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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (62-58) at Pirates (72-49)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 17, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


Jeff Locke's All-Star season has helped the Pittsburgh Pirates possess one of the most efficient pitching staffs in the major leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson simply wants some stability in his rotation.

Locke takes the mound as Pittsburgh seeks a seventh straight home victory Saturday while facing Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill, who returns after a nearly seven-week stint on the disabled list.

Pittsburgh (72-49) leads the competitive NL Central by three games largely because of a 3.12 ERA that is the best in baseball. It had lost five of its previous six but busted out of its slump after rookie Gerrit Cole pitched six solid innings in Friday's 6-2 win over Arizona.

Pedro Alvarez drove in two runs and Jose Tabata hit a two-run homer after going 3 for 3 off the bench in Thursday's loss to St. Louis.

"I know people are saying the Pittsburgh Pirates need a right fielder,' said Tabata, who was 2 for his last 14 prior to Thursday. "It makes me feel like I've got to do something. I just want to help my team win.'

The Pirates rank second in the majors with a 2.69 ERA at home, including a 2.29 mark during a six-game winning streak at PNC Park. Pittsburgh has won six of Locke's seven starts there, and he'll be on the hill again Saturday trying to give his team its first seven-game run at home since April 27-May 12, 2008.

Locke (9-3, 2.43 ERA), though, had gone 0-1 with a 4.96 ERA over his previous three starts before giving up two runs - one earned - in 5 2-3 innings of Pittsburgh's 3-2 loss to Colorado on Sunday.

"(Sunday) was definitely a step back in the right direction mechanically, mentally,' Locke said. "Everything felt back to normal.'

Despite Locke's four walks, manager Clint Hurdle focused more on the fact the left-hander allowed fewer than three earned runs for the 16th time.

"I'm real impressed with Locke's outing," Hurdle said. "Better tempo, better rhythm."

Locke has yet to start against the Diamondbacks (62-58), though he pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings of relief in the Pirates' 6-3 loss Aug. 9, 2012.

Arizona's pitching staff, meanwhile, has dealt with injuries to Cahill (3-10, 4.66) and Brandon McCarthy while also shipping Ian Kennedy to San Diego at the trade deadline. The starters have a 4.68 ERA in August, and Gibson is hoping Cahill can help improve that number.

Cahill hasn't pitched since giving up six runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 6-2 loss to Atlanta on June 30. He went on the disabled list the following day with a right hip contusion, which he reportedly suffered after getting hit with a line drive that forced him to leave his start June 19.

Prior to going on the DL, Cahill went 0-6 with a 7.91 ERA over his last eight starts. Gibson, though, is confident the right-hander can bounce back.

"He's got good stuff," Gibson told the team's official website. "We need him to throw the ball good and be consistent and go deeper in games for us, and to have our rotation kind of solidified."

Cahill wasn't at his best against the Pirates on April 8, giving up four runs in five innings of a 5-3 loss despite striking out seven.

The Diamondbacks had won six of their previous eight but mustered only five hits in Friday's defeat. Cliff Pennington started for shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is 2 for 29 (.069) over his last eight.

Pittsburgh has won three of the four meetings this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Fri, Aug 16 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Sat, Aug 17 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rockies (58-65) at Orioles (65-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


With a win to open a 10-game road trip, the Colorado Rockies managed to carry over the offensive surge that keyed a preceding successful homestand.

Now the hot-hitting Rockies hope to deal Bud Norris his first loss as a starter with the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night when they seek their seventh win in eight games.

Wilin Rosario hit one of Colorado's four home runs - a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh - and the Rockies (58-65) snapped a five-game road losing streak with a 6-3 victory over Baltimore (65-56) on Friday.

"It's a cozy park, but you've still got to hit it,' manager Walt Weiss said. "We put some good swings on it.'

After averaging 2.3 runs and hitting .239 while dropping nine of 10 on the road, Colorado has scored 6.9 per game and batted .314 during this 6-1 stretch.

Rosario (11 for 27), Nolan Arenado (12 for 27), Charlie Culberson (7 for 17) and Dexter Fowler (10 for 27) have heated up to lead the team's recent outburst.

The Rockies will try to continue that production against Norris (8-10, 3.83 ERA), who looks to help the Orioles avoid their longest losing streak in three months.

The right-hander is coming off the second relief appearance of his career, allowing two walks and a game-winning single to Aaron Hill in a 5-4, 14-inning loss at Arizona on Wednesday.

Norris returns to his starting role hoping to improve on his 2-0 record and 2.65 ERA in three starts with the Orioles, who have won all three of those contests. He allowed two runs and six hits over five innings before leaving without a decision in a 10-2 win at San Francisco on Sunday.

While he's 0-1 with a 17.55 ERA in two career starts at Coors Field, Norris has a 2.57 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 14 innings in a pair of home outings against the Rockies. He did not factor in either of those decisions while with Houston.

Colorado would like to get into the Baltimore bullpen, which has a 6.89 ERA during the team's four-game skid. The Orioles haven't lost five in a row since a six-game slide May 14-20.

"We've got to go out there and play better,' said center fielder Adam Jones, who is 1 for 18 during the losing streak. "Not just better, but smarter. Team-oriented. Keep grinding.'

Baltimore will try to regroup against rookie Chad Bettis (0-1, 5.06), who has been much more effective since a rough debut in an 11-2 loss at Atlanta on Aug. 1.

The right-hander has allowed four runs and eight hits over 11 innings in two starts after giving up five runs and six hits over five frames against the Braves. Bettis surrendered two runs and four hits in six innings against Pittsburgh on Sunday, an eventual 3-2 win for the Rockies.

Bettis hopes to benefit from Colorado's scoring surge after receiving a total of four runs in his last two outings, though he faces a Baltimore team that has been reeling offensively of late.

The Orioles have totaled 16 runs while hitting .226 over their last four games.

Matt Wieters (8 for 58) and Nate McLouth (7 for 38) are slumping despite homering in the opener and Nick Markakis has gone 24 games without an extra-base hit.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Orioles
Fri, Aug 16 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Orioles
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rockies at Orioles
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Royals (64-57) at Tigers (71-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 17, 2013 7:08 PM EDT


Not many teams have figured out how to pitch to the Detroit Tigers this season.

