Announcement

**Ripped71** · 05-29-2004, 11:32 AM

National League

ATL at PHI
• Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
• ATL is 5-1 in Thomson's last six road starts.
• Under is 8-2 in ATL last 10 overall.
• PHI is 5-2 in Padilla's last seven starts vs ATL.
• PHI is 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• Home team is 7-3 in Holbrook's last 10 BHP.

STL at HOU
• Road team is 6-1 in Froemming's last seven BHP.
• Williams is 0-4 in his last four day starts.
• STL last three road games played under.
• HOU is 12-4 in Miller's last 16 starts vs. STL.
• Over is 7-3 in HOU last 10 overall.
• Home team has lost the last seven meetings.

NYM at FLA
• Over is 4-1-1 in Fichter's last six BHP.
• NYM are 3-1 in Seo's last four starts.
• The Mets are 2-13 in Game 2 of a series.
• FLO is 5-1 in Pavano's last six starts vs. NYM.
• FLO is 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.

CIN at MTL
• Over is 4-0 in Reilly's last four BHP vs. CIN.
• CIN is 3-1 in Acevedo's last four starts.
• CIN is 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
• Under is 8-1 in Day's last nine starts.
• MON is 1-7 in their last eight overall.
• Under is 3-1 in the last four meetings.

SD at MIL
• Under is 3-1 when the wind is 0-10 MPH.
• SD has lost Tankersley's last six starts.
• Over is 5-1-2 in SD last eight overall.
• Under is 8-1 in MIL last nine overall.
• MIL is 5-2 in their last seven overall.
• MIL is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings.

CHC at PIT
• Over is 5-2 when the wind is 0-10 MPH.
• Over is 5-2 in Mitre's last seven starts.
• CHC is 3-7 in their last 10 overall.
• PIT is 2-5 in Fogg's last seven starts vs. CHC.
• PIT is 5-2 in their last seven overall.
• Over is 6-0-1 in the last seven meetings.

AZ at LA
• Under is 7-3 in Culbreth's last 10 BHP.
• Over is 5-1 in Webb's last six night starts.
• ARI is 3-7 in their last 10 overall.
• LA is 2-8 in their last 10 overall.
• Under is 4-1 in Lima's last five starts vs. ARI.
• Under is 12-3 in the last 15 meetings.

COL at SF
• Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
• Over is 4-1 in Fassero's last five starts.
• COL is 2-8 in their last 10 overall.
• SF is 1-4 in Williams last five starts.
• SF is 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
• Home team is 15-3 in the last 18 meetings.

**Ripped71** · 05-29-2004, 11:34 AM

ATLANTA (23 - 24) at PHILADELPHIA (26 - 20) - 1:20 PM
JOHN THOMSON (R) vs. VICENTE PADILLA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
THOMSON is 4-17 (-16.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)
THOMSON is 5-1 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in road games in all games this season. (Team's Record)
THOMSON is 5-1 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
THOMSON is 5-1 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 18-21 (-1.2 Units) against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
20 of 36 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)

JOHN THOMSON vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
THOMSON is 4-4 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.98 and a WHIP of 1.305.
His team's record is 4-4 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-6. (-4.4 units)

VICENTE PADILLA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
PADILLA is 5-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.49 and a WHIP of 1.267.
His team's record is 7-4 (+4.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.7 units)

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ST LOUIS (25 - 22) at HOUSTON (26 - 21) - 4:05 PM
WOODY WILLIAMS (R) vs. WADE MILLER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 7-2 (+5.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 24-20 (+3.2 Units) against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
20 of 42 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-4.8 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

WOODY WILLIAMS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
WILLIAMS is 8-3 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.278.
His team's record is 10-5 (+5.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-9. (-4.2 units)

WADE MILLER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
MILLER is 8-4 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.36 and a WHIP of 0.994.
His team's record is 12-4 (+7.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-7. (+0.3 units)

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NY METS (23 - 24) at FLORIDA (28 - 20) - 6:05 PM
JAE SEO (R) vs. CARL PAVANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 1-6 (-6.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
SEO is 3-12 (-8.7 Units) against the money line when pitching in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
FLORIDA is 75-33 (+37.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 96-62 (+32.8 Units) against the money line in home games in day games since 1997.
FLORIDA is 6-1 (+5.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
FLORIDA is 23-9 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA is 114-69 (+45.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
PAVANO is 8-0 (+8.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 44-25 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in home games in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 20-6 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 44-25 (+20.3 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 20-9 (+14.1 Units) against the money line vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 15-4 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in home games when his team is off a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 11-1 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games when pitching in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PAVANO is 7-1 (+7.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 21-18 (+3.0 Units) against NY METS over the last 3 seasons
22 of 39 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)

