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

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, August 29

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday's MLB betting notes and tips
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (-112, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Phillies right-hander Ethan Martin lasted just two-thirds of an inning in his last start, charged with three runs on three hits and three walks against Arizona.

Cold batting stat: Mets 1B Ike Davis is hitting a paltry .160 with three home runs in 119 day-game at-bats.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right-center field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 10-2 in the Mets' last 12 Thursday games.

Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals (-220, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez is 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 28 career innings against the Marlins.

Hot batting stat: Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton is batting .286/.433/.519 with four home runs in 77 at-bats against left-handers.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will be calm.

Key betting note: The over is 4-1-1 in Miami right-hander Tom Koehler's last six starts on five days' rest.

Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates (-171, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo is 10-4 with a 2.77 ERA and 117 strikeouts over 104 career innings against the Pirates.

Cold batting stat: Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez has struggled mightly against Gallardo, going just 1-for-17 with eight strikeouts in his career.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will be calm.

Key betting note: The Pirates are 0-5 in Cole's last five outings following a quality start in his previous appearance.


AMERICAN

Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers (-166, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer has thrown seven consecutive quality starts, and has given up two or fewer runs in 15 of his last 18 outings.

Hot batting stat: Detroit sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are a combined 9-for-18 lifetime against Athletics starter Bartolo Colon.

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

Key betting note: The over is 7-1 in Oakland's last eight games with umpire Paul Emmel behind home plate.

Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins (+107, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Twins right-hander Samuel Deduno is 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 25 career innings against the Royals.

Hot batting stat: Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe has three home runs in 20 career at-bats against Royals starter Bruce Chen.

Weather: There will be a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms at gametime. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s with the wind blowing in from right field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The over is 8-2-1 in Chen's last 11 starts.

Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays (-148, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Angels lefty Jason Vargas is just 2-4 with a 4.37 ERA in eight road starts.

Cold batting stat: Rays 3B Evan Longoria is hitting .242/.326/.478 in 157 day-game at-bats.

Weather: Dome.

Key betting note: Los Angeles has won its last eight Thursday games.

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox (-154, 9)

Hot pitching stat: Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman tossed two-hit ball over seven shutout innings in a 6-0 victory over the Red Sox on July 26.

Hot batting stat: Baltimore C Matt Wieters has had the upper hand on Red Sox starter Jon Lester, hitting .359 with seven RBIs in 39 career at-bats against him.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with a 45 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms. Wind will blow in from right field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Baltimore is 9-2 in Tillman's last 11 road starts.

Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros (+124, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Houston right-hander Jordan Lyles had his worst start of the season in his last encounter with Seattle, lasting just four innings after surrendering 10 runs on eight hits.

Hot batting stat: Astros OF Brandon Barnes is batting .400 with three doubles, a triple and a homer in 35 at-bats against Seattle in 2013.

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

Key betting note: The over is 6-0 in Houston's last six series openers.


INTERLEAGUE

Cleveland Indians at Atlanta Braves (-156, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Braves right-hander Kris Medlen has walked just one batter in each of his last eight outings, recording four quality starts over that stretch.

Hot batting stat: Atlanta C Brian McCann is hitting .318 in 22 career at-bats against Cleveland starter Ubaldo Jimenez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-80s under cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Atlanta is 15-3 in Medlen's last 18 starts on five days' rest.


** Odds, probable starting pitchers, weather forecast and stats as of 1:05 p.m. ET Wednesday.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, August 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Miami - 7:05 PM ET Miami +197 500 POD # 2
Washington - Under 7.5 500

Milwaukee - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh -149 500
Pittsburgh - Over 7.5 500

Baltimore - 7:10 PM ET Baltimore +148 500 POD # 1
Boston - Over 9 500

Cleveland - 7:10 PM ET Cleveland +136 500 POD # 3
Atlanta - Under 8 500

Seattle - 8:10 PM ET Houston +123 500 POD # 4
Houston - Over 9 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (61-73) at Cubs (56-77)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: August 30, 2013 2:20 PM EDT


Even though Chicago Cubs management didn't want Ryne Sandberg to return, their fans will surely give him a very warm welcome back to Wrigley Field.

It long seemed Sandberg was in line to manage the team with which he became a Hall of Famer, but instead he'll be in the opposing dugout Friday for his first game at Wrigley as a manager as he leads the Philadelphia Phillies against the Cubs.

"I'm sure he'll get a standing ovation," Cubs manager Dale Sveum told the team's official website. "... It'll be a nice moment for him to come back, after getting his first job, and a couple weeks after he gets it, he comes to Chicago for the first time."

One of the best and most beloved players in franchise history, Sandberg had his No. 23 retired by Chicago in 2005 after a 15-year career which included 10 All-Star appearances and nine consecutive Gold Gloves.

"I guess the first thing (back at Wrigley) is I'll probably check out my flag out there on the right-field pole," the former second baseman told the Phillies' website.

He began coaching in the Cubs' minor league system in 2007 and eventually moved up to Triple-A Iowa, winning PCL manager of the year in 2010.

The Cubs' managerial job was available that offseason following Lou Piniella's retirement, but former general manager Jim Hendry went with Mike Quade. Quade was let go after one year as Theo Epstein took over, but the new team president told Sandberg he wasn't being considered for manager despite many fans wanting him at the helm.

Chicago (56-77) has baseball's second-worst record since Sveum took over.

