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[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (51-62) at Indians (62-53)
Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 09, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Jered Weaver has been stellar in an otherwise disappointing season for the Los Angeles Angels, who haven't won since the last time their ace took the mound.

That slump seemingly has a good chance of coming to an end given Weaver's stellar road history against the Cleveland Indians, as he opposes former Angel Scott Kazmir on Friday night with each club looking to end a four-game losing streak.

Los Angeles (51-62) hasn't been above .500 since winning its first game of the season, when Weaver turned in the first of many solid performances. It has dropped 10 of its last 13 and is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of Texas after Wednesday's 10-3 loss.

The Angels' last victory was a 7-3 win over Toronto on Saturday, as Weaver (6-5, 2.90 ERA) gave up three runs in 7 2-3 innings. He's 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA over his last four starts.

"My goals for the rest of the season are just as they were if I wouldn't have gotten hurt,' said Weaver, who missed more than seven weeks after breaking a bone in his non-pitching arm April 7. "I'm just trying to go out there and win ballgames, try to get us as deep into the game as possible and throw up zeros."

The right-hander has accomplished those goals in most of his recent starts versus the Indians, going 5-1 with a 1.13 ERA over the last seven. He didn't allow a run in 13 innings over two starts against them in 2012, both at Progressive Field.

Weaver is 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in eight career starts in Cleveland, allowing only one run in 36 innings over his last five outings there.

Kazmir (7-4, 3.89) has been pretty good himself lately, and he'll look to help the Indians (62-53) end their slide after being swept in a four-game series by Detroit to fall seven games behind the AL Central-leading Tigers.

The Angels released Kazmir in June 2011 after he went 11-17 with a 5.31 ERA in 35 starts since his arrival late in the 2009 season. Kazmir, who had three stints on the disabled list while with Los Angeles, signed a minor league contract with Cleveland and didn't pitch in the majors in 2012.

The left-hander, though, is 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA over his last nine starts, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in three of his last four. He gave up two hits and struck out seven through six innings of a 2-0 win at Miami on Sunday.

"He's been pretty good," manager Terry Francona said. "He's worked hard to not only maintain, but to answer the bell whenever he pitches. It's been fun to watch."

Cleveland's latest victory came in Kazmir's last start, as it was outscored 25-11 by Detroit. Asdrubal Cabrera had the Indians' two RBIs in Thursday's 10-3 loss.

"This was a terrible, a tough series,' Francona said. "We'll come back (Friday) and see if we can do better.'

The Indians rank among the major league leaders with a 78.2 stolen base percentage, and they may want to take advantage of those opportunities in this series. Los Angeles' opponents are swiping bases at an 82.8 percent success rate after the Rangers stole 13 over the final two games of their series.

"You're not going to change your whole game plan to shut down the running game, but you have to try to contain it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (52-62) at Nationals (54-60)
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 09, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Dan Haren appears to have finally found his groove, but he has never beaten the Philadelphia Phillies.

Former Washington Nationals starter John Lannan, meanwhile, has given his previous team fits this year.

Haren takes the mound opposite Lannan, who returns to the nation's capital for the first time Friday night when the slumping Nationals open a three-game set against the Phillies.

Haren (6-11, 5.14 ERA) has figured things out since coming off the disabled list last month, posting a 2.40 ERA over his last five starts while striking out 32 in 30 innings.

"Going on the DL was a chance to regroup," he told the team's official website. "Physically, I felt fine. It allowed me to hit reset and try to cut the year into two parts - leave the first part behind and try to move on, move past it and try to help the team."

Haren enters the weekend looking to win a third consecutive start after throwing seven innings of four-hit ball in a 3-0 victory at Milwaukee on Saturday.

"He's been throwing very well for us," manager Davey Johnson said.

Haren now turns his attention to the Phillies - the only big league club he's yet to defeat. The right-hander has gone 0-4 in seven career starts versus Philadelphia (52-62) while compiling a 5.54 ERA - his second-highest mark against any team.

Michael Young is 22 for 66 with a homer in their matchups and Delmon Young is 8 for his last 20 with three doubles.

After spending the first six years of his career with the Nationals, Lannan (3-4, 4.10), who signed with Philadelphia this offseason, has gone 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two home meetings against his former club.

The left-hander scattered four hits over a season high-tying eight scoreless innings opposite Haren in a 3-2 win July 8.

"Just like when he was with us, he's going to have starts where he throws well like he did tonight," Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said of Lannan after that game. "(No.) 3, 4, 5 guy, whatever you want to call it. But tonight he had his good stuff."

Adam LaRoche is hitless in 15 at_bats versus Lannan, and Anthony Rendon, Scott Hairston, Ian Desmond and Denard Span are a combined 0 for 21. Jayson Werth, though, is 10 for 29 with four homers in their matchups. Werth is batting .404 with nine homers, 25 RBIs and 25 runs during a 34-game stretch.

