better pack the sun block with an approaching West Coast road swing. Boston is home to the San Diego Padres to start the week, finishing Thursday afternoon before jumping on a cross-country flight to play the Los Angeles Angels Friday. That three-game set with the Halos opens a 10-game, 10-day stretch that takes the team from L.A. to Seattle to Oakland before the All-Star break.

The Red Sox have yet to hit the left side of the country this season, only going as far as Texas for a three-game sweep at the hands of the Rangers in early May. Boston is 10-6 versus AL West foes so far this season but went just 8-24 against them in 2012. The BoSox visited those three teams over a nine-game, late-summer road trip last year, coming away with a 1-8 record.
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MLB
Dunkel

LA Dodgers at Colorado
The Dodgers look to follow up last night's 8-0 win and take advantage of a Colorado team that is 0-7 in its last 7 games after allowing 5 runs or more in the previous game. LA is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Dodgers favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Game 951-952: Milwaukee at Washington (6:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Lohse) 15.167; Washington (Detwiler) 14.029
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Washington (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+130); Over

Game 953-954: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Lannan) 15.276; Pittsburgh (Locke) 16.961
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-155); Under

Game 955-956: Miami at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Nolasco) 15.545; Atlanta (Minor) 16.960
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-200); Under

Game 957-958: San Francisco at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 14.654; Cincinnati (Cingrani) 14.026
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+160); Over

Game 959-960: Arizona at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Delgado) 15.306; NY Mets (Harvey) 14.698
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-200); 7
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+170); Over

Game 961-962: LA Dodgers at Colorado (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Greinke) 16.306; Colorado (Chatwood) 13.705
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-115); Under

Game 963-964: Detroit at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Scherzer) 17.117; Toronto (Johnson) 15.679
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-120); Under

Game 965-966: Baltimore at Chicago White Sox (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Feldman) 15.050; White Sox (Santiago) 15.661
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+120); Over

Game 967-968: Seattle at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 14.524; Texas (Holland) 16.117
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-135); Over

Game 969-970: Tampa Bay at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Hernandez) 16.643; Houston (Norris) 12.692
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 4; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-135); Under

Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 15.240; Minnesota (Walters) 13.919
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-150); Over

Game 973-974: Cleveland at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.204; Kansas City (Guthrie) 16.275
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-120); Under

Game 975-976: San Diego at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Volquez) 13.869; Boston (Lester) 16.192
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-185); Under

Game 977-978: Chicago Cubs at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Garza) 16.273; Oakland (Colon) 15.205
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-180); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+160); Over

Game 979-980: St. Louis at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Miller) 16.676; LA Angels (Williams) 15.490
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-115); Under
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MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, July 3

National League

Milwaukee at Washington, 6:05 ET
Lohse: Under is 10-0 when Lohse pitches against a winning team in 2013
Detwiler: Nationals are 1-4 in Detwiler's starts at home in 2013

Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
Lannan: Over is 12-5 when Phillies are road dogs of between +125 and +175 in 2013
Gomez: Pirates 8-0 SU in Gomez's starts for the team

Miami at Atlanta, 7:10 ET
Nolasco: Dogs of +200 or more after allowing 10+ runs in last game are 9-29 SU
Minor: Braves are 29-13 SU at home in 2013

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 7:10 ET
Zito: Under is 7-3 for road dog that was no-hit in its last start
Cingrani: Reds are 1-5 SU last six times they've won first two games of a series

Arizona at NY Mets, 7:10 ET ESPN
Delgado: Under is 19-6 in all Delgado starts last three seasons
Harvey: Mets 5-1 SU in home night games when Harvey starts in 2013

LA Dodgers at Colorado, 8:10 ET
Greinke: Over is 24-11 in road games started by Greinke last three years
Chatwood: Rockies are 5-2 SU in last seven Chatwood starts at home


American League

Detroit at Toronto, 7:05 ET
Scherzer: Tigers are 10-1 when Scherzer starts after having allowed 2+ home runs in last outing
Johnson: Over is 33-16 when Johnson starts and total is either 8 or 8.5