Sandberg managed the Phillies' Triple-A team for two years before becoming Philadelphia's third-base coach this season, and he was handed the head job on an interim basis after Charlie Manuel was fired Aug. 16. The Phillies (61-73) have gone 8-6 since the change.

"He never expected any more than what you could give him, and as long as you were giving him that, he was fine," said Jeff Samardzija, who pitched for Sandberg at Iowa and will go against him Friday.

Though Samardzija is the reigning NL co-player of the week following two impressive starts, there's probably more interest in how this game's other starter will perform.

Roy Halladay (3-4, 7.81 ERA) will make his second start since spending more than three months on the disabled list following shoulder surgery. The two-time Cy Young Award winner won his return Sunday, giving up two runs and four hits in six innings of a 9-5 victory over Arizona.

"Each time out I'm progressing back to where I was," Halladay said after his first win since April 19.

Halladay's 2-5 record against the Cubs is his worst versus any opponent, though he has a lifetime 3.68 ERA against them.

Samardzija (8-11, 4.03) has been a bright spot lately for Chicago, loser of 13 of 17, and now looks to win three straight starts for the first time.

Five days after going the distance in an 11-1 win over Washington, Samardzija surrendered two runs in eight innings of a 3-2 victory at San Diego on Saturday. The right-hander had gone 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA through his first three games of August.

One of those starts came in Philadelphia and was possibly the worst of his career, ripped for nine runs and 11 hits in 3 1-3 innings of a 12-1 defeat Aug. 8.

Darin Ruf homered and singled off him that day but is 2 for 16 with no extra-base hits since homering in three straight games.

Chase Utley doubled twice off Samardzija earlier this month and has hit .432 in his last 10 games at Wrigley, where the Cubs have dropped 16 of 19.

The Phillies have lost 15 of 18 on the road.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (71-62) at Tigers (78-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 30, 2013 7:08 PM EDT


The last time the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians met, Detroit swept the four-game series at Progressive Field earlier this month to take a commanding lead in the AL Central.

Another such performance could practically seal the division for the Tigers, who host the slumping Indians on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set.

The Tigers (78-56), up 6 1/2 games on the Indians, can breathe a sigh of relief as Miguel Cabrera said he expects to be in the lineup Friday.

"I'm OK," Cabrera said. "I'll play (Friday) - don't worry."

There were doubts when the reigning Triple Crown winner limped off the field during Thursday's 7-6 walkoff win over Oakland after hurting his abdomen.

"Every time something like that happens, we all get scared," catcher Brayan Pena said. "But then when we see him smiling and stuff like that after the game, everybody starts breathing again."

Cabrera, who leads the majors with a .359 average and 130 RBIs, is 11 for his last 25 with three home runs. The Indians (71-62) know him well - his six home runs and 20 RBIs against them this season are his most versus any team.

The last time Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.49 ERA) started, Cabrera backed him with a 3-for-4 performance, including a two-run homer in Sunday's 11-3 win over the New York Mets.

"It's a lot of fun to watch," Porcello said. "He's the best hitter on the planet, hands down."

Porcello has been pretty good himself, going 6-1 with a 3.38 ERA in his last nine starts, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one of those outings.

Porcello's only loss during that span came against Minnesota on Aug. 20, when he allowed five runs in 4 1-3 innings. He rebounded Sunday by giving up three runs in seven innings.

The right-hander has been consistently brilliant against Cleveland this season, posting a 2-0 record and 1.42 ERA in three starts. He held the Indians to five hits in seven innings of a 7-0 win July 5.

Porcello is hardly the pitcher the Indians want to see after they scored three times in being swept in a three-game series in Atlanta this week.

"When you're not knocking the ball all over the ballpark, then getting key hits is huge," manager Terry Francona said. "We haven't been able to."

Nick Swisher went 2 for 12 in the series and struck out three times in Thursday night's 3-1 loss. He's 1 for 8 off Porcello this season with three strikeouts.

Yan Gomes, 4 for his last 30, has fared well against Porcello with three hits in six at_bats.

Hoping to lift the Indians is Zach McAllister (7-7, 3.51), who has been dominant since yielding six runs to Detroit over 2 1-3 innings of a 10-3 loss Aug. 8. The right-hander has a 1.83 ERA in winning all three starts following that poor outing, including a 7-2 victory over Minnesota on Saturday in which he gave up two runs in 7 1-3 innings.

McAllister allowed seven home runs in 65 2-3 innings before going on the disabled list June 8 with a sprained middle finger on his pitching hand. Since his return, he has allowed two in 39 1-3 innings.

"I was able to make some adjustments during the time off with my delivery," McAllister said. "I feel a little bit more comfortable."

McAllister had a 2.28 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers prior to Aug. 8.

Detroit has won 12 of 13 against Cleveland, and the Indians have a 5.82 ERA in dropping 13 of 16 in the season series.

The Indians added a left-handed hitter Friday, acquiring outfielder Jason Kubel from Arizona. The veteran was designated for assignment this week after batting .220 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 89 games for the Diamondbacks.

Kubel, who hit 30 homers last season, had been reduced to mainly pinch-hitting duties. The Tigers will start three right-handers in this series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (71-61) at Yankees (70-63)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles have had their playoff hopes dented recently.

CC Sabathia shoulders some of that blame for the Yankees.

New York looks for some dramatic improvement from its struggling ace as it begins a vital stretch that could determine its postseason fate Friday night against the Orioles.

