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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (50-63) at Phillies (51-62)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 08, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


Thanks to a power surge from journeyman infielder Donnie Murphy, the Chicago Cubs are in position to win their first series at Philadelphia in 12 seasons.

Looking to continue his recent road success, Jeff Samardzija also tries to help the Cubs take this three-game set Thursday.

Playing for his fifth team in eight seasons, Murphy went 3 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs in a 5-2 victory Wednesday. His three-run, tiebreaking shot in the ninth inning helped the Cubs (50-63) snap a five-game slide.

Chicago took two of three at Veterans Stadium from April 6-8, 2001, for its last winning series at Philadelphia.

Murphy, who hit .222 with eight homers in 117 games over the past three seasons for Miami, is 4 for 9 with three home runs and seven RBIs since making his Cubs debut Sunday.

"Don't get used to that," he said. "I'm just going through a good stretch right now and getting pitches I can handle."

Samardzija (6-10, 3.78 ERA) started 1-5 with a 3.49 ERA on the road but is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last five away from Wrigley Field. He's received an average of 5.30 runs of support during that stretch but none in his last two overall - both at home.

The right-hander allowed three runs, struck out nine and matched a season high with five walks while throwing 112 pitches in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"He battled and got the outs and kept the game close, but obviously the pitch count after six innings was way too many," manager Dale Sveum said of Samardzija, who is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA and has walked 15 in his last four starts.

Samardzija last faced the Phillies (51-62) out of the bullpen in 2011. His only start against them came two seasons earlier when he gave up seven runs in 3 1-3 innings of a 12-5 loss.

Chase Utley is 1 for 7 with three strikeouts against him but could face Samardzija a much richer man after agreeing to a two-year contract extension reportedly worth around $27 million.

"I love Philadelphia," said Utley, who turns 35 in December. "I've always envisioned playing here. I've never envisioned playing anywhere else."

Utley delivered a pinch-hit, tying single in the seventh Wednesday, but Philadelphia stranded nine runners while losing for the 14th time in 16 games.

Domonic Brown homered in his second game since coming off the 7-day disabled list with a concussion. The All-Star outfielder has a team-leading 25 homers but has gone deep twice while hitting .208 during his last 13 games.

Philadelphia's Ethan Martin hopes for a better effort in the finale than during his major league debut Friday when he gave up five of his six runs in the fifth inning of a 6-4 loss to Atlanta.

"It was tough," the right-hander told the Phillies' official website. "It was a challenge, but I wanted to go out there and prove I could do it.

"I take what I learn from this and go on to the next one."

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Phillies
Tue, Aug 6 Final 8 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Phillies
Wed, Aug 7 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Phillies
Thu, Aug 8 - 1:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (49-65) at Giants (50-63)
Game: 4
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 08, 2013 3:45 PM EDT


Tim Lincecum hasn't won since his no-hitter last month, but San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy likes the way the right-hander has been throwing.

Bochy can't be as confident about his club's offense heading into Thursday's series finale with the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.

A two-time Cy Young Award winner and the owner of two World Series rings, Lincecum (5-11, 4.43 ERA) threw his first career no-hitter in a 9-0 victory at San Diego on July 13 in his final start of the first half.

Lincecum followed that career-high 148-pitch outing with one of his worst, giving up a career-high eight earned runs in 3 2-3 innings of an 11-0 loss to Cincinnati on July 22.

But in two starts since - both 2-1 Giants losses - Lincecum has gone seven innings apiece while allowing three total runs and striking out 15.

"He's in a good place,' Bochy said after Lincecum gave up one run in Saturday's 10-inning loss at Tampa Bay. "He's strong, he's got a lot of confidence going. He's using all his pitches. He's on the top of his game."

Lincecum has the team's worst run-support average at 3.56, and he could have little room for error again with the Giants (50-63) batting .236 and producing 2.5 runs per game while dropping 12 of 17.

Having Hunter Pence bat leadoff for the first time in five seasons didn't provide the spark the Giants were looking for in Wednesday's 6-1 loss, as he finished hitless in four at_bats. It's uncertain what tweaks - if any - Bochy will make Thursday.

"For whatever reason, we don't look like the same team we were last year,' starter Madison Bumgarner said. "There are things I could have done differently. There are things everyone could have done differently. It's been the same story all year.'

The Giants, though, can salvage the four-game series split - and finish 2-5 against the Brewers (49-65) this season - when they get their first look at Donovan Hand (0-3, 3.60).

The rookie right-hander gets a fourth consecutive start after being used as a reliever in 12 of his first 15 games. Hand was mostly pleased with his stuff Saturday after going a career-high seven innings in a 3-0 loss to Washington, but he was concerned about allowing a pair of homers.

Hand gave up three in his previous start.

"Just got to be a little better in that area," he told the Brewers' official website.

Milwaukee has enjoyed some outstanding pitching in this series - its starters have allowed one run in 17 1-3 innings - but the club could use some better at_bats, as they have just two fewer strikeouts than hits (22) in the last three games.