Pitching on three days' rest, Lannan yielded four runs - two earned - in 4 1-3 innings Saturday in a 5-4, 12-inning loss to Atlanta. He'll try to bounce back against a Nationals team that is an NL-worst 8-18 since July 8.

Washington (54-60), which has gone 3 for 30 with runners in scoring position during a four-game losing streak, went 0 for 4 in such situations Wednesday in a 6-3 loss to Atlanta. The second-place Nationals dropped 15 1/2 games behind the NL East-leading Braves.

"Lot of ground to make up," Johnson said. "But you never know what can happen in this game. If nothing else, get our pride back by playing better."

The Phillies had lost 13 of 14 before taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs. John McDonald, Cody Asche, and Darin Ruf all hit two-run homers in Thursday's 12-1 victory as Philadelphia won its first series since the All-Star break.

Chase Utley, who was in the final season of a seven-year, $85 million contract, agreed to a new two-year, $27 million deal Thursday. Utley is hitting .333 with two homers and eight RBIs in his last nine games.

Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel is one win away from becoming the 59th manager in major league history to reach 1,000 for his career.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (52-62) at Reds (63-51)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 09, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


A sweep of a first-place team gave the Cincinnati Reds a much-needed boost, as might a better performance from Bronson Arroyo on Friday night.

Arroyo looks to bounce back from a miserable outing by taking advantage of a matchup with a San Diego Padres lineup which is struggling and short-handed.

Cincinnati (63-51) had dropped seven of nine before sweeping two games from AL West-leading Oakland this week.

Jay Bruce homered in both wins and drove in three runs in Wednesday's 6-5 victory. The pair of wins kept Cincinnati 4 1/2 games in front of Arizona for the NL's final wild card spot.

"I think that we need every win from this point out," Bruce told the team's website. "And I think that's something we expect out of ourselves. (The A's) have been playing good baseball all year, and we played a little better these two days. I think that's hopefully a sign of what's to come."

The Reds are also hoping Arroyo (9-9, 3.62 ERA) can get back on track after giving up seven runs over 3 2-3 innings in a 13-3 loss to St. Louis on Friday. The right-hander has lost back-to-back starts, giving up 16 hits in nine innings, since throwing a shutout at San Francisco on July 22.

Arroyo is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last four starts versus San Diego (52-62), which has hit .137 with runners in scoring position over its last nine games while averaging 2.8 runs.

The Padres were held to four runs in two games against Baltimore this week, suffering a sweep in their first series following the 50-game suspension to NL steals leader Everth Cabrera. Additionally, team RBI leader Carlos Quentin has missed the past six games because of a right knee injury and might be heading to the disabled list.

Jedd Gyorko's three-run shot in the sixth Wednesday was the Padres' first homer in four games, but they lost 10-3 as the bullpen gave up seven runs over the final two innings.

Andrew Cashner (8-5, 3.80), though, has been given ample support lately and hopes that trend continues in his first start against the Reds. The right-hander has won all three of his outings since the All-Star break, posting a 3.79 ERA, while getting a combined 20 runs of support. He received 10 in his previous six games.

Cashner's best outing during his win streak came Friday, giving up two runs without a walk over seven innings in a 7-2 victory over the New York Yankees.

"I thought he was very effective," manager Bud Black said. "I was proud that he went seven innings and gave up two runs to the Yankees."

The Reds could get reliever Jonathan Broxton and catcher Ryan Hanigan back on the field this weekend. Broxton was activated from the disabled list Wednesday and Hanigan is on the DL with a sore left wrist.

The Padres won two of three against the Reds from July 29-31 but have lost six of eight in Cincinnati. San Diego is 6-3 in road games since losing 10 in a row.

Bruce is 5 for 11 versus the Padres this year and has hit .346 with five homers and 16 RBIs in his last 14 games against them.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (43-70) at Braves (70-45)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 09, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


Enjoying their longest winning streak in 13 seasons, the Atlanta Braves are running away with the NL East.

Facing the last-place Miami Marlins isn't likely to slow them down.

The Braves go for a 14th consecutive victory Friday night when they open a three-game set against the visiting Marlins.

Atlanta (70-45) has hit .298, including .325 with runners in scoring position, while outscoring opponents 77-31 during its longest run since posting 15 consecutive victories April 16-May 2, 2000.

"It's been fun," Justin Upton, batting .440 with five homers and 13 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak, told MLB's official website. "Anytime you can win as many ballgames as we have, team morale is good and things are going well for us. So it's definitely fun to be a part of."

Upton stayed hot Wednesday, going 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs in a 6-3 win at Washington. B.J. Upton also came up big with four hits for the Braves, who moved 15 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Nationals.

"This was a big series," first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "We pushed the lead to three more games up on them. We came in here and we let them know we're here to stay."

The Braves now turn their attention to the Marlins (43-70), whom they have beaten 35 times in the past 48 meetings. Atlanta owns a 6-3 edge in the series this year.