The Yankees (70-63) have lost four of six and are 2 1/2 games back of Baltimore (71-61) for third place in the AL East. The Orioles are 6 1/2 behind first-place Boston, which leads Tampa Bay by 2 1/2.

Baltimore and New York are also in the thick of the wild-card race, sitting 3 1/2 and five games back of Oakland for the second spot.

The Yankees' hopes of reaching the playoffs may hinge greatly on their next 17 games, with seven each coming against the Orioles and Red Sox.

Starting that stretch by giving the ball to Sabathia (11-11, 4.81 ERA) may not help. The left-hander's ERA is the highest of his 13-year career, and his win total matches a personal low set with Cleveland in 2004.

He's been mostly woeful over his last seven starts, compiling a 7.30 ERA and 2-3 record while failing to complete six innings in four of those outings.

Sabathia completed the sixth Saturday, but he surrendered three runs in that inning before being pulled with one out in the seventh of a 4-2 loss at Tampa Bay.

"It's frustrating," Sabathia said. "One big inning. I just feel like I can't stop the bleeding."

He may have felt the same way in his most recent meeting with the Orioles on June 28, when he tossed five shutout innings before giving up four runs over the next two in a 4-3 road loss.

Sabathia, though, was much better against them at home April 12, yielding two runs with nine strikeouts in eight innings of a 5-2 win. Including the postseason, he's 6-1 with a 2.58 ERA in seven starts against Baltimore in the Bronx.

The Yankees, losers of six of their past eight with Baltimore, may also be looking forward to a return home after ending a 2-4 trip with a 7-2 loss to last-place Toronto on Wednesday.

They've won eight of nine at Yankee Stadium.

The Orioles are feeling energized heading into this three-game set after ending a five-game road losing streak with a 3-2 win over Boston on Thursday night.

"We're going to New York with an upbeat clubhouse," said winning pitcher Chris Tillman.

Turning to Miguel Gonzalez (8-6, 3.77) could be just what Baltimore needs to build some momentum.

The right-hander is returning to the rotation, and he's 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts against New York, including the playoffs. He's yielded three earned runs despite issuing 10 walks in 12 innings over his last two road meetings, going 0-1 while being backed by two runs in each game.

"We've certainly taken a look at it all the way through, if you notice there are people that fall where they've had a pretty good track record competing in that ballpark or against that team," manager Buck Showalter told the Orioles' official website. "We can't make them all fall perfectly."

Gonzalez has tossed 1 1-3 scoreless innings over his last two relief outings. He lost 7-4 to the Rays in his latest start Aug. 20, giving up three runs and eight hits while walking four in 5 2-3 innings. It was the third time in five starts that he failed to complete six innings.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Royals (69-64) at Blue Jays (60-74)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 30, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


Although a sizzling stretch for Billy Butler has ended, he may be able to get back on track against Mark Buehrle as the Kansas City Royals try to boost their slim postseason hopes.

The Kansas City slugger has enjoyed success against Buehrle in the past, but the Toronto Blue Jays starter has won five straight decisions as he seeks to help end the Royals' five-game win streak Friday night at Rogers Centre.

Butler was 0 for 3 with a walk in Thursday's 3-1 victory at Minnesota after going 12 for 26 with two homers and seven RBIs over his previous six contests. He's hitting .358 with five homers and 16 RBIs this month for Kansas City (69-64), which is six games behind Oakland for the AL's second wild card with three other teams ahead of it.

"I couldn't even tell you who's ahead of us," manager Ned Yost said. "My focus is if we win everything else takes care of itself."

The Royals will see a familiar nemesis in Buehrle (10-7, 4.08 ERA), who has faced them a major league-high 49 times since the start of 2000. They last faced the former White Sox starter in 2011.

Butler has faced Buehrle more than any pitcher other than Detroit's Justin Verlander. The Royals designated hitter is 20 for 57 (.351) with three homers against the left-hander.

Alex Gordon has the second-most at_bats against Buehrle among available Kansas City hitters, going 7 for 28. Gordon is 8 for 22 with two homers and seven RBIs during the Royals' winning streak.

Buehrle is also streaking, going 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last seven outings. He gave up one run over eight innings with seven strikeouts to earn Sunday's 2-1 victory at Houston, joining the Yankees' CC Sabathia with 13 straight seasons with at least 10 wins for the longest active streak in the majors.

"I'd rather forego some of the personal stuff for being in a better position than where we are right now," Buehrle said. "At the end of the day when the season is over and you look at the season, I feel like I am having a decent season, but I have six or seven starts left, so I have to finish strongly and get as many wins as I can."

Kansas City has outscored its opponents 34-8 during this win streak, including a 17-3 margin in a three-game sweep at Minnesota this week.

"This was a nice series for us," Yost said. "We did everything really well, we pitched well, swung the bats well, played solid defense."

Yost gave catcher Salvador Perez the day off from starting Thursday. Perez singled as a pinch hitter and has 12 hits in his last 23 at_bats.

Perez figures to be back behind the plate for Ervin Santana (8-7, 3.21), who is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last five starts at Toronto. Santana is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in eight outings since the All-Star break, with the Royals winning six of them.

Brett Lawrie is 1 for 8 against the right-hander but is hitting .370 in August.

Toronto (60-74) has won three of four following a seven-game slide. The Blue Jays have taken eight of the last 11 matchups, including two of three at Kansas City from April 12-14.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (60-72) at Nationals (68-65)
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Washington Nationals are making a late push for the playoffs, and sending Jordan Zimmermann and his NL high-tying 15 wins to the mound Friday night should give them another opportunity to make up ground in the wild-card race.

