The Bum's Aug. MLB Best Bets + Pod's !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (67-50) at Astros (37-78)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 11, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


One game into his new career with the Texas Rangers, Alex Rios is a big reason they currently sit atop the AL West.

Rios looks to help his new team maintain that lead Sunday, when the Rangers try for a seventh consecutive victory overall and eighth straight on the road over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

A day after Texas (67-50) acquired him from the Chicago White Sox, Rios went 2 for 3 with a game-tying triple in the eighth before scoring the go-ahead run in Saturday's 5-4 victory.

"I came here to try to contribute in any way possible and take advantage of everything that I'm given,' Rios said.

The Rangers have won a season-high six in a row and 11 of 12 to take a one-game division lead over Oakland, which has dropped seven of nine.

Rios, who hit .277 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs for the offensively challenged White Sox, will attempt to fill the void left when slugger Nelson Cruz received a 50-game drug suspension earlier this week.

"The only thing I want him to make certain that he understands is that we didn't bring him here to carry us,' manager Ron Washington said. "We brought him here to fit in. Whatever he can give us, we will take."

Washington has been able to lean on shortstop Elvis Andrus, who hit a two-run homer Saturday and is batting .337 in his last 22 games.

Texas has won seven straight and 17 of 20 at Minute Maid Park, where the Astros (37-78) have dropped four in a row and 15 of 18. The Rangers scored two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings, taking advantage of a Houston error in both.

"When you give a team extra outs, especially a team that has a good offensive team like the Texas Rangers, you put yourself at more risk to give up runs,' Houston manager Bo Porter said.

After allowing 16 runs in 15 innings while going 0-2 during a three-start stretch, scheduled Texas starter Martin Perez (4-3, 3.81 ERA) has yielded three over 13 2-3 frames of the last two. He overcame a season-high four walks to give up two runs and strike out seven in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.

"He's certainly been more under control and hasn't let the game get too quick," Washington told the Rangers' official website. "He's executing pitches, getting ahead early in the count and throwing his changeup for strikes."

This will be the left-hander's first appearance against the Astros, who counter with Dallas Keuchel (5-6, 4.96).

After his first two appearances this month came out of the bullpen, Keuchel returns to a rotation where he's gone 5-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 14 starts. The left-hander's last start came at Toronto on July 27, when he earned the win despite yielding six runs and three homers in 7 1-3 innings of an 8-6 victory.

Keuchel has a 2.81 ERA in three starts against the Rangers without factoring in any of those decisions.

Houston's Chris Carter was 5 for 54 in his previous 15 games before he went 2 for 3 with a homer Saturday. He is 3 for 4 with a home run and a double versus Perez.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Astros
Fri, Aug 9 Final 9 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Astros
Sat, Aug 10 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rangers at Astros
Sun, Aug 11 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rangers at Astros
Mon, Aug 12 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (52-64) at Cardinals (66-50)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 11, 2013 2:15 PM EDT


The St. Louis Cardinals may have been hoping a series with the Chicago Cubs would help provide some momentum before hosting the NL Central leader.

Instead, they're hoping Joe Kelly can help them avoid being swept.

With a series against first-place Pittsburgh looming, Kelly will try to help the Cardinals salvage a win versus the Cubs by turning in another strong performance Sunday.

St. Louis (66-50) was atop the division July 25, holding a 2 1/2-game lead on the Pirates. But 13 losses in 17 games, including four in a row, has dropped the Cardinals four games back.

With Pittsburgh scheduled to visit Busch Stadium for a three-game set starting Tuesday, the Cardinals are hoping to begin reversing their sluggish stretch, which includes batting .204 and averaging 1.9 runs in those defeats.

St. Louis has already lost its first home series with the Cubs (52-64) since being swept in a three-game set Sept. 13-15, 2010. The struggles continued Saturday, when the Cardinals squandered a two-run, eighth-inning lead in a 6-5 loss.

"Sometimes we just don't get it done," manager Mike Matheny said. "We had opportunities. We've just got to do things a little different."

Turning to Kelly (3-3, 2.98 ERA) may fall into that category since he's spent most of his first two seasons in the majors as a reliever. However, he's 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in five starts since being moved into the rotation July 6.

The right-hander has compiled a 0.78 ERA over his past four outings, and was impressive again in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Dodgers. He yielded one run in 5 1-3 innings, outpitching Clayton Kershaw while helping the Cardinals snap Los Angeles' franchise-record 15-game road winning streak.

"We needed him to come up big for us and that's exactly what he did," Matheny said. "He used both sides of the plate and his change-up was sharp. He couldn't have done much more than what he did."

Kelly was sharp in Chicago on July 12, allowing one run and three hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-2 win.

Matt Holliday continues to swing a hot bat for the Cardinals. He had two homers and four RBIs on Saturday and is hitting .423 with 12 runs in 14 games.

He's a staggering 20 for 36 (.556) with six homers, 11 RBIs and 13 runs over his last 10 home meetings with Chicago.

The Cubs, winners of three of four, are slated to turn to Edwin Jackson (7-12, 4.96), who is trying to rebound from one of his worst performances of the season.

The right-hander was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 9-8 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday. He had been 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA over his previous five outings.

"It was just a matter of not getting in a good rhythm and leaving too many pitches up," Jackson said. "My command wasn't very good. ... If you're up in the zone, any games will be tough."

One of Jackson's impressive performances last month came against the Cardinals, as he yielded three hits in seven innings of a 3-0 home win July 11. However, he's 0-3 with an 8.00 ERA in four starts in St. Louis.

Jackson has held Holliday to two hits in 11 at_bats over the past two years.

Cubs rookie Junior Lake had two hits and two runs Saturday, giving him a .333 average in 23 games since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Cardinals
Fri, Aug 9 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Cardinals
Sat, Aug 10 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Cardinals
Sun, Aug 11 - 2:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (64-52) at Giants (52-64)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 11, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


Matt Cain and Bud Norris faced each other in outstanding duels that finished as one-run contests all three previous times they met.

Their first 2013 meeting is set for Sunday in San Francisco with the Giants' Cain facing the Baltimore Orioles for the first time.

All the matchups between these right-handers came over the previous two years. Cain (7-7, 4.47 ERA) went 1-0 with a 2.07 ERA, 17 strikeouts and five walks in those games and Norris (8-9, 3.78) was 0-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 22 strikeouts and nine walks.

They each lasted at least six innings every time and only once did either allow more than two runs, with Norris yielding three last July 12 in a 3-2 defeat with Houston. That was the only meeting in which they received decisions with Norris' Astros winning 4-3 on Aug. 28, 2011, and the Giants posting a 3-2 victory exactly one year later the last time they met.

Both starters may have to be stingy based on run-support averages of 3.65 for Norris and 3.76 for Cain.

"We're not worried about the offensive guys, they're going to do their thing," said Cain after he gave up two runs over six innings in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Milwaukee. "We've just got to keep going out there and throwing the ball well."

