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

[StarDust Bum]

Early Pod's:

Thursday, August 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Arizona - 12:35 PM ET Cincinnati -170 500

Cincinnati - Over 8 500 POD # 4

LA Dodgers - 12:40 PM ET Miami +214 500 POD # 1
Miami -

Toronto - 1:05 PM ET Toronto +142 500 POD # 2

NY Yankees - Over 9 500

Minnesota - 1:08 PM ET Detroit -243 500

Detroit - Under 8 500

Washington - 2:20 PM ET Washington -153 500

Chi. Cubs - Over 7 500 POD # 3

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Atlanta at St. Louis
The Cardinals look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that is 1-5 in Paul Maholm's last 6 road starts. St. Louis is the pick (-150) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-150). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

Game 951-952: Arizona at Cincinnati (12:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Cahill) 15.639; Cincinnati (Latos) 17.206
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-170); Under

Game 953-954: LA Dodgers at Miami (12:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.400; Miami (Alvarez) 16.383
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-250); 6
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+210); Over

Game 955-956: Washington at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Strasburg) 15.402; Cubs (Wood) 13.174
Dunkel Line: Washington by 2; 6
Vegas Line: Washington (-160); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-110); N/A

Game 957-958: Colorado at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Bettis) 15.250; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 14.215
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+115); Over

Game 959-960: Atlanta at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Maholm) 15.249; St. Louis (Kelly) 16.783
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-150); Under

Game 961-962: Pittsburgh at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.122; San Francisco (Cain) 14.168
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+105); Over

Game 963-964: Toronto at NY Yankees (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Happ) 15.393; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.414
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+145); Over

Game 965-966: Minnesota at Detroit (7:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Albers) 14.336; Detroit (Verlander) 16.180
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-240); 8
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-240); Under

Game 967-968: Chicago White Sox at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Quintana) 16.676; Kansas City (Shields) 15.394
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-170); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+150); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, August 22

National League

Arizona at Cincinnati, 12:35 ET MLB
Cahill: Under is 10-5 when Diamondbacks play a road series finale during the day in 2013
Latos: Reds 9-1 SU when Latos starts a home day game

Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami, 12:40 ET
Kershaw: Under is 6-1 last five times Dodgers have played a road day game
Alvarez: Marlins 3-6 SU when Alvarez starts

Washington at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET
Strasburg: Nationals 10-3 SU when Strasburg starts a road day game
Wood: Under is 11-4 in home starts for Wood in 2013

Colorado at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
Bettis: Rockies 2-6 SU in last eight road series finales
Kendrick: Over is 10-3 in home starts for Kendrick in 2013

Atlanta at St. Louis, 8:15 ET
Maholm: Over is 9-1 in last 10 road starts for Maholm
Kelly: Cardinals 13-5 SU in first game of a 2013 home series

Pittsburgh at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
Locke: Pirates 2-8 when Locke starts a road night game
Cain: Over is 9-3-2 when Cain has started at home in 2013


American League

Toronto at New York Yankees, 1:05 ET
Happ: Over is 5-2 in last seven Blue Jays road day games
Pettitte: Yankees 14-2 SU last 16 times Pettitte has started a home day game

Minnesota at Detroit, 1:08 ET
Albers: Under is 18-9 when Twins play a road day game in 2013
Verlander: Tigers 9-3 SU in last 12 home series finales

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City, 8:10 ET MLB
Quintana: Under is 5-2 in last seven road starts for Quintana
Shields: Royals 12-3 SU in last 15 starts for Shields

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, August 22

Hot pitchers
-- Latos is 4-1, 1.98 in his last six starts.
-- Kershaw is 4-1, 1.40 in his last six starts.
-- Strasburg is 1-0, 2.12 in his last three starts.
-- You're reading ***************.com
-- Kelly is 4-0, 1.78 in his last six starts.
-- Cain is 3-2, 2.41 in his last six starts.

-- Happ is 1-0, 2.19 in his last couple starts.
-- Verlander is 2-1, 2.48 in his last four starts. Albers is 2-1, 1.85 in his first three MLB starts.
-- You're reading ***************.com.
-- Shields is 4-1, 3.27 in his last five starts. Quintana is 3-2, 3.50 in his last six.