Rickie Weeks, 0 for 10 in the series, is questionable after leaving Wednesday's game with a strained left hamstring. Weeks' injury could force the Brewers to call up Scooter Gennett, who was just sent to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

All-Star center fielder Carlos Gomez has one hit in eight at_bats against Lincecum, who is 0-2 with a 5.76 ERA in five career home starts versus Milwaukee and has gotten a total of eight runs of support.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Giants
Mon, Aug 5 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Giants
Tue, Aug 6 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Giants
Wed, Aug 7 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Brewers at Giants
Thu, Aug 8 - 3:45PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (67-45) at Indians (62-52)
Game: 4
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 08, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


In the midst of a stellar season, Max Scherzer has a chance to record two milestones in one night for the streaking Detroit Tigers.

The right-hander can set a career high for wins and notch his 1,000th career strikeout while trying to help the visiting Tigers record a 12th straight win and a four-game sweep of the Indians on Thursday night.

Scherzer (16-1, 2.85 ERA) ran his scoreless innings stretch to 13 2-3 after he allowed three hits and pitched into the eighth of Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The win matched his total from last season and the six strikeouts left him at 999 for his career.

"Wins are important for the team, and I'm all about that,' said Scherzer, the first pitcher to start 16-1 since Roger Clemens began 20-1 in 2001. "But to reach milestones for your career, sometimes that's a better personal reflection of yourself.'

He's yielded two runs over 21 2-3 innings to go 3-0 since starting the All-Star game.

"It is pretty tough to do much against Scherzer right now,' White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "He's just got too much stuff."

Scherzer is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA in his last three starts at Cleveland (62-52), including 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two this year.

He'll try to help the Tigers (67-45) win 12 in a row for the first time since Sept. 2-14, 2011, after Wednesday's 6-5, 14-inning victory. A winner in 15 of 16, Detroit has built a six-game AL Central lead over Cleveland, which has dropped 11 of the last 12 in the season series.

The Tigers have averaged 6.3 runs while winning four straight and eight of nine at Progressive Field. They last swept a four-game set in Cleveland from June 9-12, 1988.

Prince Fielder hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the 14th and Miguel Cabrera delivered a two-run go-ahead homer in the eighth.

Cabrera is 4 for 12 in the series after an abdominal strain limited him to one pinch-hit appearance in the previous series against the White Sox.

He's hit .361 with five homers and 13 RBIs in nine games at Progressive Field this season. Cabrera is 4 for 11 against Cleveland starter Zach McAllister (4-6, 3.47).

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 4.67 ERA during a five-start stretch that included a disabled list stint of more than six weeks due to a sprained finger. However, he's allowed two runs apiece while not factoring in the decision of his last two.

McAllister gave up three hits and fanned seven in 5 1-3 innings of 4-3 win at Miami on Saturday.

"My delivery was where I wanted it, and the ball was coming out good, and I was under control the whole time," he said.

The Indians are 3-1 while McAllister has posted a 2.28 ERA in four starts against the Tigers, though he hasn't received a decision in any of those outings.

Michael Brantley and Nick Swisher each had three hits Wednesday for the Indians, who have totaled eight runs this series after averaging 5.1 while winning 10 of their previous 11.

Swisher, who was 0 for 12 in the previous four games, is 7 for 19 with two doubles and a triple against Scherzer.

Teammate Asdrubal Cabrera, meanwhile, is 1 for 17 with nine strikeouts in his last seven versus Detroit at Progressive Field.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Indians
Mon, Aug 5 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Indians
Tue, Aug 6 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Indians
Wed, Aug 7 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Tigers at Indians
Thu, Aug 8 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (0-0) at Royals (0-0)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 08, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Jon Lester doesn't seem overly concerned about his last outing.

The Boston left-hander, though, should be worried about the Kansas City Royals - even if he's been at his best against them.

Lester and the AL East-leading Red Sox continue their 10-game trip Thursday night against a Royals team going for a 14th win in 16 tries.

After yielding two total runs while winning his first two starts after the All-Star break, Lester (10-6, 4.52 ERA) gave up a season-high 11 hits and six runs in Friday's 7-6 loss to Arizona.

"It's not like I need to reinvent any type of wheel or come out and start throwing right-handed or anything,' said Lester, who allowed five doubles and a homer in a season-low 4 1-3 innings. "It's pretty simple - get the ball down."

Lester hasn't had issues with that against the Royals (58-53), going 6-2 with a 1.64 ERA in nine starts. It's his lowest ERA against any team he's faced more than four times.

Prior to giving up three runs in a 4-3 home win over Kansas City on Aug. 24, Lester had allowed one earned run or fewer in his previous six starts in this matchup, beginning with a no-hitter May 19, 2008, at Fenway Park.

Lester gets the ball after Boston (70-46) took two of three at Houston. After rallying from five down in Tuesday's 15-10 victory, the Red Sox won 7-5 on Wednesday with Stephen Drew's one-out, three-run homer in the ninth the difference.