Of course, Norris has a better offense backing him since being acquired by the Orioles on July 31. He has yielded three runs over 12 innings in winning his first two outings with Baltimore.

"He's fitting right into the mold of the team," center fielder Adam Jones said. "It's no-nonsense, get the job done and no excuses. He's given us a big lift."

Norris has had problems against Buster Posey, who is 4 for 7 against him, and Marco Scutaro, who is 4 for 8.

Cain is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA over four starts since the All-Star break as he finally faces Baltimore (64-52), which will leave Tampa Bay and Minnesota as the only clubs he has never started against. He last faced major league home run leader Chris Davis in 2009, with Davis going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts with Texas.

Davis is clearly a different player now, homering twice and driving in seven runs halfway through this eight-game trip. He hit his major league-leading 42nd homer in Saturday's 3-2 loss but also grounded out against closer Sergio Romo to end the game.

San Francisco (52-64) improved to 4-9 in interleague play as Hunter Pence hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning.

"We got the hit we've been looking for," manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's the type of hit that wins ballgames for you and has been missing. It's good to get those timely hits. You hope guys relax a little bit and start having more fun."

Jones has never faced Cain but is 15 for 31 during an eight-game hitting streak.

Brandon Belt is 10 for 21 with seven runs scored in his last six games, but is 1 for 8 against Norris.

Pablo Sandoval, meanwhile, is hitless in his last 17 at_bats as part of a 2-for-32 slide. He's 2 for 9 versus Norris.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Giants
Fri, Aug 9 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Orioles at Giants
Sat, Aug 10 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Orioles at Giants
Sun, Aug 11 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (51-66) at Mariners (53-63)
Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 11, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


The short-handed Milwaukee Brewers have received contributions from different sources on the way to their best consecutive offensive performances since late April.

They'll likely need a whole lot more against one of the best pitchers in the major leagues.

The Seattle Mariners send ace Felix Hernandez to the mound Sunday when they try to avoid getting swept by the visiting Brewers.

After putting up its best showing at the plate in nearly two months in a 10-5 victory in Friday's opener, NL Central-worst Milwaukee (51-66) matched that outburst with a 10-0 win Saturday to score double-digit runs in back-to-back contests for the first time since April 29-30.

Even though they've lost All-Star Ryan Braun (suspension) and fellow starter Rickie Weeks (hamstring) for the rest of the season, the resilient Brewers have averaged 5.7 runs while batting .328 with runners in scoring position in winning five of seven.

Rookie Scooter Gennett, who is filling in for Weeks at second base, delivered the big blow Saturday with a three-run home run off the glove of Seattle right fielder Michael Morse in the seventh inning.

"Us little guys need all the help we can get,' said Gennett, who is 4 for 8 in this series.

Catcher Jonathan Lucroy broke out of a 3-for-26 slump with four hits and is 7 for 17 (.412) in four career games against the Mariners (53-63).

Hernandez (11-5, 2.39 ERA), though, will try to prevent the Mariners from finishing their homestand 1-5.

Following a seven-start stretch in which he went 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA while striking out 54 in 51 innings, Hernandez will attempt to bounce back from his first loss since May 25. The All-Star right-hander, who ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and strikeouts, allowed six runs - three earned - and nine hits over five innings in a 7-2 loss to Toronto on Tuesday.

"He wasn't getting a whole lot off the corners. It was a pretty tight strike zone,' said acting manager Robby Thompson after Hernandez matched his shortest start of the season. "When he missed, it was out over the plate and he was hit.'

Although Hernandez endured a rare poor outing, the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner was let down by his bullpen in his prior two starts after conceding only two runs while fanning 19 in 16 innings. He is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in three interleague starts this season and 15-7 with a 2.73 ERA for his career against the NL.

Yuniesky Betancourt, who hit a grand slam Friday, is 1 for 12 lifetime against his former teammate.

Right-hander Wily Peralta (8-11, 4.42) hopes to build on his last outing and continue an outstanding stretch by Milwaukee pitchers, who have a 1.92 ERA over the last seven games.

After allowing 12 runs and 12 hits over 8 2-3 innings in his last two starts, Peralta ended a three-start winless stretch by giving up one run and five hits over 6 1-3 innings in a 3-1 victory at San Francisco on Tuesday.

The Brewers have not swept a series of at least three games in Seattle since taking three straight from Sept. 8-10, 1989, when they were in the AL.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Mariners
Fri, Aug 9 Final 10 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Mariners
Sat, Aug 10 Final 10 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Mariners
Sun, Aug 11 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (70-46) at Rockies (54-64)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 11, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


The best pitching staff in baseball has fallen on hard times at Coors Field, though that could change when the Pittsburgh Pirates give the ball to All-Star Jeff Locke.

Locke looks to continue his road dominance Sunday when the Pirates try to avoid getting swept by a Colorado Rockies team that hasn't won three straight in nearly three months.

Dexter Fowler and Wilin Rosario had two hits apiece, and Colorado put up five runs in the sixth inning en route to a 6-4 victory Saturday.

Now the Rockies (54-64) hope to finish off a three-game sweep for the first time since taking a set from the Mets from April 16-18. They haven't won three in a row overall since May 21-24.

The NL Central-leading Pirates (70-46) have lost two straight following a five-game winning streak and could be without Starling Marte in the series finale. Marte, who is 6 for 10 with four walks over his last three games, is day-to-day after being struck near his left hand by a pitch in the seventh inning Saturday.

"X-rays were taken and it's a contusion,' manager Clint Hurdle said of Marte.

After totaling six runs and batting .205 during a five-game losing streak, the Rockies have compiled 16 runs and 26 hits against a Pittsburgh team sporting a major league-best 3.15 ERA. Rosario has keyed the effort by going 5 for 9 with a homer, double and four RBIs in this series.

Colorado has batted .222 against left-handers since June 29, but went 12 for 19 with a home run and two doubles versus Francisco Liriano in Friday's 10-1 victory. They might have a tough time repeating that performance against Locke (9-3, 2.47 ERA), who will try to prevent the Pirates from losing for the sixth time in seven road games.

The left-hander has been outstanding on the road, going 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA and allowing two home runs over 63 innings in his last 10 starts there. Locke has limited opponents to a .185 batting average pitching on the road, trailing only Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers (.175) and Tony Cingrani of the Cincinnati Reds (.177) in the NL.

Locke allowed three runs and nine hits over 5 2-3 innings in a 4-3 home win over Miami on Tuesday. He did not fare in the decision after pinch-hitter Josh Harrison hit a walk-off home run in the ninth.

"There are lessons to be learned for him,' Hurdle said. "He's always got to be the predator and the aggressor."

Colorado starter Chad Bettis (0-1, 6.30) will try for his first career victory in his first home start.