JAE SEO vs. FLORIDA since 1997
SEO is 2-1 when starting against FLORIDA with an ERA of 1.02 and a WHIP of 0.849.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

CARL PAVANO vs. NY METS since 1997
PAVANO is 4-7 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.249.
His team's record is 8-7 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-9. (-4.2 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (25 - 22) at PITTSBURGH (22 - 22) - 7:05 PM
SERGIO MITRE (R) vs. JOSH FOGG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
FOGG is 8-2 (+5.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
FOGG is 8-3 (+6.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
FOGG is 8-2 (+5.4 Units) against the money line in home games when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 5-1 (+3.9 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 20-24 (+1.5 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS over the last 3 seasons
23 of 42 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.8 Units)

SERGIO MITRE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MITRE is 1-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

JOSH FOGG vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
FOGG is 3-5 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 7.74 and a WHIP of 1.544.
His team's record is 4-6 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-4. (+1.5 units)

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CINCINNATI (28 - 20) at MONTREAL (15 - 32) - 7:05 PM
JOSE ACEVEDO (R) vs. ZACH DAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 22-13 (+13.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 7-3 (+7.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 6-1 (+7.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
CINCINNATI is 7-3 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in road games when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MONTREAL is 3-11 (-8.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
MONTREAL is 3-12 (-8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTREAL is 5-16 (-10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 9-4 (+3.8 Units) against CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.8 Units, Under=-1.0 Units)

JOSE ACEVEDO vs. MONTREAL since 1997
No recent starts.

ZACH DAY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
DAY is 0-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.143.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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SAN DIEGO (27 - 21) at MILWAUKEE (24 - 22) - 7:05 PM
DENNIS TANKERSLEY (R) vs. WES OBERMUELLER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 6-1 (+4.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 10-3 (+6.9 Units) against SAN DIEGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)

DENNIS TANKERSLEY vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
TANKERSLEY is 1-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 11.17 and a WHIP of 2.172.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

WES OBERMUELLER vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

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ARIZONA (18 - 30) at LOS ANGELES (24 - 22) - 10:10 PM
BRANDON WEBB (R) vs. JOSE LIMA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 1-6 (-5.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.
ARIZONA is 37-54 (-29.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LIMA is 13-6 (+8.7 Units) against the money line when pitching in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 19-20 (-0.0 Units) against ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
22 of 38 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.2 Units)

BRANDON WEBB vs. LOS ANGELES since 1997
WEBB is 1-0 when starting against LOS ANGELES with an ERA of 2.40 and a WHIP of 0.800.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

JOSE LIMA vs. ARIZONA since 1997
LIMA is 2-4 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.62 and a WHIP of 1.205.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-1. (+3.7 units)

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COLORADO (18 - 29) at SAN FRANCISCO (23 - 24) - 10:15 PM
JEFF FASSERO (L) vs. JEROME WILLIAMS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 57-127 (-54.9 Units) against the money line in road games in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 2-12 (-9.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
COLORADO is 57-127 (-54.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 1-8 (-7.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
FASSERO is 15-27 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in road games when pitching in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 8-1 (+6.7 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 157-91 (+46.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
FASSERO is 9-1 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Saturday since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 24-15 (+4.5 Units) against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
21 of 37 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.0 Units)

JEFF FASSERO vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
FASSERO is 0-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.750.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

JEROME WILLIAMS vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.

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SEATTLE (17 - 30) at BOSTON (30 - 18) - 1:20 PM
FREDDY GARCIA (R) vs. TIM WAKEFIELD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 4-14 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 8-0 (+8.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
BOSTON is 8-0 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
GARCIA is 28-12 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 10-7 (+3.2 Units) against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.8 Units)

FREDDY GARCIA vs. BOSTON since 1997
GARCIA is 5-2 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.12 and a WHIP of 1.295.
His team's record is 5-5 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-6. (-2.1 units)

TIM WAKEFIELD vs. SEATTLE since 1997
WAKEFIELD is 1-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.77 and a WHIP of 1.326.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

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MINNESOTA (26 - 21) at KANSAS CITY (16 - 29) - 2:10 PM
JOHAN SANTANA (L) vs. DENNIS REYES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 160-100 (+45.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 27-18 (+2.4 Units) against KANSAS CITY over the last 3 seasons
21 of 42 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.7 Units, Under=-2.8 Units)

JOHAN SANTANA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
SANTANA is 2-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.71 and a WHIP of 1.310.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.0 units)

DENNIS REYES vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

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TEXAS (26 - 21) at TORONTO (21 - 27) - 4:05 PM
JOSE DOMINGUEZ (R) vs. MIGUEL BATISTA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BATISTA is 23-8 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 23-8 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 6-0 (+6.2 Units) against the money line in home games when his team is off 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997. (Team's Record)
BATISTA is 15-4 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 20-10 (+11.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 7-1 (+6.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 13-6 (+7.3 Units) against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.4 Units)