Baltimore at Chicago, 7:10 ET
Gonzalez: Under is 12-5 when Gonzalez starts on the road
Santiago: White Sox 5-1 SU in last six games after allowing two runs or less in last game

Seattle at Texas, 8:05 ET
Hernandez: Mariners 25-9 when Hernandez starts on road and total is either 8 or 8.5
Holland: Under is 38-19 when Texas a favorite of -110 or more in 2013

Tampa Bay at Houston, 8:10 ET
Hernandez: Under is 3-0 in Hernandez's last three road starts
Norris: Astros are 33-64 SU when total between 8.5 and 10 last three seasons

NY Yankees at Minnesota, 8:10 ET
Sabathia: Yankees 14-3 SU in Minnesota since 2009
Walters: Over 6-2 in last eight starts for Walters at Target Field

Cleveland at Kansas City, 8:10 ET
Kazmir: Indians 15-31 SU as road dog of between +100 and +125 last two seasons
Guthrie: Royals 12-4 SU when Guthrie starts at home


Interleague

San Diego at Boston, 7:10 ET
Volquez: Over is 5-2-2 when Volquez starts on the road in 2013
Lester: Red Sox are 6-0 in Lester's home starts in 2013

Chicago at Oakland, 10:05 ET
Garza: Over is 11-1 when Garza starts a night game last two years
Colon: Oakland 8-1 SU when Colon starts at night in 2013

St Louis at LA Angels, 10:05 ET
Miller: Under is 11-1 when Miller starts at night in 2013
Williams: Angels 1-7 SU in last eight Williams' starts at home
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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, July 3

Hot pitchers
-- Locke is 4-0, 1.08 in his last eight starts.
-- Cingrani is 2-0, 3.54 in his last five starts, but only one of them has been since May 17.
-- Harvey is 2-1, 1.59 in his last five starts.
-- Lohse is 2-0, 2.51 in his last five starts.
-- Greinke is 3-1, 3.18 in his last five starts. Chatwood is 4-2, 1.61 in his last eight outings.

-- Colon is 8-0, 1.37 in his last eight starts. Garza is 2-0, 0.82 in his last three.

-- Scherzer is 5-0, 2.38 in his last five starts.
-- FHernandez is 3-0, 3.27 in his last six starts. Holland is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts.
-- Norris is 2-2, 2.38 in his last eight home starts.
-- Kazmir is 1-0, 1.29 in his last couple starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Detwiler is 0-3, 7.54 in his last five starts.
-- Lannan is 1-2, 7.23 in his last four starts.
-- Delgado is 0-2, 4.00 in three starts for Arizona.
-- Zito is 0-5, 13.50 in his six road starts this season.
-- Nolasco is 1-2, 5.48 in his last four starts. Minor is 0-1, 6.00 in last three.

-- Lester is 2-4, 7.08 in his last eight starts. Volquez has a 6.92 RA in his last five outings.
-- Miller is 1-3, 6.38 in his last four starts. Williams is 1-2, 4.26 in his last four.

-- Johnson is 1-1, 4.40 in his last five starts.
-- Feldman is 2-2, 5.18 in his last four starts.
-- RHernandez is 0-3, 5.23 in his last three starts.
-- Sabathia is 2-2, 5.46 in his last four starts. Walters is 0-4, 8.46 in his last five.
-- Guthrie is 0-3, 8.04 in his last three starts. Santiago is 1-1, 5.17 in his last three outings.

Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. You're reading ***************.com. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Lohse 6-16; Detwiler 5-12
-- Lannan 3-6; Locke 3-16
-- Nolasco 5-16; Minor 6-16
-- Zito 6-16; Cingrani 1-7
-- Delgado 2-3; Harvey 3-17
-- Greinke 3-11; Chatwood 2-9

-- Volquez 5-17; Lester 5-17
-- Garza 0-8; Colon 3-16
-- Miller 5-16; Williams 2-9

-- Scherzer 4-16; Johnson 1-9
-- Feldman 4-15; Santiago 1-9
-- FHernandez 3-17; Holland 1-16
-- RHernandez 6-15; Norris 4-17
-- Sabathia 5-17; Walters 4-7
-- Kazmir 3-13; Guthrie 5-16

Totals
-- Eight of last ten Philly games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Milwaukee games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten New York games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Cincinnati home games.
-- Four of last five Miami games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Colorado games stayed under the total.

-- Six of last eight San Diego games went over the total.
-- Last eight Cub games went over the total.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in Angels' last five games.

-- Ten of last thirteen Detroit games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Texas games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Kansas City games went over total.
-- Under is 11-5-1 in last seventeen Bronx road games.
-- Under is 12-6-2 in last twenty Houston home games.
-- Six of last eight Baltimore games stayed under total.

Hot teams
-- Pirates won nine of their last ten games.
-- Washington is 8-5 in its last thirteen games.
-- Cincinnati won three of its last four games.
-- Mets won three of their last four games.
-- Marlins won eight of their last eleven games. Atlanta won six of last seven.
-- Dodgers won nine of their last ten games.

-- Red Sox won six of their last seven games.
-- A's won five of their last six games; Cubs won four of last six.
-- Angels won their last seven games, scoring 43 runs.

-- Blue Jays won seven of their last eight home games.
-- Texas won nine of its last twelve games.
-- Indians won their last five games, scoring 42 runs.
-- Tampa Bay won seven of its last nine games.
-- Orioles won four of their last five games.

Cold teams
-- Phillies are 9-13 in their last 22 games.
-- Brewers lost six of their last eight games.
-- Giants lost ten of their last 12 games.
-- Arizona lost eight of its last nine games.
-- Rockies lost five of their last seven games.

-- Padres lost eight of their last ten games.
-- Cardinals lost seven of their last nine games.

-- Detroit lost six of its last eight games.
-- Mariners lost four of their last six games.
-- Royals lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Astros lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Bronx lost 13 of its last 20 games, but won last two. Minnesota lost six of its last eight games.
-- White Sox lost five of their last six games.

Umpires
-- Mil-Wsh-- Under is 8-4 in last 12 Iassogna games; dogs won four of last six.
-- Phil-Pitt-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Emmel games.
-- Mia-Atl-- Last four Barry games stayed under the total.
-- SF-Cin-- Home side won nine of last ten O'Nora games.
-- Az-NY-- Wolcott's first MLB game behind the plate went under.
-- LA-Colo-- Favorites won eight of last ten Winters games.

-- SD-Bos-- Underdogs won six of last eight Eddings games.
-- Chi-A's-- Five of last seven Vanover games went over total.
-- StL-LAA-- Seven of last eight Scott games stayed under.

-- Det-Tor-- Last four Estabrook games went over the total.
-- Blt-Chi-- Five of last six Holbrook games stayed under.
-- Sea-Tex-- Favorites won seven of last nine Foster games.
-- TB-Hst-- 12 of last 15 Davidson games went over total.
-- NY-Min-- Underdogs won nine of last 12 Nelson games, with six of last seven going over the total.
-- Cle-KC-- Last five Danley games stayed under the total.
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MLB

Wednesday, July 3

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Trend Report
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6:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 9 games
Milwaukee is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

7:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. PITTSBURGH
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games

7:07 PM
DETROIT vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games when playing at home against Detroit

7:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing San Francisco

7:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. NY METS
Arizona is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Arizona's last 20 games on the road
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
NY Mets are 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games

7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. ATLANTA
Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Miami is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Diego's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of San Diego's last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 10 games at home
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

8:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas's last 9 games when playing at home against Seattle
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

8:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games at home

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. HOUSTON
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

8:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. MINNESOTA
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. KANSAS CITY
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Kansas City's last 20 games when playing Cleveland

10:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of St. Louis's last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games

10:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. OAKLAND
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Oakland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oakland's last 9 games