The Kansas City Royals are one of the few.

The Royals seek a third straight win over the Tigers on Saturday night at Comerica Park.

Kansas City pulled within 6 1/2 games of AL Central-leading Detroit after Friday's doubleheader sweep.

"We wanted to come in here and make a statement against these guys," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Danny Duffy and three relievers two-hit the Tigers in a 2-1 win in the opener and James Shields and two relievers combined on a four-hitter in 3-0 victory in the second game.

"You play 18 innings against a team like that and give up one run, you're doing something special," Yost said.

Kansas City has handed high-powered Detroit three of its four lowest hit totals of the season.

"It's not a concern. We got what we got. It's pretty simple,' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Both teams got great pitching, and we didn't must enough offense.'

The Tigers (71-51) rank second in the majors in runs (614) and fifth in home runs (141), but have been powerless against the Royals. Detroit is hitting .238 with five home runs in going 4-7 against Kansas City, with the Royals (64-57) boasting a 2.45 team ERA.

Miguel Cabrera is batting .263 with two homers and two doubles against Kansas City, while Torii Hunter is hitting .186 with 11 strikeouts in the season series.

Cabrera, however, has had some success against scheduled starter Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA), going 5 for 14 with two homers and double.

Hunter is hitless in six at_bats against Davis this season, but Omar Infante is 5 for 5.

Davis is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA in his last three starts after posting a 10.91 ERA in losing his previous four.

The right-hander gave up seven runs - three earned - over 3 2-3 innings in a 7-5 loss in Detroit on April 24, and allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings against the Tigers on June 11.

The Tigers turn to Doug Fister (10-6, 3.60), who allowed four runs and eight hits in six innings in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox - his first defeat in nine starts. The right-hander was 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his previous four outings.

"I think it was a combination of he didn't have his real good curveball or his command," Leyland told the team's official site. "I thought that pretty much summed it up."

Fister is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in two stats against the Royals this season and has shut down the heart of Kansas City's batting order, as Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer are a combined 3 for 21.

Hosmer, who is batting .316 since May 19, hit two home runs Friday after having just one in 21 prior games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Tigers
Thu, Aug 15 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Tigers
Fri, Aug 16 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Tigers
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 4
Royals at Tigers
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (71-50) at Phillies (53-68)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Sending Clayton Kershaw to the mound should improve the Los Angeles Dodgers' chances at becoming the third team in a century years to win 42 of 50 games.

The ace, however, is still seeking his first victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kershaw looks to continue his dazzling stretch by capitalizing on the free-falling Phillies in order to help the Dodgers join some elite company Wednesday night.

Los Angeles (71-50) has won 41 of 49 games, and a victory Saturday would put the team alongside the 1941 New York Yankees and the '42 Cardinals as the only teams to enjoy a 42-8 stretch in 100 years.

Both of those teams went on to win the World Series.

"The plan is intact, just win every night," manager Don Mattingly said. "I want to win every day."

The pitching staff has a 2.50 ERA over the last 49 games, and Kershaw (11-7, 1.88 ERA) - baseball's leader in ERA and WHIP (0.87) - has been a big part of that dominance.

The 2011 NL Cy Young Award winner is 6-2 with a 1.57 ERA in nine starts, but he's 0-5 with a 4.92 ERA in 12 games - nine starts - against the Phillies, including the postseason.

He pitched well enough to win in the latest matchup July 18, 2012, yielding one run in eight innings of a 5-3 victory in 12.

Kershaw was backed by just one run in that meeting, and he's 49-0 in 61 career starts when the offense supports him with at least four runs. The Dodgers have won 57 of those games.

That trend continued Sunday, when Kershaw yielded two runs and three hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings of an 8-2 win over Tampa Bay. He even got involved offensively, driving in two runs on a single and scoring two more.

"He's been carrying us all year," second baseman Mark Ellis told the team's official website. "He's incredible. He's as complete a pitcher you could have. You feel good when he's at the plate, too, it's crazy. He's like the perfect ballplayer."

The Dodgers, whose only two losses in their last 20 games have come with Kershaw on the mound, are seeking their first 10-game winning streak since reeling off 11 in a row from July 28-Aug. 8, 2006.

They showed few signs of slowing down in Friday's 4-0 victory to open this three-game set in Philadelphia (53-68), winning for the fifth straight visit.

While the Dodgers have surged to the top of the NL West, the Phillies have lost 20 of 24 and are practically out of postseason contention.

That led to manager Charlie Manuel's dismissal Friday, and the club followed that up hours later by mustering three hits.

"It was a roller coaster of a day emotionally," interim manager Ryne Sandberg said. "It affected me and I think it affects the players."

Sandberg is expected to turn to Kyle Kendrick (10-9, 4.48), who has an 8.63 ERA while dropping three of his last five starts.

Frustration is growing for Kendrick, who was roughed up again in Sunday's 6-0 loss at Washington. He surrendered six runs and 11 hits before being chased with one out in the fifth.

"I mean, it's just been frustrating the last few starts for me," Kendrick told the team's official website. "It's been frustrating and I just need to battle through it. That's all you can do."

Facing the Dodgers may not bode well for Kendrick since he's 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA over his last four starts against them.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Phillies
Fri, Aug 16 Final 4 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Phillies
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Dodgers at Phillies
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (69-53) at Brewers (53-69)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Mat Latos may be the Cincinnati Reds' most consistent starter.

He's been their most dominant of late.

Latos may have a chance to challenge the longest scoreless streak of his career as he looks to help the Reds rebound from their sixth loss in eight road meetings with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

Latos (12-3, 3.04 ERA) leads Cincinnati in wins and strikeouts (154), but wasn't among the team's representatives at last month's All-Star game.

The right-hander has certainly looked like one since, going 4-0 with a 1.32 ERA in five starts. He's tossed 15 1-3 scoreless innings over his last two games, and is within reach of his career-high 21 consecutive shutout innings, most recently accomplished April 19-May 5.

Latos' dominance was on display Monday, when he allowed six hits with nine strikeouts while throwing 94 pitches in eight inning of a 2-0 road win over the Chicago Cubs.

"I had real good stuff," Latos said. "I was able to rely on the fastball and the slider all game. I threw one other pitch beside the fastball and the slider."

