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  • MLB

    Short Sheet

    Sunday, July 21

    National League

    Philadelphia at New York Mets, 1:10 ET
    Lee: Phillies 5-1 SU when Lee pitches as a road dog
    Harvey: Mets 0-4 SU when Harvey starts in a home day game

    Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1:10 ET
    Locke: Over is 12-4-1 when Pirates are road dogs during day games in 2013
    Bailey: Reds 3-8 SU in last 11 games Bailey pitches at home during the day

    Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington, 1:35 ET TBS
    Kershaw: Under is 11-5-1 when Kershaw pitches as road favorite of under -130
    Zimmermann: Nationals 5-0 SU last five Zimmermann home starts during the day

    Miami at Milwaukee, 2:10 ET
    Alvarez: Under is 3-1 in last four Marlins' road series finales
    Peralta: Brewers 2-12 SU since May 1 in home day games

    San Diego at St. Louis, 2:15 ET
    Stults: Under is 13-5 when Stults starts on the road
    Wainwright: Under is 25-5-2 since 2004 when Cardinals are HF of more than -200 vs. LHP

    Arizona at San Francisco, 4:05 ET
    Delgado: Diamondbacks 0-4 SU last four games when facing LHP on the road
    Bumgarner: Under is 6-2 when Bumgarner starts at home this season

    Chicago Cubs at Colorado, 4:10 ET
    Jackson: MLB teams 0-4 SU in last four as road dogs of between +140 and +160 in last game of a series
    Chatwood:Rockies 13-6 SU at home during day in 2013


    American League

    Tampa Bay at Toronto, 1:07 ET
    Archer: Rays 6-17 SU as road dogs in 2013
    Dickey: Over is 4-1 when Dickey pitches at home after a Blue Jay loss

    Detroit at Kansas City, 2:10 ET
    Fister: Tigers 1-4 SU in Fister's last five starts in road day games
    Shields: Royals 4-0 SU in Shields' last four road starts

    Cleveland at Minnesota, 2:10 ET
    Masterson: Indians 4-12 SU in road days games when Masterson starts
    Diamond: Over is 4-1 in last five Twins home series finales

    Seattle at Houston, 2:10 ET
    Hernandez: Under is 7-1 in last eight Hernandez road starts during the day
    Lyles: Astros 3-13 SU in last 16 home series finales played during the day

    Oakland at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 ET
    Colon: Athletics 7-2 SU in 2013 when Colon starts on the road
    Williams: Over is 8-2 in Williams' last 10 starts at home

    Baltimore at Texas, 7:05 ET
    Tillman: Orioles 12-3 in Tillman's last 15 road starts
    Perez: Under is 6-2 in 2013 when Rangers start a southpaw in a home night game

    New York Yankees at Boston, 8:05 ET ESPN
    Sabathia: Yankees 2-8 SU in last 10 Sunday night games at Fenway
    Lester: Red Sox 7-0 SU in Lester's 2013 home starts


    Interleague

    Atlanta at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 ET
    Minor: Braves 1-4 SU in last five road games vs. LHP
    Quintana: Under is 2-13-1 in White Sox home day games in 2013
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • MLB
      Armadillo's Write-Up

      Sunday, July 21

      Hot pitchers
      -- Nationals are 11-0 at home when Zimmerman starts. Kershaw is 2-1, 1.69 in his last four starts.
      -- Locke is 3-1, 1.83 in his last six starts.
      -- Peralta is 2-0, 0.42 in his last three starts.
      -- Stults is 2-0, 1.20 in his last two starts. Wainwright is just 4-4 in his home starts, despite a 2.08 RA.
      -- Jackson is 3-0, 1.93 in his last three starts. Chatwood is 1-1, 1.84 in his last couple outings.
      -- Bumgarner is 3-0, 2.14 in his last three starts.

      -- Quintana is 1-0, 2.57 in his last three starts. Braves won seven of nine Minor road starts.

      -- Archer is 3-0, 1.97 in his last five starts.
      -- Royals won seven of last eight Shields starts (1-0, 3.00 last two).
      -- Orioles won seven of Tillman's eight road starts.
      -- Hernandez is 2-0, 1.86 in his last four starts.
      -- Colon is 9-1, 1.59 in his last eleven starts.

      Cold pitchers
      -- Harvey is 0-1, 5.54 in his last two starts; Mets lost his last four starts at home. Lee is 1-1, 4.87 in his last three starts.
      -- Bailey is 1-3, 4.05 in his last four starts.
      -- Alvarez is 0-1, 6.55 in two starts for Miami.
      -- Delgado is 1-3, 4.50 in his last five starts.

      -- Dickey is 0-2, 6.23 in his last couple starts.
      -- Masterson is 1-4, 5.71 in his last five road starts. Minnesota lost six of eight Diamond road starts.
      -- Fister is 1-1, 5.53 in his last four road starts.
      -- Lyles is 0-2, 7.40 in his last four starts.
      -- Perez is 1-1, 6.94 in his last couple starts.
      -- Williams is 0-3, 10.62 in his last five starts.
      -- Sabathia is 2-3, 6.00 in his last five starts. Lester is 2-6, 6.34 in his last 11 starts, but Red Sox are 7-0 when he starts at Fenway Park.