The rookie right-hander surrendered two runs and four hits over five innings before leaving without a decision in a 3-2 loss to the Mets on Tuesday.

Bettis said he felt calmer than he did in his debut when he walked five and was tagged for five runs and six hits - including two home runs - over five innings in an 11-2 loss at Atlanta on Aug. 1.

"I was able to see a lot more hitters' responses to certain pitches, stuff like that," Bettis said. "So yeah, I think it's getting there.'

He'll attempt to cool off Russell Martin, who went 3 for 4 Saturday and is 12 for 25 (.480) in his last seven road contests.

Teammate Andrew McCutchen had gone 12 for 19 (.632) during a seven-game hitting streak before going 0 for 4 on Saturday.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Rockies
Fri, Aug 9 Final 1 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Rockies
Sat, Aug 10 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at Rockies
Sun, Aug 11 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (53-61) at Diamondbacks (59-56)
Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 11, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Wilmer Flores is doing quite well in place of David Wright.

Another productive performance could help the New York Mets win their first road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks in over five years Sunday.

The Mets (53-61) were dealt a major blow earlier this month when Wright was placed on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, potentially losing their best hitter for the rest of the season.

Flores has unexpectedly helped lessen the impact of the All-Star third baseman's absence.

The 22-year-old rookie from Venezuela is just 4 for 19 while New York has won four of five since he was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. However, he's collected eight RBIs while notching at least one in each of the past four contests.

"I'm still shaking a little bit," Flores told the team's official website. "I try to control myself a little bit and I think it's working."

It certainly did Saturday, when he drove in three runs on two hits to spark a 4-1 win at Arizona (59-56) after the Mets dropped the opener of this three-game set 5-4 on a walkoff homer from Paul Goldschmidt.

"He doesn't strike out. I'm sure he will one of these days, but he puts the bat on the ball," manager Terry Collins said of Flores, who hit .321 with 86 RBIs for Las Vegas.

While Flores is coming up with key hits, fellow rookie Juan Lagares is enjoying his own impressive stretch at the plate.

The center fielder is hitting .329 in 23 games since the All-Star break, and .359 over the last 10 on the road. He has three hits in this series, including a solo homer Saturday.

New York is in position to win a series at Chase Field for the first time since taking two of three May 2-4, 2008.

The Mets are expected to activate left-hander Jonathon Niese (3-6, 4.32 ERA) from the disabled list and give him his first start since June 20. A partially torn rotator cuff forced him to exit that outing at Atlanta with one out in the fourth after allowing three runs and eight hits.

Niese, who is expected to be on a strict pitch count, yielded three earned runs and nine hits while striking out 11 in 11 innings over three minor league rehabilitation starts.

Returning against the Diamondbacks may not be ideal since Niese is 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA in four career starts. He's been tagged for 11 runs and 15 hits - including three homers - over 11 innings in two outings in Phoenix.

Goldschmidt, who has career highs of 27 homers and 91 RBIs, is batting .196 with 19 strikeouts over his last 15 games. He has, however, homered on six of his last 11 hits while driving in 11 runs.

Zeke Spruill (0-1, 6.48) is scheduled to get another turn in the rotation in place of Trevor Cahill, who is nearing a return from a hip injury.

The rookie didn't fare well in his first career start Aug. 1, surrendering five runs and three homers in four innings of a 7-1 loss at Texas. He doesn't think the long layoff will be a problem.

"I'll be fine, really," Spruill told the team's official website. "I'm just worried about getting into better pitcher's counts, not falling behind. I want to throw my breaking ball and changeup a lot more consistently in the strike zone, too."

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Diamondbacks
Fri, Aug 9 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Diamondbacks
Sat, Aug 10 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Diamondbacks
Sun, Aug 11 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (52-64) at Nationals (56-60)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 11, 2013 5:05 PM EDT


After they failed to protect a four-run lead against the Washington Nationals, the Philadelphia Phillies might have a difficult time ending their longest road losing streak in 14 years.

Stephen Strasburg looks to continue his outstanding run at home and hand the Phillies their 11th straight road loss in the series finale Sunday night.

Jayson Werth had three hits, including his 17th home run, as the Nationals (56-60) rallied from an early 4-0 deficit for an 8-5 victory that extended Philadelphia's worst road losing streak since a 12-game skid from Aug. 28-Sept. 14, 1999.

Darin Ruf and Domonic Brown homered for the Phillies (52-64), who have averaged 2.1 runs while batting .199 during their slide. Michael Young (4 for 32), Kevin Frandsen (3 for 19) and Carlos Ruiz (4 for 24) are among those scuffling on the road.

"When you start losing and you find different ways to lose every night it becomes tough,' said manager Charlie Manuel, whose next win will be his 1,000th. "You've got to fight through it.'

It doesn't figure to get any easier against Strasburg (5-9, 3.01 ERA), who hopes to lead Washington to its first sweep since taking three straight from San Diego from July 5-7.

The right-hander has pitched particularly well at Nationals Park with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts, though he's been given an average of 2.5 runs of support while going 4-4 there.

This time, the Nationals are swinging the bats with some confidence. They're 10 for 21 with 14 RBIs with runners in scoring position in this series following a stretch in which they went 7 for 56 with 10 RBIs in those situations while dropping six of eight.

Werth, a former Phillies star, has certainly been on a tear, going 21 for 42 (.500) over his last 14 games.

"He's absolutely raking right now,' said teammate Bryce Harper. "I'm just trying to touch his bat so I can get some hits in there.'

Strasburg is 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four career starts versus the Phillies, but had a dominant performance the last time he faced them in the nation's capital. He struck out nine while yielding one run and five hits over eight innings in a 6-1 win May 26.

Jimmy Rollins homered off Strasburg in Washington last season for his only hit in 12 career at_bats in this matchup. Ruiz has had the most success with a homer and a double in four at_bats.

The Phillies hope to avoid their 17th loss in 20 games overall behind Kyle Kendrick (10-8, 4.36), who has been struggling with a 3-4 record and 6.93 ERA over his last seven starts.

The right-hander allowed five runs over six innings Tuesday, though he retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced and Philadelphia rallied to beat the Cubs 9-8.

Kendrick limited the Nationals to two runs over 14 2-3 innings in a pair of home starts, but was tagged for five runs and eight hits over five innings in a 5-2 loss at Washington on May 24.

Ian Desmond is 1 for 8 against Kendrick this season, but he's 7 for 15 in his last four games against the Phillies.

Harper has had success when facing Kendrick, going 8 for 17 with three doubles, a triple and a homer.

Philadelphia has not been swept in a series of at least three games by the Nationals-Expos franchise since dropping a four-game set from Aug. 25-28, 2003, while in Montreal.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Nationals
Fri, Aug 9 Final 2 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Nationals
Sat, Aug 10 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Nationals
Sun, Aug 11 - 5:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (66-49) at Dodgers (66-50)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 11, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Tampa Bay Rays face a daunting task Sunday night.