He struggled against the Brewers on May 11, though, surrendering a season-high seven runs and nine hits - two homers - in six innings of a 13-7 win.

Latos couldn't be blamed for the 3-2 loss in his most recent appearance at Miller Park on Aug. 8, 2012, leaving with the lead after yielding one run in seven innings and striking out eight.

The bullpen, specifically Aroldis Chapman, was to blame for Friday's 7-6 loss to Milwaukee. The closer - one of three Cincinnati All-Stars - surrendered a two-run, walkoff homer to Jonathan Lucroy, ending the Reds' five-game winning streak.

"You can't get them all," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "Chapman's still a really good pitcher. ... We're not worried about it at all."

Frazier is 5 for 10 with two homers and six RBIs over the past three games. He went 3 for 3 with a solo homer and a walk Friday, matching his career high with four RBIs.

The Brewers are expected to activate Yovani Gallardo (8-9, 4.91) from the disabled list after he sat out more than two weeks with a strained left hamstring.

The injury forced the right-hander to leave his most recent outing July 30 after he allowed three runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-5 win over the Cubs.

Gallardo is in the midst of his worst season, posting career highs in ERA and WHIP (1.48). He's also lost five of his last seven home starts with a 6.25 ERA.

He's hoping the stint on the DL has provided enough rest to put together a consistent end to the season.

"That's something that I've struggled with this year," Gallardo told the team's website of his lack of consistency. "It's tough, it's been one of those years. But to get the opportunity to go on the DL and work on a few things while you're trying to get back on the mound is important."

Gallardo has won his last two home starts versus the Reds, yielding three runs in 13 innings. He beat them on the road June 15, throwing six innings of three-hit ball in a 6-0 victory.

Lucroy is 11 for 23 (.478) over the past six games, and 10 for 23 (.435) with two homers in his last six meetings with Cincinnati.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Brewers
Thu, Aug 15 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Brewers
Fri, Aug 16 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Brewers
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Reds at Brewers
Sun, Aug 18 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (47-74) at Twins (54-66)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Now that Chris Sale no longer has the burden of trying to help end a season-high road slide for the Chicago White Sox, he can focus on continuing his recent dominance on the mound.

The All-Star left-hander looks to win a season-high third straight start Saturday night against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Sale (8-11, 2.73 ERA) was mired in an 11-start stretch where he went 1-9 with a 3.23 ERA and received an average 1.96 runs of support before allowing three runs in 16 1-3 innings to win the last two.

He recorded his fourth complete game of the season Monday when he gave up nine hits but two runs in a 6-2 win over Detroit.

"He's in his own world,' Detroit's Torii Hunter said. "He's definitely the best lefty in the game."

The White Sox (47-74) have scored five or more runs five times in the 22 starts by Sale, whose 2.73 run-support average is the lowest in the majors.

"Obviously, we wish we could give (Sale) a better record right now,' teammate Gordon Beckham said. "His numbers match up against everybody.'

Sale gave up two runs and 11 hits over 20 innings to win his first three career starts against the Twins last season, but yielded four and eight hits over five frames of a 7-4 loss at Minnesota on June 19.

He hopes for a better effort while trying to help Chicago build on Friday's 5-2 victory over Minnesota (54-66) that snapped a 10-game road losing streak.

Adam Dunn hit his 28th homer as the White Sox pounded out at least 10 hits for the fourth time in five games to improve to 4-10 against the Twins this season.

"We haven't had too many of those where we've hit them like that," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "It was nice.'

Dunn, batting .392 in his last 15 games, has hit .310 (9 for 29) with five home runs and 11 RBIs in eight contests at Target Field this season.

Dunn and the White Sox could be in for a stiff challenge against Minnesota's Andrew Albers (2-0, 0.00), who has allowed six hits and walked one while throwing 17 1-3 scoreless innings in his first two career starts.

The Canadian left-hander, who turns 28 in October, threw a two-hitter in Monday's 3-0 win over Cleveland.

"I'm not a prototypical prospect,' said Albers, who had Tommy John surgery in 2009 and was playing independent ball in Quebec in 2010 before the Twins signed him to a minor league contract in 2011.

"I'm not a guy that goes out there and lights up a radar gun or throws devastating secondary stuff. But I can pitch a little bit and so far I've been having a little bit of success.'

Joe Mauer homered for one of his three hits Friday, improving to 9 for 15 in his last three games.

He's batted .404 with three homers against the White Sox this season, and is 3 for his last 8 versus Sale.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Twins
Thu, Aug 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Twins
Fri, Aug 16 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Twins
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Twins
Sun, Aug 18 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (59-62) at Braves (75-47)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The last time he took the mound, Stephen Strasburg looked like a prodigy again.

He'll probably have to be sensational once more for Washington to have a chance of snapping its skid versus Atlanta.

Strasburg looks to build on his first career shutout and help the Nationals end their six-game slide against the Braves on Saturday night at Turner Field.

Justin Upton's walk-off homer in the 10th inning Friday gave the Braves (75-47) their 18th win in 20 games, extending their NL East lead on the Nationals (59-62) to 15 1/2 games.

"There's a lot of baseball to be played," said Upton, who leads the NL with seven home runs in August. "Our lead is pretty big right now, but crazier things have happened in baseball."

Upton is just 3 for 15 with five strikeouts against Strasburg (6-9, 2.83 ERA), who pushed past a bad bullpen session and a tweaked groin to go the distance for the first time in the majors on Sunday. He struck out 10, allowing just a walk and four hits in a 6-0 win over Philadelphia.

"Honestly, I didn't feel good at all. I didn't really have good command in the bullpen," said Strasburg, who only needed 99 pitches. "When that's happened in the past, I feel like I would just try to jam it down their throat and throw it as hard as I can. I kind of learned that really didn't get much accomplished."

Strasburg has a 2.37 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break, but Sunday's was his first win.

Efficiency hasn't led to a drop in strikeouts. After averaging 9.06 strikeouts per nine innings through his first 18 starts in 2013, Strasburg has averaged 10.42 while lasting at least seven innings in his last five outings.

Strasburg has a 2.14 ERA in four starts against Atlanta this season, but he's 0-1. The Nationals have totaled 28 runs while going 3-11 in the season series.