"Everybody has been clutch in late innings," Drew, who's hit safely in eight straight, said after helping Boston surpass last season's win total. "That is what good teams do."

The Red Sox, up 2 1/2 on Tampa Bay in the East, will now face a Kansas City team that's won six consecutive series - its longest run since taking nine straight in 1991 - after grabbing two of three from Minnesota with Wednesday's 5-2 victory.

The Royals are in the midst of a 15-4 second-half surge, but they've actually lost a half-game in the standings to Detroit, which won its 11th straight Wednesday. Kansas City is 8 1/2 behind the Tigers and five games out of the second wild-card spot.

The Royals, though, have to like their chances moving forward if their bullpen keeps delivering. That group has a 1.32 ERA over the last 15 games.

"We feel really comfortable when we give them the lead," said first baseman Eric Hosmer, batting .379 with three homers and 12 RBIs during the 13-2 run.

The Royals' rotation has also been outstanding, with just one starter in the last 16 games giving up more that two runs, and Bruce Chen (4-0, 2.03) hasn't surrendered more than a pair in any of his four starts since replacing Luis Mendoza in the rotation.

The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in those outings after throwing six innings of one-run ball in Saturday's 4-3, 12-inning win at the New York Mets.

Chen has surrendered one homer in each of his last three appearances.

The Red Sox have five home runs in their last two contests, with Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonny Gomes each hitting two.

Gomes leads active Red Sox with two homers off Chen.

David Ortiz, 8 for 9 in the last two games, has gone deep once against Chen (7 for 25). So have Dustin Pedroia (5 for 11) and Ellsbury (3 for 8).

Daniel Nava, expected back from the paternity list, had one of the two hits off Chen in his 2-3 scoreless innings of relief in Kansas City's 4-2 victory April 21.

The Royals won two of three in Boston's last visit May 7-9, 2012.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Royals
Thu, Aug 8 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Red Sox at Royals
Fri, Aug 9 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Royals
Sat, Aug 10 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Red Sox at Royals
Sun, Aug 11 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (63-50) at Cardinals (66-47)
Game: 4
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 08, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


With talented rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be in good position to end another successful road trip on a positive note.

The left-hander tries for a fourth straight winning start when the Dodgers look to win their seventh consecutive road series Thursday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

One night after Los Angeles' franchise-record 15-game road winning streak ended with a 5-1 loss at St. Louis (66-47), the Dodgers pounded out a season-high 18 hits in a 13-4 rout Wednesday.

A winner in 33 of 41 overall, Los Angeles (63-50) has won 21 of 24 away from Chavez Ravine and is 6-1 on an eight-game trip to open August.

"We don't even look into that stuff, man,' said Dodgers veteran Jerry Hairston Jr., who had two RBIs on Wednesday. "I know it's big and we had a lot of things go our way and we know that's not going to be the norm.

"We're a confident group, we feel we can get the job done.'

Though Ryu (10-3, 3.15 ERA) has a 5.24 ERA in his last four road starts, he's 3-0 thanks to an astonishing 11.69 run-support average during that stretch.

He yielded 11 hits in 5 1-3 innings but just two runs in Friday's 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs to improve to 4-0 in his last seven starts overall. He has a 3.56 ERA during that span, but Los Angeles is 7-0 in those contests.

Ryu is the first Dodgers rookie to win 10 games since Kazuhisa Ishii in 2002.

"He dials it up when he needs to," catcher A.J. Ellis told the team's official website. "Sometimes the entire game. ... Other times, he saves it for certain situations. He's a big-game pitcher and he knows how to win."

This will be his first appearance versus St. Louis, which was originally scheduled to start Jake Westbrook before he was pressed into service Wednesday when Shelby Miller took a liner off the elbow on the second pitch of the game. Westbrook was tagged for nine runs and 13 hits in 4 2-3 innings.

"Three days' rest is sufficient for most people, you want to come in there and do what you can,' he said. "The bottom line is I didn't do that.'

The wild-card leading Cardinals recalled Carlos Martinez, who was set to start for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday, for the finale. One of the club's top prospects, the 21-year-old right-hander posted a 5.56 ERA without a decision in 10 relief appearances this season.

Martinez, who was 4-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 10 starts for the Redbirds, pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Dodgers on May 25.

He'll face a tough task against a Los Angeles team that has outscored its opponents 92-51 while going 16-3 since the All-Star break. Andre Ethier and ex-Cardinal Skip Schumaker each had three hits with four RBIs Wednesday and Carl Crawford added four hits.

Crawford is 7 for 12 in the series and 12 for 26 in six career games at Busch Stadium.