The right-hander, though, has yet to earn a victory this year against the New York Mets, who look to get another dominant performance in the season series from Dillon Gee.

Washington swept three games from Miami and won for the 14th time in 19 contests with a 9-0 victory Thursday night. The Nationals' hot stretch has enabled them to pull within 6 1/2 games of Cincinnati for the second wild-card spot.

"We're a scary team when we're going good, and I think everybody knows that," outfielder Bryce Harper said.

Ian Desmond and Jayson Werth hit three-run homers, and Harper added a two-run shot Thursday to extend his career-best hitting streak to 11 games as Washington improved to 8-1 in its last nine contests. Desmond is 13 for 26 with three homers and eight RBIs over the last six games.

Zimmermann (15-7, 3.32 ERA) matched up with Gee (9-9, 3.69) on April 21 in New York and gave up two runs over five innings in a 2-0 loss. Zimmermann has a 3.20 ERA in three starts against the Mets (60-72) but no wins to show for it.

Gee has been at his best when facing the Nationals (68-65). He won his first three starts against them behind a 0.96 ERA before allowing four runs over seven innings in a 4-1 loss at Washington on July 27.

Zimmermann struggled two starts ago in an 11-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs before bouncing back in Kansas City on Saturday. After tying career highs with eight runs and three homers allowed in Chicago, he gave up two runs in 7 2-3 innings to beat the Royals 7-2 and tie St. Louis' Adam Wainwright for the NL lead in wins.

"Against the Cubs, I was nibbling a little bit and throwing too many offspeed pitches and that's not the way I pitch," Zimmermann told the Nationals' official website. "(The Royals) knew that and they were super aggressive and I was able to mix the changeup around the fourth inning on. I got some quick outs and I was able to stay in the game a little longer."

Following last month's loss in Washington, Gee went 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA in his next four starts before losing 11-3 to Detroit on Sunday. He allowed four runs and a season high-tying 10 hits in six innings.

Gee lost for only the third time in 16 starts and entered with a 2.27 ERA since May 30, the fourth-best mark in the majors during that span.

The Mets won for the second time in three contests following a five-game skid, 11-3 over Philadelphia on Thursday. Daniel Murphy went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and Eric Young went 3 for 5 and drove in three runs.

Murphy is 9 for 31 (.290) with three homers and two doubles against Zimmermann, who is 10-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 15 home starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (78-55) at Pirates (77-56)
Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 30, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Pittsburgh Pirates grabbed the NL Central lead from St. Louis when the Cardinals visited PNC Park one month ago, taking four of five to set the wheels in motion for a run at their first division title since 1992.

The next 10 days should determine just how realistic that possibility may be.

Now a game behind the Cardinals, the Pirates hope Francisco Liriano can pull them into a first-place tie Friday night as they host St. Louis for the first of critical back-to-back weekend series.

Pittsburgh (77-56) went from 1 1/2 games behind the Cardinals to 1 1/2 up after that five-game series concluded Aug. 1, but St. Louis (78-55) has won 12 of 17 and is back on top after taking two of three from Cincinnati.

Even with Wednesday's 10-0 loss, Carlos Beltran is feeling good about a lineup that leads the NL in runs, on-base percentage and average with runners in scoring position.

"Right now, with (Matt) Carpenter just having the year that he's having, I'm hitting second and I'm getting on base, Matt Holliday hitting third, getting hot ... (Allen) Craig being able to do it all year round, being able to drive in that many runs, it feels great," Beltran told the Cardinals' official website. "And Yadier Molina, you know, leading the league in hitting. It doesn't get better than that."

Thursday's 4-0 loss to Milwaukee dropped the Pirates to 12-14 this month, including a pair of extra-inning losses in a three-game set at Busch Stadium from Aug. 13-15. Catcher John Buck, who came over along with Marlon Byrd from the Mets on Tuesday, admitted Pittsburgh may have been looking ahead.

"I knew we were playing Milwaukee but we couldn't help but think how exciting the series with the Cardinals is going to be," Buck said. "That's why the Pirates went out and got us, for games like that."

Pittsburgh is 8-5 against St. Louis in 2013, and it should have a good idea where its division hopes stand Sept. 8. Following next weekend's series at Busch Stadium, nine of the Pirates' final 20 games come against teams currently in playoff position. None of the Cardinals' final 19 are against a team that appears to be headed to the postseason.

Even if St. Louis' remaining opponents aren't intimidating, they may not be too excited to see Liriano (14-6, 2.74 ERA) on the hill Friday. The left-hander held the Cardinals to a run and four hits over seven innings in a 9-2 win at PNC on July 29, then went the distance in a 5-1 win in St. Louis on Aug. 14.

"This guy was nasty," Carpenter said after Liriano's second complete game of the season.

He was anything but in his latest start, yielding four runs and nine hits over four innings in a 6-3 loss at San Francisco on Saturday, but Liriano has proven to be an awfully effective stopper. Friday will be his ninth start immediately following a Pirates loss - excluding the first game after the All-Star break - and he's gone 7-1 with a 0.75 ERA.

"From the beginning until now," manager Clint Hurdle told the team's official website, "he's proven things to people that he probably wanted to prove some things to."

Shelby Miller (12-8, 2.90) has proven to have top-of-the-rotation stuff in his first full season in the majors, and his arsenal was on full display Saturday against Atlanta. The Cardinals right-hander held the Braves to a solo homer and two other hits over seven innings in a 6-2 win.