They'll be out to avoid their first five-game skid in two seasons as they face Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw for the first time in the finale of this three-game set.

Tampa Bay (66-49) will try to avoid a winless five-game trip and its first losing streak of that length since dropping six straight to start 2011.

The Rays' first visit to Dodger Stadium hasn't gone well. They have now gone 13 innings without scoring after blowing a six-run lead in Friday's 7-6 defeat before a 5-0 loss Saturday.

It won't get any easier against Kershaw (10-7, 1.91 ERA), who leads the majors in ERA and opponent batting average (.188). Tampa Bay's top three RBI leaders - Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist and former Dodger James Loney - have never faced Kershaw and neither has rookie standout Wil Myers.

The only Rays hitters with more than five at_bats against Kershaw are Kelly Johnson (3 for 15) and Ryan Roberts (2 for 14).

Kershaw gave up two runs over six innings in Tuesday's 5-1 loss at St. Louis. He went 5-1 with a 1.47 ERA over his previous seven outings, pitching at least seven innings each time.

Tampa Bay may have some hope with a 23-15 record against left-handed starters. In addition, Kershaw owns one of the majors' worst run-support averages at 3.20.

"It seems like over the years, we've seen a lot of guys in the (Kershaw) category that it doesn't seem like they get runs. I don't know what it is," manager Don Mattingly told the Dodgers' official website.

Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (10-5, 4.77) owns baseball's third-best run-support average at 6.54 but he has allowed nine runs over nine innings in losing consecutive starts to Arizona to drop to 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA in nine interleague outings.

"The mindset's always to get ahead and attack and be aggressive. I really haven't shown that mindset the last few games," Hellickson told the team's official website. "I do have to get back to that and being more aggressive. ... I just wasn't very good the last two games. That's basically what it comes down to."

The right-hander, who has never faced the Dodgers, surrendered five runs over 4 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 6-1 loss. He had won five straight road decisions.

Los Angeles (66-50) has won four in a row, nine of 10 and is a major league-best 19-3 since the All-Star break. Adrian Gonzalez ended a 16-game homerless drought Saturday and Nick Punto singled in two runs.

"Obviously it feels pretty good, the way we're playing," Mattingly said. "Our starting pitching gives us a chance to win every day."

Tampa Bay starter Roberto Hernandez gave up all the runs over four innings Saturday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon has now replaced his starter before the fifth inning five times in the last eight games. Prior to this stretch, Tampa Bay got at least five innings from a starter in 32 consecutive games.

Maddon also chose to intentionally walk the red-hot Yasiel Puig the rookie's last two times up Saturday. Puig finished 0 for 2 as his eight-game run ended in which he went 14 for 29. He has a .595 on-base percentage this month.

The Dodgers' Skip Schumaker is 9 for 14 in his last three games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Dodgers
Fri, Aug 9 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Dodgers
Sat, Aug 10 Final 0 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Dodgers
Sun, Aug 11 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Baltimore at San Francisco
The Orioles look to take advantage of a San Francisco team that is 1-6 in Matt Cain's last 7 starts as a favorite. Baltimore is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Orioles favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-105). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

Game 901-902: San Diego at Cincinnati (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Kennedy) 14.309; Cincinnati (Leake) 15.932
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-180); Over

Game 903-904: Miami at Atlanta (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Alvarez) 16.442; Atlanta (Minor) 15.691
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-260); 7
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+220); Under

Game 905-906: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (2:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Jackson) 15.606; St. Louis (Kelly) 14.483
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-200); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Over

Game 907-908: Pittsburgh at Colorado (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.703; Colorado (Bettis) 14.345
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-150); Under

Game 909-910: NY Mets at Arizona (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Niese) 14.445; Arizona (Spruill) 15.911
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-140); Over

Game 911-912: Philadelphia at Washington (5:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Kendrick) 15.538; Washington (Strasburg) 14.552
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Washington (-220); 7
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+180); Under

Game 913-914: LA Angels at Cleveland (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Williams) 15.316; Cleveland (Masterson) 14.092
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+155); Under

Game 915-916: Oakland at Toronto (1:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Griffin) 13.693; Toronto (Dickey) 15.358
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-110); Over

Game 917-918: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Correia) 15.383; White Sox (Quintana) 16.839
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox (-140); 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-140); Under

Game 919-920: Boston at Kansas City (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lackey) 17.062; Kansas City (Shields) 15.401
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-110); Over

Game 921-922: Texas at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Perez) 14.731; Houston (Keuchel) 15.089
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Texas (-185); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+165); Under

Game 923-924: Detroit at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Verlander) 18.128; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.844
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 3 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-165); Over

Game 925-926: Baltimore at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Norris) 15.440; San Francisco (Cain) 14.400
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 6
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-115); 7
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-105); Under

Game 927-928: Tampa Bay at LA Dodgers (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Hellickson) 14.009; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 17.041
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 3; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-200); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-200); Over

Game 929-930: Milwaukee at Seattle (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Peralta) 15.820; Seattle (Hernandez) 13.096
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Seattle (-180); 7
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+160); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Sunday, August 11

National League

San Diego at Cincinnati, 1:10 ET
Kennedy: Padres 2-9 in last 11 road day games
Leake: Over is 6-1-1 in Leake's last eight home starts during the day

Miami at Atlanta, 1:35 ET
Alvarez: Marlins 5-18 in road day games in 2013
Minor: Braves 11-3 SU in home day games in 2013

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals, 2:15 ET
Jackson: Under is 13-6 when the Cubs play a road day game in 2013
Kelly: Cardinals 5-1 SU in last six home day games

Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies, 4:10 ET
Locke: Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Pirates road series finales during the day
Betts: Under is 9-2 in last 11 Rockies' home series finales during the day

New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:10 ET
Niese: Mets 12-6 SU in road series finales in 2013
Spruill: Under is 9-1-1 in last 11 Diamondbacks home series finales during the day

Philadelphia at Washington, 5:05 ET
Kendrick: Under is 4-0 last four times Kendrick has started a road day game
Strasburg: Nationals 3-6 SU in Strasburg's last nine daytime starts


American League

Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland, 1:05 ET
Williams: Angels have lost the last five times Williams has starts
Masterson: Under is 9-3-1 since start of 2012 when Masterson starts at home after team lost in his last outing

Oakland at Toronto, 1:07 ET
Griffin: Under is 8-2 in Griffin's last 10 road starts
Dickey: Blue Jays 2-5 SU when Dickey starts a home day game

Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 ET
Correia: Twins 3-8 SU when Correia starts on the road
Quintana: Under is 15-5-1 in White Sox home days games in 2013

Boston at Kansas City Royals, 2:10 ET
Lackey: Under is 10-2 when Lackey pitches on the road in 2013
Shields: Under is 11-5-1 when Royals play a home series finale in 2013