      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........
      -- Locke 3-18; Bailey 3-19
      -- Lee 2-19; Harvey 4-19
      -- Kershaw 2-20; Zimmerman 2-19
      -- Alvarez 1-2; Peralta 4-20
      -- Stults 6-20; Wainwright 4-20
      -- Delgado 2-6; Bumgarner 2-19
      -- Jackson 6-19; Chatwood 4-12

      -- Minor 6-19; Quintana 7-19

      -- Archer 2-9; Dickey 6-20
      -- Fister 5-19; Shields 10-20
      -- Masterson 3-20; Diamond 6-17
      -- Hernandez 3-20; Lyles 5-14
      -- Colon 4-19; Williams 4-12
      -- Tillman 4-19; Perez 3-6
      -- Sabathia 5-20; Lester 6-20

      Totals
      -- Ten of last eleven Dodger games stayed under the total.
      -- Six of last nine Philly games stayed under the total.
      -- Eight of last ten Pittsburgh games stayed under the total.
      -- Nine of last ten Milwaukee games stayed under total.
      -- Five of last seven San Diego games went over the total.
      -- Eight of last ten Colorado games stayed under total.
      -- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Diamondback games.

      -- Over is 9-1-2 in last twelve Atlanta games.

      -- Seven of last eight Tampa Bay games stayed under the total; five of Blue Jays' last seven games went over.
      -- Last five Boston games stayed under the total.
      -- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Texas games.
      -- Seven of last nine Cleveland games stayed under total.
      -- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Kansas City home games.
      -- Six of last nine Seattle games went over the total.
      -- Last eight Oakland games stayed under the total.

      Hot teams
      -- Dodgers won eight of their last ten games.
      -- Phillies won seven of their last ten games. Mets won six of last nine.
      -- Reds won four of their last five games.
      -- Brewers won four of their last five home games.
      -- Cardinals won eight of their last eleven games.
      -- Cubs won seven of their last eleven games.
      -- Giants won five of their last six games.

      -- Braves are 5-0 in game following their last five losses.

      -- Rays won 16 of their last 18 games.
      -- Orioles won six of their last seven games.
      -- Minnesota won its last four games.
      -- Mariners won their last five games, scoring 32 runs.
      -- Angels won their last four home games.

      Cold teams
      -- Nationals lost seven of their last nine games.
      -- Pirates lost seven of their last ten games.
      -- Marlins lost their last five road games, scoring only seven runs.
      -- Padres lost 15 of their last 18 games.
      -- Colorado lost ten of their last sixteen games.
      -- Arizona lost 12 of its last 15 road games.

      -- White Sox lost 14 of their last 20 games.

      -- Blue Jays lost five of their last six games.
      -- Bronx lost five of its last nine games. Boston is 4-6 in its last ten.
      -- Rangers lost six of their last seven games.
      -- Indians lost their last four road games.
      -- Royals lost five of their last seven games. Detroit lost three of last four.
      -- Astros lost nine of their last eleven games.
      -- Oakland is 2-4 in its last six games; they scored a total of 13 runs in their last eight games, one run in last two.

      Umpires
      -- Phil-NY-- Favorites won 10 of last 13 Winters games.
      -- Pitt-Cin-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Hoye games.
      -- LA-Wsh-- Three of last four Kellogg games went over.
      -- Mia-Mil-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Gorman games.
      -- SD-StL-- Favorites won nine of last 12 Foster games.
      -- Chi-Col-- Seven of last eight LBarrett games stayed under.
      -- Az-SF-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Barry games.

      -- Atl-Chi-- Favorites won HGibson's first two games behind plate.

      -- TB-Tor-- Four of last five Joyce games went over the total.
      -- NY-Bos-- Home side won six of last seven Emmel games.
      -- Det-KC-- Six of last seven Carapazza games stayed under total.
      -- Cle-Min-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Meals games.
      -- Sea-Hst-- Five of last seven Tichenor games went over.
      -- Balt-Tex-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six West games.
      -- A's-LA-- Ten of last twelve Guccione games went over total.
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • MLB

        Sunday, July 21

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Trend Report
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        1:07 PM
        TAMPA BAY vs. TORONTO
        Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
        Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
        Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
        Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay

        1:10 PM
        PHILADELPHIA vs. NY METS
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 9 games
        The total has gone OVER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 12 games on the road
        The total has gone OVER in 12 of NY Mets's last 16 games
        NY Mets are 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Philadelphia

        1:10 PM
        PITTSBURGH vs. CINCINNATI
        Pittsburgh is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
        Pittsburgh is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
        Cincinnati is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

        1:35 PM
        LA DODGERS vs. WASHINGTON
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games on the road
        Washington is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
        Washington is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers

        2:10 PM
        MIAMI vs. MILWAUKEE
        Miami is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
        Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
        The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 10 games
        The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

        2:10 PM
        SEATTLE vs. HOUSTON
        Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
        Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Seattle
        Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle

        2:10 PM
        ATLANTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
        The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games on the road
        The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta's last 12 games
        The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
        Chi White Sox are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games at home

        2:10 PM
        CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
        Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
        The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games
        The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
        Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland

        2:10 PM
        DETROIT vs. KANSAS CITY
        Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Kansas City
        Kansas City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
        Kansas City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit

        2:15 PM
        SAN DIEGO vs. ST. LOUIS
        San Diego is 3-15 SU in its last 18 games
        The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Diego's last 18 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing at home against San Diego
        The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games at home

        3:35 PM
        OAKLAND vs. LA ANGELS
        The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 8 games when playing LA Angels
        Oakland is 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
        LA Angels are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing Oakland
        The total has gone UNDER in 9 of LA Angels's last 13 games when playing at home against Oakland

        4:05 PM
        ARIZONA vs. SAN FRANCISCO
        Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
        Arizona is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games on the road
        San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
        San Francisco is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games

        4:10 PM
        CHI CUBS vs. COLORADO
        The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Colorado
        The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chi Cubs's last 12 games on the road
        The total has gone OVER in 11 of Colorado's last 14 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
        The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games

        7:05 PM
        BALTIMORE vs. TEXAS
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 8 games on the road
        Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
        Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore

        8:05 PM
        NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
        The total has gone UNDER in 14 of NY Yankees's last 21 games on the road
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games
        Boston is 3-9 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
        The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • MLB

          Sunday, July 21

          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Sunday Night Baseball: Yankees at Red Sox
          ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-135, 9)

          DEMPSTER FOR LESTER

          Boston decided to make a pitching change for this game as Jon Lester was the original starter. He will now pitch on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ryan Dempster is now the scheduled starter and he enters with a mediocre 4.24 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in his 19 games this season. Dempster's biggest problem has been giving up the long ball as he allows 1.63 home runs per nine innings which is the worst percentage among Boston's five regular starting pitchers this season.