Cold pitchers
-- Cahill is 1-2, 8.79 in his last three starts.
-- Alvarez is 0-1, 4.95 in his last three starts.
-- Wood is 0-3, 5.09 in his last four starts.
-- Kendrick is 1-4, 8.51 in his last five starts. Bettis is 0-2, 8.20 in his first four MLB starts.
-- Maholm is 0-2, 10.80 in his last three starts, last of which was July 20.
-- Locke is 0-2, 6.93 in his last five starts.

-- Pettitte is 1-3, 5.18 in his last six starts.

Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Cahill 4-18 (1 of last 8); Latos 8-25 (0 of last 6)
-- Kershaw 3-26 (0 of last 6); Alvarez 1-8
-- Strasburg 6-24 (1 of last 6); Wood 3-25
-- Bettis 3-4; Kendrick 10-25 (3 of last 4)
-- Maholm 6-20 (3 of last 4); Kelly 0-8
-- Locke 5-24; Cain 7-25 (0 of last 6)

-- Happ 2-10; Pettitte 10-22 (8 of last 9)
-- Albers 1-3; Verlander 7-25
-- Quintana 9-25; Shields 11-25

Totals
-- Over is 4-1-2 in last seven Arizona games.
-- Five of last six Miami games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten Philly games stayed under total.
-- Last three St Louis games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight San Francisco games.

-- Eight of last ten Toronto games stayed under total.
-- Under is 11-3-2 in last sixteen Minnesota games.
-- Under is 8-2-2 in last twelve Kansas City games.

Hot teams
-- Reds won eight of their last eleven games. Arizona won six of its last nine.
-- Dodgers are 44-10 in their last 54 games.
-- Nationals won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Phillies won three of their last four games.
-- Braves won five of their last seven games. St Louis won seven of last ten.

-- Bronx Bombers won nine of their last eleven games.
-- Detroit won three of its last four games.
-- White Sox won their last five games, scoring 25 runs.

Cold teams
-- Miami lost six of its last seven home games.
-- Cubs lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Colorado lost four of its last five games.
-- Pirates lost eight of last eleven games. Giants are 4-6 in their last ten.

-- Blue Jays lost ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last ten games.
-- Kansas City lost seven of its last nine games.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, August 22

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Trend Report
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12:35 PM
ARIZONA vs. CINCINNATI
Arizona is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
Arizona is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
Cincinnati is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games

12:40 PM
LA DODGERS vs. MIAMI
LA Dodgers are 21-3 SU in their last 24 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of LA Dodgers's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
Miami is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers

1:05 PM
TORONTO vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing Toronto

1:08 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DETROIT
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 16 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota

2:20 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 13 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Washington is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chi Cubs's last 13 games when playing at home against Washington
Chi Cubs are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing Washington

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

8:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox

8:15 PM
ATLANTA vs. ST. LOUIS
Atlanta is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 11 games when playing Atlanta

10:15 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Pittsburgh is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, August 22

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Thursday's MLB betting notes and tips
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NATIONAL

Arizona Diamondbacks at Cincinnati Reds (-173, 8)

Cold pitching stat: The road hasn't been kind to Diamondbacks right-hander Trevor Cahill, who is 3-6 with a 5.60 ERA in nine starts away from Arizona.

Hot batting stat: Arizona OF Jason Kubel has just two hits in eight at-bats against Cincinnati starter Mat Latos, but both are home runs.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with a 55 percent chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Wind will blow out to left field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 6-1-3 in Latos' last 10 starts against a National League West opponent.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami Marlins (+215, 6)

Hot pitching stat: Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw has surrendered just one earned run on six hits over his previous two starts, striking out 16 while walking just three in that span.

Cold batting stat: Marlins rookie OF Jake Marisnick is just 4-for-25 with eight strikeouts against left-handed pitching.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s, but with a 40 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms, the roof at Marlins Park may be closed. Wind will blow from right to left field at 11 mph.

Key betting note: The Dodgers have won 17 of Kershaw's last 22 starts against the NL East.

Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs (+150, OFF)

Hot pitching stat: Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg has surrendered one earned run in 12 career innings against the Cubs.

Cold batting stat: The three Washington hitters who have faced Chicago starter Travis Wood (Scott Hairston, Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche) are a combined 1-for-15 against him.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 13 mph.

Key betting note: Road teams are 6-0 in umpire Tim Timmons' last six games behind home plate.

Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies (-130, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Philadelphia right-hander Kyle Kendrick was shelled in his last appearance against the Rockies, charged with seven runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings in a game the Phillies won 8-7.

Hot batting stat: Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .320 with 18 home runs in 244 at-bats against right-handers.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with a 45 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow out toward right field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: Colorado has won just three of its last 17 Thursday games.

Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals (-136, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Braves right-hander Paul Maholm struggled prior to going on the DL with a wrist injury, losing three straight starts while allowing 16 runs over 13 1/3 innings in that span.

Hot hitting stat: Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran is 9-for-24 with two home runs and six RBIs in his career against Maholm.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-80s with a 20 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from left to right field at 2 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 12-2-2 in Maholm's last 16 starts.

Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants (-124, 7)

Cold pitching stat: Giants right-hander Matt Cain has allowed 19 home runs over his first 25 starts; he surrendered 21 all of last season, and just nine in 2011.

Cold batting stat: Members of the Pittsburgh roster are hitting a collective .162 with one home run in 130 at-bats against Cain.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-50s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 9 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 14-3-1 in Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke's last 18 starts against a team with a losing record.


AMERICAN

Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees (-159, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ is 2-0 but has an unsightly 5.16 ERA and has surrendered four home runs in 22 2/3 career innings against New York.

Cold batting stat: Recent Yankees acquisition Mark Reynolds is 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in his career against Happ.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow out to left field at 9 mph.

Key betting stat: The Blue Jays have won eight of their last 10 games with umpire Mike DiMuro behind home plate.

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers (-240, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Twins rookie right-hander Andrew Albers has a 0.66 WHIP while limiting opposing hitters to a .169 average over his first three major-league starts.

Cold batting stat: Minnesota C Ryan Doumit is hitless with three strikeouts in 11 career at-bats against Detroit starter Justin Verlander.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with a 70 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow from right to left field at 11 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 12-2-2 in Verlander's last 16 starts during the third game of a series.

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals (-168, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Royals right-hander James Shields had one of his strongest outings of the season in his last encounter with the White Sox, tossing seven shutout innings in a 5-1 win on July 26.

Hot batting stat: Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas has dominated Chicago starter Jose Quintana in his career, going 7-for-16 with a pair of homers.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-60s under sunny skies. Wind will blow from left to right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Chicago is 1-7 in Quintana's last eight road starts against teams with winning records.


** Odds, probable starters and weather forecast as of 7:33 p.m. ET Wednesday

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, August 22

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ARIZONA (65 - 60) at CINCINNATI (72 - 55) - 12:35 PM
TREVOR CAHILL (R) vs. MAT LATOS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 171-123 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 171-123 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
LATOS is 23-7 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LATOS is 23-7 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 40-34 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CAHILL is 47-37 (+17.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 328-354 (-90.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 3-3 (+0.3 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

TREVOR CAHILL vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

MAT LATOS vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LATOS is 3-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.191.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)

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LA DODGERS (74 - 52) at MIAMI (48 - 77) - 12:40 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. HENDERSON ALVAREZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 23-24 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
MIAMI is 11-5 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
MIAMI is 335-377 (+43.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 74-52 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 131-89 (+25.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 37-27 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 17-3 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
LA DODGERS are 49-33 (+15.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 71-52 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 51-33 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 44-29 (+9.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 38-16 (+15.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LA DODGERS are 21-6 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
KERSHAW is 21-5 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 117-170 (-34.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 97-126 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 116-166 (-31.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 64-103 (-27.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 42-70 (-26.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-2 (+1.5 Units) against MIAMI this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.4 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. MIAMI since 1997
KERSHAW is 4-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 2.38 and a WHIP of 0.888.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)