With three hits Wednesday, St. Louis' Carlos Beltran is 13 for 27 in his last seven contests.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Cardinals
Mon, Aug 5 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Cardinals
Tue, Aug 6 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Cardinals
Wed, Aug 7 Final 13 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Dodgers at Cardinals
Thu, Aug 8 - 8:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Boston at Kansas City
The Red Sox look to open the series and take advantage of a Kansas City team that is 5-15 in Bruce Chen's last 20 starts as an underdog. Boston is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Sox favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

Game 951-952: Colorado at NY Mets (12:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (De La Rosa) 13.126; NY Mets (Gee) 15.155
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 2; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-125); Over

Game 953-954: Miami at Pittsburgh (12:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Fernandez) 16.659; Pittsburgh (Cole) 15.757
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-145); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+125); Under

Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia (1:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Samardzija) 13.330; Philadelphia (Martin) 14.489
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-105); Over

Game 957-958: Milwaukee at San Francisco (3:45 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Hand) 14.003; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.619
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-165); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-165); Under

Game 959-960: LA Dodgers at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Ryu) 16.856; St. Louis (Martinez) 15.891
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110); Over

Game 961-962: Detroit at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Scherzer) 17.823; Cleveland (McAllister) 16.322
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Detroit (-150); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-150); Under

Game 963-964: Boston at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 17.022; Kansas City (Chen) 15.440
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-115); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Thursday, August 8

National League

Colorado at New York Mets, 12:10 ET
Chatwood: Under is 10-4 when Chatwood starts on the road for the Rockies
Gee: Under is 11-1 last 12 times that Gee has pitched at home

Miami at Pittsburgh, 12:35 ET
Fernandez: Under is 7-3 when Fernandez starts on the road
Cole: Pirates 7-3 SU last 10 home day games

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 1:05 ET
Samardzija: Cubs 4-8 SU when Samardzija starts a road day game
Martin: Over is 11-5 in Phillies home day games in 2013

Milwaukee at San Francisco, 3:45 ET
Hand: Brewers 1-5 SU when Hand starts a game
Lincecum: Under is 8-4 when Lincecum starts as a home favorite during the day and the team lost his last outing

Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:15 ET MLB
Ryu: Over is 8-2 when Ryu starts on the road
Westbrook: Cardinals 5-1 when Westbrook starts at home in 2013


American League

Detroit at Cleveland, 7:05 ET MLB
Scherzer: Tigers 8-2 SU when Scherzer starts on the road in 2013
McAllister: Over is 16-6-1 when McAllister starts at home

Boston at Kansas City, 8:10 ET
Lester: Under is 6-0-1 last seven times Red Sox have faced a southpaw on the road
Chen: Royals 4-9 SU in last 13 home series openers

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, August 8

Hot pitchers
-- Gee is 1-1, 1.95 in his last four starts.
-- Fernandez is 4-1, 1.67 in his last six starts.
-- Samardzija is 1-1, 2.77 in his last four starts; Cubs won his last five starts on the road.
-- Lincecum is 0-1, 1.93 in his last two starts, but Giants lost six of his last seven starts at home.
-- Dodgers won Ryu's last seven starts (2-0, 2.25 last two).

-- Scherzer is 3-0, 0.83 in his last three starts. McAllister is 0-0, 2.84 in his last two starts; Indians are 5-2 when he starts at home.
-- BChen is 1-0, 1.50 in four starts this season.

Cold pitchers
-- Not 100% sure who starts for Rockies; de la Rosa is 0-1, 11.00 in his last couple starts. Francis is 0-2, 7.88 in his last three, last of which was June 18.
-- Cole is 1-5, 3.68 in his last six starts.
-- Martin allowed six runs in 4.1 IP in his first '13 start, vs Braves.
-- Hand is 0-3, 4.18 in his last five starts.
-- First MLB start for Martinez (4-2, 1.76 in ten AAA starts); he has given up seven runs in 11.2 big league innings this year.

-- Lester is 2-2, 4.91 in his last five starts; Red Sox lost six of his last eight starts on foreign soil.

Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. You're reading ***************.com. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- de la Rosa 4-23 (1 of last 14), Francis 6-11; Gee 4-22 (0 of last 7)
-- Fernandez 4-22 (1 of last 7); Cole 2-10
-- Samardzija 6-23 (0 of last 4); Martin 0-1
-- Hand 3-6; Lincecum 9-22 (2 of last 8)
-- Ryu 6-21; Martinez 0-0

-- Scherzer 4-22 (0 of last 7); McAllister 5-14
-- Lester 7-23 (1 of last 5); BChen 1-4

Totals
-- Seven of Mets' last eight games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Miami games.
-- Nine of last twelve Cub games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Milwaukee games.
-- Under is 9-2-1 in last twelve Dodger games.

-- Five of last seven Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 10-3-1 in Kansas City's last fourteen games.

Hot teams
-- Mets are 5-3 in their last eight games.
-- Pirates won eight of their last ten games.
-- Brewers won three of their last four games.
-- Dodgers are 33-8 in their last 41 games, winning 16 of last 17 on road.

-- Detroit won 15 of its last 16 games.
-- Royals won 13 of their last 15 games. Red Sox won seven of their last nine.