          CC IF HE CAN PITCH BETTER

          C.C. Sabathia is 9-8 with a 4.07 ERA for the Yankees. He needs to improve off his last start when he allowed eight runs and eight hits in four innings pitched at home against the Minnesota Twins. He has allowed four runs or more in three of his last five road starts. Sabathia is seeing the Red Sox for the third time and he owns a win and a loss against them. In the win, the lefty struck out 10 while walking none in just over seven innings. He had different results in the loss back on April 1 when he gave up four runs and eight hits in just five innings. Sabathia’s last start in Boston came on August 30, 2011 when he struck out ten batters in six innings of work.

          INJURY REPORT

          The Yankees’ injury report got a little longer after Zoilo Almonte left Friday’s game with a sprained ankle. He joins Derek Jeter, Jayson Nix, Kevin Youkilis, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Francisco Cervelli who are New York hitters that are unavailable. A-Rod hopes to return Monday, while Youkilis, Granderson and Jeter are still a little bit away from helping the team.

          Boston had some injury news on Friday as well with Shane Victorino straining a hamstring. The team also put Andrew Bailey on the DL with a shoulder injury that most likely will end his season. The bullpen is already without Andrew Miller and Joel Hanrahan who are each out for the season. Clay Buchholz has been out for awhile with a neck strain and inflammation.

          TRENDS

          Yankees are 11-4 in Sabathia’s last 15 Sunday starts
          Sabathia 21-6-1 Over in his last 28 Sunday starts

          Red Sox are 4-1 in Dempster's last five home starts
          Dempster 5-1 Under in his last six starts vs. AL East

          HITTERS TO WATCH

          David Ortiz 11-for-52 vs. Sabathia
          Dustin Pedroia 13-for-43 vs. Sabathia

          Robinson Cano 1-for-6 vs. Dempster
          Vernon Wells 3-for-9 vs. Dempster
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

            07/20/13 19-*10-*1 65.52% +*4360 Detail
            07/19/13 9-*21-*0 30.00% -*7395 Detail
            07/14/13 12-*18-*0 40.00% -*3385 Detail
            07/13/13 14-*16-*2 46.67% -*2065 Detail
            07/12/13 13-*15-*0 46.43% -*1255 Detail
            07/11/13 17-*7-*0 70.83% +*4810 Detail
            07/10/13 17-*13-*0 56.67% +*1265 Detail
            07/09/13 17-*13-*0 56.67% +*2005 Detail
            07/08/13 11-*14-*1 44.00% -*1875 Detail
            07/07/13 10-*17-*0 37.04% -*4135 Detail
            07/06/13 10-*19-*1 34.48% -*4630 Detail
            07/05/13 12-*18-*0 40.00% -*2965 Detail
            07/04/13 10-*17-*0 37.04% -*3645 Detail
            07/03/13 18-*12-*0 60.00% +*2750 Detail
            07/02/13 12-*17-*1 41.38% -*2820 Detail
            07/01/13 9-*4-*0 69.23% +*2425 Detail

            Totals 210-*231-*6 47.62% -*16555


            Sunday, July 21

            Game Score Status Pick Amount

            Tampa Bay - 1:07 PM ET Toronto -120 500
            Toronto - Under 9 500

            Pittsburgh - 1:10 PM ET Cincinnati -143 500
            Cincinnati - Over 8 500

            Philadelphia - 1:10 PM ET NY Mets -111 500
            NY Mets - Under 6.5 500

            LA Dodgers - 1:35 PM ET LA Dodgers -112 500
            Washington - Under 7 500

            Atlanta - 2:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox +118 500 POD # 5
            Chi. White Sox - Under 8.5 500

            Cleveland - 2:10 PM ET Cleveland -137 500
            Minnesota - Over 8.5 500

            Detroit - 2:10 PM ET Kansas City +109 500 POD # 4
            Kansas City - Over 8.5 500

            Seattle - 2:10 PM ET Seattle -170 500
            Houston - Under 7.5 500

            Miami - 2:10 PM ET Miami +150 500 POD # 3
            Milwaukee - Under 8.5 500

            San Diego - 2:15 PM ET San Diego +195 500 POD # 2
            St. Louis - Over 8 500

            Oakland - 3:35 PM ET Oakland -107 500
            LA Angels - Under 8.5 500

            Arizona - 4:05 PM ET San Francisco -175 500
            San Francisco - Over 7 500

            Chi. Cubs - 4:10 PM ET Colorado -162 500
            Colorado - Over 10.5 500

            Baltimore - 7:05 PM ET Baltimore +117 500 POD # 1
            Texas - Under 9.5 500

            NY Yankees - 8:05 PM ET Boston -135 500
            Boston - Under 9 500
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • Preview: Dodgers (50-47) at Blue Jays (45-52)
              Game: 1
              Venue: Rogers Centre
              Date: July 22, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


              The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't suffered many losses lately, but another injury to one of their stars has them concerned.

              The red-hot Dodgers hope to have Matt Kemp back in the lineup Monday night when they try to extend their longest road winning streak in nine years against the Toronto Blue Jays.

              After missing 11 games because of inflammation in his left shoulder, Kemp provided the club with a huge lift in his return Sunday by going 3 for 4 with a home run, double and three RBIs in a 9-2 win at Washington.