JOSE DOMINGUEZ vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

MIGUEL BATISTA vs. TEXAS since 1997
BATISTA is 0-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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ANAHEIM (29 - 19) at CHI WHITE SOX (28 - 19) - 4:05 PM
AARON SELE (R) vs. JOHN RAUCH (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SELE is 2-11 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in road games when his team is off 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997. (Team's Record)
ANAHEIM is 10-2 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
ANAHEIM is 6-1 (+4.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 8-9 (-1.5 Units) against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)

AARON SELE vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SELE is 8-3 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.230.
His team's record is 12-5 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-10. (-4.8 units)

JOHN RAUCH vs. ANAHEIM since 1997
No recent starts.

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NY YANKEES (29 - 18) at TAMPA BAY (16 - 30) - 6:15 PM
KEVIN BROWN (R) vs. MARK HENDRICKSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 31-34 (-27.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Saturday over the last 3 seasons.
HENDRICKSON is 8-3 (+6.5 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 12-31 (-4.7 Units) against NY YANKEES over the last 3 seasons
20 of 40 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.9 Units, Under=-2.5 Units)

KEVIN BROWN vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
BROWN is 3-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 0.952.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

MARK HENDRICKSON vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
HENDRICKSON is 1-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 7.36 and a WHIP of 1.704.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

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OAKLAND (26 - 21) at CLEVELAND (20 - 26) - 7:05 PM
RICH HARDEN (R) vs. CHAD DURBIN (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 11-6 (+0.5 Units) against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.5 Units)

RICH HARDEN vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
HARDEN is 1-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

CHAD DURBIN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
DURBIN is 2-2 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 7.34 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 3-3 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)

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BALTIMORE (21 - 23) at DETROIT (22 - 25) - 7:05 PM
DANIEL CABRERA (R) vs. JEREMY BONDERMAN (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 7-6 (+3.6 Units) against BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)

DANIEL CABRERA vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

JEREMY BONDERMAN vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
BONDERMAN is 0-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 1.940.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

**Ripped71** · 05-29-2004, 11:37 AM

National League

Atlanta (9.5) at Philadelphia (-155), 1:20 ET
Thomson (R) vs. Padilla (R)
Thomson - 4-17 ATS on Saturdays
Padilla - Philadelphia 10-1 at home off BB games allowing 0 stolen bases

St. Louis (9.5) at Houston (-155), 4:05 ET
Williams (R) vs. Miller (R)
Williams - 1-5 TSR away pitching on 5 or 6 days rest
Miller - Houston 6-1 Over on Saturdays

New York Mets (8.5) at Florida (-160), 6:05 ET
Seo (R) vs. Pavano (R)
Seo - 3-12 TSR in day games
Pavano - 10-0 TSR as a favorite of -150 or higher

Chicago Cubs (9.5) at Pittsburgh (-110), 7:05 ET
Mitre (R) vs. Fogg (R)
Mitre - Cubs 1-5 away off 4+ division losses
Fogg - 8-2 TSR on Saturdays

Cincinnati (-110) at Montreal (8), 7:05 ET
Acevedo (R) vs. Day (R)
Acevedo - 7-1 TSR as a favorite
Day - Montreal 2-7 as a home favorite of -150 or less

San Diego (-110) at Milwaukee (10), 7:05 ET
Tankersly (R) vs. Obermueller (R)
Tankersly - San Diego 6-1 on Saturdays
Obermueller - Milwaukee 1-6 at home off BB games having 5 or less base hits

Arizona (8) at Los Angeles (-110), 10:10 ET
Webb (R) vs. Lima (L)
Webb - 1-5 TSR with a line of +125 to -125
Lima - 7-2 TSR pitching on 7+ days rest

Colorado (9) at San Francisco (-175), 10:15 ET
Fassaro (L) vs. Williams (R)
Fassaro - 9-1 TSR away on Saturdays
Williams - San Francisco 1-6 after playing 4+ games as a home favorite

American League

Seattle (8.5) at Boston (-145), 1:20 ET
Garcia (R) vs. Wakefield (R)
Garcia - Seattle 10-1 off BB losses by 4+ runs
Wakefield - 2-7 TSR at home pitching on 5 or 6 days rest

Minnesota (-115) at Kansas City (10), 2:10 ET
Santana (L) vs. Reyes (L)
Santana - 7-1 TSR after allowing 2+ home runs
Reyes - Kansas City 6-1 Under at home after scoring 2 runs or less

Texas (10) at Toronto (-130), 4:05 ET
Dominguez (R) vs. Batista (R)
Dominguez - Texas 7-1 on Saturdays
Batista - Toronto 1-6 as a favorite of -125 to -175