Cold teams
-- Colorado lost eight of its last nine games.
-- Marlins lost their last four games, scoring nine runs.
-- Philly lost 14 of their last 16 games. Cubs lost five of their last six.
-- Giants lost 12 of their last 17 games.
-- Cardinals lost ten of their last fourteen games.

-- Indians are 1-11 in last twelve games vs Detroit.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, August 8

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Trend Report
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12:10 PM
COLORADO vs. NY METS
Colorado is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games on the road
NY Mets are 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing at home against Colorado

12:35 PM
MIAMI vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 19 of Pittsburgh's last 25 games when playing Miami

1:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. PHILADELPHIA
Chi Cubs are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games

3:45 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Francisco
Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
San Francisco is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games at home
San Francisco is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee

7:05 PM
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
Detroit is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Cleveland is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit

8:10 PM
BOSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
Boston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home
Kansas City is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games

8:15 PM
LA DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS
LA Dodgers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
LA Dodgers are 16-1 SU in their last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games at home
St. Louis is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, August 8

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Thursday's MLB betting notes and tips
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NATIONAL

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets (-115)

Pitching stat: Mets RHP Dillon is 0-1 in three starts since the All-Star break but has pitched seven innings in each outing while compiling a 2.14 ERA.

Batting stat: Mets 1B Ike Davis went 1-for-3 with his third double in two games to raise his average to a season-high .196.

Weather: Mid 70s with a 55 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing SSW at 7 mph.

Key betting stat: Over is 19-8 in umpire Larry Vanover's last 27 Thursday games behind home plate.

Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates (-142, 6.5)

Pitching stat: Miami pitchers have limited opponents to a .234 batting average since to All-Star break.

Batting stat: Pirates 2B Neil Walker is 8-for-20 with three doubles in five games against Miami this season.

Weather: High 70s with a 62 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing south at 5 mph.

Key betting stat: Under is 18-7-1 in Marlins last 26 games as road underdogs.

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies (+101. 8.5)

Pitching stat: Control has been an ongoing issue over the past month for Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija, who has walked five batters in three of his last six outings

Batting stat: PHillies slugger Domonic Brown, 25, became the youngest Phillie to reach 25 homers since Pat Burrell in 2002.

Weather: Low 80s with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing SSW at 8 mph.

Key betting stat: Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Philadelphia.

Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants (-158, 7)

Pitching stat: Milwaukee RHP Donovan Hand is 0-3 with a 3.69 ERA in six games as a starter and has a 3.44 ERA in 12 relief appearances.

Batting stat: The Giants scored one run or were shut out in 10 of Lincecum's starts and scored a total of two runs in his last three outings.

Weather: Low 60s with partly cloudy skies and winds blowing west at 13 mph.

Key betting stat: Under is 20-8 in Brewers' last 28 overall.

Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals (-107)

Pitching stat: Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu has failed to go past 5 1/3 innings and has allowed 11 runs and 27 hits over 15 2-3 innings in his last three road starts.

Batting stat: Dodgers LF Carl Crawford is 12-for-26 lifetime in St. Louis.

Weather: Low 80s with 60 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing ENE at 3 mph.

Key betting stat: Dodgers are 16-5 in their last 21 games as an underdog.


AMERICAN

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians (+138, 7.5)

Pitching stat: Cleveland RHP Zach McAllister hasn't surrendered a home run since his May 23 victory, a span of 29 innings.

Batting stat: Cleveland hitters are batting a combined .210 with two home runs in 210 career at-bats against Detroit RHP Max Scherzer.

Weather: Low 70s with 22 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing WSW at 6 mph.

Key betting stat: Tigers are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.

Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals (+113, 8.5)

Pitching stat: Boston LHP Jon Lester has allowed just one homer in 60 1/3 frames against Kansas City while limiting it to a .176 batting average.

Batting stat: Stephen Drew is 13-for-28 (.464) during his season-high eight-game hitting streak for the Red Sox.

Weather: Low 70s and a 78 percent chance of thunderstorms with winds blowing NE at 6 mph.

Key betting stat: Royals are 10-4 in Royals LHP Bruce Chen's last 14 home starts.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, August 8

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COLORADO (52 - 63) at NY METS (51 - 60) - 12:05 PM
TYLER CHATWOOD (R) vs. DILLON GEE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 52-63 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 2-11 (-12.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
COLORADO is 36-57 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 116-158 (-30.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 25-29 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NY METS are 19-10 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 11-5 (+7.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
NY METS are 24-32 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 9-16 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
NY METS are 24-32 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 29-45 (-17.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 7-16 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 3-3 (+0.7 Units) against COLORADO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

TYLER CHATWOOD vs. NY METS since 1997
CHATWOOD is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 0.56 and a WHIP of 1.313.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