HENDERSON ALVAREZ vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

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WASHINGTON (62 - 64) at CHICAGO CUBS (54 - 72) - 2:20 PM
STEPHEN STRASBURG (R) vs. TRAVIS WOOD (L)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 62-64 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 20-24 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
WASHINGTON is 62-64 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 30-31 (-9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
STRASBURG is 9-15 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 9-15 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 3-8 (-8.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 20-12 (+12.9 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 115-173 (-33.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 25-40 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 13-35 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-36 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 25-40 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 81-128 (-29.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 648-640 (-148.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 3-3 (+1.8 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
STRASBURG is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 0.75 and a WHIP of 1.083.
His team's record is 1-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

TRAVIS WOOD vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

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COLORADO (59 - 69) at PHILADELPHIA (56 - 70) - 7:05 PM
CHAD BETTIS (R) vs. KYLE KENDRICK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 123-167 (-31.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 57-77 (-25.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 161-234 (-52.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 139-249 (-58.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997.
COLORADO is 2-12 (-13.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
COLORADO is 196-255 (-60.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 28-33 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
KENDRICK is 65-46 (+20.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 56-70 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 72-71 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 56-70 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 25-33 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against COLORADO this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

CHAD BETTIS vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

KYLE KENDRICK vs. COLORADO since 1997
KENDRICK is 3-3 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 6.08 and a WHIP of 1.631.
His team's record is 6-4 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-1. (+7.9 units)

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ATLANTA (77 - 49) at ST LOUIS (73 - 53) - 8:15 PM
PAUL MAHOLM (L) vs. JOE KELLY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MAHOLM is 11-29 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MAHOLM is 0-11 (-11.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MAHOLM is 10-28 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MAHOLM is 17-32 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 201-132 (+47.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ATLANTA is 77-49 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 76-48 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 119-74 (+28.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 106-65 (+25.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 26-14 (+11.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 14-19 (-11.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 36-35 (-11.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-68 (-24.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-0 (+3.1 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

PAUL MAHOLM vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
MAHOLM is 4-7 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.06 and a WHIP of 1.481.
His team's record is 8-10 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-6. (+4.4 units)

JOE KELLY vs. ATLANTA since 1997
KELLY is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.580.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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PITTSBURGH (74 - 52) at SAN FRANCISCO (56 - 70) - 10:15 PM
JEFF LOCKE (L) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 28-49 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 35-41 (-17.7 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.
SAN FRANCISCO is 223-139 (+50.3 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 74-52 (+24.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 28-19 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
PITTSBURGH is 32-30 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 74-52 (+24.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 49-29 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 62-40 (+25.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 31-20 (+12.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PITTSBURGH is 45-22 (+21.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 56-70 (-25.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 24-32 (-16.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 31-33 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 17-22 (-13.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-25 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 55-66 (-22.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 34-44 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 27-41 (-20.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CAIN is 1-7 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT CAIN vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
CAIN is 3-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.79 and a WHIP of 1.020.
His team's record is 7-3 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-5. (-0.7 units)

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

TORONTO (57 - 70) at NY YANKEES (67 - 59) - 1:05 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. ANDY PETTITTE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 57-70 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 21-36 (-13.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
TORONTO is 84-118 (-22.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 8-23 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
NY YANKEES are 67-59 (+5.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 101-56 (+31.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 11-1 (+10.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.6 Units)

J.A. HAPP vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
HAPP is 2-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.16 and a WHIP of 1.279.
His team's record is 2-2 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

ANDY PETTITTE vs. TORONTO since 1997
PETTITTE is 18-12 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.399.
His team's record is 23-15 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 14-20. (-9.1 units)

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

MINNESOTA (55 - 70) at DETROIT (74 - 52) - 1:05 PM
ANDREW ALBERS (L) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 20-42 (-13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 32-34 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-12 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in road games in day games this season.
MINNESOTA is 54-64 (+5.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 41-42 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 169-132 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 161-126 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 49-45 (-18.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 41-33 (-13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
VERLANDER is 9-11 (-11.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-9 (+1.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
10 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.5 Units)

ANDREW ALBERS vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
VERLANDER is 14-7 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.229.
His team's record is 16-9 (+4.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 14-9. (+4.9 units)