Anaheim (-110) at Chicago White Sox (10), 4:05 ET
Sele (R) vs. Rauch (R)
Sele - Anaheim 10-2 in day games
Rauch - White Sox 6-2 Under last nine games

New York Yankees (-210) at Tampa Bay (9.5), 6:15 ET
Brown (R) vs. Hendrickson (L)
Brown - Yankees 7-1 after playing 4+ games as road favorite
Hendrickson - Tampa Bay 12-31 vs. the Yankees

Oakland (-145) at Cleveland (10), 7:05 ET
Harden (R) vs. Durbin (R)
Harden - Oakland 12-5 last 17 games
Durbin - 0-2 TSR, 18.00 ERA this season

Baltimore (-110) at Detroit (9.5), 7:05 ET
Cabrera (R) vs. Bonderman (R)
Cabrera - Baltimore 22-9 Over vs. right-handed starters
Bonderman - Detroit 5-1 Over as a home favorite of -125 or less

**Spark** · 05-29-2004, 12:07 PM

Saturday, May 29

National League

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies, 1:20 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 70.
St. Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros, 4:05 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 90.
New York Mets at Florida Marlins, 6:05 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 90.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 70.
San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers, 7:05 p.m.
Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 60.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 75.
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants, 10:15 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 65.
American League

Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox, 1:20 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 65.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals, 2:10 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-25 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 90.
Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays, 4:05 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Near 60.
Anaheim Angels at Chicago White Sox, 4:05 p.m.
Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-20 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 70.
Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Near 70.
Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Near 70.
As of May 29, 2004, at 10:37 AM ET

**Spark** · 05-29-2004, 12:07 PM

Saturday, May 29th (All times eastern)
ATLANTA BRAVES (23-24) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (26-20), 1:20 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - John Thomson (3-2, 4.40) Philadelphia - Vicente Padilla (4-4, 3.79)

(Sports Network) - Vicente Padilla takes aim at his fifth consecutive victory this afternoon when the Philadelphia Phillies continue their four-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Ballpark.

After dropping his first four decisions of the season, the 26-year-old righthander has rebounded nicely in posting four straight wins. On Sunday against the San Diego Padres, the Nicaraguan hurler allowed three runs - one earned - on eight hits over six innings. He also struck out five without walking a batter, as he lowered his earned run average to 3.79 on the season.

Padilla has faced the Braves 12 times in his career, 11 of which have been starts, and is 5-4 against them with a 2.38 ERA.

Countering for Atlanta will be 30-year-old righthander John Thomson, who is 3-2 on the year with a 4.40 ERA, but is coming off a brilliant effort against the Montreal Expos in his last trip to the hill on Monday. In that contest Thomson scattered eight hits over seven scoreless innings and struck out three without walking a batter.

Thomson is 4-4 lifetime against the Phillies with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts.

In the opener of the set on Friday, Tomas Perez knocked in the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning and then homered in the 10th to give the Phillies a 3-2 victory. Pat Burrell also drove in a run for the Phillies, who evened the four-game series a victory apiece.

Tim Worrell (1-1) struck out two in a pair of scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.

DeWayne Wise homered for the Braves, who lost for just the second time in their last six games.

The Braves had a chance to take the lead in the visitors' 10th, but Worrell struck out Mark DeRosa to end the inning with runners at first and third. The Phillies then won in the home half of the frame.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Perez drilled a 2-1 pitch from Antonio Alfonseca (5-1) over the wall in right-center field to give the Phillies the win.

Atlanta lost more than just the game on Friday, as outfielder Chipper Jones left the contest in the first inning after getting drilled in the knee by Phillies' starter Randy Wolf. He is expected to miss today's contest.

Also first baseman Adam LaRoche left the game after a collision with catcher Mike Lieberthal. He sustained a separated left shoulder and was placed on the 15-day disabled list following the game.

Elsewhere on the injury front, the Phillies were without Jim Thome last night after the first baseman had received a cortisone injection for his sore right index finger. However, Thome said that he should be back in the lineup this evening.

Chase Utley is riding an 11-game hitting streak for the Phillies.

The Braves have captured six of their last nine on the road and are 12-14 away from home this season. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is 13-9 in its ballpark this year.

This is the first series between the Braves and Phillies this season. The clubs will play a four-game set at Atlanta next weekend. The Phillies went 10-9 last year versus Atlanta for their first season series win over the Braves since 1991.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (25-22) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (26-21), 4:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Woody Williams (1-5, 5.26) Houston - Wade Miller (5-4, 3.56)

(Sports Network) - Woody Williams hopes to put the brakes on a personal two- game losing streak this afternoon when the St. Louis Cardinals play the middle contest of their three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Williams has been unimpressive to say the least this season, as he is off to a 1-5 start to go along with a 5.26 earned run average. The 37-year-old righthander's latest setback came on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, as he allowed seven runs - six earned - on eight hits over five innings.