"I thought that's probably about as good as we've seen him in a long time," manager Mike Matheny said. "His stuff was electric and he was in the lower part of the zone.

"He was really locked in, hopefully that's something he can maintain."

Miller was less than sharp when opposing Liriano earlier this month. He matched a season high by giving up five runs - three earned - as Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones took him deep.

Lefties are hitting .268 against the rookie, while right-handers are batting .187.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (56-76) at Red Sox (79-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 30, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The last time Ryan Dempster took the mound, he couldn't catch a break - from the Yankees or, later, the commissioner's office.

The right-hander will look to get it together on Friday night as he leads the Boston Red Sox into a three-game series with the streaking Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park.

In his last start, Dempster (6-9, 4.77 ERA) was pounded by New York, surrendering seven runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 9-6 loss on Aug. 18.

Most memorably, Dempster plunked Alex Rodriguez after throwing behind him earlier in the same at-bat, leading to a five-game suspension from Major League Baseball.

"He's a guy that clearly knows his delivery," Red Sox manager John Farrell told the team's official website. "He knows his routine and what to prepare even if there's been an extended downtime, and more than anything, I think the downtime gives him a boost."

In his return from suspension, Dempster will look to snap a rough stretch that has seen him post a 6.81 ERA over his last seven starts. Prior to his current skid, he had allowed three runs or fewer in eight straight starts.

Dempster has faced the White Sox just once since 2010, but he's 1-4 with a 6.21 ERA in his last six starts against them - all coming while he pitched for the Cubs.

Jeff Keppinger has had his number with 13 hits in 29 at_bats.

Adam Dunn has also fared well against Dempster with two home runs and 13 walks in 30 plate appearances.

Dempster will look to help the Red Sox (79-56) maintain their 2 1/2 game lead in the AL East. Through Saturday, Boston and Tampa Bay were tied atop the division, but the Red Sox have won three of four since while the Rays have lost four of five.

The White Sox (56-76) will shoot for their third straight win and 11th in 13 games led by a suddenly potent offense. Chicago, which ranks last in the AL with 502 runs, is averaging five per game over its last 12.

The White Sox have been led by Avisail Garcia, whose three-run home run Wednesday helped lift Chicago to a 6-1 victory over Houston. He's hitting .352 in his first 19 games since coming over from Detroit, but the homer was Garcia's first since the trade.

"It's nice that he got it," manager Robin Ventura said. "But again, he is young and you're just letting him play. The strength and speed that he has is unusual for a lot of major leaguers."

The White Sox will look to help give Hector Santiago (4-7, 3.25) his second win in 12 starts after they've provided him with just 23 runs over his last 11 starts. Poor run support was again partially to blame on Saturday, when the left-hander allowed two runs in 6 1-3 innings of Chicago's 3-2 walk-off win over Texas.

After five scoreless frames, Santiago ran into trouble with two outs in the sixth, yielding a single and a home run.

"He gets himself in trouble," Ventura said. "He has the stuff to get out of it, which is a nice thing to have."

Santiago gave up two runs, three hits and four walks over six innings while striking out nine in a 6-2 home loss to Boston on May 22.

David Ortiz had two hits in that game but is hitless in his last 22 at_bats for the Red Sox, who lost 3-2 to Baltimore on Thursday.

"It's not the end of the world," Ortiz said. "You know what I'm saying? Papi can struggle, too. I'll be back."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (49-83) at Braves (81-52)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 30, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


Jose Fernandez is a major contender for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, giving the Miami Marlins hope for a better future.

Fellow rookie Julio Teheran is likely focused on a bigger prize for the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

In what's expected to be one of his final starts of the season, Fernandez attempts to become the first Marlins rookie in 10 years to win six straight decisions Friday night when he faces the Braves for the first time.

The Marlins (49-83) are all but assured of finishing at the bottom of the East, and have dropped eight of nine after falling 9-0 at Washington on Thursday.

Fernandez (10-5, 2.30 ERA), though, is giving them reason for optimism.

The 21-year-old phenom has already emerged as Miami's ace, leading rookies with 165 strikeouts while ranking third among all pitchers in ERA.

Fernandez has a 1.33 ERA while winning all five decisions over his last eight starts, striking out 66 in 54 innings. The right-hander now has a chance to become the first Marlins rookie to win six straight decisions since Dontrelle Willis had an eight-game run from May 25-July 13, 2003.

After holding the Dodgers and Rockies to a combined one earned run over 13 innings - striking out 16 - in two starts last week, Fernandez was named NL Player of the Week for the second time as he shared the honor with the Chicago Cubs' Jeff Samardzija.

Despite Fernandez's staggering rise and increasing popularity, the Marlins have him on an innings limit that could mean he has just two starts left. That could hurt his chances at becoming the first Marlins pitcher to win rookie of the year honors since Willis.

"I don't really think about that stuff," Fernandez told the team's official website. "As long as I keep giving my team a chance to win, co-Player of the Week, Rookie of the Year, all that stuff, I don't care. It's just play for this team, and as long as we win, that's what I care about."

Fernandez should catch a break in his first look at the Braves. Justin Upton, Atlanta's leader with 24 homers and second with 64 RBIs, is expected to be out of the lineup after being hit on the hand by a pitch Thursday.