Texas at Houston, 2:10 ET
Perez: Under is 11-5 in Perez's career starts
Keuchel: Astros 4-14 SU in home series finales in 2013

Detroit at New York Yankees, 1:05 ET TBS
Verlander: Tigers 5-2 SU in last seven road series finales
Pettitte: Yankees 4-9 in last 13 home series finales


Interleague

Baltimore at San Francisco, 4:05 ET
Norris: Orioles 6-2 SU on the road when the team won in the starter's last outing
Cain: Over is 7-2 in Cain's last nine home starts during the day

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:05 ET ESPN
Hellickson: Under is 5-2 in last seven Rays road games against a southpaw
Kershaw: Dodgers 2-5 SU in Kershaw's last seven home starts

Milwaukee at Seattle, 4:10 ET
Peralta: Brewers 3-15 SU in last game of a road series in 2013
Hernandez: Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Hernandez home starts during the day

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, August 11

Hot pitchers
-- Leake is 3-1, 3.66 in his last five starts.
-- Minor is 2-0, 1.35 in his last three starts. Alvarez is 2-0, 1.65 in last four.
-- Kelly is 3-0, 0.78 in his last four starts.

-- Kershaw is 4-2, 1.62 in his last eight starts.
-- Norris is 2-0, 2.25 in his first two starts for Baltimore. Cain is 2-1, 2.00 in his last four starts.
-- Hernandez is 3-1, 2.25 in his last eight starts.

-- Dickey is 1-0, 1.98 in his last two starts.
-- Masterson is 3-1, 2.22 in his last four starts.
-- Quintana is 2-1, 2.59 in his last four starts.
-- Perez is 1-0, 1.98 in his last couple starts.
-- Verlander is 2-0, 1.29 in his last two starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Kennedy is 1-4, 6.42 in his last six starts.
-- Jackson is 1-2, 4.72 in his last four starts.
-- Locke is 0-1, 4.96 in his last three starts. Bettis is 0-1, 6.30 in his first two MLB starts.
-- Niese was 0-2, 3.77 in his last five starts before the DL; his last start was on June 20. Spruill lost his first MLB start, allowing five runs in four IP.
-- Strasburg is 0-3, 4.94 in his last five starts. Kendrick is 1-2, 9.64 in his last three starts.

-- Hellickson is 0-2, 9.00 in his last two starts.
-- Peralta is 1-2, 7.80 in his last three starts.

-- Griffin is 2-2, 5.40 in his last four starts.
-- Williams is 0-5, 9.87 in his last seven starts.
-- Correia is 0-2, 13.03 in his last three starts.
-- Lackey is 0-3, 4.91 in his last four starts. Shields is 2-2, 4.35 in his last five.
-- Keuchel is 1-1, 5.40 in his last five starts.
-- Pettitte is 0-3, 6.14 in his last four starts.

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........
-- Kennedy 9-22; Leake 5-22 (3 of last 6)
-- Alvarez 1-6; Minor 8-23
-- Jackson 8-23; Kelly 0-6
-- Locke 4-22 (1 of last 14); Bettis 2-2
-- Niese 5-14; Spruill 0-1
-- Kendrick 8-23; Strasburg 5-22 (1 of last 16)

-- Norris 7-23; Cain 7-23 (0 of last 4)
-- Hellickson 8-23; Kershaw 2-24
-- Peralta 4-24 (0 of last 11); Hernandez 4-24 (1 of last 11)

-- Williams 5-16; Masterson 3-24 (0 of last 12)
-- Griffin 3-23; Dickey 6-24 (1 of last 12)
-- Correia 6-22 (0 of last 8); Quintana 7-23
-- Lackey 8-20; Shields 10-23 (5 of last 7)
-- Perez 5-10; Keuchel 2-14
-- Verlander 7-24 (3 of last 4); Pettitte (7 of last 7)

Totals
-- Four of last five Philly games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Cincinnati games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Miami games.
-- Seven of last eleven Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 11-4-1 in last sixteen Locke starts.
-- Eight of last eleven Arizona games stayed under total.

-- Seven of last eleven Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Tampa Bay games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten San Francisco games stayed under total.

-- Six of last nine Correia road starts stayed under total.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Toronto games.
-- Seven of last nine Angel games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last twelve Boston road games stayed under total.
-- Last four Houston games went over the total.

Hot teams
-- Reds won four of their last six games.
-- Braves won 14 of their last 15 games.
-- Cubs won three of their last four games.
-- Colorado won four of its last five home games.
-- Mets won four of their last five games. Arizona is 9-6 in its last 15 at home.
-- Washington won its last two games, scoring 17 runs.

-- Brewers are 9-5 in their last fourteen road games.
-- Dodgers are 36-8 in their last 44 games.
-- Orioles won eight of their last twelve road games.

-- Toronto won four of its last six games.
-- Angels won last two games, after losing 10 of previous 13 games.
-- Minnesota won six of its last nine games.
-- Tigers won 17 of their last 19 games.
-- Kansas City won 15 of its last 18 games. Red Sox won 10 of last 15.
-- Rangers won 11 of their last 12 games.

Cold teams
-- Phillies lost 16 of their last 19 games.
-- Padres lost four of their last six games.
-- Marlins lost six of their last seven games, scoring 13 runs.
-- St Louis lost five of last six games.
-- Pirates lost five of their last six road games.

-- Mariners lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Rays lost six of their last eight games.
-- Giants lost nine of their last thirteen home games.

-- Oakland lost seven of its last nine games.
-- White Sox lost 12 of their last 16 games.
-- Cleveland lost its last six games, allowing 37 runs.
-- Bronx Bombers lost five of their last six games.
-- Astros lost 22 of their last 27 games.

Umpires
-- Phil-Wsh-- Home teams won last five Hiirschbeck games.
-- Mia-Atl-- Road team won 14 of last 19 Nelson games.
-- SD-Cin-- Under is 8-3-1 in last twelve West games.
-- Chi-StL-- 11 of last 13 Randazzo games stayed under.
-- Pitt-Col-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine BWelke games.
-- NY-Az-- Six of last eight Diaz games went over total.

-- Balt-SF-- Underdogs won last three Wolcott games.
-- TB-LA-- Seven of last ten Eddings games went over total.
-- Mil-Sea-- Six of last eight Blaser games went over the total.