In 15 starts against the Astros, Williams has posted an 8-3 mark with a 6.00 ERA.

Houston, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on righthander Wade Miller, who is 5-4 on the season with a 3.56 ERA. Miller absorbed the loss in his last trip to the hill on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, yielding five runs and eight hits over five innings. He also fanned five and walked a pair in the setback.

Miller, who lost to St. Louis earlier in the season, has faced the Cards 17 times in his career, 16 of which have been starts, and is 8-4 against them with a 3.29 ERA.

In the series-opener on Friday, Scott Rolen homered and Ray Lankford scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning to give the Cardinals a 2-1 victory.

Jason Isringhausen blew a save opportunity, but picked up the win. Isringhausen (3-1) was charged with a run on three hits in two innings.

Lankford, pinch hitting, walked to start the top of the 10th against Astros reliever Octavio Dotel. With one out, Rolen singled to send Lankford to third. With Jim Edmonds at the plate, Dotel (0-3) was called for a balk and Lankford trotted home with the go-ahead run. Dotel stranded Rolen by striking out Edmonds and retiring Edgar Renteria on a fly ball to right field.

The Cardinals have won two straight games, while Houston has lost six of its last eight.

Adam Everett extended his career-long hitting streak to 10 games for the Astros, while Jeff Kent extended his streak to 13 games, a season high. Kent is hitting .362 (17-for-47) during the streak.

St. Louis has won four of the seven meetings this season with all four victories coming on the road. Most recently, St. Louis recorded a three-game sweep of Houston at Minute Maid Park from April 20-22. Houston still owns a 14-11 advantage in this set since the start of last season.

The Astros are 14-12 at home this year, while St. Louis owns a 14-8 road mark.

NEW YORK METS (23-24) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (28-20), 6:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Jae Seo (2-4, 5.30) Florida - Carl Pavano (4-2, 3.6

(Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins target their fourth consecutive win this evening when they play the middle contest of their three-game set against the New York Mets at Pro Player Stadium.

In Friday's series-opener, Dontrelle Willis pitched seven strong innings of four-hit ball, as the Marlins pulled out a 2-1 victory. Willis (5-3) was charged with just one run and struck out five to go with his two walks, outdueling counterpart Tom Glavine's seven solid innings of work.

Armando Benitez, facing his former team for the first time, came on to throw a perfect ninth to record his 19th save of the year. The Florida closer has not allowed an earned run since Opening Day, a span of 27 2/3 innings.

Opposing batters are hitless in their last 33 plate appearances against Benitez.

Glavine (6-3), coming off his one-hit masterpiece last Sunday, allowed a run in each of the first two frames, but settled down to throw five shutout innings after that. He surrendered just five hits and a pair of walks, but came away a hard-luck loser.

Miguel Cabrera and Luis Castillo had RBI singles to help the Marlins to their seventh win in nine games. Castillo finished 3-for-3 with a run scored. A win tonight would push the Marlins to a season-high nine games above .500.

Todd Zeile provided the only offense for the Mets with a solo home run, his third of the season. New York has now dropped two in a row after winning its previous four.

Florida will pin its hopes tonight on 28-year-old righthander Carl Pavano, who has split his last four decisions, but comes into tonight's tilt following a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. In that outing Pavano allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings to improve to 4-2 on the year. He also struck out four and walked a batter in the win.

Pavano has faced the Mets 16 times in his career, 15 of which have been starts, and is 4-7 against them with a 3.90 ERA.

The Mets will counter with South Korean righthander Jae Seo, who is just 2-4 on the year with a 5.30 ERA. However, he lost his last start on May 20 against the St. Louis Cardinals, as he allowed four runs and five hits over five frames.

Seo, in his second big league season, started three games against the Marlins last season and was 2-1 against them with a splendid 1.02 ERA.

Mets outfielder Mike Cameron, hampered by a sprained ligament in his pinkie, is hitless in his last 14 at-bats and is mired in a 3-for-38 slump. He has just one RBI in his last 15 games and is hitting a season-low .197.

Florida has won 13 of its last 20 against the Mets, including seven of the last eight meetings.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (26-21) AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS (24-21), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Dennis Tankersley (0-0, 6.00) Milwaukee - Wes Obermueller (2-1, 7.64)

(Sports Network) - Dennis Tankersley will make his first start of the year this evening when the San Diego Padres continue their three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

Tankersley, who will be pitching for an injured Jake Peavy, has pitched in three games this season for the Padres - all in relief - since being recalled on May 21. He pitched a scoreless inning in his first outing, last Saturday against Philadelphia, and two scoreless innings Tuesday night against the Rockies. However, he ran into some trouble on Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on two walks and two hits without retiring a batter.