The Braves give Brandon Beachy (0-0, 9.00 ERA) his third start since coming back from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander was tagged for a career-high seven runs in 3 2-3 innings against Colorado in his season debut July 29 before yielding four runs in 6 1-3 innings Saturday in a 5-4, 12-inning win at Philadelphia.

"The thing with Tommy John is you do all the rehab and you do all that stuff," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "But in the back of your mind, you're wondering if it's going to hold up. But that just takes some time. I think you're going to see him get better and better."

Beachy has been at his best in his last four starts against the Marlins, going 2-0 with a 1.91 ERA. In his last matchup, he allowed five hits and pitched his only career complete game in a 7-0 win May 17, 2012.

Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs are both 1 for 11 against Beachy, while Giancarlo Stanton is 4 for 12 with three doubles.

The Marlins counter with Jacob Turner (3-3, 2.68), who is looking to snap a four-start winless stretch. The right-hander surrendered two runs in six innings but didn't factor in the decision of Saturday's 4-3 loss to Cleveland.

Turner allowed two runs in seven innings in a 6-2 victory over Atlanta on July 10, improving to 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Braves.

Miami saw its losing streak reach five with Thursday's 5-4, 10-inning defeat at Pittsburgh. Rookie Christian Yelich went 3 for 4 with his first homer and drove in two runs.

"It was nice to get that first one, but it would have felt a little better if we could have come up with a W," Yelich said.

Miami hasn't dropped six straight since a season-worst nine-game skid May 21-30.

Stanton, mired in a 4-for-34 slump, is 4 for 28 with no homers and two RBIs against the Braves this year.

[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: Red Sox (70-47) at Royals (59-53)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 09, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The surging Kansas City Royals aren't making up any ground on the AL Central leaders, but they're certainly making a strong push for a wild-card spot.

They'll go for their 15th win in 17 games Friday night when they face the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox, who are hoping for another solid start from newcomer Jake Peavy.

Losers of five in a row heading into the All-Star break, the Royals (59-53) have opened the second half with six straight series wins - their longest such streak since reeling off nine in a row 22 years ago. Led by 7 2-3 shutout innings from Bruce Chen, homers from Billy Butler and Justin Maxwell, and two RBIs from Mike Moustakas, Kansas City improved to 16-4 since the break with Thursday's 5-1 series-opening victory.

The Royals, though, have dropped a half-game in the standings to Central-leading Detroit in the second half, as the Tigers have won 12 straight.

Kansas City has still climbed within 4 1/2 of the second wild card.

The Royals go for a fourth consecutive victory over the Red Sox (70-47) with Ervin Santana (8-6, 2.97 ERA) on the mound.

The right-hander, like the Royals, has been on a roll since the break, going 3-0 with a 1.27 ERA ERA in four starts - all Kansas City victories. Santana was sharp in Sunday's 6-2 road win over the New York Mets, permitting one run in six innings.

"Keep the ball down, throw strikes, and that's it,' he said. "That's what I know I can do.'

The Red Sox, two games ahead of second-place Tampa Bay in the East, knew what Peavy (9-4, 4.14 ERA) could do when they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal July 30. That move paid off for Boston on Saturday when the 2007 NL Cy Young winner struck out seven while giving up two runs in seven-plus innings of a 5-2 victory over Arizona.

"Outstanding debut for us,' manager John Farrell said. "He was effective, as advertised.'

Peavy, going for a season-best fourth straight winning start since missing nearly seven weeks with a broken rib, gets his second look at the Royals in 2013. He threw six innings of two-run ball in his season debut, a 5-2 win over Kansas City on April 3, after losing his previous six decisions to the Royals.

Peavy owns a 5.55 ERA while losing each of his last four starts at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals have outscored opponents 37-16 while winning six of seven at home. Eric Hosmer is batting .429 during this span with three homers and nine RBIs.

Butler, 10 for 25 in those contests, has the highest career batting average off Peavy (.400) among players who have faced him more than 29 times. Butler, though, was hitless in three at_bats in that matchup April 3.

Boston's Stephen Drew will try to extend his season-best hitting streak to 10. He had an RBI single in the ninth inning Thursday after hitting a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 7-5 win at Houston.

Drew is hitless in five at_bats off Santana, who ended Boston's season-best seven-game winning streak April 21 with seven innings of two-run ball in a 4-2 victory.

David Ortiz, 2 for 3 against Santana in that contest, should return to the Red Sox's lineup after getting Thursday off. He's 8 for 9 in his last two games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Royals
Thu, Aug 8 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

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: Rangers (65-50) at Astros (37-76)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 09, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Texas Rangers have battered opposing pitching during a run back to the top of the AL West, while the Houston Astros' bullpen has taken its share of lumps through the club's latest lull.

Texas aims for its 10th victory in 11 games Friday night at Houston, where it has been dominant in recent years.