              The star center fielder, however, hurt his left ankle sliding into home plate on a force play in the ninth inning and limped off the field. Manager Don Mattingly said the injury appears to be a sprain and doesn't think Kemp will be placed back on the DL.

              "It's not bad. I hope it's not bad,' Kemp said. "The biggest thing will be tomorrow when I wake up and see how it feels.'

              Depending on how the ankle responds, Kemp may not be available when the Dodgers (50-47) go for their eighth consecutive road win and 21st in 26 games overall in the opener of a three-game set in Toronto.

              Shortstop Hanley Ramirez has certainly shown the ability to carry the load, raising his average to .393 after going 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs to help Los Angeles sweep the series in the nation's capital.

              The Dodgers, on their longest road streak since a nine-game run July 3-26, 2004, have a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time since Aug. 19 with a win and an Arizona loss.

              Scheduled starter Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 3.09 ERA) will try to keep them rolling as he looks to bounce back from a rare subpar outing.

              After going 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his previous 10 starts, the left-hander gave up five runs and seven hits over five innings before leaving without a decision in a 7-5 win at Arizona on July 10.

              Ryu will have to contend with a hot Jose Reyes as he faces the AL East-worst Blue Jays (45-52) for the first time. The speedy leadoff man reached base four times in Sunday's 4-3 loss to visiting Tampa Bay and is 11 for 27 (.407) in his last six games.

              After missing 18 games with a sore left knee, teammate Melky Cabrera went 1 for 4 in his return to the lineup.

              The Blue Jays hope to avoid their fifth straight loss and 17th in 24 games, but right-hander Josh Johnson (1-5, 5.16) has gone 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA in four starts since his last victory June 23.

              Johnson was tagged for a career high-tying seven earned runs over six innings in losing his third straight start, 7-4 at Baltimore on July 14.

              He was also hit hard in his last meeting with the Dodgers, lasting only three innings after giving six runs and 10 hits - including a pair of homers - in an 8-2 loss while with the Marlins on Aug. 25.

              Adrian Gonzalez, who homered off Johnson in that contest, is hitting .361 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 15 career games in Toronto.

              Teammate Yasiel Puig did not start Sunday after going 1 for 14 in his last four games, but is expected to return to the lineup in this contest.

              This is the first meeting since 2007 when the Dodgers took two of three in Toronto.
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • Preview: Yankees (52-46) at Rangers (54-44)
                Game: 1
                Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
                Date: July 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                A struggling rotation has played a large role in the Texas Rangers' recent woes but the team might get some much-needed help in its series with the New York Yankees.

                Yu Darvish is the first of two Rangers pitchers set to return from injuries, and he'll make his first start in a little more than two weeks in Monday night's series opener.

                Texas's starters have combined for a 7.21 ERA during a 1-7 stretch and the Rangers (54-44) gave up four runs in the first four innings in their fourth consecutive defeat Sunday, 4-2 to Baltimore. That loss dropped the club three games behind AL West-leading Oakland.

                The Rangers are hoping to end their struggles when they get Darvish (8-4, 3.02 ERA) and Alexi Ogando off the disabled list the next two games.

                "I think (the break) was good for me," Darvish told the team's website through an interpreter. "I was able to rest and do everything I had to do."

                Darvish would appear to be returning at a good time as he's 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees (52-46). He did not get a decision in his only matchup this season, giving up three runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 loss June 25.

                The right-hander, however, is also 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last four starts, and he surrendered five runs over six-plus innings in a 9-5 loss to Houston on July 6 before his first career trip to the DL for a strained back.

                Darvish will face an injury-plagued Yankees team that's lost seven of 11 and got some bad news on Alex Rodriguez on Sunday.

                Rodriguez was expected to return from the disabled list (hip surgery) on Tuesday but suffered a strained left quad while rehabbing. He is expected to return to the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla., for rest and treatment.

                New York followed that announcement by blowing an early three-run lead in Boston en route to an 8-7 loss in 11 innings.

                "He's going to be out for a while," manager Joe Girardi said. "So we'll just deal with it and continue to play."

                Ivan Nova (4-2, 3.63) will try to help break his club out of its funk with a third victory in as many starts. The right-hander has a 2.28 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 23 2-3 innings in his three starts since returning from a stint in the minors.

                Nova fanned six and gave up one run over eight innings in his final start before the All-Star break, an 8-1 win against Kansas City on July 10.

                "Getting him back on track was really important to us," Girardi told the team's website. "We've seen him pitch really well. He got out of whack the second half (of 2012) and struggled a little bit at the beginning of the year, but he's back on track."

                Nova has won his past two decisions against Texas despite giving up four runs in each of his last two matchups. He did not get a decision in his lone meeting with the Rangers in 2012, a 10-6 loss Aug. 16.

                Adrian Beltre, A.J. Pierzynski and Elvis Andrus are a combined 3 for 32 (.094) against Nova.

                Robinson Cano, batting .415 with 12 RBIs during a 12-game hit streak, is 2 for 14 (.143) in his last six games against the Rangers but is a career .342 batter in Texas. He's also 3 for 6 all-time versus Darvish.

                Ichiro Suzuki is 7 for 14 against his Japanese countryman.
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • Preview: Pirates (57-39) at Nationals (48-50)
                  Game: 1
                  Venue: Nationals Park
                  Date: July 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                  Neither the Pittsburgh Pirates nor the Washington Nationals have come up with many clutch hits since the All-Star break.

                  The Nationals have also dropped Dan Haren's last 10 starts heading into Monday night's opener of a four-game home set with the Pirates.

                  Pittsburgh (57-39) totaled 10 runs and went 2 for 27 with runners in scoring position while losing two of three over the weekend in Cincinnati. The Pirates are hitting an NL-worst .225 with men in scoring in position.