DILLON GEE vs. COLORADO since 1997
GEE is 1-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 6.17 and a WHIP of 1.542.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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MIAMI (43 - 69) at PITTSBURGH (69 - 44) - 12:35 PM
JOSE FERNANDEZ (R) vs. GERRIT COLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 112-162 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 15-37 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 111-158 (-31.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 75-113 (-28.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 61-98 (-27.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 69-44 (+29.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 23-15 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
PITTSBURGH is 40-20 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-18 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 69-44 (+29.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 57-34 (+27.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 41-27 (+16.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PITTSBURGH is 42-18 (+23.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MIAMI is 331-371 (+42.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
FERNANDEZ is 13-8 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
FERNANDEZ is 13-7 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 23-41 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 32-37 (-15.5 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 (+0.3 Units) against MIAMI this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

JOSE FERNANDEZ vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
FERNANDEZ is 1-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 0.625.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

GERRIT COLE vs. MIAMI since 1997
COLE is 0-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (50 - 63) at PHILADELPHIA (51 - 62) - 1:05 PM
JEFF SAMARDZIJA (R) vs. ETHAN MARTIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 111-164 (-30.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 8-21 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 25-58 (-26.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 9-26 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 702-727 (-135.3 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 111-164 (-30.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 77-119 (-26.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 69-112 (-34.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 16-10 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 51-62 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-68 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-48 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 51-62 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 45-47 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 62-77 (-24.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-29 (-13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 1-1 (+0.6 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

JEFF SAMARDZIJA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
SAMARDZIJA is 0-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 18.92 and a WHIP of 2.402.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

ETHAN MARTIN vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

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MILWAUKEE (49 - 65) at SAN FRANCISCO (50 - 63) - 3:45 PM
DONOVAN HAND (R) vs. TIM LINCECUM (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 49-65 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 10-29 (-15.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 56-81 (-24.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 1-9 (-9.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-25 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 49-65 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 66-68 (-16.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 50-63 (-24.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 20-26 (-14.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 28-29 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 15-19 (-13.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 13-21 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 49-59 (-22.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-41 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 23-38 (-22.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 20-34 (-23.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 2-10 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
LINCECUM is 22-34 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LINCECUM is 9-24 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LINCECUM is 10-18 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LINCECUM is 7-15 (-13.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LINCECUM is 22-33 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LINCECUM is 0-12 (-14.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-1 (+5.5 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

DONOVAN HAND vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

TIM LINCECUM vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
LINCECUM is 3-3 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.59 and a WHIP of 1.294.
His team's record is 5-4 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-6. (-4.9 units)

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LA DODGERS (63 - 50) at ST LOUIS (66 - 47) - 8:15 PM
HYUN-JIN RYU (L) vs. JAKE WESTBROOK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 33-14 (+16.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ST LOUIS is 199-130 (+47.7 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.
LA DODGERS are 63-50 (+2.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 18-7 (+9.8 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 32-25 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 26-14 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 40-31 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 21-11 (+13.3 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.
RYU is 15-6 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
RYU is 14-6 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 56-66 (-24.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

HYUN-JIN RYU vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

JAKE WESTBROOK vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WESTBROOK is 1-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.125.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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DETROIT (67 - 45) at CLEVELAND (62 - 52) - 7:05 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. ZACH MCALLISTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 22-27 (-13.8 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 71-73 (-17.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 154-119 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 89-73 (-18.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 62-52 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 37-22 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 59-49 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 89-64 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 124-67 (+26.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SCHERZER is 40-17 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SCHERZER is 19-4 (+13.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SCHERZER is 41-19 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 8-28 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 12-3 (+6.9 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.5 Units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SCHERZER is 7-4 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.59 and a WHIP of 1.355.
His team's record is 9-5 (+2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-7. (-0.3 units)

ZACH MCALLISTER vs. DETROIT since 1997
MCALLISTER is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.28 and a WHIP of 1.564.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.1 units)

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BOSTON (70 - 46) at KANSAS CITY (58 - 53) - 8:10 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. BRUCE CHEN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 14-22 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 121-127 (-31.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 95-102 (-23.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 69-87 (-24.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-46 (-19.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LESTER is 44-44 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 17-22 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 13-20 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 6-14 (-12.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 58-53 (+5.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 64-58 (+13.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 22-13 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 92-91 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 67-72 (+15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHEN is 10-3 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 70-46 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 29-17 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 2-1 (+1.8 Units) against BOSTON this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

JON LESTER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
LESTER is 6-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.64 and a WHIP of 1.044.
His team's record is 6-3 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-0. (+7.0 units)

BRUCE CHEN vs. BOSTON since 1997
CHEN is 3-5 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 6.11 and a WHIP of 1.679.
His team's record is 3-8 (-4.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.3 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Friday

August 9, 2013


SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Braves are 19-0 since September 25, 2012 as a 140+ favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $1900.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The White Sox are 10-0 OU since May 15, 2012 at home after a win in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $1000 when playing the over.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Lance Lynn starts the Cardinals are 10-0 since August 18, 2012 after his team scored a total of seven or more runs in his last start for a net profit of $1059.

ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Astros are 0-17 (+$1,700) since 2010 following a loss where they scored no more than five runs and led after eight innings. 0-3 this season.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Cubs are 0-10 since May 04, 2006 as a dog after a loss in which they had more than ten team-left-on-base as a favorite for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.

-- The Mets are 10-0 OU since September 08, 2011 as a dog after scoring 3 runs or less and winning as a favorite for a net profit of $1000 when playing the over.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (49-62) at White Sox (43-69)
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 09, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


John Danks will probably feel out of place in Friday's day-night doubleheader between his Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins.

The veteran owns nearly six times as many career starts compared to the other three scheduled starters as the AL Central's worst teams open a four-game set in Chicago.

These once-proud franchises combined for nine division titles between 2000-10, but their 11 remaining 2013 matchups will be meaningless.

The Twins have taken six of the first eight meetings and have to like their chances in the opener versus Danks (2-9, 4.52 ERA), who is 0-4 with a 6.00 ERA in his last five outings against them. He gave up six runs and a season-high 12 hits over five innings of an 8-4 defeat to Minnesota on June 20.

The White Sox (43-69) have lost four straight starts by the left-hander, who has pitched in 173 games. Chicago's Charlie Leesman will make his major league debut in the nightcap while the Twins will turn to Kyle Gibson (2-3, 6.69) in Game 1 and Liam Hendriks (0-1, 4.66) at night, with those pitchers combining for 29 starts.

Minnesota (49-62) could be called upon to use its bullpen extensively based on how those right-handers have fared.

Gibson, who has never faced Chicago, hasn't made it past the fifth inning in his last two starts. He gave up four runs over three in a 6-4 victory over Houston on Saturday.

Hendriks, optioned to Triple-A Rochester on April 13 after two starts with the Twins, will be recalled Friday. He owns a 5.14 ERA in 14 outings with the Red Wings.

"He's been up here before," assistant general manager Rob Antony told the Twins' official website. "And we don't have a lot of options to be honest."

The Twins will also be short a catcher since they are expected to place Ryan Doumit on the seven-day disabled list with a suspected concussion. Doumit exited Wednesday's 5-2 defeat in Kansas City in the fourth inning.

Joe Mauer and Chris Herrmann will likely split duties behind the plate Friday. Mauer is a .392 hitter against Danks and has batted .424 versus Chicago this year.

The Twins have a 10-11 mark against left-handed starters as they get ready to face two in Danks and Leesman. Leesman, an 11th-round draft pick in 2008, has posted a 3.47 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Charlotte.

"We get good reports on Charlie, and let's see what we got," manager Robin Ventura told the White Sox's official website.

Minnesota outfielder Josh Willingham, out since June 30 with a torn meniscus in his left knee, is expected to be activated for the second game.

Both teams have enjoyed some recent success. The Twins have won four of six while the White Sox swept a three-game home set from the New York Yankees this week following a 10-game skid.

Chicago was down to its last out twice in Wednesday's 6-5, 12-inning win, which was capped by Alejandro De Aza's two-run triple.

"We played the game fun the last three days, it was a good time and guys competed well and we've got to try to make ourselves do that every time out there," said slugger Paul Konerko, 11 for 24 against the Twins this year.

Adam Dunn has five homers and 10 RBIs in the season series.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (68-45) at Yankees (57-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 09, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Jim Leyland wasn't alive the last time the Detroit Tigers won 13 games in a row.

The Tigers will have a chance to show Leyland something new when they kick off their series with the scuffling New York Yankees on Friday night in Alex Rodriguez's return to the Bronx.

The Tigers, who have won 12 in a row to go seven games up in the AL Central, haven't won more than 12 consecutive games since 1934, when they won their 14th straight at Yankee Stadium to tie a franchise record. Leyland, 68, was still 10 years away from being born.

Now, the Tigers (68-45) are back at Yankee Stadium, looking to come closer to that elusive mark.

"When we're able to execute as a team, we can do great things," pitcher Max Scherzer said. "That's why we think we're one of the best teams in the American League."

The Yankees (57-56) have been anything but, and getting Rodriguez back for the first time since Detroit swept New York in the 2012 ALCS didn't help much. Rodriguez had a hit apiece in each of his first three games of 2013, playing under the cloud of his 211-game suspension for violations of MLB's drug agreement and labor contract, but the Yankees were swept in Chicago against a White Sox team that came in with a 10-game losing streak.

Rodriguez went 1 for 5 on Wednesday as New York blew leads in the ninth and 12th innings of a 6-5 loss. He was roundly booed in every plate appearance at U.S. Cellular Field, and now awaits what should be an interesting reception at home.

"I am curious what it's going to be like Friday," manager Joe Girardi told the team's official website. "I'm not sure. And I don't really know what the appropriate response is. I don't think it's my right to tell people how to respond to certain situations."

When asked how he'd like the fans in the Bronx to react, Rodriguez gave a diplomatic answer.