While the Braves' Freddie Freeman is 4 for 6 with a homer this season off Strasburg, Chris Johnson, B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward are a combined 1 for 24.

Opposing Strasburg will be another talented 25-year-old in Mike Minor (12-5, 2.87), who's 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in his last seven starts. After allowing five total home runs in his last two June starts and first outing in July, he has allowed just one since - going 25 consecutive innings without one heading into Saturday.

Minor's most recent start was the worst of his impressive stretch. He gave up four runs and six hits over seven innings Sunday against Miami in a 9-4 win.

The left-hander has faced the Nationals just once this season, but walks have generally been an issue in previous meetings. He's walked 17 in 37 2-3 career innings versus Atlanta, a far cry from his 1.83 walks per nine innings rate in 2013 that's among the NL's best.

Minor's emergence has solidified the front-end of a Braves rotation that's missing Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm, but Atlanta's situation at second base is becoming dire. The Braves found out Friday that Tyler Pastornicky would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL just days after putting Dan Uggla on the 15-day disabled list as he has corrective eye surgery.

Paul Janish and Phil Gosselin are the options in the interim.

"I'm almost positive (general manager) Frank (Wren) is out there looking through the waiver wire," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Three of the four times Bryce Harper has been hit by a pitch this season have come against the Braves, including twice Friday. On August 6, a Harper beaning led to both benches emptying.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Braves
Fri, Aug 16 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Braves
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Braves
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (54-67) at Marlins (46-74)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Hunter Pence is on a tear, and that may not change against the Miami Marlins.

The San Francisco Giants are looking to continue their own success in Florida.

Pence will try to continue his tremendous production versus the Marlins and help the Giants build on their best offensive display of the season Saturday night.

Pence is hitting .394 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in eight games. The right fielder kept that impressive stretch going by getting two doubles and a triple, while plating five runs and scoring three of his own to power San Francisco's 14-10 win over Miami in the opener of this three-game set. It was a season high for the Giants in scoring and hits (19) after they hit .226 with an average of 2.7 runs over the previous 12 games.

"It's one of those games, both teams are scoring, and we did a great job of adding on," manager Bruce Bochy said. "They scored and we came back. It's hard to stop an offense when they get on a roll and both teams got on a roll, so it was important that we kept adding on."

Pence and the Giants (54-67) may be in line for another big performance at the plate.

He owns a .393 average with five homers, 16 RBIs and a .768 slugging percentage over his last 14 meetings with the Marlins (46-74). That includes going 9 for 18 with five extra-base hits and nine RBIs in four visits to Marlins Park.

San Francisco is batting .335 with 40 runs over its past five games there.

Another offensive barrage may not be necessary with Matt Cain (7-8, 4.44 ERA) expected to get the ball. He's 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA over his last four starts on the road, a major difference from his 1-5 record and 5.66 ERA over his last seven home games.

The right-hander seemed headed for a win as host Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings before allowing three runs over the next two of a 10-2 loss to Baltimore.

A visit to Miami could be just what Cain needs to rebound. He's 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in five career starts there, winning the most recent May 27, 2012.

The Marlins, owners of the NL's worst record, are on the verge of a four-game slide as host for the first time since May 21-30.

Henderson Alvarez (2-1, 3.18) will try to keep them from matching it in his first start against the Giants. The right-hander has won his last two home starts while allowing two runs in 13 1-3 innings.

He hasn't been nearly that sharp over his last two outings - both on the road - compiling a 4.85 ERA with no record. Alvarez matched his season high by giving up four earned runs in six innings while in a 9-4 loss at Atlanta on Sunday.

Justin Ruggiano has been hot over the last two games, getting three hits in each of them. He homered on two of his hits and drove in four runs Friday, and his only hit in three at_bats versus Cain left the park.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Marlins
Fri, Aug 16 Final 14 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Marlins
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Marlins
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (56-66) at Rays (69-51)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Toronto's J.A. Happ has certainly had to deal with his share of adversity this season, and now he'll return to the place where his year was turned upside down.

The Blue Jays left-hander takes the mound at Tropicana Field on Saturday night for the first time since early May, when one of the most frightening incidents of the major league season occurred there against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Happ (2-2, 5.11 ERA) suffered a skull fracture and sprained right knee when he fell to the ground after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings on May 7.

After missing three months, Happ makes his third start since returning from the disabled list as he tries to keep the Rays (69-51) from winning their fourth in a row.

Tampa Bay has also won four straight and six of seven over the AL East-worst Blue Jays (56-66) after Jose Lobaton hit a game-ending triple in the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory in Friday's opener.

Rays manager Joe Maddon is one person looking forward to Happ's return, particularly after Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Cobb pitched well in his comeback Thursday from a similar incident.

"It's good for (Happ)," Maddon told the league's official website. "It's the same thing Cobber did. You have to start riding the horse again. It's horrible. I wish him well. It's something he has to do for himself, and it's tough."

Happ had to pitch with a heavy heart Monday, allowing one run and three hits over a season-high seven innings in a 5-1 loss to Oakland just days after the death of his grandfather. He also matched a season high with six strikeouts but did not factor in the decision.

Happ will attempt to build on that performance versus the Rays, though he's 0-1 with a 10.97 ERA in three career starts against them. He was tagged for four runs and five hits in 1 1-3 innings before getting injured in May.

James Loney is 4 for 7 when facing Happ and is batting .370 during a seven-game hitting streak against the Blue Jays. Jennings will miss this meeting with a broken left middle finger and is expected to return next week.

Since batting .204 with runners in scoring position during a six-game losing streak, the Rays have gone 10 for 28 in those situations over their last three games. They pulled within one game of the East lead as the Yankees beat first-place Boston 10-3 on Friday.

Tampa Bay gives the ball to right-hander Roberto Hernandez (6-12, 4.95), who hasn't made it out of the fifth inning in his last two starts. He matched a season high by allowing five earned runs and eight hits over four innings in a 5-0 loss at Dodger Stadium last Saturday.

"He didn't have really good stuff," Maddon said. "He told me the ball was not moving like it normally does for him and it was kind of flat.'

The Rays have dropped both his starts versus the Blue Jays, though Hernandez has held Toronto to four runs and 11 hits - three homers - over 14-plus innings.