-- Det-NY-- Last four Emmel games stayed under the total.
-- A's-Tor-- Six of last eight Baker games stayed under.
-- Min-Chi-- Under is 8-0-2 in last ten Iassogna games.
-- LA-Cle-- Eight of last eleven Carapazza games stayed under.
-- Bos-KC-- Five of last seven Gibson games stayed under total.
-- Tex-Hst-- Over is 13-3-1 in last seventeen Guccione games.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Sunday, August 11

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Trend Report
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1:05 PM
DETROIT vs. NY YANKEES
Detroit is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
Detroit is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
NY Yankees are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 11 of NY Yankees's last 16 games when playing at home against Detroit

1:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of LA Angels's last 22 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
LA Angels are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Cleveland's last 25 games when playing LA Angels
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

1:07 PM
OAKLAND vs. TORONTO
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games

1:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games

1:35 PM
MIAMI vs. ATLANTA
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Miami is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home

2:10 PM
TEXAS vs. HOUSTON
Texas is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Houston
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games

2:10 PM
BOSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Boston's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games when playing Boston
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

2:10 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games when playing Minnesota

2:15 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chi Cubs's last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
St. Louis is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

4:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Baltimore is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Francisco
Baltimore is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Francisco's last 10 games

4:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games at home

4:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
Colorado is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games

4:10 PM
NY METS vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing Arizona
NY Mets are 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Arizona's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing NY Mets

5:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games

8:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. LA DODGERS
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 13 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of LA Dodgers's last 15 games

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Sunday, August 11

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Sunday's MLB betting notes and tips
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NATIONAL

San Diego Padres at Cincinnati Reds (-172, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Reds starter Mike Leake did not have a good outing last time on the mound. The righty gave up seven runs on eight hits in five innings in a 15-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 4.

Cold batting stat: Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is just 1-for-10 in his career versus Padres starter Ian Kennedy.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with partly cloudy skies. There is a 10 percent chance of rain in the forecast. Wind will blow out to right field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The Reds are 8-2 in Leake's last 10 starts versus a team with a losing record.

Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves (-230, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Braves starter Mike Minor is 3-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his previous six starts.

Cold batting stat: Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is 2-for-12 in his career versus Minor. Both of his hits are home runs.

Weather: There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast. Temperatures will be in the low-90s and wind will blow out to right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The Braves are 4-1 in their last five Sunday games with umpire Jeff Nelson behind home plate.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (-168, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Cubs starter Edwin Jackson tossed seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the Cards back on July 11.

Cold batting stat: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 1-for-6 in his career versus Cards starter Joe Kelly.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The Cardinals are 4-1 in Kelly's last five starts.

New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks (-133, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Mets starter Jonathon Niese will make his first start since June 20 after serving time on the DL with a sore shoulder.

Cold batting stat: DBacks 3B Martin Prado is 6-for-29 (.207) in his career versus Niese. Five of those hits went for extra bases as he's collected four doubles and one triple.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-100s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 3 mph.

Key betting note: The Diamondbacks are 6-16 in their last 22 games with umpire Lazaro Diaz behind home plate.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies (+127, 10)

Cold pitching stat: Pirates starter Jeff Locke has strung together a pair of his worst outings of the season. The Pirates have won both games, but Locke has a 6.52 ERA over 9 2/3 innings in those two starts.

Hot batting stat: Prior to Saturday's game, Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen is 20-for-58 (.345) with three homers and nine RBIs in his career at Coors Field.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 7-1 in Locke's last eight road starts versus a team with a losing record.

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals (-210, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Nats starter Stephen Strasburg tossed eight innings allowing one run on five hits while striking out nine in a 6-1 win over the Phillies on May 26.

Hot batting stat: Nats SS Ian Desmond is 11-for-31 (.355) in his career versus Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick. Desmond has a pair of doubles, one triple and a pair of homers to go along with six RBIs against the Phils' righty.

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

Key betting note: The Phillies are 13-3 in their last 16 games with umpire John Hirschbeck behind home plate.


AMERICAN

Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians (-166, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Indians starter Justin Masterson gave up five earned runs in seven innings in a 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in his last start on August 6.

Hot batting stat: Angels OF Josh Hamilton is 8-for-12 with two home runs and four RBIs in his career versus Masterson.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow in from center field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The Angels are 0-5 in Jerome Williams' last five starts.

Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees (+146, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his last start. The vet gave up seven earned runs on 11 hits in an 8-1 loss to the White Sox on August 5.

Cold batting stat: Yanks 2B Robinson Cano is 8-for-35 (.229) in his career versus Tigers starter Justin Verlander.

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

Key betting note: The over is 6-2-2 in Verlander's last 10 starts versus Yankees.

Oakland A's at Toronto Blue Jays (-109, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Sunday's starter A.J. Griffin got the victory in the A's 9-4 win over Toronto on July 29, but the righty gave up three homers in the start.

Cold batting stat: Jays OF Colby Rasmus is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in his appearances versus Griffin.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 5-1 in Jays SP R.A. Dickey's last six starts overall.

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox (-137, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Twins starter Kevin Correia is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in his two starts versus the Pale Hose this season. He has allowed 14 hits in his 13 2/3 innings of work.

Hot batting stat: Twins 1B Justin Morneau is 4-for-7 in his career versus Sox starter Jose Quintana.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 7 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

Key betting note: The White Sox are 1-7 in their last eight Sunday games.

Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals (-110, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Royals starter James Shields gave up seven runs on eight hits, including three homers, over his six innings of work in a 7-0 loss to the Twins in his last start on August 6.

Hot batting stat: Sox DH David Ortiz is 18-for-54 with nine doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs in his career versus Shields.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 8 mph.

Key betting note: The Royals are 6-0 in their last six games with umpire Greg Gibson behind home plate.

Texas Rangers at Houston Astros (+168, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Astros starter Dallas Keuchel is coming off a brief, rough relief appearance. The lefty gave up four earned runs on three hits in 2/3 innings in a 15-10 drubbing by the Red Sox on August 6.

Hot batting stat: Astros slugger Chris Carter is 3-for-4 with one double and one home run in his career versus Rangers starter Martin Perez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-90s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 10 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 9-1-1 in the Rangers' last 11 Sunday games


INTERLEAGUE

Baltimore Orioles at San Francisco Giants (-114, 7)

Hot pitching stat: O's starter Bud Norris is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his two starts since joining the club from the Houston Astros.

Hot batting stat: Giants C Buster Posey is 4-for-7 with one double and two RBIs in his career versus Norris.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 11 mph.

Key betting note: The Giants are 8-2 in Matt Cain's last 10 starts versus a team with a winning record.

Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Dodgers (-180, 6.5)

Cold pitching stat: Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson was roughed up his last time out. He gave up five earned runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings in a 6-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on August 6.

Cold batting stat: Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez is batting just .176 (3-for-17) in his career versus Hellickson. Two of those three hits have been home runs, however.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 8 mph.

Key betting note: The Rays are 11-1 in Hellickson's last 12 Sunday starts.

Milwaukee Brewers at Seattle Mariners (-178, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Brewers starter Wily Peralta gave up one earned run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings in his last start. He earned the victory in Milwaukee's 3-1 triumph over the San Francisco Giants on August 6.

Cold batting stat: Brewers 1B Yuniesky Betancourt is 1-for-12 (.083) in his career versus Seattle ace Felix Hernandez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 6-0 in Hernandez's last six starts versus the National League Central.