                  Washington (48-50) also struggled in that department this weekend, going 2 for 26 and scoring five runs while getting swept at home by the Dodgers. The Nationals are batting .237 with runners in scoring position.

                  "I got confidence in 'em," manager Davey Johnson said. "I don't want to keep talking about the offense. That's all we seem to talk about, that and the injuries."

                  The Nationals will be out to stop their three-game slide as well as this losing streak with Haren (4-10, 5.61 ERA) on the mound. Haren is 0-7 with a 5.93 ERA during the longest winless stretch of his career.

                  The right-hander, however, has yielded two runs over 11 innings in two starts this month. He feels a stint on the disabled list to rest an inflamed shoulder has put him back on the right track.

                  "I kept the ball down," he told the Nationals' official website. "That has been the key for me in the last two starts."

                  Haren hasn't faced the Pirates since 2010. Catcher Russell Martin has the most experience against him, going 7 for 39 (.179).

                  Pittsburgh has a slight edge in homers over Washington this year, 95-88. The Pirates hit six solo homers over the weekend while the Nationals ended a six-game drought when Jayson Werth hit a pair in Sunday's 9-2 defeat.

                  Garrett Jones homered for the second straight day for Pittsburgh in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Reds. Jones had not gone deep in 10 games before these last two.

                  "I'm just one of the pieces that need to pick it up,' Jones said. "I had a slow first half and this is the time to hit and be productive and help your team win."

                  The Pirates avoided a sweep and extended their lead over the third-place Reds to three games.

                  "There's still a lot of games left, but to get this final game is big," Jones said. "Every game matters."

                  Pittsburgh will start Charlie Morton (1-2, 3.19), who is 0-2 with a 4.11 ERA in three outings versus Washington but hasn't faced the club in two years.

                  The right-hander, making his seventh start after elbow surgery, gave up two runs over a season-high seven innings July 12 in a 3-2, 11-inning win over the Mets.

                  "It's good to see him continue to get a little bit better every time he has the ball," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pirates' official website.

                  Morton has never faced Bryce Harper, who was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts Sunday and is hitting .206 in 17 games since returning after missing a month with left knee bursitis. Harper has struck out 11 times in his last 23 at_bats.

                  The Nationals took two of three in Pittsburgh from May 3-5.
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                  • Preview: Rays (58-41) at Red Sox (60-40)
                    Game: 1
                    Venue: Fenway Park
                    Date: July 22, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


                    While the Boston Red Sox sit atop the AL East, they will have to hold off one of baseball's hottest teams over the next four days in order to maintain their lead.

                    The visiting Tampa Bay Rays try to keep rolling in Monday night's series opener against the Red Sox.

                    Tampa Bay (58-41) has outscored opponents 94-44 in going a major league-best 17-2 since June 29, climbing to within 1 1/2 games of Boston (60-40). The Rays have dropped nine of 12 to the Red Sox this year, but they are hoping to come out with a better effort in this pivotal division showdown.

                    "Big series, two very good teams, an AL East battle," Rays designated hitter Luke Scott said. "It's going to be some good games, a lot on the line."

                    Scott has played a big part in his team's recent success, going 18 for 47 (.383) with four home runs and 10 RBIs during a 13-game hitting streak. He belted a two-run homer Sunday as Tampa Bay beat Toronto 4-3 for its fifth straight victory. Evan Longoria and Kelly Johnson also went deep for the Rays, winners of seven of eight on the road.

                    "Baseball's such a unique game," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website. "The turns and twists are incredible. That's the game we had been losing earlier in the year. Now, we're winning that same game."

                    Boston took two of three from the New York Yankees over the weekend, including a thrilling 8-7 win in Sunday's finale. After hitting a three-run homer earlier in the game, Mike Napoli delivered a walkoff shot with two outs in the 11th.

                    "He's a dangerous batter," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said of Napoli, who is second on the team with 13 homers and 62 RBIs. "He can do damage at any point in the game."

                    The Red Sox, who improved to 27-8 when Napoli drives in at least one run, have hit .311 while winning 20 of 26 at home since May 24, baseball's second-best record over that stretch.

                    Boston appears to have a difficult matchup in store against Matt Moore (13-3, 3.44 ERA), who is tied for the major league wins lead and pitched a scoreless inning in Tuesday's All-Star game. The left-hander has won each of his last five starts while compiling a 1.91 ERA and striking out 40 in 33 innings.

                    Moore allowed three runs, three hits and struck out 10 in 7 1-3 innings to beat Minnesota 4-3 on July 11 in his final outing before the break.

                    "Getting ahead early is big for me," he said. "When I do that, I can go to my other pitches and the game goes smoother."

                    While Moore posted a 6.57 ERA in losing both his starts versus Boston last year, he allowed three runs and three hits in six innings of a 5-3 victory May 14. Dustin Pedroia is 2 for 11 in their matchups, but David Ortiz is 5 for 10 with a homer and two doubles.

                    Boston counters with rookie Brandon Workman (0-0, 5.40), who took a no-hit bid into the seventh in a 3-2, 11-inning loss at Oakland on July 14. The right-hander gave up two runs, two hits and one walk in 6 1-3 innings, becoming the first Red Sox pitcher to allow three or fewer base runners in his first major league start since 1934.

                    "As well as he pitched against a very good team in Oakland - and we're going to have a team that's coming in here as hot as anyone in the game right now - the one thing that he does is he throws a lot of strikes," manager John Farrell said.
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                    • Preview: Braves (55-43) at Mets (43-51)
                      Game: 1
                      Venue: Citi Field
                      Date: July 22, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


                      The Atlanta Braves' beat-up starting outfield is scheduled to get back Jason Heyward, which could be perfect timing given his success against New York Mets starter Dillon Gee.