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

CHI WHITE SOX (51 - 74) at KANSAS CITY (64 - 61) - 8:10 PM
JOSE QUINTANA (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 51-74 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 23-42 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 20-36 (-15.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 49-69 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 30-48 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 39-56 (-14.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 8-27 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 347-340 (+34.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 105-85 (+29.8 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 7-7 (+1.2 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
11 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+7.7 Units)

JOSE QUINTANA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
QUINTANA is 0-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.96 and a WHIP of 1.431.
His team's record is 2-4 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.6 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SHIELDS is 5-4 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.99 and a WHIP of 1.330.
His team's record is 9-7 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-8. (-0.8 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

-- Jason Heyward broke his jaw when he got hit by a pitch Wednesday, is going to have surgery Thursday.

-- Steelers' rookie RB Le'Veon Bewll has a Lisfranc (foot) injury, is out for at least 6-8 weeks, more if surgery is needed.

-- There were 332 pass interference calls in the NFL LY; 253 on defenses, 79 on the offense.

-- Eight days before opening vs Hawai'i, USC still hasn't announced who its starting QB will be, bad news for Max Wittek, who started twice in 2012.

-- As many as 20 NBA teams will wear uniforms with short sleeves at least some of the time next season.

-- Marlins' TV analyst Tommy Hutton said Giancarlo Stanton "perked up" because his hometown Dodgers came to Miami. The best way for him to get out of Miami would be to "perk up" no matter who the Marlins play.


*****

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: NFL food for thought..........

Football knowledge gained from reading the Football Outsiders’ outstanding book about NFL metrics…….
13) Jacksonville receivers dropped 44 passes LY, most in the NFL; they dropped 7.9% of passes thrown to them. No other NFL team dropped more than 7% of their passes LY.

12) Dallas special teams coach Rich Bisaccia worked for the Chargers in 2011-12; he then left for Auburn, where he spent 22 days as Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coach before taking the Dallas job.

Bisaccia worked with Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli in Tampa Bay.

11) Carolina Panthers started 2-8 each of the first two years of the Cam Newton era; they finished up 4-2/5-1, but that won’t fly this year- they’ll need a decent start to save their coach’s job. Panthers are 2-12 the last two years in games decided by 7 or less points, 11-7 in games decided by 8+ points. Letting John Fox go to hire Ron Rivera reeks of a cheap team that cares more about profit margin than winning.

10) Brandon Marshall was targeted on 40.5% of Chicago’s passes LY, the highest percentage of any receiver since Football Outsiders began tracking this stat in 1991. Part of new coach Marc Trestman’s job has to be to get the Bears’ offense to be more diverse.

9) Falcons’ coach Mike Smith is 11-0 in his head coaching career against rookie head coaches. In four of his five years as Atlanta’s coach, Falcons were in top 3 in NFL in least amount of accepted penalties, a good thing to be good at.

8) Marvin Lewis has done an excellent job in Cincinnati, going 79-84-1, when the three coaches before him went 52-124, but he still hasn’t won a playoff game with the Bengals.

People are shortsighted frontrunners; this Bengals team is expected to make some noise in the playoffs this year. Lewis has done such a good job he’s increased expectations for the Bengals in the Queen City, but in the long run, those expectations might wind up costing him his job.

7) Forbes Magazine, which about such things, says the Dallas Cowboys are the NFL’s most valuable franchise, despite their being 22-26 the last three years and having only one playoff win since 1996. Go figure.

6) Arizona coach Bruce Arians got his first NFL head coaching job at age 60, which hasn’t happened much in the NFL; last guy who got his first NFL head coaching job at age 60+ was former Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson with the Patriots in 1991; he went 8-24 and got shown the door.

5) Part of the reason the Lions were lousy LY was that they recovered only nine of the 33 fumbles in their games; Detroit’s turnover ratio was -16, so if they recover 16 of those fumbles (seven more), they win 2-3 more games.

4) Football Outsiders measure a lot of good stuff; according to them, last season was just the second time since 1996 the Colts had above-average special teams play.

When you look at seven first-time head coaches this season, its really 7.5 or 8, since Chuck Pagano coached far less than a full season last season, after being diagnosed with leukemia, which thankfully he is beating.