** Odds, stats, probable starters and weather forecast as of 8:26 p.m. ET Saturday.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, August 11

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

SAN DIEGO (53 - 63) at CINCINNATI (64 - 52) - 1:10 PM
IAN KENNEDY (R) vs. MIKE LEAKE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KENNEDY is 5-12 (-10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 163-120 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 163-120 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 17-2 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss this season.
CINCINNATI is 93-54 (+16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 129-149 (+4.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 21-14 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 73-71 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 129-146 (+7.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 441-507 (+35.0 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
SAN DIEGO is 65-62 (+14.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 97-117 (-42.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
LEAKE is 19-28 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 3-2 (+2.5 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)



IAN KENNEDY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
KENNEDY is 3-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 1.27 and a WHIP of 0.985.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)



MIKE LEAKE vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LEAKE is 0-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 5.19 and a WHIP of 1.615.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)




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


MIAMI (44 - 71) at ATLANTA (71 - 46) - 1:35 PM
HENDERSON ALVAREZ (R) vs. MIKE MINOR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 113-164 (-34.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 15-38 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 112-160 (-31.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 71-46 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 39-16 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 76-43 (+23.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 70-45 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 116-72 (+27.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 55-27 (+18.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 332-373 (+42.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 4-7 (+0.1 Units) against ATLANTA this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-1.1 Units)



HENDERSON ALVAREZ vs. ATLANTA since 1997
ALVAREZ is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.73 and a WHIP of 1.545.
His team's record is 1-1 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)



MIKE MINOR vs. MIAMI since 1997
MINOR is 2-3 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 4.19 and a WHIP of 1.416.
His team's record is 5-5 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-3. (+3.0 units)




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


CHICAGO CUBS (52 - 64) at ST LOUIS (66 - 50) - 2:15 PM
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. JOE KELLY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 113-165 (-27.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-21 (-10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 199-267 (-81.0 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 49-81 (-20.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 702-728 (-136.4 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 951-1052 (-186.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 70-113 (-33.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
JACKSON is 21-33 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 6-17 (-12.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
JACKSON is 20-33 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 54-32 (+11.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 33-17 (+11.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-31 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-31 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 6-6 (+3.2 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.5 Units)



EDWIN JACKSON vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
JACKSON is 2-4 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.44 and a WHIP of 1.405.
His team's record is 3-6 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.6 units)



JOE KELLY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
KELLY is 1-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.09 and a WHIP of 0.943.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)




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


PITTSBURGH (70 - 46) at COLORADO (54 - 64) - 4:10 PM
JEFF LOCKE (L) vs. CHAD BETTIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 24-43 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 33-39 (-17.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 70-46 (+27.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-26 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 25-18 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 70-46 (+27.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 58-35 (+27.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 28-17 (+12.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PITTSBURGH is 43-20 (+22.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
COLORADO is 118-162 (-32.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 106-115 (-32.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 22-48 (-30.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 36-58 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 118-159 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 30-62 (-30.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 79-108 (-38.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 29-65 (-24.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-2 (+2.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)



JEFF LOCKE vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.



CHAD BETTIS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
No recent starts.




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


NY METS (53 - 61) at ARIZONA (59 - 56) - 4:10 PM
JON NIESE (L) vs. ZEKE SPRUILL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 31-45 (-15.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 17-38 (-17.6 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.
NY METS are 66-72 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 105-108 (+25.1 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 30-34 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against ARIZONA this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)



JON NIESE vs. ARIZONA since 1997
NIESE is 1-2 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 6.85 and a WHIP of 1.567.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.8 units)



ZEKE SPRUILL vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.




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PHILADELPHIA (52 - 64) at WASHINGTON (56 - 60) - 5:05 PM
KYLE KENDRICK (R) vs. STEPHEN STRASBURG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-64 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-39 (-17.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 52-64 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 40-49 (-13.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 63-78 (-24.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 23-31 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
KENDRICK is 65-44 (+22.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 56-60 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 56-60 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 39-45 (-17.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 26-29 (-10.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
STRASBURG is 7-15 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 6-11 (-9.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 4-8 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 7-15 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 3-9 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 2-8 (-9.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 7-11 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-6 (+0.4 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)



KYLE KENDRICK vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
KENDRICK is 5-6 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.56 and a WHIP of 1.354.
His team's record is 9-10 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-9. (+0.5 units)



STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
STRASBURG is 1-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.43 and a WHIP of 0.896.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.0 units)




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


LA ANGELS (53 - 62) at CLEVELAND (62 - 55) - 1:05 PM
JEROME WILLIAMS (R) vs. JUSTIN MASTERSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 53-62 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 31-33 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 19-26 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 53-62 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 42-43 (-12.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 24-34 (-13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WILLIAMS is 2-8 (-8.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 62-55 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 37-25 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 24-16 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CLEVELAND is 59-52 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 89-66 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 34-20 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LA ANGELS are 688-680 (+55.9 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 411-339 (+52.8 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 8-31 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 14-35 (-17.9 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-0 (+2.1 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)



JEROME WILLIAMS vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.



JUSTIN MASTERSON vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
MASTERSON is 3-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 1.222.
His team's record is 5-2 (+4.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.3 units)




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


OAKLAND (65 - 50) at TORONTO (54 - 62) - 1:05 PM
A.J. GRIFFIN (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 7-14 (-8.5 Units) against the money line in road games in day games this season.
OAKLAND is 65-50 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 74-69 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 265-196 (+65.4 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 109-75 (+40.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 76-46 (+26.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 37-16 (+16.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GRIFFIN is 26-13 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TORONTO is 54-62 (-7.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 5-15 (-9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 (+1.7 Units) against OAKLAND this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)



A.J. GRIFFIN vs. TORONTO since 1997
GRIFFIN is 2-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 0.818.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)



R.A. DICKEY vs. OAKLAND since 1997
DICKEY is 1-3 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 5.04 and a WHIP of 1.460.
His team's record is 3-6 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.3 units)




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


MINNESOTA (51 - 63) at CHI WHITE SOX (44 - 71) - 2:10 PM
KEVIN CORREIA (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 24-22 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MINNESOTA is 50-57 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 39-42 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 31-20 (+17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CORREIA is 96-84 (+31.4 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 45-27 (+25.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 19-13 (+11.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 94-82 (+30.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
CORREIA is 54-40 (+27.5 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 44-71 (-27.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 17-34 (-16.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 107-111 (-28.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 6-15 (-10.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 13-33 (-21.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 42-66 (-25.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 33-53 (-19.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 19-35 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 1-8 (-8.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 8-3 (+6.5 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.4 Units)



KEVIN CORREIA vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
CORREIA is 1-1 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.95 and a WHIP of 1.097.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.3 units)



JOSE QUINTANA vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
QUINTANA is 0-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 9.21 and a WHIP of 1.842.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-3. (-3.5 units)