Adam Lind has homered twice when facing Hernandez this season and is 5 for 13 lifetime against him. He had two hits Friday, raising his average to .175 (7 for 40) versus the Rays this year.

Teammate Brett Lawrie went 2 for 5 in the opener and is batting .421 since Aug. 1.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Rays
Fri, Aug 16 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Rays
Sat, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Rays
Sun, Aug 18 - 1:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (56-65) at Rangers (70-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: August 17, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


It's no surprise that Felix Hernandez has been dominant in his recent outings for the Seattle Mariners, but Martin Perez's equally hot stretch for the Texas Rangers is a bit more unexpected.

Hernandez looks to avoid a third loss this season to the AL West leaders as he opposes Perez on Saturday night in Arlington.

Seattle's ace improved to 4-1 with a 1.55 ERA over his last nine starts after allowing four hits and striking out nine in eight innings of Sunday's 2-0 win over Milwaukee. He's given up two runs or fewer eight times in that span, but he's also tossed at least 101 pitches an equal amount.

Rather than attempt to earn his 10th career shutout, Hernandez (12-5, 2.28 ERA) decided to shut it down.

``I'm just being honest. I didn't want to go out there, tired and lose the game,' Hernandez said.

The right-hander, who leads the AL in ERA and is fourth in the majors with 178 strikeouts, gave up solo homers to Ian Kinsler and David Murphy but also struck out seven in seven innings of a 4-2 win over Texas on July 3.

Hernandez didn't pitch as well against the Rangers (70-52) the first two times he faced them this season, though, allowing four runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-3 loss April 11 before allowing five in 5 2-3 frames of a 5-2 defeat May 25.

Despite last month's solid performance there, Hernandez is just 5-8 with a 4.23 ERA in 17 career starts in Arlington, where the Mariners won Friday's series opener 3-1.

Kyle Seager, who had been hitless in his previous 21 at_bats, hit a two-run homer in the eighth before Justin Smoak's ninth-inning solo shot as Seattle (56-65) beat the Rangers for the fourth time in five meetings.

``The thing about him, you would never know it, the way he handles it, carries himself whether he's 10 for 20 or 0 for 21," acting manager Robby Thompson said. "That's the sign of a pro right there. He's a battler, that's why he's in there in the third hole.'

Seager is hitting .500 during a 12-game hitting streak at Rangers Ballpark, which he'll look to extend against Perez in this contest.

Perez (5-3, 3.44) is coming off the best start of his career, giving up one run on a homer in the ninth in a four-hitter to beat Houston 6-1 on Sunday. He's 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his last three outings.

"When I go to the mound I think, `I'm the best here, and I have the ball,'' Perez said. ``I just want to throw."

Manager Ron Washington has been impressed with the 22-year-old left-hander, who was called up for good June 22.

"He has good mechanics," Washington said. "I think when he gets erratic, it's only because he tries to do too much. As long as he stays throwing the ball through the catcher and spots his fastball down in the zone the way he's capable of doing, he'll be fine.'

Perez gave up an unearned run and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings July 4 before the Rangers rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Mariners, who held Texas to four hits Friday.

Former Mariner Adrian Beltre had two, and he's hitting .457 over his last 13. Texas, which holds a one-half game lead over Oakland in the West, has dropped two of three following a season-best eight-game winning streak.

Beltre is hitting .438 during an eight-game hitting streak against his former team.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Rangers
Fri, Aug 16 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Rangers
Sat, Aug 17 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Rangers
Sun, Aug 18 - 3:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mets (56-64) at Padres (54-68)
Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 17, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


He has just one more major league win than he's had major elbow surgeries, but Jenrry Mejia's pitching is starting to turn some heads in New York.

His new batterymate might do the same.

Mejia looks to deliver another impressive outing Saturday night at Petco Park, when top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud could make his major league debut for the Mets against the struggling San Diego Padres.

Once a promising prospect who made his major league debut at age 20 in 2010, Mejia (1-2, 2.22 ERA) had his career derailed by Tommy John surgery and had a 7.03 ERA in six career starts coming into 2013.

That included 14 walks in 24 1-3 innings, but since returning to the majors on July 26, the right-hander has allowed just six earned runs through four starts, including three walks in 24 1-3 innings.

"I know that they worked very hard with him before he got here on smoothing out his mechanics and trying to get him into a consistent release point, and I think they've done that," manager Terry Collins said. "He's worked hard at it and it's paying off."

Mejia held the red-hot Dodgers scoreless for five frames Monday before being charged with three runs - two earned - in the sixth inning of an eventual 4-2 loss.

"He had everything going," catcher John Buck said. "He was electric with his fastball and he really made good pitches when he had guys in situations where he needed to put them away, especially in the heart of the lineup."

While Mejia has been sharp, Edinson Volquez has been anything but.

Volquez (8-10, 5.80) has walked 4.28 batters per nine innings, the highest clip in the NL and one that's largely contributed to his league-worst ERA.

The right-hander failed to get out of the fifth inning Monday, allowing eight runs, nine hits and three walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 14-2 loss at Colorado.

He might not fare much better Saturday. Volquez is 0-5 with a 7.76 ERA in six career starts against New York and was lifted two batters into the fourth inning on Opening Day in Queens, getting charged with six runs in an 11-2 loss.

The Mets (56-64) will look to add to their recent power surge. After hitting just three home runs over their first eight games in August, they have nine in their last seven - including three in Friday's 5-2 victory.

They have homered in all five games they have played against the Padres, with nine overall.

Travis d'Arnaud certainly has the potential to add to that total. The Mets' prized prospect and perhaps the best catcher in the minor leagues is set to make his major league debut on Saturday while John Buck is on the paternity list.

D'Arnaud fractured a bone in his left foot in April, missing three months, but he hasn't looked rusty in Triple-A Las Vegas. The 24-year-old had a .487 on-base percentage and 1.041 OPS in 19 games with the 51s, drawing 21 walks in 78 plate appearances.

"He's done very well there," general manager Sandy Alderson told the team's official website. "His approach offensively has been terrific. He's throwing the ball well. So we'll see what he offers."

The Padres (54-68) could definitely use an injection of life offensively. They've scored 25 runs while losing eight of 10.

Jesus Guzman is 2 for his last 17 with six strikeouts, while Chase Headley is 2 for his last 20 with nine strikeouts.