3) Buffalo Bills have seven former Syracuse assistants on their staff, including Nathaniel Hackett, whose dad Paul used to be the coach at USC. Pete Carroll replaced the older Hackett as HC of the Trojans.

2) Cleveland QB Brandon Weeden had 24 passes tipped/batted down at the line of scrimmage LY, five more than anyone else.

1) From 1991-2012, 14 teams had a turnover ratio of -20 or worse; 12 of those 14 teams improved the next year, by an average of 3.4 wins/team.

Last year, Chiefs/Eagles were both -24 in turnovers, so they fit here.

[WThotrod]

Best of luck today, Bum! Let's shake off yesterday and get those dogs barking again! I am on everything for $300 a piece.

[StarDust Bum]

Evening Pod's:


Colorado - 7:05 PM ET Philadelphia -130 500

Philadelphia - Over 9 500

Chi. White Sox - 8:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox +151 500 POD # 2

Kansas City - Over 7.5 500

Atlanta - 8:15 PM ET St. Louis -147 500

St. Louis - Under 8 500

Pittsburgh - 10:15 PM ET Pittsburgh +114 500 POD # 1

San Francisco - Over 7 500

[WThotrod]

BOL, StarDust! I am going $200 a piece.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (71-55) at Orioles (68-58)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 23, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles thoroughly outplayed the Oakland Athletics while taking three of four on the road four months ago. Another dominant performance against Oakland could catapult them into the driver's seat for a wild-card spot.

Baltimore welcomes the increasingly banged-up Athletics for the opener of a three-game set Friday night.

The Orioles (71-55) are three games behind the A's (71-55) for the second wild-card spot, but neither has played particularly well lately. Baltimore has lost six of nine while its bullpen continues to struggle, while the A's seek better situational hitting after dropping five of nine.

The Orioles managed to avoid a sweep with a 4-2 home victory over Tampa Bay on Wednesday as Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 46th home run. Manager Buck Showalter elected not to use closer Jim Johnson after he had squandered three straight save opportunities and allowed three hits in a non-save situation in Tuesday's loss. Tommy Hunter instead recorded his fourth save.

Davis trails Frank Robinson (49) and Brady Anderson (50) for the most homers by an Oriole in a season. His next at home will be his 26th, a Camden Yards record.

"Obviously team goals come before individual goals," said Davis, batting .353 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 14 games. "I'm happy to be swinging the bat well, I'm even happier to get the win."

The All-Star homered twice as the Orioles outscored the A's 28-14 in taking three of four in Oakland from April 25-28. Baltimore hit .315 in the series and .349 with runners in scoring position, and Nate McLouth, Manny Machado and Adam Jones were a combined 24 for 53 (.453) with 11 RBIs.

Oakland has batted .131 with runners in scoring position in its last nine games, including one extra-base hit and 15 strikeouts. The Athletics were 1 for 9 in such situations in a 5-3 home loss to Seattle on Wednesday, with two runs coming on solo homers from Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss.

"We continually address it," manager Bob Melvin said. "Sometimes I think we do it too much to where we put too much pressure on guys. But it comes to a point where you just have to step up."

The injuries are also beginning to pile up for the A's, with Josh Reddick's status uncertain after he sprained his right wrist on a diving catch in the seventh inning Wednesday. Derek Norris didn't play after breaking a toe Tuesday, and Seth Smith missed a second consecutive game.

Both scheduled starters have struggled in limited action against each other's teams. Baltimore's Bud Norris (9-10, 3.93 ERA) has gone 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA in five games - four starts - since being acquired from Houston, but went 0-2 with a 7.82 ERA in three starts against Oakland with the Astros this season.

Dan Straily (6-7, 4.22) gave up four runs over 4 2-3 innings of a 9-5 loss to Baltimore on Sept. 16. He's 0-5 over his last six starts despite a 4.09 ERA, receiving a total of three runs of support.

Davis is 0 for 1 with two walks against Straily. He's hit .396 with five homers and 14 RBIs in his last 15 contests versus Oakland.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (56-70) at Indians (69-58)
Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 23, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


A successful road trip gave a boost to the Cleveland Indians' playoff hopes.