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, July 3

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

MILWAUKEE (33 - 49) at WASHINGTON (42 - 41) - 6:05 PM
KYLE LOHSE (R) vs. ROSS DETWILER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 16-30 (-12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 33-49 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 48-73 (-27.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 33-49 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 7-22 (-17.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 84-61 (+25.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-11 (+18.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 95-65 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 1-1 (+1.3 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

KYLE LOHSE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
LOHSE is 4-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.97 and a WHIP of 1.197.
His team's record is 8-5 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-7. (-1.9 units)

ROSS DETWILER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
DETWILER is 0-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.32 and a WHIP of 1.679.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (40 - 44) at PITTSBURGH (51 - 31) - 7:05 PM
JOHN LANNAN (L) vs. JEFF LOCKE (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 (+1.5 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

JOHN LANNAN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
LANNAN is 1-4 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 4.53 and a WHIP of 1.435.
His team's record is 4-5 (-1.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.4 units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
LOCKE is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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MIAMI (30 - 52) at ATLANTA (49 - 34) - 7:10 PM
RICKY NOLASCO (R) vs. MIKE MINOR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 99-145 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 11-28 (-18.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 98-141 (-32.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 91-140 (-40.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 44-76 (-22.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NOLASCO is 2-11 (-10.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 143-103 (+22.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 29-11 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 64-35 (+24.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 29-11 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 99-63 (+24.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 90-53 (+25.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 323-361 (+41.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
NOLASCO is 57-47 (+22.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 55-46 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
NOLASCO is 44-30 (+24.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against MIAMI this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

RICKY NOLASCO vs. ATLANTA since 1997
NOLASCO is 5-10 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.34 and a WHIP of 1.577.
His team's record is 8-14 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-12. (-3.6 units)

MIKE MINOR vs. MIAMI since 1997
MINOR is 2-2 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 4.35 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.9 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (39 - 44) at CINCINNATI (48 - 36) - 7:10 PM
BARRY ZITO (L) vs. TONY CINGRANI (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 39-44 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 15-29 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 17-25 (-10.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CINCINNATI is 147-104 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 21-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 147-104 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 29-12 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 392-310 (+59.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 199-176 (+38.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 144-115 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 89-69 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 53-32 (+21.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-25 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in road games after getting shut out since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 65-56 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ZITO is 32-19 (+18.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 68-39 (+32.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 42-29 (+20.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 32-18 (+19.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 16-8 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZITO is 10-1 (+12.8 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. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 322-346 (-84.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

BARRY ZITO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
ZITO is 3-4 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 6.23 and a WHIP of 1.566.
His team's record is 6-6 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-4. (+3.9 units)

TONY CINGRANI vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

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ARIZONA (42 - 41) at NY METS (35 - 45) - 7:10 PM
RANDALL DELGADO (R) vs. MATT HARVEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 25-17 (+12.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 76-66 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 17-25 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 17-25 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 28-44 (-22.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 18-31 (-16.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 34-57 (-24.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-0 (+2.4 Units) against ARIZONA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

RANDALL DELGADO vs. NY METS since 1997
DELGADO is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.876.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MATT HARVEY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
HARVEY is 1-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.126.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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LA DODGERS (39 - 43) at COLORADO (41 - 43) - 8:10 PM
ZACK GREINKE (R) vs. TYLER CHATWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 39-43 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 24-40 (-21.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 15-23 (-16.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA DODGERS are 39-43 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 27-33 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
GREINKE is 43-76 (-36.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 20-37 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 52-24 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 52-24 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GREINKE is 37-13 (+21.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 178-232 (-55.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 7-21 (-13.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 98-109 (-32.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 178-229 (-52.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 4-3 (+1.7 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.9 Units)

ZACK GREINKE vs. COLORADO since 1997
GREINKE is 1-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.642.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-1. (+4.2 units)

TYLER CHATWOOD vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
CHATWOOD is 3-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.519.
His team's record is 3-2 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.1 units)