In second place since July 2, the Rangers (65-50) now find themselves in a virtual tie for the division lead with Oakland after winning four in a row following this week's sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. They've scored 64 runs during the current 9-1 stretch while batting .300 - .306 with runners in scoring position - with 16 homers and 15 doubles.

Texas had scored 36 runs while losing 12 of its previous 15.

"That's the place we were supposed to be," said Adrian Beltre, hitting .450 over his last 10 games with 12 RBIs. "I know Oakland's been playing well this season, but we assumed we would be there. We haven't won anything yet, but at least we're going in the right direction."

The Rangers have won seven of the season's nine meetings against Houston, with Beltre going 13 for 29 with four homers in the most recent seven. They've also taken five straight and 15 of 18 in Houston dating back to 2009.

The Astros (37-76) blew two saves against the Rangers earlier this year, a problem that has again haunted them more recently. Owners of the AL's worst save percentage at 54.8, Houston is 2 for 9 in save opportunities while going 4-15 since the All-Star break.

Josh Fields surrendered a three-run homer in the ninth in a 7-5 home loss to Boston on Wednesday, marking the club's 19th blown save. Houston has converted one save since trading closer Jose Veras to Detroit on July 29.

The Astros squandered 19 saves all of last season, while the club record is 26 in 2009.

"You put guys in situations where you feel they have the best opportunity to be successful, and tonight is another example of us just not getting it done," manager Bo Porter said.

Houston was already dominated once by Matt Garza with the Cubs earlier this season, and they'll get another chance against him with Texas. Garza (7-2, 3.09 ERA) yielded one run and four hits through eight innings of Chicago's 3-1 win over Houston on June 21, improving to 2-3 in seven starts against the Astros with a 3.88 ERA.

He had an eight-start unbeaten streak snapped his last time out despite his first complete game since 2011. Garza yielded three runs within his first 10 pitches in a 4-2 loss at Oakland on Saturday.

The Astros counter with Erik Bedard (3-8, 4.29), looking to avoid losing six straight decisions for the first time in his career. However, he has a 2.82 ERA over his last four starts with 28 strikeouts in 22 1-3 innings.

The left-hander is 5-5 with a 3.51 ERA over 18 career outings versus Texas but is 1-4 in the last 12. He's given up seven runs in 11 1-3 innings against the Rangers this year, including a pair of homers to Beltre.

One of them came in a 5-4 loss July 7, when A.J. Pierzynski had a three-run homer off Bedard and improved to 7 for 16 against him. Elvis Andrus, hitting .355 since the All-Star break, is just 3 for 18 with five strikeouts versus Bedard.

Houston rookie outfielder Robbie Grossman is batting .472 during a 10-game hitting streak.

Texas owns baseball's most intradivision wins with a 33-14 record against the AL West.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (50-64) at Cardinals (66-48)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 09, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


The St. Louis Cardinals went through a rough stretch against fellow postseason contenders that left them four games back in the NL Central.

They're hoping the next few days go much smoother as they begin a three-game series against the struggling Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

In a 15-game stretch against NL East-leading Atlanta, Central-leading Pittsburgh, Cincinnati - currently holder of the NL's second wild-card spot behind St. Louis - and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cardinals (66-48) went 4-11 and lost their division lead.

They fell 5-1 to the Dodgers on Thursday, losing three of four in the series. David Freese had three hits, while Matt Holliday scored the only run.

Before another crucial series with the Pirates that begins Tuesday, St. Louis will look to take advantage of a Chicago team that has dropped nine of 11 after falling 12-1 at Philadelphia on Thursday.

Nate Schierholtz, 6 for 13 over his last three games, homered for the Cubs (50-64).

"Not what the doctor was ordering today," manager Dale Sveum said.

Catcher Dioner Navarro didn't play and is listed as day to day with a sore ankle after colliding with Chase Utley in Wednesday's contest.

"We'll see what happens in a couple of days. I don't know, it's just a contusion, whatever. There's some inflammation," Navarro said. "I thought it was going to be worse than it was. I tape my ankles before every game so I guess the tape worked."

The Cubs have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last six, and they might be difficult to come by again Friday as Lance Lynn takes the mound for St. Louis.

Lynn (13-5, 3.78 ERA) has gone 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA over his last three starts after giving up two runs and striking out a season-high 11 in eight innings of a 15-2 win over Cincinnati on Sunday.

He went 1-4 with a 6.30 ERA over his previous five outings.

"I had pretty good command of all four pitches," Lynn said after his longest outing of the season. "When you have that, it makes it a lot easier to pitch. I was able to use most of them to both sides of the plate."

The right-hander didn't have his best the last time he faced Chicago, though, giving up six runs and a career-worst 12 hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 6-4 defeat July 13. He allowed three runs over 13 innings in his previous two outings versus the Cubs this season, and he's 5-2 with a 3.67 ERA in seven career starts against them.

Chicago will counter with Chris Rusin, who looks to bounce back from a tough outing.