The Indians will try to end their recent woes at Progressive Field during a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins that begins Friday night.

Cleveland (69-58) moved within 2 1/2 games of Oakland in the race for the AL's final wild card berth by going 6-3 on its trek. The Indians completed the trip with Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels to cap a three-game sweep and push them past last season's 68 victories.

"We've got guys in here that want to be in the playoffs," first baseman Nick Swisher told the team's website.

Cleveland started its trip by winning two of three over Minnesota (56-70) after going 1-6 on a homestand. The Indians had won their previous 11 in Cleveland.

The Indians have a 7-5 lead in the season series and have won four of six matchups at Progressive Field.

The Twins head into Cleveland after taking two of three from AL Central-leading Detroit. A 7-6 win Thursday cut the Indians' deficit in the division to five games.

Ubaldo Jimenez (9-7, 4.00 ERA) takes the ball trying to build on a 7-1 win over Oakland on Saturday. The right-hander allowed his only hit in the sixth inning and struck out eight before leaving with two outs in the frame.

Jimenez, though, also matched a season high with five walks and threw 105 pitches.

"However he gets there, he finds a way," manager Terry Francona told the team's website. "When he gets to that sixth inning, that's the inning that's been tough for him to get through. Regardless of how many pitches he has or doesn't have, he seems to kind of run into a little bit of a wall there. But if it happens and he's given up one run, we'll take it."

Jimenez, who has given up two earned runs or fewer in five consecutive outings, is facing Minnesota for the first time this season and is 2-2 with a 3.25 ERA in four matchups.

The Indians have won seven of Jimenez's last nine starts at Progressive Field and appear to have a good chance in the opener with Minnesota giving the ball to the struggling Samuel Deduno (7-7, 3.82).

The right-hander, who has been dealing with tendinitis in his pitching arm, is 0-3 with a 7.02 ERA in his last three starts, including a 5-2 loss to Cleveland on Aug. 13. Deduno gave up five runs over six innings in that game and is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in two matchups this season.

Deduno said he had no problems in a bullpen session Wednesday.

"I felt pretty normal," he told the team's website. "I didn't feel anything. I just want to keep my mind strong."

The Twins won't have Joe Mauer for this series as he's on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Mauer was batting .378 in his last 65 games against the Indians.

Jason Kipnis is batting .447 (21 for 47) with 10 extra-base hits and 18 RBIs against Minnesota this season, but is 1 for 9 with five strikeouts all-time against Deduno.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (65-61) at Phillies (57-70)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 23, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


After missing out on a prime opportunity to improve their postseason chances, the Arizona Diamondbacks won't have any time to feel sorry for themselves as they prepare to face one of the hottest pitchers in baseball.

Cole Hamels takes the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies, who look to deal fading Arizona a third straight defeat Friday night.

The Diamondbacks (65-61) entered their crucial four-game series with Cincinnati trailing the Reds by five games for the NL's second wild-card spot. They lost three times, though, including a 2-1 defeat Thursday, to fall seven back.

Paul Goldschmidt went 3 for 4 and Adam Eaton had two hits for Arizona, which had taken two of three from Central-leading Pittsburgh in its previous series.

"It's extremely tough,' Eaton said. "Flying in here, we had high hopes. We ended up on the wrong side of things.'

The Diamondbacks allowed the eventual winning run in the eighth on one of their four wild pitches.

"It's very frustrating. Not a happy series. Disappointing," manager Kirk Gibson said. "We thought we had a good chance to win. They scored both of their runs (because of) wild pitches. It's tough to swallow.'

Facing Hamels (5-13, 3.61 ERA) may not be any more pleasant. He's been stellar over his last four starts, pitching at least seven innings in each while going 1-0 with a 1.45 ERA.

Hamels has improved his overall ERA nearly one full run since the beginning of July while giving up fewer than three runs in eight of nine outings during that stretch.

"I guess (the numbers are) getting back to normal," said Hamels, who is tied for the most losses in the NL while ranking near the bottom of the majors with a 3.30 run-support average. "You can't be satisfied with what's gone on in the past. You have to keep preparing for the next game."

The left-hander gave up two runs and walked five in six innings of a 2-1 loss to Arizona on May 9, which marked the opener of a four-game set these clubs wound up splitting.