                      Heyward likely will return from a six-game absence and try to help Atlanta avoid a fourth defeat in five games Monday night at Citi Field.

                      A right hamstring strain has kept Heyward out of the lineup while B.J. Upton remains on the disabled list with a right adductor strain, causing manager Fredi Gonzalez to get creative with his outfield.

                      Gonzalez said Heyward, who normally plays right field, would play center until Upton returns. Justin Upton, normally in left, has been playing right.

                      "I just wanted to make sure my legs were 100 percent before I can go out there and attempt to (play), so having this extra day is great for me," Heyward said. "(Monday) we'll see where we're at, but I think I'm ready to go."

                      The NL East-leading Braves (55-43) have dropped four of six without Heyward, including Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Evan Gattis, starting in left, drove in the team's only run, but center fielder Reed Johnson was robbed of what would have been a game-tying homer in the eighth.

                      Brian McCann also was robbed of a potential run-scoring hit earlier in the game.

                      Heyward is 8 for 19 with a homer off Gee (7-7, 4.32), who should be looking forward to his first home start in 2 1/2 weeks.

                      The right-hander has posted a 2.83 ERA at home compared to a 5.46 mark on the road, though he ended his first half by giving up one unearned run in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 win at Pittsburgh on July 14.

                      Gee's worst home start came May 25, when he gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 6-0 loss to the Braves, falling to 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in his career at home against Atlanta.

                      He carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning June 17 at Turner Field, but allowed a walk-off two-run homer to Freddie Freeman.

                      The Mets (43-51) hope this contest ends with a more favorable result after beating Philadelphia 5-0 on Sunday for their third victory in four tries. David Wright and Marlon Byrd hit back-to-back homers in the first, and Juan Lagares added a three-run shot in the fourth.

                      New York scored 18 runs while taking two of three from the Phillies, and will look to continue its hot hitting against Braves starter Julio Teheran, who is in a bit of a slump.

                      Teheran (7-5, 3.35) has allowed 12 runs - nine earned - while pitching fewer than six full innings twice over his last three starts, most recently surrendering five runs in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-4 loss to Cincinnati on July 14. He had pitched at least six frames in each of his previous 10 outings while posting a 2.28 ERA.

                      The right-hander was solid in his first start against the Mets, giving up one run in 6 2-3 innings before New York rallied for a 4-2 win May 26.

                      These teams have split the first 10 meetings of the season.
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                      • Preview: Tigers (53-44) at White Sox (39-56)
                        Game: 1
                        Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
                        Date: July 22, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                        Last week's All-Star game provided thrilling moments for Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer and Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, though that may be all the two have in common as they prepare to take the hill for their respective clubs Monday night in Chicago.

                        Detroit's offense has provided Scherzer (13-1, 3.19 ERA) with a major league-best 7.29 run-support average, and his 152 strikeouts also rank among the most in baseball.

                        That support contributed to Scherzer nearly becoming the first pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to start 14-0 and first ever to carry that mark into the All-Star break, though he gave up four runs in six innings of a 7-1 loss to Texas on July 13. That outing marked only the second time in 19 starts that he received fewer than two runs of support.

                        "It's a loss," Scherzer said. "That's what happens when you don't quite pitch as well.'

                        The right-hander parlayed his overall success, though, into starting Tuesday's All-Star game, which the AL won 3-0.

                        "For me to be able to start the All-Star game and be able to have the success I did, you just take it all in," said Scherzer, who retired all three batters he faced. "This is something I'll never forget."

                        Sale relieved Scherzer and earned the win after striking out two in two perfect innings.

                        "It was awesome," Sale said. "Being able to see that and experience that, it was fun for me to be part of that pitching staff."

                        The White Sox, though, haven't provided much offense for Sale (6-8, 2.85 ERA), whose 2.70 run-support average ranks last in the majors. He's received fewer than three runs of support in 10 of 17 starts.

                        Chicago (39-56) backed Sale in his latest performance, though, as he overcame a season-high 10 hits allowed and gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-3 win at Detroit on July 11. He had gone 0-6 in his previous seven starts despite a 3.10 ERA.

                        The benches cleared in that matchup, though no punches were thrown.

                        "Especially for Sale, we needed to get him a win,' said catcher Josh Phegley, who hit a grand slam in that contest. "He threw well and he deserved it.'

                        The left-hander had lost his previous three starts versus the Tigers while posting a 6.00 ERA.

                        Scherzer is 5-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 13 career starts against the White Sox, and he's had plenty of success facing Alexei Ramirez (3 for 30) and Alex Rios (3 for 24) in his career.

                        Rios went 2 for 4 and drove in a run as the White Sox beat NL East-leading Atlanta 3-1 Sunday. They've won two straight after dropping 14 of their previous 19 and haven't won three in a row since June 8-10.

                        The AL Central-leading Tigers (53-44) avoided a three-game sweep to Kansas City with a 4-1 win Sunday, as Miguel Cabrera hit his 31st homer.

                        Cabrera, who is batting .453 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in his last 16 games versus the White Sox, leads the majors hitting .359.

                        "That ball is in on his hands, he hit it hard and kept it fair,' manager Jim Leyland said. "He's just an amazing hitter, and we know that.'

                        Chicago took two of three in Detroit from July 9-11 in the only meetings this season.
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                        • Preview: Orioles (56-43) at Royals (45-50)
                          Game: 1
                          Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
                          Date: July 22, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                          Scott Feldman closed out the first half by recording his first win with the Baltimore Orioles. He'll try to earn another by adding to his string of respectable performances against the Kansas City Royals.

                          Feldman will also seek to lead the Orioles to a season-high fifth consecutive win in Monday night's series opener at Kauffman Stadium.

                          After getting tagged for seven runs over 5 1-3 innings in an 8-5 loss to Texas on July 8, Feldman (1-1, 5.79 ERA) yielded three in 7 1-3 innings and struck out seven in a 7-4 victory against Toronto six days later.