Rusin (1-1, 3.98) gave up four runs in five innings of a 6-4 loss to the Dodgers in his most recent outing Aug. 1, but he's been mostly solid in four starts after going 2-3 with a 6.37 ERA over seven starts in his late-season call-up in 2012.

"I am more confident in my stuff," Rusin told the team's official website. "Last year, you don't know until you get here if your stuff works or not. But after last year and a little bit this year, I know my stuff works if I throw it where I need to throw it and just cut down on the mistakes."

The left-hander will be making his first career start against St. Louis, which has won seven of the last eight home meetings with the Cubs.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Pirates (70-44) at Rockies (52-64)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 09, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


Francisco Liriano outdueled Jorge De La Rosa last weekend, but the outcome between these southpaws could be different this time.

De La Rosa has been stingy at home for the Colorado Rockies, and Liriano will pitch at Coors Field for the first time as the Pittsburgh Pirates seek a sixth straight victory Friday night.

Pittsburgh (70-44) took two of three at home from Colorado (52-64) last weekend. Liriano (12-4, 2.02 ERA) won his third straight start Saturday by allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory.

"I'm just going out and pitching and trying to be aggressive and get people out," said Liriano, who overcame five walks. "It's working out well for me and it is working out well for the team because we're winning."

De La Rosa (10-6, 3.31), meanwhile, gave up three runs over four-plus innings while striking out three and walking two.

"Jorge didn't have very good command," manager Walt Weiss said. "It was a struggle for him from the start."

De La Rosa's thumb flared up last month, but he said that wasn't a problem. The left-hander gave up eight runs in a 9-8, 10-inning loss to Atlanta on July 29.

"There are no excuses," De La Rosa told the Rockies' official website. "This is the second bad game in a row. I have to fix that, quick, because I can't keep pitching like I pitched."

His two poor outings were on the road. De La Rosa is 6-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 10 home starts, with the Rockies winning eight of them. He is 25-5 in his last 38 starts at Coors Field, and Colorado has lost just six of those games.

He has yielded two runs over his last 18 innings at home while Liriano has allowed one over his last 21 2-3 overall.

The Pirates figure to have Andrew McCutchen back in their lineup after the star was scratched Thursday in a 5-4, 10-inning victory over Miami because of discomfort in his right shoulder. McCutchen singled as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and is 11 for 17 over his last six games.

Russell Martin singled in Josh Harrison with the winning run for Pittsburgh, enjoying its second-longest win streak of the season to a nine-game run June 20-30.

The Pirates completed a three-game sweep in which they trailed in every game, rallying from a four-run deficit in the fifth inning Thursday. Pittsburgh's bullpen worked 10 1-3 scoreless innings in the series.

"We're like the Miami Heat," McCutchen said. "We play better in the second half of games."

The Rockies, playing without the injured Carlos Gonzalez, are coming off a 1-9 trip that was capped by Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Mets. They have lost five straight, totaling six runs while hitting .205 with 34 strikeouts.

"I know it hasn't been pretty on the road this trip," Weiss said. "The bottom line is you've got to make adjustments constantly in this game. Figure out how people are getting you out and make the necessary adjustments. It's a constant battle."

Weiss did not start veterans Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton and Dexter Fowler in Thursday's day game and all figure to be back in Friday's lineup.

The Pirates have won two of three at Colorado in each of the three previous seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (52-60) at Diamondbacks (58-55)
Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 09, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


Despite losing his last two starts, Arizona's Patrick Corbin has been stellar since the New York Mets handed him his first defeat just over five weeks ago.

Corbin tries to avenge that loss to the Mets when he takes the ball in Friday night's series opener in Arizona.

Corbin (12-3, 2.33 ERA) entered his start at Citi Field on July 2 trying to become the first left-handed starter in the majors to begin a season 10-0 since Ron Guidry opened 13-0 for the New York Yankees in 1978. He got off to strong start, allowing one runner over the first four innings but ended up permitting a season-high five runs and six hits in six-plus innings of a 9-1 defeat.

He has since returned to All-Star form, posting a 1.82 ERA with 40 strikeouts over 34 2-3 innings in his last five outings.

Corbin has been saddled with the loss in his last two starts, though he isn't entirely to blame.

He gave up a run in eight innings in a 1-0 setback to San Diego on July 28 and permitted three runs in six-plus innings in Saturday's 5-2 final at Boston. He has received one total run of support in those games, and has been backed by an average of 2.7 runs of support in his last 11 contests after receiving an average of 5.8 in his first 11.

"He's run into a little bit of a drought at times," manager Kirk Gibson said.

Arizona (58-55) didn't have much trouble offensively in its last two games, with 9-8 and 6-1 home victories over Tampa Bay.

The Diamondbacks hope to stay locked in against Jeremy Hefner (4-8, 4.23), who tries to follow strong performances from the rotation in a three-game sweep of Colorado.