Like Fernandez, Teheran (10-7, 3.08) is probably also more concerned with his team's success during his stellar rookie season, but the Braves (81-52) are comfortably headed to the postseason and own the best record in baseball.

The right-hander is looking to get untracked after allowing four runs and two homers with eight strikeouts and a season-high five walks in a 6-2 loss at St. Louis on Saturday. He had been 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA over his previous six starts.

"It's not that he didn't have it," catcher Brian McCann told the team's official website. "He just wasn't as sharp as he has been in the past."

Teheran is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA in two starts against Miami.

McCann is hitting .344 with five homers and 15 RBIs over his last 17 home meetings with the Marlins, going 8 for 18 with two homers while plating five runs in five games this year.

He enters this meeting 7 for 16 with five RBIs in the last four games at Turner Field, with two of those hits leaving the park. That includes a three-run homer in Thursday's 3-1 win over Cleveland as the Braves' winning streak reached four games.

Freddie Freeman, who has a nagging knee injury, likely will be back after being used as a pinch runner Thursday. The All-Star first baseman has a .395 average in nine games versus Miami this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (57-75) at Rangers (78-55)
Game: 1
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: August 30, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Texas Rangers have allowed five runs or fewer in 26 straight games, and that's a streak Yu Darvish figures to help continue Friday night.

Baseball's strikeout leader gets ready to face a struggling Minnesota Twins team that strikes out often in the opener of a three-game home set.

Texas (78-55) has posted a 3.09 ERA during this 26-game run since July 31 after recording a 3.77 ERA in its first 107 contests. It's the longest such streak in club history and longest in the majors since the Los Angeles Dodgers did it 31 games in a row Aug. 10-Sept. 12, 2009. It's the longest AL streak since 1972.

Darvish (12-5, 2.68 ERA) will try and conclude an unbeaten August in which he is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 36 1-3 innings to take his season total to 225.

"We expect him to perform and he expects to perform," manager Ron Washington told the Rangers' official website. "Some days it happens, some days he has to fight and battle through it. But he's been able to do it both ways."

The Rangers have dropped his last two outings, with Darvish yielding two runs over seven innings last Saturday with 11 strikeouts in a 3-2 walkoff loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Darvish has faced the Twins once, yielding two runs over 5 2-3 innings and not getting a decision in a 6-2 victory April 14, 2012, his second big-league start.

Minnesota (57-75) has struck out 1,135 times for the AL's second-highest total. The Twins have totaled six runs and fanned 49 times during a five-game losing streak.

The Rangers, who lead the AL West by three games over Oakland, are back home after a 4-2 trip capped by a three-game sweep in Seattle with Wednesday's 12-4 rout. They are seeking to win 20 games in a month for the first time since going 21-6 in June 2010.

Texas isn't taking anything for granted this weekend even though Twins star Joe Mauer won't travel to Arlington due to a concussion. These teams split four games April 25-28 in Minnesota.

"All those young kids are starting to perform better and starting to compete," Washington said. "Minnesota Twins teams usually compete well. They're so young. They have a couple of veterans, but for the most part they are a young team. But they will give you a tough time."

The Rangers have faced Minnesota starter Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.20) once. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings and did not get a decision in a 4-3 loss April 15, 2012.

Hendriks matched a career high by surrendering seven runs over 4 1-3 innings in last Saturday's 7-2 loss at Cleveland. He was recalled to take the rotation spot of the ineffective Kyle Gibson, who was sent to Triple-A Rochester last week.

Hendriks will face a tough matchup against Adrian Beltre, the AL's top hitter in August with a .400 average - his same mark during an eight-game streak.

Justin Morneau is in a 1-for-23 slump and Josh Willingham a 4-for-34 rut for the Twins, who lost right fielder Wilkin Ramirez to a bruised left shin in Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Kansas City.

"It's a tough time of the year,' said bench coach Terry Steinbach, who filled in when manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the second inning.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (60-72) at Brewers (59-74)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 30, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers won't be playing in October, but they've done some damage over the past week against teams that appear to be headed to the postseason.

The two streaking clubs will meet at Miller Park on Friday night.

Though both teams are nearing elimination, trailing by double digits in the wild-card chase, the Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers have hit their stride of late.

The Brewers (59-74) are coming off consecutive series wins at NL wild-card leaders Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, winning 4-0 Thursday at PNC Park for their fourth victory in six games.

Milwaukee is 21-18 since the All-Star break and has won 12 of its last 19 away from Miller Park.

"It was absolutely a good road trip," manager Ron Roenicke said. "We pitched great in the games we won and our offense, especially the younger guys, continued to do good things."

Aramis Ramirez hit a solo homer Thursday to finish the trip 8 for 23 and now returns home, where he's hitting .309 - 78 points above his road average.

Rookie Scooter Gennett has been hot wherever he's played, batting .431 since Aug. 5. He had three hits Thursday against hard-throwing Gerrit Cole, and now will have to adjust to facing the softer-tossing Jered Weaver (8-7, 3.46 ERA).

"I like facing guys who throw hard like Cole," Gennett said. "I can gear up for the fastball at 95, 96, 97 and that makes the breaking stuff seems slower than it is."

The Angels (60-72) have also been playing spoiler, having just taken two of three from AL wild-card leading Tampa Bay.

Los Angeles has posted a 1.87 ERA while winning five of six - all on the road. That carried into Thursday when Jason Vargas and two relievers allowed three hits in a 2-0 victory over the Rays, the Angels' 10th shutout of the season.