Will Venable, who has fanned five times in the first two games of this series, has struck out nine times in 17 at_bats against the Mets.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Padres
Thu, Aug 15 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Padres
Fri, Aug 16 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Padres
Sat, Aug 17 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Mets at Padres
Sun, Aug 18 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (40-81) at Angels (54-67)
Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 17, 2013 9:05 PM EDT


Since returning to the starting rotation, Garrett Richards has resembled the pitcher manager Mike Scioscia believed threw the best of anyone on the Los Angeles Angels in spring training.

Dallas Keuchel is hoping for the same long-term effect from his bullpen stint for the Houston Astros.

Los Angeles looks to avoid a sixth consecutive home loss while preventing Houston from winning its fourth game in five tries Saturday night.

Richards (3-5, 4.04 ERA) began the season in the bullpen and has made 30 relief appearances, though he's also been called upon to help plug gaps in the rotation caused by injury and inconsistency with other starters.

He went 1-2 with a 5.54 ERA in four starts from April 13-30 but has been much better in his starting role this time since taking the spot of Joe Blanton, who is 2-13 and struggled again in relief in Friday's series opener.

Richards has gone 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four outings since July 27. He gave up two runs in his first career complete game, though he was saddled with a 2-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium on Monday.

"I think in the bullpen, it helped him to get his power stuff in order," Scioscia said. "Now back in the rotation, he's getting length and depth. You're seeing his ability to command counts improve, and he's having a lot of success."

The right-hander gave up four runs in 6 1-3 innings before the Angels rallied for a 5-4 win over Houston on April 13, and he's also faced them three other times in relief following that outing.

Los Angeles (54-67), though, has dropped 15 of 21 after falling 8-2 to the Astros on Friday. Hank Conger had two hits, but Blanton gave up four runs in the ninth - including homers on consecutive pitches - in the loss.

"The few chances we had, we just couldn't get a hit to get us right back into it," Scioscia said.

Chris Carter hit a three-run homer off Blanton in the ninth for a career-best five RBIs, and Matt Dominguez followed with a solo shot for Houston (40-81), which improved to 8-6 against the Angels.

``I don't know why we do so good against them, but we're playing hard and having fun,' Carter said. "It's nice to have a game like that and get going again.'

The Astros look to make it six straight wins in Anaheim on Saturday with help from Keuchel (5-7, 4.97), who made two appearances out of the bullpen before returning to the rotation Sunday

The left-hander went 8 2-3 innings and struck out eight, but he gave up six runs - five earned and four alone with two outs in the ninth before being replaced - in a 6-1 loss to Texas.

An Astros error in the final inning was their second of the game.

"I told him, `You pitched one heck of a game, hold your head high, you don't have anything to hang your head about,'' manager Bo Porter said. "Defensively, we let him down.'

Keuchel had a solid start against the Angels on May 31, when he gave up two runs in seven innings of a 6-3 victory. He'll try to keep Mike Trout off base, which is something no team has been able to do for the last 38 games.

Trout, whose streak is the second-longest in franchise history, has hit safely in 12 of 14 meetings with Houston this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Angels
Fri, Aug 16 Final 8 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Angels
Sat, Aug 17 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Angels
Sun, Aug 18 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (65-57) at Athletics (69-52)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 17, 2013 9:05 PM EDT


Continued home success against the Cleveland Indians just might propel the Oakland Athletics back to the top of the AL West.

The A's could potentially find themselves in first place with a sixth straight home victory over the Indians on Saturday night.

Oakland (69-52) was outscored 21-8 while being swept in a four-game set at Cleveland in May, but it scored just enough to beat the Indians 3-2 at home Friday.

The A's second straight victory overall and fifth in a row at home over Cleveland (65-57) leaves them a half-game behind Texas in the West. Oakland last sat alone atop the division Aug. 6.

"Every one's huge now,' A's infielder Eric Sogard said. "We're not in the middle of the game looking at the scoreboard, though.'

Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Sogard delivered a go-ahead double in the seventh after ex-Athletic Nick Swisher tied the score in the top of the frame with an RBI single.

Cespedes is 10 for 25 with two home runs and eight RBIs in seven career home games against the Indians.

The A's hope Dan Straily (6-6, 4.19 ERA) can build on the longest outing of his short career when he takes the mound Saturday. The right-hander is 0-4 with a 3.95 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break after giving up a run in 7 1-3 innings before Oakland's offense erupted in a 5-1 win Monday.

He had not completed five innings in each of his previous three outings.

"The mindset was throwing as hard as I can for as long as I can," Straily told the Athletics' official website. "I was able to execute pitches, keep the ball down in the zone, and that's something I haven't been able to do the last few times out."

This will be his first appearance against the Indians, who counter with Ubaldo Jimenez (8-7, 4.11).

Jimenez gave up five runs - two earned - and nine hits over four innings of a 10-0 loss at Miami on Aug. 2, then bounced back to last 6 1-3 while allowing three runs in a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels last Saturday.

The right-hander improved to 2-0 with a 3.57 ERA in three starts against the A's when he allowed two runs and struck out eight in 5 2-3 innings of a 7-3 victory May 6.

Swisher, who still gets booed in Oakland, had two hits for a Cleveland team that trails first-place Detroit by six games in the Central and is 4 1/2 back of the A's for the final wild-card spot.

"We couldn't catch a break,' losing pitcher Justin Masterson said of the Indians, who stranded 13 and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. "We were getting some good at_bats. We got guys on, we weren't able to get that extra one.'

Swisher is 6 for 18 versus Oakland this season, and batting .343 in his last 17 at the Coliseum.