Mets starters yielded two earned runs and 16 hits over 22 innings against the Rockies, including Matt Harvey's shutout in a 5-0 win Tuesday.

New York (52-60) hasn't won four in a row since July 7-10.

After Dillon Gee won for the first time since July 14 in a 2-1 victory on Wednesday, Hefner seeks his first victory since July 7. He's 0-2 with a 7.66 ERA over his last five starts while allowing six homers over 24 2-3 innings. He gave up two home runs in his previous five outings.

Hefner opposed Corbin last month and got the win, holding Arizona to a Martin Prado solo homer over seven innings.

The teams split that four-game series, but the Diamondbacks have won 8 of the last 10 meetings in Arizona.

Prado is batting .413 with eight doubles, 14 RBIs and 11 runs over his last 17 contests and had a season-high four RBIs on Wednesday. He was 7 for 16 in the first four meetings while scoring three runs.

Eric Young, who is familiar with Corbin from his time with Colorado, has three doubles in nine at_bats against him this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (49-66) at Mariners (53-61)
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 09, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


The Seattle Mariners have been able to push some runs across the plate, but their starters have been struggling.

It's been just the opposite for the Milwaukee Brewers, who visit Seattle for the first time in 16 years Friday night.

The Mariners (53-61) open this three-game interleague series after dropping two of three to Toronto. Seattle totaled three runs in back-to-back losses before rallying from five down Wednesday in a 9-7 victory.

Humberto Quintero's two-run homer was the big blow in a six-run fifth inning as the Mariners posted their largest comeback win since April 11, 2011.

"We got kind of shut down the last couple games, but overall, we've been swinging the bats really well one through nine," outfielder Michael Saunders told the Mariners' official website.

Seattle is batting .273 with 4.6 runs per game in its last 13. Saunders has four homers and 10 RBIs during that stretch, while Kendrys Morales is hitting .436 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

The Mariners' bullpen has yielded one earned run in 18 2-3 innings over the last five games, but their starters have a 7.18 ERA in the past six.

"Our job as a pitching staff is to keep us in the game, regardless of whether we have a lead, we're behind, whatever it is, our job is to keep the score as low as possible," Friday's pitcher Joe Saunders said.

Saunders (10-10, 4.58 ERA) avoided a third straight losing start Sunday by throwing six innings of two-run ball in a 3-2 win at Baltimore. The left-hander last faced the Brewers in 2011 while with Arizona.

The last six games between these teams have been in Milwaukee, with the Brewers winning four times. They are making their first visit to Seattle since Aug. 11-12, 1997.

Milwaukee (49-66) will be without second baseman Rickie Weeks, who is headed to the disabled list with a strained left hamstring suffered in Wednesday's 6-1 win at San Francisco.

Jeff Bianchi started in Weeks' place in Thursday's 4-1 defeat, but Scooter Gennett could be at second base Friday after getting called up from Triple-A.

"It's too bad," manager Ron Roenicke said. "... It seems like there's something that always comes up."

The injury-plagued Brewers, though, could have third baseman Aramis Ramirez (sprained left knee) back soon. Milwaukee needs all the help it can get after hitting .198 and scoring 12 runs in splitting four games with the Giants.

"(Ramirez) feels like he's ready to go," Roenicke said. "Whether that's (Friday), whether that's Tuesday (at Texas), whether that's Saturday or Sunday, I don't know. But he's ready to go."

So is Kyle Lohse (7-7, 3.23), who takes the mound after Milwaukee's starters posted a 2.01 ERA in the previous series.

Lohse is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last four outings - all Milwaukee wins - but he struggled in Sunday's 8-5 victory over Washington, needing 93 pitches to get through five innings of three-run ball.

The right-hander permitted a career high-tying eight earned runs in his last start in Seattle, a 9-1 loss for Cincinnati on June 23, 2007.

Michael Morse is 7 for 15 with a home run, Quintero is 6 for 16 with a homer and Raul Ibanez has gone deep three times in 33 at_bats against Lohse.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (66-47) at Dodgers (64-50)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 09, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


Carl Crawford is fond of his nine-year tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays, but he's now enjoying his own success with the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

He hasn't fared all that well against former teammate David Price, though.

Crawford looks to help Los Angeles earn its 18th victory in 21 games as it hosts Price and the Rays to open a three-game series Friday night.

Before signing a seven-year, $142 million deal with Boston after the 2010 season, Crawford led the AL in stolen bases and triples four times each while helping Tampa Bay reach the World Series in 2008.

He spent 1 1/2 injury-plagued seasons with the Red Sox before being dealt to the Dodgers with Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto on Aug. 25. Though Crawford doesn't regret leaving the Rays, he definitely misses the atmosphere.

"(The Rays) have a lot of fun there and that's part of why they win a lot. Personally, I don't think there's another place like that in baseball," Crawford told MLB.com. "It's pretty close to that (with the Dodgers), we have a lot of fun here, too. But the looseness over there, I don't think you'll find that anywhere else in baseball."