"The year's not over," Vargas said. "If we keep winning like this, we'll take it."

They'll look to Weaver to keep their impressive pitching performances going.

Weaver gave up 13 runs over 11 innings in losing his previous two starts before recording eight innings of one-run ball in Sunday's 7-1 victory over Seattle.

Despite retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he faced and throwing just 102 pitches through eight, Weaver was pulled three outs from a complete game.

"He had a little bit left in him. I think the 102 pitches was good, (and) there's no sense in throwing 115 or 120 this afternoon," manager Mike Scioscia said. "But it's a good sign that he finished strong."

Weaver has gone seven-plus innings in five of his last seven starts.

"My goal is to try and get extended and get out there and stay out there as much as possible," Weaver said.

Weaver has been particularly strong in interleague play this year, with a 2.32 ERA in five starts against the NL.

Like Weaver, Wily Peralta (8-13, 4.51) is coming off a bounce-back performance. After surrendering seven runs in 4 1-3 innings to Cincinnati on Aug. 18, he turned around six days later and held the Reds to one run in five innings of a 6-3 loss on Saturday.

"For not having his command, he did a nice job," Roenicke said.

Peralta hasn't been all that efficient of late, requiring 17.5 pitches per inning while going 1-4 with a 5.29 ERA over his last six starts.

That carried into Saturday, when working without his best slider, Peralta needed 103 pitches to make it through five frames.

"It just wasn't there," Peralta said. "But that's going to happen. When those things happen, you have to battle and do your best."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (60-73) at Astros (44-89)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 30, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


HOUSTON (AP) - Top prospect Taijuan Walker will make his major league debut for the Seattle Mariners on Friday, taking on the Houston Astros less than three weeks after turning 21.

It's quite the impressive feat for Walker, who was selected in the first round of the 2010 draft. But the talented right-hander is a bit behind the pace of teammate Felix Hernandez, who pitched in his first major league game at age 19.

Walker, who started the season at Double-A Jackson before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma, got a welcome and a hug from Hernandez on Thursday. Hernandez hadn't had time to chat with Walker yet, but the ace was ready if the youngster asked for any advice.

"You've just got to be relaxed, and after you throw the first pitch everything's going to go away," Hernandez said.

Walker, who is thought to be among the top prospects in the sport, says he knows he'll be nervous in the first inning, but hopes he calms down after that.

He went 4-7 with a 2.46 ERA in 14 starts at Double A and 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA in 11 starts in Triple A. He was dominant in his last two starts, going 2-0 with a sparkling 0.82 ERA.

General manager Jack Zduriencik said there were many factors that went in to bringing him up, but discussions with minor league pitching coaches convinced him Walker was ready.

"This kid's got great stuff, he's a fabulous athlete," Zduriencik said. "He's done a really great job maturing, growing up, handling the things given to him this year and you just make a decision on what you think is best for him and the organization."

Walker went through some struggles last season in Double A, and said he spent the early part of this season working on refining his pitches.

"I worked on fastball command and my secondary pitches," he said. "I spent the first month just really, really trying to work on them hard and I struggled pretty bad. But it wasn't about the wins and losses, it was mostly about just working on the pitches and working on the fastball command."

The work paid off and Walker steadily improved throughout the season. Manager Eric Wedge loves Walker's confidence and said he's mature beyond his years.

Wedge's expectations for Friday are simple.

"I just want him to go out there and ... be himself, enjoy the experience and have fun," Wedge said. "Hopefully he'll be able to allow himself to relax and just have fun with it. That's the best way to have early success is just to relax and have fun with it and just really enjoy the moment."

Walker has family flying in from California and driving in from Louisiana for Friday's game. He expects to have a personal cheering section of about 30 people when he takes the mound.

"I'm glad I get the opportunity to come out and pitch in the big leagues and have my family out there," he said. "A lot of them haven't got to see me pitch yet, so it's going to be pretty exciting. You'll probably hear my mom; she'll be the loudest person in the stands. You guys will definitely hear her."

Seeing Walker prepare for his first start caused Hernandez to reflect on his debut in Detroit eight years ago. He said it was a special moment and he hopes Walker's will be just as memorable.

"He's pretty good," Hernandez said. "I can't wait to see what he does."

The Astros (44-89) will counter Walker with Brad Peacock (3-4, 5.67), who is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The rookie right-hander struggled in his latest outing, however, allowing four runs and two homers in 5 2-3 innings of Saturday's 8-5 win over Toronto.

Peacock beat Seattle 8-3 with five innings of three-run ball April 10 before surrendering seven runs and three homers while being pulled with one out in the fifth inning of a 7-1 loss in Houston 12 days later.

Seattle (60-73) ended a six-game losing streak in the opener of this four-game set Thursday night, winning 3-2 to send Houston to its third straight defeat.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Astros
Thu, Aug 29 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Astros
Fri, Aug 30 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Astros
Sat, Aug 31 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Mariners at Astros
Sun, Sep 1 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (75-59) at Rockies (63-72)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 30, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


Amid some inconsistent hitting during a rough stretch of games, the Cincinnati Reds turned in a big day at the plate in their last contest.

They may not need to score as many runs with Bronson Arroyo on the hill.

Arroyo tries to win a career high-tying fifth consecutive start as the visiting Reds open a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

Cincinnati (75-59) had collected six hits in 29 at_bats with runners in scoring position during a 1-4 stretch, and the Reds had alternated scoring six runs and one in the past four contests. The club then went 5 for 10 with runners in scoring position in a 10-0 road win over St. Louis on Wednesday.