                          "I think (I had) just better command overall. I felt like I was able to locate to both sides of the plate," Feldman told the team's website.

                          That win is part of a 7-1 stretch for Baltimore (56-43), which matched its longest win streak of the season by completing a road sweep of Texas with a 4-2 victory Sunday.

                          Matt Wieters had two hits to boost his average to .438 (7 for 16) over the last four games. He's also homered, scored four runs and driven in two more during that span.

                          "It's big to get three games, especially on the road, and now we've got to get ready for Kansas City," he said.

                          Feldman, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 2, could help Baltimore to its first five-game win streak since a run of six victories Sept. 16-22. While with Texas, the right-hander was 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA in three starts last season against the Royals, his lowest ERA versus any team he faced more than once.

                          Kansas City (45-50) heads into this series having dropped six of eight but nearly swept AL Central-leading Detroit to open the second half. The Royals failed to get a hit with a runner in scoring position for just the second time in 19 games Sunday, going 0 for 5 in a 4-1 defeat.

                          "Going into the second half, we've got a number of goals. One is to get back to .500. But two is to win series," manager Ned Yost told the team's website. "If we'd have won today and swept 'em, that would've been fantastic. But the consolation prize is we won the series and our mindset from here on it is we've got to continue to focus on winning series."

                          Yost's club could use a better performance from Wade Davis (4-8, 5.89) if they want to get started on winning another series. The right-hander, 0-3 with an 11.77 ERA in last three starts, matched a career high with eight runs allowed in five-plus innings in his most recent one, an 8-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on July 10.

                          Davis is making his first start against Baltimore since Sept. 14, 2011. He's 3-4 with a 5.55 ERA in his last eight versus the Orioles.

                          Major league home run leader Chris Davis, still seeking his first long ball in the second half, went deep in one of his four at_bats against the Royals starter. Wieters is 8 for 23 (.348) against Davis, while J.J. Hardy is 8 for 22 (.364).

                          Kansas City's Lorenzo Cain, seeking a 10-game hit streak, is 4 for 7 with a double in his career against Feldman. Alex Gordon is 6 for 15 (.400) but had two hits in nine at_bats off him in 2012.

                          These teams have split the last 10 meetings - all in Baltimore. The Orioles have won two straight in Kansas City after losing seven of the previous nine there.
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                          • Preview: Padres (43-56) at Brewers (41-56)
                            Game: 1
                            Venue: Miller Park
                            Date: July 22, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                            Having extended their winning streak with an extra-inning shutout, the Milwaukee Brewers hope to continue their run of outstanding pitching performances against another struggling club.

                            The Brewers will attempt to keep their scoreless streak going and win their fifth in a row Monday night when they host a San Diego Padres team that has dropped 11 of 12 on the road.

                            Milwaukee allowed four hits en route to the team's third straight shutout and rookie Caleb Gindl ended it with a home run in a 1-0, 13-inning victory that completed a three-game sweep of visiting Miami on Sunday.

                            "I didn't think I would be the one to hit the walk-off,' Gindl said after becoming the first player in team history to hit a walk-off home run for his first career homer. "No, not a chance.'

                            The Brewers (41-56) set a franchise record with 35 scoreless innings - breaking the previous record of 31 set April 18-22, 1990 - and have eight shutouts in the last 31 games.

                            Now they'll try for their longest winning streak since a nine-game run April 14-23 in the opener of this four-game set against the NL West-worst Padres (43-56).

                            Scheduled starter Tom Gorzelanny (1-3, 1.88 ERA) will try to provide the club with another effective outing as he makes his third start since joining the rotation earlier this month. The left-hander has not allowed an earned run over 12 innings in his first two starts, but has taken two losses with the Brewers totaling one run in those games.

                            Gorzelanny is 1-3 with a 3.99 ERA in five career starts versus the Padres. He's allowed two runs over seven innings of relief against them the past two seasons.

                            He'll be facing a San Diego team looking to avoid its 17th loss in 20 games after dropping two of three in St. Louis with Sunday's 3-2 loss.

                            The Padres had shown improvement by scoring 21 runs in a three-game stretch before they were kept in check by Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

                            "We had good swings against an All-Star pitcher," manager Bud Black said. "To a man, we fought him. He knew it.'

                            Carlos Quentin has taken some good swings lately, going 6 for 16 with a homer, three doubles and five RBIs in his last four games. His only career hit in seven at_bats against Gorzelanny is a home run.

                            Teammate Yonder Alonso went 3 for 4 Sunday and is batting .333 during a 12-game road hitting streak.

                            The Padres haven't provided much offense for Andrew Cashner (5-5, 3.81), who has been given seven total runs of support while going 0-2 with a 4.55 ERA in five starts - all San Diego losses.

                            The right-hander lasted only 2 1-3 innings in his only career start against the Brewers on June 9, 2012, yielding one run and two hits before leaving due to a tight pitch count. He's 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA over nine innings in seven appearances overall versus Milwaukee.

                            Slugger Ryan Braun was limited to pinch-hitting duty Sunday but is expected to return to the lineup. He's hitting .386 with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last 12 home games against the Padres.

                            Catcher Jonathan Lucroy also figures to return to the lineup after pinch-hitting Sunday. He's 15 for 34 with six homers and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.

                            The Brewers took two of three in San Diego from April 22-24.
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                            • Preview: Athletics (57-41) at Astros (33-64)
                              Game: 1
                              Venue: Minute Maid Park
                              Date: July 22, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                              No team has enjoyed the addition of the Houston Astros to the AL more than the Oakland Athletics.

                              The Athletics have won all nine meetings this year with their newest division rivals, and will likely again be without slugger Yoenis Cespedes in Monday night's opener of a three-game series in Houston.