The 25-year-old righthander was 3-2 as a starter in Triple-A Portland, and his 2.29 ERA led the Pacific Coast League when he was promoted. Tankersley had previously compiled a 1-5 record and a 9.29 ERA in 18 games (10 starts) with the Padres in 2002 and 2003.

Tankersley is 1-1 against the Brewers with a 11.17 ERA in two starts.

Milwaukee will counter with 27-year-old righthander Wes Obermueller, who has not pitched since May 12. Obermueller is 2-1 this season, but has pitched to a lofty 7.64 ERA. In his last outing, Obermueller allowed three runs and five hits over six frames to post a victory over the Montreal Expos.

Obermueller will be making his first-ever appearance against the Padres.

In the series-opener on Friday, Mark Loretta drove in the go-ahead run against his former team, leading San Diego to a 5-2 victory. Loretta, who spent his first seven-plus seasons in the majors with Milwaukee, made it 3-2 with an RBI single in the seventh. He ended 2-for-4.

Brian Lawrence (7-3) struck out 10 in seven strong innings for the win. He yielded two runs -- one earned -- on four hits without a walk.

Sean Burroughs added a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the win and Jay Payton went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, as the Padres picked up their second straight win and moved two games in front of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Ben Grieve homered for the Brewers, who had a two-game winning streak stopped.

Doug Davis (3-4) took the loss, surrendering three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over seven innings. He fanned six and walked four.

The Brewers, who are 12-11 this month, need to win two of their final three games this month to clinch consecutive winning months for the first time since April and May 2001.

All the news was not good, though, for the Padres, as they placed outfielder Ryan Klesko on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his rib cage.

The Brewers are 10-3 versus the Padres since the start of the 2002 season.

CHICAGO CUBS (25-22) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (22-22), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Sergio Mitre (2-3, 5.82) Pittsburgh - Josh Fogg (2-4, 6.81)

(Sports Network) - Josh Fogg targets his third consecutive win this evening when the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their three-game set against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.

After losing his first four decisions of the year, Fogg has produced back-to- back brilliant efforts, including Saturday's one-run outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 27-year-old righthander also allowed five hits over six innings, as he improved to 2-4 on the year, while lowering his earned run average to 6.81.

Fogg, who has lost twice already this season to the Cubs, is just 3-5 lifetime against the Northsiders with a 7.74 ERA in 10 starts.

Countering for the Cubs will be young righty Sergio Mitre, who has dropped three of his last four decisions. The 23-year-old hurler absorbed the loss in his last outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, as he was pounded for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings. He also fanned three and walked a batter, but fell to 2-3 on the season and raised his ERA to 5.82.

Mitre defeated Pittsburgh earlier in the year and has tossed 11 scoreless innings in three outings against the Bucos.

The Pirates opened this four-game set on Friday by sweeping a doubleheader, winning both ends in dramatic fashion. Rob Mackowiak hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of the first game to give Pittsburgh a 9-5 win. Then, Craig Wilson blasted the first pitch of the 10th inning over the wall in right-center field to lift the Pirates to a 5-4 win in the second game.

Mackowiak, who also celebrated the birth of his first child on Friday, sent the second game into extra innings with a two-run shot in the ninth, the 500th in the four-year history of PNC Park.

The Pirates have won nine of their last 13 and at 22-22 are at .500 this late in the season since September 1, 1999 when the club was 67-67. . Corey Patterson smacked a two-run homer in the second game for the Cubs, who have lost four straight and are just 4-7 since Sammy Sosa went on the disabled list.

Chicago has won four of seven meetings between these teams this season, but are 2-2 at PNC Park. The Cubs are 34-26 against the Pirates since the start of the 2001 campaign.

The Cubs are 12-13 on the road this season, while Pittsburgh is just 8-13 in its friendly confines.

CINCINNATI REDS (28-20) AT MONTREAL EXPOS (15-32), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Jose Acevedo (2-3, 4.53) Montreal - Zach Day (3-5, 3.53)

(Sports Network) - Jose Acevedo targets his first win in seven starts this evening when the Cincinnati Reds play the middle contest of their three-game set with the Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium.

Acevedo won his first two decisions, but has had trouble finding the win column since, as he has dropped his last three decisions. However, he has pitched well enough to get a victory in his last two starts, but has walked away without a decision in either encounter.

On Monday against the Houston Astros, the 26-year-old righthander surrendered two runs on nine hits in six innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 7-5 win. He also struck out four without walking a batter and lowered his earned run average to 4.53.