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


BOSTON (71 - 48) at KANSAS CITY (60 - 54) - 2:10 PM
JOHN LACKEY (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 15-24 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 122-129 (-32.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 91-99 (-24.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 70-89 (-25.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 27-48 (-20.9 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.
KANSAS CITY is 60-54 (+6.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 64-59 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 24-14 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 45-35 (+11.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 69-73 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SHIELDS is 14-5 (+11.0 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 71-48 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 30-17 (+11.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
KANSAS CITY is 14-24 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 4-2 (+2.8 Units) against BOSTON this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)



JOHN LACKEY vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
LACKEY is 3-3 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.36 and a WHIP of 1.249.
His team's record is 6-3 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.8 units)



JAMES SHIELDS vs. BOSTON since 1997
SHIELDS is 8-15 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.36 and a WHIP of 1.301.
His team's record is 8-18 (-11.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 16-9. (+5.4 units)




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


TEXAS (67 - 50) at HOUSTON (37 - 78) - 2:10 PM
MARTIN PEREZ (L) vs. DALLAS KEUCHEL (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 35-14 (+14.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 92-184 (-45.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 19-41 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 6-30 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 17-54 (-28.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 6-23 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 36-94 (-43.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 19-41 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 59-123 (-32.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 14-46 (-18.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 9-2 (+4.2 Units) against HOUSTON this season
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)



MARTIN PEREZ vs. HOUSTON since 1997
No recent starts.



DALLAS KEUCHEL vs. TEXAS since 1997
KEUCHEL is 0-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 2.81 and a WHIP of 1.375.
His team's record is 1-2 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.3 units)




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


DETROIT (69 - 46) at NY YANKEES (58 - 57) - 8:05 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. ANDY PETTITTE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 73-74 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 65-68 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 90-74 (-18.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
VERLANDER is 7-12 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VERLANDER is 32-7 (+21.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 155-144 (-29.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-2 (+0.1 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)



JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
VERLANDER is 7-5 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.70 and a WHIP of 1.393.
His team's record is 9-9 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-10. (-5.4 units)



ANDY PETTITTE vs. DETROIT since 1997
PETTITTE is 9-6 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.344.
His team's record is 11-8 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 13-6. (+6.0 units)




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


BALTIMORE (64 - 52) at SAN FRANCISCO (52 - 64) - 4:05 PM
BUD NORRIS (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 176-256 (-78.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 64-52 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 79-64 (+34.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 23-12 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 50-37 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 59-44 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 46-33 (+12.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 32-19 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 52-64 (-23.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 21-27 (-14.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-30 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-20 (-13.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 15-22 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 51-60 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 36-42 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CAIN is 2-8 (-8.8 Units) against the money line in day games this season. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)



BUD NORRIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
NORRIS is 0-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.52 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 1-3 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.4 units)



MATT CAIN vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.




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


TAMPA BAY (66 - 49) at LA DODGERS (66 - 50) - 4:10 PM
JEREMY HELLICKSON (R) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 66-50 (+6.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 9-1 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
LA DODGERS are 48-32 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 13-3 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
KERSHAW is 20-5 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 31-13 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 16-6 (+11.0 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 2-0 (+2.4 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)



JEREMY HELLICKSON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.



CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.




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MILWAUKEE (51 - 66) at SEATTLE (53 - 63) - 4:10 PM
WILY PERALTA (R) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 51-66 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 77-143 (-50.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
MILWAUKEE is 13-26 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 51-66 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 30-12 (+15.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 5-13 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
HERNANDEZ is 12-19 (-11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)


Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 2-0 (+2.8 Units) against SEATTLE this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)



WILY PERALTA vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.



FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack

Shortest overtime games in NFL history........

0:11-- Denver 29, Pittsburgh 23, 1/8/12 (playoff game)

0:14-- NJ Jets 37, at Buffalo 31, 9/8/02

0:16-- Chicago 37, San Francisco 31, 10/20/01

0:16-- Green Bay 19, at Denver 13, 10/29/07

0:17-- New Orleans 20, Seattle 17, 11/16/97

0:21-- Chicago 23, at Detroit 17, 11/27/80


*****

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

13) We hear so much negative stuff about athletes, its nice to hear some good stuff: wrestler/actor Dwayne Johnson recently donated so much money to the Miami Hurricanes' athletic department, they named the football team's new locker room after him.

Johnson was a backup defensive lineman for Miami at the same time Warren Sapp played there. He's become a very popular action movie star.

12) There have been 499 regular season OT games in NFL history; out of those 499, only nine teams won the OT coin toss and kicked off.

11) Denver Broncos' 25-15-2 record in regular season OT games is the NFL's best record; Denver also won the shortest OT tilt in playoff history (0:11) beating the Steelers two years ago.

10) Tampa Bay Rays pulled off the hidden ball trick on Jose Uribe during the Dodgers' 5-0 win Saturday afternoon. LA is insanely hot right now, winning 36 of their last 44 games, first NL team to do that since 1953, and they've had more than their share of injuries.

9) If you'd like to win a bar bet, the 1983 Packers hold the NFL record by playing five OT games in one year.

8) Chocolate covered bacon actually exists; no thank you, ma'am.

7) Eagles have four NFL-level QB's; Vick-Foles, plus Matt Barkley and Dennis Dixon, who played for Chip Kelly at Oregon. All four will play in the NFL this year, but one of them won't be doing it in Philly.

6) Cal-Riverside has a BA program in bagpipes, so if you know any really tall, athletic kids who like to play bagpipes and basketball, let the coaches there know. Riverside needs better basketball players.

5) I'm not fond of the Auto Correct on my IPhone; it creates more bad typing than it corrects. Other than that, IPhones are great.

4) Cleveland Browns signed their long-snapper to a 5-year contract; thats the easiest way to get to the NFL, become a great long snapper, but there are only 32 of those jobs in the world.

3) Pro golfers are allowed to carry 14 clubs in their bag; on the third tee Friday, Woody Austin discovered he was carrying 15 clubs, so he was nailed for a 4-shot penalty (two strokes for each hole).

2) Saint Hoods is a controversial new reality show about three rival gangs in Boston; it is on Discovery Channel, and it deals with sports gambling, so I'll take a look and tell you what I think. Lot has been written about it so far, people in Boston aren't enthused. This from the Boston Globe:

"The Discovery Channel’s new series “Saint Hoods” must be somebody’s idea of entertainment, but not anyone’s in Boston. After a summer dominated by the James “Whitey” Bulger trial and its testimony about reprehensible violence and criminal activity, the reality television show’s glorification of the supposedly seamy underworld of South Boston, Roslindale, and Dorchester and the gangs that operate there is, at best, tasteless."

1) Pirates are 49-2 this season when they lead after the 6th inning; I'm still baffled why Colorado let Clint Hurdle go two years after he got them to the World Series- to me, he's a very good manager.