                              Oakland (57-41) has outscored baseball's worst team 68-31 this year, and has won 11 straight in this series and 14 of 15 matchups all-time. Manager Bob Melvin isn't taking that success for granted.

                              "You can't just continue to throw your glove out there," Melvin told the Athletics' official website. "They've played well against some good teams this year, too, and they've made some changes along the way that have made them a better team."

                              The Athletics have dominated the Astros (33-64) even though Cespedes is 5 for 25 with no homers and seven strikeouts in the season series.

                              The slugger missed a weekend series in Anaheim due to a sore left wrist suffered in batting practice Friday. It sounds unlikely that the Home Run Derby champion, who hasn't gone deep in 19 straight games, will be in the lineup Monday.

                              "Until he actually gets in the batting cage and swings freely and then gets in there for batting practice, he won't play,' Melvin said. "I'd doubt tomorrow. We want to make sure he gets in swings on the field.'

                              Oakland has had plenty of other hitters step up against Houston. Chris Young has a team-high nine RBIs in the season series, Coco Crisp is 13 for 31 with three homers among 10 extra-base hits with 10 walks and eight RBIs while Jed Lowrie is 12 for 28 with eight RBIs.

                              Those hitters are all slumping now. Crisp is in a 4-for-25 slide, Lowrie a 5-for-31 rut and Young is batting .160 with four hits in his last 25 at_bats.

                              The A's totaled 13 runs in a 4-4 stretch in which they failed to score more than three in any of those contests before Sunday's 6-0 road win over the Angels. Brandon Moss had three hits and Eric Sogard added a two-run homer.

                              Houston has dropped 13 straight at home against AL West foes after getting swept over the weekend by Seattle.

                              The Astros cut veterans Carlos Pena and Ronny Cedeno on Sunday as they look to the future.

                              Shortstop Jonathan Villar, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, will make his major-league debut Monday. The 22-year-old Villar hit .278 with 16 doubles, eight triples, eight homers, 41 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 90 games for the RedHawks.

                              "It's about the fact that Villar's ready and we need to get a long extended look at him," manager Bo Porter told the Astros' official website.

                              Both teams will start left-handers Monday with Oakland pitting Tommy Milone (8-8, 4.24 ERA) against Dallas Keuchel (4-5, 4.62).

                              Milone is 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA in two starts against the Astros this year. He allowed three runs over a career-low 2 2-3 innings in an 80-pitch effort in a 5-0 loss at Pittsburgh on July 10.

                              Keuchel has given up seven runs over 12 innings against Oakland in three 2013 appearances - one start. Oakland is 19-13 against left-handed starters.
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                              • Preview: Marlins (35-61) at Rockies (48-51)
                                Game: 1
                                Venue: Coors Field
                                Date: July 22, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


                                If the Miami Marlins can't find a way to end the longest stretch without a run in club history Monday night, they might wonder if they will ever score again this season.

                                That's because their next contest is in another hitter-friendly ballpark against a pitcher who has been awful in three big-league starts and struggled in his most recent outing in the minors.

                                The Marlins hope to take advantage of Drew Pomeranz's control issues when they start a four-game set against the Colorado Rockies.

                                Miami (35-61) has gone 37 innings without a run, the longest drought by any team in 28 years. The Houston Astros were held scoreless for 42 consecutive innings in July 1985.

                                The Marlins pitched well this weekend in limiting Milwaukee to nine runs over 28 innings, but were swept in the three-game set as they batted .143 (15 for 105).

                                Miami went 0 for 16 with runners in scoring position at Miller Park and the frustration was evident after Sunday's 1-0, 13-inning defeat.

                                "We continue to get great pitching, but our bats have been hit or miss - a lot more miss,' infielder Ed Lucas said. "We just can't get that timely hit. It's pretty embarrassing to have a three-game series and not score a run."

                                If the Marlins get shut out in nine innings Monday, it would be the second-longest streak since 1918. The Chicago Cubs went 48 innings without a run June 15-21, 1968.

                                The Marlins haven't scored since Derek Dietrich drove in two runs in the fourth inning of a 5-2, 10-inning loss to Washington on July 14.

                                "To get completely shut out in what I think is the best hitters' park in baseball is unbelievable,' manager Mike Redmond said.

                                It should be easier Monday. An average of 8.6 runs is scored in games at Miller Park, but that figure jumps to 9.7 at Coors Field.

                                Facing Pomeranz (0-3, 8.76 ERA) figures to also give the Miami offense some hope. The left-hander will be recalled from the minors after he was sent down July 11.

                                Pomeranz has issued 14 walks over 12 1-3 innings with Colorado (48-51) this year.

                                "I just want to reset," he told the Rockies' official website. "The walks were killing me. I was walking people and thinking too much, trying to do too much out there."

                                He allowed seven runs over 5 1-3 innings in a start Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa, but attributed the performance to a slider he has added to his repertoire. Pomeranz has failed to pitch past the fifth inning in 15 straight major league starts.

                                No Marlins hitter has faced Pomeranz more than twice.

                                Miami is looking to regroup after Giancarlo Stanton went 0 for 11 this weekend, Logan Morrison was 1 for 11 and Marcell Ozuna was 0 for 12. Justin Ruggiano is hitless in his last 14 at_bats.

                                The Rockies' Nolan Arenado can relate to those woes as he was hitless in 18 at_bats before singling in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning of Sunday's 4-3 win over the Cubs.

                                "Lately, I haven't been coming through for my teammates like I wish I could,' Arenado said. "But I've just got to keep hitting the ball hard and that's all I can do."

                                Miami will start right-hander Tom Koehler (1-5, 4.70), who has never faced Colorado. The Marlins have won three of his last five outings after losing 10 of his first 11.
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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