Over his last two starts, spanning 13 innings, Acevedo has allowed just two runs on 14 hits, while fanning 15 batters without issuing one single walk.

The Dominican hurler, who is 0-3 on the road this season, has faced the Expos twice in his young career and is 1-0 against them with a 3.86 ERA.

Montreal, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on 25-year-old righty Zach Day, who has dropped four of his last five starts, including Monday's outing against the Atlanta Braves. In that contest, Day yielded five runs on seven hits, three of which were home runs, in seven innings of work and fell to 3-5 on the season, while raising his ERA to 3.53.

Day will be making his second start against the Reds tonight and has yet to record a decision in two appearances. He has allowed Cincy eight hits and three runs in his 8 1/3 innings against the club.

In the series-opener on Friday, Sean Casey notched four hits, including a two- run homer to lead Cincinnati to a 7-6 win. Casey added two doubles and finished with three RBI to help the Reds to their eighth win in 10 tries. Ken Griffey Jr. added a two-run homer to move into a tie for 20th place on the all-time list.

Cory Lidle (4-4) earned the victory despite surrendering five runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Danny Graves worked a perfect ninth to post his league- leading 22nd save.

Tony Batista, Brad Wilkerson and Matt Cepicky each homered for the Expos, losers in seven of their last eight games. Wilkerson and Carl Everett each added two hits.

Claudio Vargas (3-3), the Expos starter, was saddled with the loss after permitting six runs on nine hits in four-plus innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Casey, who leads the league in hitting with a .390 average, has tallied two or more hits in more than half of his starts this season (23 multi-hit games in 45 starts).

Montreal has posted a 9-4 mark over the last 13 matchups with the Reds and have taken three of the last four meetings at Olympic Stadium. However, the Reds have won 17 of their last 25 games north of the border.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (18-30) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (24-22), 10:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Brandon Webb (2-4, 3.73) Los Angeles - Jose Lima (3-1, 4.94)

(Sports Network) - Brandon Webb tries to get back on the winning track this evening when the Arizona Diamondbacks play the middle contest of their three- game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

After winning two of his first three decisions of the season, the 25-year-old righthander has fallen on hard times of late and is 0-3 over his last five starts with a 5.35 earned run average.

Webb was hammered in taking the loss in his last outing on Monday against the Florida Marlins, as he allowed seven runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 frames. He also struck out five and walked five and fell to 2-4 on the season, while raising his ERA to 3.73.

The second-year pro, who is 0-2 in six road starts this season, is 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts against LA.

Los Angeles will counter with veteran righthander Jose Lima, who will be making his fourth start of the season. The 31-year-old hurler has pitched 31 innings this year, with 11 appearances out of the bullpen, and has allowed 38 hits, while striking out 18 and walking 14. However, he is 3-1 with a 4.94 ERA.

Lima has faced the Diamondbacks six times in his career and is 2-4 against them with a 4.62 ERA.

In Friday's series-opener, Randy Johnson won for the second time in 10 days since pitching a perfect game on May 18, throwing 6 1/3 innings to lead Arizona to a 6-3 win.

Johnson (5-4) yielded three runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts, improving to 5-2 in his last seven starts. He has given up just nine earned runs in his last 47 2/3 innings pitched.

Robby Hammock ended 2-for-4 with a solo homer and pair of RBI in the win, which snapped a four-game losing streak for the Diamondbacks. Danny Bautista added two hits and an RBI.

Arizona has won just four times in its last 16 games, with Johnson getting three of those victories.

Dodgers starter Wilson Alvarez (2-2) left the game after two innings with a hip strain. He took the loss, surrendering one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout.

Jose Hernandez tied a career high with four hits for Los Angeles, which lost its third straight and for the 12th time in 14 games and fell two games back of the San Diego Padres in the NL West.

The Diamondbacks won 10 of the 19 meetings last season. This series has been traditionally tight as Arizona is 30-28 versus LA since the start of the 2001 season.

Arizona, in the midst of a 13-game road trip, is 10-16 away from home this season, while the Dodgers are 11-11 at Chavez Ravine.

COLORADO ROCKIES (18-29) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (23-24), 10:15 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Jeff Fassero (0-3, 5.55) San Francisco - Jerome Williams (3-3, 4.25)

(Sports Network) - Jerome Williams attempts to get back in the win column this evening when the San Francisco Giants continue their three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at SBC Park.

Williams blazed out of the gates with wins in three of his first four starts. However, he is winless in his last five starts and is just 3-3 on the year with a 4.25 earned run average.

Last Saturday against the Montreal Expos, the 22-year-old righthander pitched well enough to get a win, as he allowed a pair of runs on six hits in seven innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 7-2 victory.

Williams has never faced the Rockies before.