Teammate Asdrubal Cabrera is hitless in his last 20 at_bats.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Athletics
Fri, Aug 16 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Athletics
Sat, Aug 17 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Athletics
Sun, Aug 18 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

San Francisco at Miami
The Giants look to build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games as a road favorite. San Francisco is the pick (-135) according to Dunkel, which has the Giants favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-135). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Game 901-902: St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Kelly) 13.899; Cubs (Wood) 14.707
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 9
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+125); N/A

Game 903-904: San Francisco at Miami (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 16.784; Miami (Alvarez) 15.118
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-135); Under

Game 905-906: Arizona at Pittsburgh (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Cahill) 14.541; Pittsburgh (Locke) 15.931
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-160); Under

Game 907-908: LA Dodgers at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.407; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 15.860
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-200); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+170); Over

Game 909-910: Cincinnati at Milwaukee (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Latos) 16.656; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 15.325
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-140); Under

Game 911-912: Washington at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Strasburg) 16.338; Atlanta (Minor) 15.287
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-125); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+105); Over

Game 913-914: NY Mets at San Diego (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Mejia) 16.057; San Diego (Volquez) 13.866
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 2; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+115); Over

Game 915-916: NY Yankees at Boston (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Kuroda) 14.803; Boston (Lackey) 16.400
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-135); Under

Game 917-918: Kansas City at Detroit (7:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Davis) 16.735; Detroit (Fister) 15.892
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+180); Over

Game 919-920: Toronto at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Happ) 14.383; Tampa Bay (Hernandez) 15.838
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-150); Under

Game 921-922: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Sale) 15.858; Minnesota (Albers) 14.383
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-120); 7
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-120); Under

Game 923-924: Seattle at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.389; Texas (Perez) 14.259
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Texas (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+100); Over

Game 925-926: Houston at LA Angels (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Keuchel) 14.421; LA Angels (Richards) 15.962
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-185); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-185); Under

Game 927-928: Cleveland at Oakland (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Jimenez) 16.094; Oakland (Straily) 15.112
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+120); Over

Game 929-930: Colorado at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Bettis) 15.133; Baltimore (Norris) 16.700
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-185); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-185); Under

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 17

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ST LOUIS (69 - 52) at CHICAGO CUBS (53 - 68) - 4:05 PM
JOE KELLY (R) vs. TRAVIS WOOD (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 12-19 (-13.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 35-17 (+13.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 114-169 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 24-36 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-31 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 19-35 (-11.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 13-23 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 24-36 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 80-124 (-26.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-48 (-31.5 Units) against the money line in home games after shutting out their opponent since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 19-33 (-12.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 24-45 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 138-182 (-60.2 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.
WOOD is 0-9 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 7-7 (+3.3 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.3 Units)

JOE KELLY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
KELLY is 1-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.059.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

TRAVIS WOOD vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
WOOD is 3-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.463.
His team's record is 4-5 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.8 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (54 - 67) at MIAMI (46 - 74) - 7:10 PM
MATT CAIN (R) vs. HENDERSON ALVAREZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 54-67 (-24.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-30 (-16.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 53-63 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 32-43 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 38-44 (-14.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 23-36 (-22.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CAIN is 2-9 (-11.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 17-8 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in road games in August games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 25-10 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAIN is 18-7 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 115-167 (-34.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 95-123 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 114-163 (-31.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 42-58 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 76-117 (-29.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 99-154 (-43.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-2 (+2.7 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

MATT CAIN vs. MIAMI since 1997
CAIN is 4-4 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.111.
His team's record is 7-5 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-6. (-0.9 units)

HENDERSON ALVAREZ vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
No recent starts.

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ARIZONA (62 - 58) at PITTSBURGH (72 - 49) - 4:05 PM
TREVOR CAHILL (R) vs. JEFF LOCKE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 72-49 (+26.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 42-20 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-16 (+13.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 54-46 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 72-49 (+26.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 60-38 (+26.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 42-29 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PITTSBURGH is 333-345 (+48.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 37-40 (-26.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 26-46 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-1 (+2.6 Units) against ARIZONA this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

TREVOR CAHILL vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
CAHILL is 1-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 0.947.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

JEFF LOCKE vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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LA DODGERS (71 - 50) at PHILADELPHIA (53 - 68) - 7:05 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. KYLE KENDRICK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 365-338 (+39.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
KENDRICK is 65-45 (+21.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA DODGERS are 71-50 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 34-25 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 14-1 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
LA DODGERS are 32-14 (+19.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 68-50 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 23-16 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 48-32 (+9.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 42-28 (+8.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 35-14 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LA DODGERS are 18-4 (+12.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 53-68 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 69-69 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-30 (-21.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 53-68 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-45 (-17.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 64-81 (-25.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 64-83 (-26.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 4-1 (+2.6 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
KERSHAW is 0-5 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 4.78 and a WHIP of 1.310.
His team's record is 3-6 (-3.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.7 units)

KYLE KENDRICK vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
KENDRICK is 3-5 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 7.68 and a WHIP of 1.732.
His team's record is 3-5 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.9 units)

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CINCINNATI (69 - 53) at MILWAUKEE (53 - 69) - 7:10 PM
MAT LATOS (R) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 84-45 (+25.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 108-60 (+32.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 30-23 (+11.1 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.
GALLARDO is 29-11 (+15.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 168-121 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 647-717 (+57.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 309-330 (+34.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 168-121 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 422-465 (+37.3 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 466-515 (+46.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 75-44 (+24.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 42-21 (+11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CINCINNATI is 207-166 (+47.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
LATOS is 39-19 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LATOS is 39-19 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 53-69 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 53-69 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 7-4 (+1.4 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
9 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.5 Units)

MAT LATOS vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
LATOS is 2-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.082.
His team's record is 3-3 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.2 units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
GALLARDO is 6-6 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.53 and a WHIP of 1.573.
His team's record is 6-11 (-6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-9. (-4.2 units)

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WASHINGTON (59 - 62) at ATLANTA (75 - 47) - 7:10 PM
STEPHEN STRASBURG (R) vs. MIKE MINOR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 59-62 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 3-14 (-10.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
WASHINGTON is 59-62 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 22-32 (-12.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WASHINGTON is 1-11 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
STRASBURG is 8-15 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 6-11 (-9.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 8-15 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 4-9 (-8.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 2-9 (-9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 75-47 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 43-17 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 80-44 (+26.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 74-46 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 53-31 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ATLANTA is 33-12 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 106-63 (+27.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 26-7 (+16.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
ATLANTA is 59-28 (+20.4 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.
MINOR is 10-1 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 11-3 (+8.7 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.3 Units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. ATLANTA since 1997
STRASBURG is 3-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 3.43 and a WHIP of 1.266.
His team's record is 4-7 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-4. (+2.4 units)