Los Angeles (64-50) has surged into the NL West lead with help from Crawford, who is hitting .295 and is 12 for 26 over his last six games. He went 2 for 5 in Thursday's 5-1 win at St. Louis.

Crawford, though, is 0 for 9 against Price, who has nothing but praise for his former teammate.

"Just being around (Crawford) for four years, ever since I knew that guy, (I watched) how he went about his work, his work ethic," Price said. "It's good to see guys like that succeed."

Price (6-5, 3.36 ERA) has had his own string of success, going 5-1 with a 1.57 ERA over seven starts since returning from a triceps injury. He's tossed three complete games in that span and nearly recorded a fourth Saturday against San Francisco as he allowed one run through nine innings, but the Rays needed 10 to pick up a 2-1 victory.

The left-hander had gone nine frames three times in 129 starts prior to his current stretch.

He'll look to help Tampa Bay (66-47) get back on track after it fell 9-8 to Arizona on Wednesday for its fourth defeat in six games.

James Loney went hitless and is just 2 for 22 over his last six, but he's still hitting .307. He hit .284 while spending his first 6 1/2 seasons with the Dodgers before being sent to Boston in last season's blockbuster. He signed a one-year deal with Tampa in the offseason.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's having the success he's having, because he was good for the Dodgers," teammate Evan Longoria said.

Loney will look to end his slump against Chris Capuano, who is 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA in his last four starts for Los Angeles.

Capuano (4-6, 4.16) hasn't allowed a run in 13 innings over his last two outings after giving up six hits in 6 1-3 frames of Saturday's 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.

"For me, he's attacked with his fastball more and continued to use that and not always get to his off-speed,' manager Don Mattingly said of the left-hander. "I just think he's used his whole repertoire.'

These teams have split six all-time matchups, though they haven't met since 2007.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (63-51) at Giants (51-63)
Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 09, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


The Baltimore Orioles haven't had a 20-game winner in almost three decades.

If he continues his current pace, Chris Tillman has an opportunity to end that drought.

Tillman looks to win his fifth consecutive start and help the Orioles stay perfect on an eight-game road trip Friday night in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Tillman (14-3, 3.89 ERA) has won four straight and 10 of his last 11 starts, buoyed by the fifth-best run support average in the majors. The Orioles (63-51) have scored three-plus runs for him in each of his last eight starts and that offense has helped give the right-hander a chance to become the franchise's first 20-game winner since Mike Boddicker in 1984.

Extra offensive support was needed against Seattle on Friday, when Tillman allowed six runs over 5 1-3 innings in Baltimore's 11-8 victory.

"I missed early, got out of whack a little bit and struggled to get back in," Tillman told the team's official site. "Making adjustments is something I've been proud of doing, and it just wasn't there tonight."

Tillman walked three for the third start in a row and his 3.41 walks per nine innings ranks among the league's worst.

He does, however, pitch much better away from hitter-friendly Camden Yards. He's 7-2 with a 4.36 ERA at home compared to 7-1 with a 3.23 ERA on the road. Tillman ranks among the major league leaders having surrendered 23 home runs, but only five have come in 55 2-3 road innings.

Baltimore completed a two-game sweep of San Diego with a 10-3 victory Wednesday as Chris Davis connected for his major league-leading 41st home run. J.J. Hardy also went deep for the Orioles, who have homered 10 times in the last six games and lead the majors with 152.

Davis is batting .489 (20 for 41) with five home runs in 11 interleague games. He's looking to become the second player to hit .500 or better for a single season since Kansas City's Joe Randa hit .508 in 1999.

``I have felt good the last couple of games,' said Davis, batting .216 with 21 strikeouts in his last 51 at_bats. ``I feel comfortable in the box, but haven't had much to show for it.'

Teammate Adam Jones is 12 for 24 with five RBIs in August after going 7 for 9 with a homer in the two games against his hometown Padres.

Davis and Jones will both get their first look at Ryan Vogelsong (2-4, 7.19), who will make his return from a fractured right hand Friday. After allowing three-plus runs in his first eight starts, the right-hander shut out Washington through five innings May 20 before leaving due to an injury he sustained hitting.

"I don't even think about it," Vogelsong told the team's official site concerning his injury.

The right-hander posted a 1.72 ERA over 15 2-3 innings in four rehab appearances and manager Bruce Bochy said Vogelsong could throw up to 100 pitches.

Vogelsong struggled in his only interleague start this season but is 4-2 with a 2.15 ERA in his last eight outings against the AL.

He can help give the last-place Giants (51-63) consecutive wins for the fourth time since June 20.

Their scuffling offense showed signs of life in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Milwaukee. Though they still rank last in the majors with 98 runs since July, the Giants did hit their first home run in six games - their first at home since July 20 - when Brandon Belt drove in three with his first-inning shot.

"It kind of reminded us what we're capable of," Belt said.