Wade Miley didn't face Philadelphia in that series, but he struck out seven and allowed two hits in six scoreless innings to beat the Phillies on April 23, 2012, in his only start against them.

Miley (9-8, 3.56), like Hamels, began his current hot stretch in July. He is 5-1 with a 2.04 ERA over his last nine starts after allowing two runs and striking out eight in eight innings of Sunday's 4-2, 16-inning win over Pittsburgh.

"He has really simplified things," Gibson said. "He got in a spot earlier (in the season) where he was overthinking and he couldn't control the ball. Now he's just throwing the ball where he wants to more."

The left-hander looks to stay hot against a Philadelphia team that has won four of five after a dramatic 5-4 win over Colorado on Thursday.

The Phillies (57-70) trailed by three heading to the bottom of the eighth before Darin Ruf hit a two-run homer. In the ninth, Jimmy Rollins started a two-out rally with a double, stole third and scored on Michael Young's infield single.

Young scored the winning run on Domonic Brown's single.

"We're just out there having lots of fun, feeding off the energy we have in the clubhouse,' Brown said. "We're trying to make a statement going into next year.'

Carlos Ruiz had three hits and is 10 for 16 (.625) in his last five for Philadelphia, which has won 11 of the last 13 home matchups with Arizona.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (59-70) at Marlins (48-78)
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 23, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The Colorado Rockies let victories slip away in their last two contests to extend their frustrating slump, while a lack of offense - which has been the trend all season - has contributed to the Miami Marlins' latest skid.

Jhoulys Chacin takes the hill Friday night for visiting Colorado seeking his first career victory over the Marlins, who look to avoid a fourth straight defeat.

The Rockies (59-70) led Philadelphia by one run heading into the ninth in the final two of their four-game set, but Rafael Betancourt allowed a pair of runs in each instance as they lost 4-3 on Wednesday and 5-4 on Thursday.

Wilin Rosario, who has homered in three straight as part of a 13-game hitting streak, hit a three-run shot in the series finale for Colorado, which has dropped five of six.

"He's been swinging the bat well for a few weeks,' manager Walt Weiss said. "He's an impact offensive player.'

The Rockies will look to bounce back with help from Chacin, who is coming off a rare tough performance.

Chacin (11-7, 3.24 ERA) had pitched at least six innings in each of his previous seven starts while boasting a 2.02 ERA in that stretch, but he allowed three runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-2 loss at Baltimore on Sunday.

The right-hander decided to pitch just one day after the passing of his grandmother.

"He was pretty emotional and pitching with a heavy heart, but he battled and he wanted to stay out there," Weiss said. "He competed well."

It marked the first time Chacin yielded more than two runs in his 10 road starts this season, falling to 4-4 with a 2.14 ERA there. He pitched well against the Marlins on July 23 in Colorado, but he suffered a 4-2 loss despite giving up three runs - two earned - in seven innings.

Chacin is 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA in three career starts and two relief appearances versus Miami, which scored five runs while losing the final three of its four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Marlins (48-78) got a solo homer from Giancarlo Stanton in the first inning of Wednesday's 4-1 defeat, then were shut out for the final 17 frames following Thursday's 6-0 loss.

Miami, which ranks last in the majors in runs and batting average, has gone 2 for 25 with runners in scoring position during its skid.

"Runs are going to be a premium for us, and we had that opportunity several times,' manager Mike Redmond said. "It's definitely an area we need to improve - driving in runs - especially early.'

The Marlins have a 5.29 ERA while losing five of seven, and they'll turn to Tom Koehler in the series opener.

Koehler (3-8, 4.66), though, has pitched fewer than six innings in each of his last three starts while going 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA. He allowed three runs and walked four in five innings of Miami's 6-5 win over San Francisco on Monday.

The right-hander was solid against the Rockies on July 22, though, giving up a solo homer to Ed Lucas and eight hits overall while striking out seven in seven innings of a 3-2 victory.

"At the beginning of any series, you want to set the tone," Koehler said. "You want to set the tone from a pitching standpoint, and set the bar for what you want the guys to do the rest of the way."