"Same way you would like them (to),' Rodriguez said. "Again, I'm just super excited to come home, put on the pinstripes and play for the greatest fans in baseball.'

He might not like what he sees from Detroit's pitching staff. The Tigers' starters have posted 12 straight quality starts and a 1.48 ERA during the winning streak.

The Tigers have fared particularly well with Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.28 ERA) on the mound, winning his last five starts as he's posted a 1.87 ERA. The right-hander held the White Sox to a solo homer and seven other hits over 7 2-3 innings in Detroit's 3-2 win Sunday.

Porcello hasn't started in the Bronx since August 2010, but he's 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA in four starts - including a Game 4 loss in the 2011 AL division series - since. Rodriguez is 2 for 9 lifetime in their matchups.

Detroit has hit double digits four times during its streak after scoring 10 or more four times in its previous 57 games, and it's continued its knack for coming up with hits in key situations. After batting .243 with runners in scoring position in June, the Tigers are hitting .322 in such situations since the beginning of July - the AL's best mark by 49 percentage points.

The Yankees, on the other hand, hit .138 (8 for 58) with runners in scoring position on their just-completed road trip.

Perhaps the four-game sweep in Cleveland also got Prince Fielder going. Fielder had four hits - including three doubles - in the series' final two games after hitting just .162 over the first 10 games of Detroit's win streak.

The man with the most RBIs during the streak, however, almost certainly won't be available for this series. Catcher Alex Avila, who had three homers, three doubles and 12 RBIs in his past 10 games, was set to return to Detroit to be treated for possible concussion-like symptoms after Thursday's win.

Avila took a foul tip from behind the plate and was bleeding from the ear.

That means backup Brayan Pena will likely be Porcello's batterymate Friday, but he and the rest of the Tigers may not be too eager to face Ivan Nova.

Nova (5-4, 3.08) has posted a 1.66 ERA in five starts, all at least seven innings, since rejoining New York's rotation in early July. That carried into Saturday, when he allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings of a 3-0 victory at San Diego.

As poorly as things have been going for the Yankees offensively, he may not be too thrilled to see pinstripes. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 9.87 ERA, including the postseason, in four career starts versus New York.

The Yankees lost two of three in Detroit in early April, but snapped a six-game series skid with a 7-0 win in the finale.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (64-49) at Blue Jays (53-61)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 09, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


The Oakland Athletics' hitters haven't enjoyed much success since last week's meeting with scuffling Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Esmil Rogers.

Seeking to stay in first place in the AL West, the A's will try to use another matchup with Rogers to get back on track Friday night.

Oakland (64-49) had a six-game division lead after a 9-4 win over Toronto and Rogers on July 29, but that's evaporated during a 1-6 stretch. The A's dropped into a tie with Texas after their third straight loss Wednesday, 6-5 in Cincinnati.

There was, however, some improvement from their hitters. Oakland had 11 hits after batting .201 in its previous six games and was 4 for 9 with runners in scoring position after going 4 for 42 in the prior six.

"We had some of our best at_bats we've had in a while," manager Bob Melvin told the team's website. "So you try to take something positive from that."

The A's, who have had at least a share of the division lead since July 2, haven't lost four straight since a season-high five-game skid May 6-10.

They started their lackluster stretch by losing the final two games in a home series with the Blue Jays (53-61) but got eight runs and 10 hits off Rogers in his 4 1-3 innings in the opener. Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run triple in the opening frame, while Josh Reddick hit a two-run double in the fifth.

Following his first start against the A's, Rogers (3-6, 4.61 ERA) gave up seven runs over five innings in a 7-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He yielded 10 hits for the third straight game.

Rogers is also 0-4 with a 6.20 ERA in his last eight outings, and is partly to blame for Toronto's rotation owning baseball's second-worst ERA at 5.15.

"Starting pitching is the name of the game, and it's really hurt us this year," manager John Gibbons said.

The Blue Jays, though, nearly returned home from a West Coast trip with a four-game win streak but blew a five-run lead in a 9-7 loss in Seattle on Wednesday. Toronto has totaled 23 runs in its last four contests and has 11 or more hits in three of those games.

Jarrod Parker (7-6, 4.02) will try to limit the Blue Jays with another solid outing. The right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.86 ERA in his last 15 starts and bounced back from his worst outing over that stretch Saturday.

Parker gave up six runs and a career-high seven walks in five innings against the Los Angeles Angels on July 28 before allowing two runs over six innings in a 4-2 victory over Texas.

"He kept his composure and made big pitches when he had to," Melvin told the team's website.

Parker will try to help the A's, losers in six of nine on the road, earn a sixth win in their last eight games in Toronto. He allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings in his lone start against the Blue Jays last May.

Oakland infielder Alberto Callaspo might play Friday after leaving Wednesday with a bruised left forearm suffered while trying to score in the fourth inning.

Oakland's Eric Sogard, riding a major league-best 13-game hit streak, went 1 for 3 against Rogers on July 29, but is 4 for 18 (.222) in nine games versus the Blue Jays.