Brandon Crawford and Marco Scutaro each had three hits for the Giants, who have lost eight of 11 interleague contests.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Milwaukee at Seattle
The Brewers look to build on their 7-0 record in Kyle Lohse's last 7 starts against a team with a losing record. Milwaukee is the pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Brewers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+105). Here are all of today's picks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Game 901-902: Philadelphia at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Lannan) 14.161; Washington (Haren) 15.748
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Washington (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-165); Under

Game 903-904: San Diego at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Cashner) 15.036; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.205
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+140); Over

Game 905-906: Miami at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 15.209; Atlanta (Beachy) 16.925
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-200); Over

Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Rusin) 15.558; St. Louis (Lynn) 14.531
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-200); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+170); Under

Game 909-910: Pittsburgh at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Liriano) 14.807; Colorado (De La Rosa) 15.241
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+115); Under

Game 911-912: NY Mets at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Hefner) 15.041; Arizona (Corbin) 16.605
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-180); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-180); Over

Game 913-914: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Gibson) 15.556; White Sox (Danks) 14.666
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 915-916: Minnesota at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Hendriks) 14.234; White Sox (Leesman) 15.783
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 917-918: Oakland at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Parker) 16.490; Toronto (Rogers) 14.961
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-130); Over

Game 919-920: LA Angels at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 16.631; Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.777
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+100); Under

Game 921-922: Detroit at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 18.379; NY Yankees (Nova) 14.593
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 4; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Over

Game 923-924: Boston at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Peavy) 15.664; Kansas City (Santana) 16.799
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-105); Under

Game 925-926: Texas at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Garza) 16.801; Houston (Bedard) 14.019
Dunkel Line: Texas by 3; 7
Vegas Line: Texas (-185); 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-185); Under

Game 927-928: Milwaukee at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Lohse) 15.418; Seattle (Saunders) 14.498
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+105); Over

Game 929-930: Tampa Bay at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 17.535; LA Dodgers (Capuano) 16.015
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-130); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-130); Under

Game 931-932: Baltimore at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 14.637; San Francisco (Vogelsong) 15.703
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+110); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Friday, August 9

National League

Philadelphia at Washington, 7:05 ET
Lannan: Phillies 4-9 SU last 13 road series openers
Haren: Under is 4-1 in Haren's last five starts

San Diego at Cincinnati, 7:10 ET
Cashner: Padres 6-12 in first game of a road series in 2013
Arroyo: Under is 10-3 last 13 times Arroyo has started at home after team lost his previous outing

Miami at Atlanta, 7:30 ET
Turner: Under is 6-0 in Turner's last six road starts
Beachy: Braves 13-3 SU in first game of a home series in 2013

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:15 ET
Rusin: Under is 6-1 in last seven Cubs games in St. Louis
Lynn: Cardinals 12-3 SU over past year when Lynn starts at home

Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies, 8:40 ET
Liriano: Pirates 1-7 SU in first game of a road trip in 2013
DeLaRosa: Rockies 12-2 SU last 14 times De La Rosa has started a home series opener

New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 ET
Hefner: Under is 5-1 last six road starts for Hefner
Corbin: Under is 15-4 when Corbin starts at home


American League

Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 ET
Gibson: Twins 1-7 SU in last eight road series openers
Danks: Under is 12-4-1 in last 17 home day games that Danks has started

Minnesota at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 ET
Hendriks: Twins 4-14 last 18 road night games
Leesman: Under is 5-2 in last seven White Sox home night games

Oakland at Toronto, 7:07 ET
Parker: Athletics 8-3 SU in last 11 road series openers
Rogers: Over is 4-1 when Rogers starts at home for the Blue Jays

Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland, 7:05 ET MLB
Weaver: Angels 0-4 SU in Weaver's 2013 road starts
Kazmir: Indians 7-2 SU when Kazmir starts at home

Detroit at New York Yankees, 7:05 ET MLB
Porcello: Last six road starts for Porcello have all been Under
Nova: Yankees 6-2 SU in Nova's last eight home starts

Boston at Kansas City Royals, 8:10 ET
Peavy: Red Sox 12-5 SU in second game of a road series in 2013
Santana: Under is 9-2 in Santana's home starts for Royals

Texas at Houston, 8:10 ET MLB
Garza: Rangers 15-3 SU in last 18 games at Minute Maid Park
Bedard: Astros 1-4 SU in last five home series openers following a defeat


Interleague

Milwaukee at Seattle, 10:10 ET
Lohse: Under is 9-3 when Lohse starts on the road for the Brewers
Saunders: Mariners 5-1 SU in last six home series openers

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 ET
Price: Rays 8-3 SU over the past year when Price starts a road night game
Capuano: Under is 5-2-1 in last eight home series openers for Dodgers

Baltimore at San Francisco, 10:15 ET
Tillman: Orioles 13-3 SU in last 16 road starts for Tillman
Vogelsong: Giants 2-6 SU in last eight home series openers