MIKE MINOR vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
MINOR is 3-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.487.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-4. (-1.2 units)

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NY METS (56 - 64) at SAN DIEGO (54 - 68) - 8:40 PM
JENRRY MEJIA (R) vs. EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 130-151 (+2.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
VOLQUEZ is 38-25 (+17.0 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 39-26 (+19.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 31-32 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY METS are 31-32 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 80-79 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 57-46 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 13-6 (+9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 4-1 (+3.3 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JENRRY MEJIA vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. NY METS since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 0-5 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 7.76 and a WHIP of 1.912.
His team's record is 0-6 (-7.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.5 units)

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NY YANKEES (63 - 58) at BOSTON (72 - 52) - 4:05 PM
HIROKI KURODA (R) vs. JOHN LACKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 32-19 (+10.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY YANKEES are 29-15 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.
KURODA is 6-0 (+7.7 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. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 141-145 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 73-69 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 16-28 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 55-69 (-22.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 122-131 (-35.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 92-101 (-26.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 70-91 (-28.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 27-50 (-23.7 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-4 (+1.0 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.9 Units)

HIROKI KURODA vs. BOSTON since 1997
KURODA is 3-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.72 and a WHIP of 1.186.
His team's record is 4-5 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.5 units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
LACKEY is 8-11 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.55 and a WHIP of 1.506.
His team's record is 14-14 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 15-13. (+0.0 units)

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KANSAS CITY (64 - 57) at DETROIT (71 - 51) - 7:05 PM
WADE DAVIS (R) vs. DOUG FISTER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 64-57 (+6.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 31-29 (+6.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 28-17 (+15.0 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 31-21 (+10.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
KANSAS CITY is 96-94 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 48-38 (+10.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 30-27 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 166-131 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 158-125 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 7-4 (+5.9 Units) against DETROIT this season
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.4 Units)

WADE DAVIS vs. DETROIT since 1997
DAVIS is 0-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.34 and a WHIP of 1.299.
His team's record is 1-4 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

DOUG FISTER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
FISTER is 2-4 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.84 and a WHIP of 1.159.
His team's record is 4-5 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.5 units)

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TORONTO (56 - 66) at TAMPA BAY (69 - 51) - 7:10 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 56-66 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 15-28 (-13.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TORONTO is 31-44 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 34-37 (-9.6 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf this season.
TORONTO is 7-19 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
TAMPA BAY is 36-19 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 505-588 (+24.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 112-60 (+32.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 20-4 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 9-5 (+3.3 Units) against TORONTO this season
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-1.6 Units)

J.A. HAPP vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
HAPP is 0-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 10.98 and a WHIP of 2.439.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.5 units)

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. TORONTO since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 3-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.01 and a WHIP of 1.413.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-2. (+4.3 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (47 - 74) at MINNESOTA (54 - 66) - 7:10 PM
CHRIS SALE (L) vs. ANDREW ALBERS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 47-74 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 4-12 (-11.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 19-42 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 16-36 (-20.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 45-69 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 27-48 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 2-14 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 20-37 (-20.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 2-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
SALE is 0-6 (-8.2 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 14-5 (+14.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
MINNESOTA is 53-60 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 33-21 (+18.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-7 (+9.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 343-340 (+29.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 92-129 (-36.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-27 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 31-50 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 10-4 (+7.6 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.8 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

CHRIS SALE vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SALE is 3-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.16 and a WHIP of 0.960.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

ANDREW ALBERS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

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SEATTLE (56 - 65) at TEXAS (70 - 52) - 8:05 PM
FELIX HERNANDEZ (R) vs. MARTIN PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 86-51 (+24.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 37-15 (+15.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
TEXAS is 67-29 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 8-6 (+0.1 Units) against SEATTLE this season
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 12-18 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.83 and a WHIP of 1.281.
His team's record is 15-22 (-14.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 19-14. (+3.3 units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. SEATTLE since 1997
PEREZ is 0-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.929.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

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HOUSTON (40 - 81) at LA ANGELS (54 - 67) - 9:05 PM
DALLAS KEUCHEL (L) vs. GARRETT RICHARDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 95-187 (-42.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 68-139 (-48.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 6-27 (-16.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 66-156 (-43.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 19-59 (-25.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 85-138 (-48.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday since 1997.
HOUSTON is 93-182 (-42.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 105-220 (-66.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 31-76 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 11-41 (-25.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 12-11 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
LA ANGELS are 54-67 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 32-36 (-13.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 30-33 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
LA ANGELS are 18-34 (-26.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA ANGELS are 54-67 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 35-53 (-32.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 11-20 (-13.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 25-41 (-26.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LA ANGELS are 28-27 (-12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 8-6 (+8.6 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

DALLAS KEUCHEL vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
KEUCHEL is 1-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

GARRETT RICHARDS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
RICHARDS is 0-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.69 and a WHIP of 0.948.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

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CLEVELAND (65 - 57) at OAKLAND (69 - 52) - 9:05 PM
UBALDO JIMENEZ (R) vs. DANIEL STRAILY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 11-33 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 69-52 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 33-20 (+12.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 44-19 (+17.9 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 88-53 (+27.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 36-15 (+17.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 269-198 (+64.2 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 66-48 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 43-29 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 111-77 (+36.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 41-27 (+10.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
OAKLAND is 80-65 (+25.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 35-28 (+11.8 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.
CLEVELAND is 65-57 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 62-54 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
JIMENEZ is 14-9 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-1 (+3.1 Units) against OAKLAND this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

UBALDO JIMENEZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
JIMENEZ is 2-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.57 and a WHIP of 1.471.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

DANIEL STRAILY vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

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COLORADO (58 - 65) at BALTIMORE (65 - 56) - 7:05 PM
CHAD BETTIS (R) vs. BUD NORRIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 195-254 (-60.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 4-12 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game this season.
COLORADO is 195-251 (-57.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 82-109 (-36.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 161-128 (+42.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 75-55 (+20.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 60-48 (+5.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 46-34 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 47-35 (+10.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BALTIMORE is 33-22 (+9.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
BALTIMORE is 179-302 (-101.3 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-0 (+1.7 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CHAD BETTIS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.

BUD NORRIS vs. COLORADO since 1997
NORRIS is 0-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 7.40 and a WHIP of 1.838.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)