Jay Bruce was 2 for 4 with a home run and a season-high five RBIs while Brandon Phillips added two hits and two runs in his first game since moving to the two-hole.

Phillips' contributions came after his expletive-filled tirade at a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter, who commented on his .311 on-base percentage.

"That was my original lineup from the beginning - Brandon batting second - trying to put more guys on base in front of Joey (Votto) and Jay," manager Dusty Baker told MLB's official website.

The Reds, 3 1/2 games out in the NL Central, now give the ball to Arroyo (13-9, 3.42 ERA), who has posted a 2.33 ERA during his winning streak. The right-hander hasn't won five consecutive starts since June 29-July 23, 2008.

Arroyo surrendered three runs in seven-plus innings to beat Milwaukee 6-3 on Saturday.

"You know Bronson can do that sometimes and settle down," Baker said after Arroyo gave up two runs in the second inning. "The next thing you know, you're in the seventh."

Arroyo has recorded 14 2-3 scoreless innings in winning his last two starts against the Rockies, most recently throwing eight innings of four-hit ball in a 3-0 victory June 3. He had gone 0-2 with an 8.84 ERA in his first four outings at Coors Field before leading the Reds to a 3-0 victory there July 27, 2012.

One Rockies player Arroyo hasn't done well against is Troy Tulowitzki, 5 for 12 with two homers in their matchups. Tulowitzki, batting .409 in his last 12 games, has hit .424 with 11 homers and 23 RBIs in his last 18 against Cincinnati.

The Reds had dropped 12 of 13 at Colorado before recording a three-game sweep July 27-29, 2012.

The Rockies (63-72) have won four of six after taking two of three from San Francisco. Yorvit Torrealba drove in two runs and Jhoulys Chacin carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a 5-4 victory Wednesday.

With Thursday's off day and Tyler Chatwood penciled in for Sunday, it is uncertain if Colorado will turn to scheduled starter Jeff Manship (0-4, 6.86) or move Jorge De La Rosa's turn up from Saturday.

While Manship has dropped each of his four starts since getting called up Aug. 8, De La Rosa has compiled a 3.09 ERA in winning a season high-tying four outings in a row. The left-hander allowed three runs in five innings of a 4-3 victory at Miami on Sunday.

"He really labored," manager Walt Weiss said of De La Rosa, who owns a 3.28 ERA. "His thumb is as bad as it's been in a while. He wasn't himself. He fought to get through the innings he got through. He's dealt with hand issues all year, and he's 14-6."

De La Rosa is 1-2 with a 9.26 ERA in three career starts versus the Reds, last facing them in 2010. Ryan Ludwick is 2 for his last 14 against him.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (59-74) at Diamondbacks (68-64)
Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 30, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


Poor situational hitting left the Arizona Diamondbacks one win shy of a series sweep.

They'll look to rebound against Tim Lincecum, who they've hammered over the last three seasons, as he starts for the San Francisco Giants in Friday night's opener at Chase Field.

After plating 16 runs in taking the first two games at San Diego, Arizona (68-64) suffered a 5-1 loss Wednesday. The Diamondbacks were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, leaving 10 men on base.

They're 10 for 47 (.213) with runners in scoring position over their last four contests compared to a .251 mark on the season. Willie Bloomquist - in his first game since being placed on the disabled list June 27 due to a hand contusion - was one of the lone bright spots Wednesday, collecting three hits and driving in the team's lone run.

"We had some opportunities, but were unable to get the big hit, extra-base hit when we needed it," manager Kirk Gibson said.

Gibson's squad will hope for better fortunes against Lincecum (7-13, 4.55 ERA), which hasn't been a problem lately.

Lincecum is 0-6 with a 5.83 ERA in eight starts against the Diamondbacks since 2011 after going 7-2 with a 2.61 ERA in his first 14 games in the series. He was knocked around for five runs and 10 hits in five innings of San Francisco's 9-6 comeback win at Arizona on May 1.

Paul Goldschmidt has fared especially well in his matchups with the right-hander, hitting five home runs while going 9 for 17 for a .529 average - the highest of any player with at least 15 at_bats versus Lincecum. Goldschmidt, the NL's leader in RBIs with 104, received an off-day Wednesday after starting in the Diamondbacks' previous 47 games.

Lincecum gave up three runs, three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings in a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has failed to throw more than six innings in 14 of 26 outings this year.

"They (early runs) give some leeway but it was still a little frustrating not being able to go deeper," said Lincecum, who took a 4-0 lead into the top of the second.

The Giants (59-74) also come off a poor offensive showing in a 5-4 loss at Colorado on Wednesday as they were no-hit by Jhoulys Chacin for 6 2-3 innings. They haven't hit scheduled Arizona starter Randall Delgado (4-4, 3.87) well, with Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Marco Scutaro going a combined 3 for 20.

Delgado is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA over two career starts versus San Francisco, including 5 2-3 scoreless innings in a 3-1 road win on July 21. However, he's 1-1 with a 5.70 ERA in five starts since his first career complete game on July 26 against San Diego.

Belt is hitting .400 over his last eight games and batting .348 with three homers and seven RBIs in six contests in Arizona this season.

Martin Prado is 35 for 96 (.365) over his last 21 contests with 28 RBIs. He is 6 for 17 off Lincecum.

The Giants have won seven of the last nine meetings, including five of six in Arizona.