Colorado, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on veteran Jeff Fassero, who will be making just his second start of the season. On the year the 41-year-old lefthander is 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA and was rocked in his only other start this year.

Back on April 24, Clint Hurdle handed the ball to Fassero, who wound up getting hammered for seven runs and seven hits in just three innings by the Houston Astros. Since then he has been a situational man coming out of the bullpen.

Fassero is 4-4 lifetime against the Giants with a 4.26 ERA in 23 games, seven of which have been starts.

San Francisco won the opener of this set on Friday in dramatic fashion, as Barry Bonds smacked a two-run, two-out, game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Giants to a 4-2 win.

Bonds' homer was the 671st of his career and capped a four-run ninth that gave the Giants their seventh straight win. Marquis Grissom drove home the tying runs with a two-run single.

Shawn Chacon (0-2) suffered the loss, blowing his fourth save of the season. The Rockies have now dropped two in a row and eight of nine,

The Giants, who were a season-worst eight games below .500 on May 19, will be trying to get back to .500 tonight for the first time since they were 5-5 on April 16. They trail the first-place San Diego Padres by just 3 1/2 games in the NL West.

Colorado first baseman Todd Helton did not start for the seventh straight game with a strained oblique muscle. However, he could be back in the lineup tonight.

This is the first series of the season between these clubs. San Francisco is 33-24 against the Rockies since 2001, including a 20-9 record at SBC Park.

05/29 10:41:25 ET

**Spark** · 05-29-2004, 12:08 PM

Saturday, May 29th (All times eastern)
SEATTLE MARINERS (17-30) AT BOSTON RED SOX (30-1, 1:20 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Seattle - Freddy Garcia (2-3, 2.71) Boston - Tim Wakefield (4-2, 3.21)

(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox look to make it two in a row this afternoon when they square off against the Seattle Mariners in the second game of their three-game set at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox will send Tim Wakefield to the mound this afternoon. Wakefield has been dominant of late, winning two straight outings, allowing just three runs in 14 innings of work.

In his last start, the knuckleballer defeated the Blue Jay 7-2 on May 23rd and allowed just two runs on seven hits. The 37-year-old has struggled against the Mariners in his career, posting just a 3-4 mark with an ERA of 4.29 in nine career outings.

Heading to the mound for the Mariners will be Freddy Garcia. Garcia has been the victim of a punchless offense thus far this season, as the Mariners have tallied just five runs in Garcia's three losses.

Thanks to a brilliant performance against the Tigers on May 23rd in which he held Detroit to just one run in seven innings, Garcia was able to boost his record to 2-3 on the year.

In 10 career starts against the Red Sox, the 27-year-old has had good success, posting a 5-2 mark with an ERA of 4.12.

Last night, David Ortiz delivered a grand slam during a five-run fifth inning for Boston, as the Red Sox erased a three-run deficit on the way to an 8-4 victory.

Pedro Martinez (5-3) struck out nine batters without a walk in seven innings for his first win since May 6. He scattered eight hits -- including two homers -- and yielded all four Seattle runs.

Manny Ramirez added a solo homer for the Red Sox, who were coming off a 15-2 loss to Oakland on Thursday night. They have won six of seven.

Joel Pineiro (1-6) lost his fifth straight decision, surrendering six runs on six hits in 6 1/3 frames. He fanned nine and walked three.

Bret Boone and Rich Aurilia hit solo homers for the Mariners, losers of two straight on the heels of a three-game win streak. Boone ended 2-for-4.

Boston had just one hit before its five-run fifth inning.

Ortiz's second career grand slam, a first-pitch blast over the right field wall that landed just out of Ichiro Suzuki's reach, capped the rally. It was his 100th career homer.

The Red Sox went 5-2 against Seattle last season and won the final five games in the series.

The Red Sox are 17-7 at Fenway this season, while the Mariners are just 8-17 away from the confines of Safeco Field.

MINNESOTA TWINS (26-21) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (16-29), 2:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Minnesota - Johan Santana (2-2, 5.60) Kansas City - Dennys Reyes (0-0, 2.51)

(Sports Network) - Johan Santana will try to rebound from consecutive bad outings today, when the Minnesota Twins take on the Kansas City Royals in the second contest of a three-game series from Kauffman Stadium.

The 25-year-old lefthander was a perfect 10-0 dating back to the middle of July of 2003, but he has suffered two straight losses since. In his most recent outing on May 23rd, Santana lacked command, allowing seven runs and 10 hits in a career-low three innings of work. He has allowed four or more earned runs in three of his last four outings.

Santana has had his share of problems against the Royals during his career, despite posting a 3-2 mark. He has an ERA of 5.74 in 16 career appearances, including five starts, versus Kansas City.

Taking the hill for the Royals today will be Dennys Reyes, who has split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen. The 27-year-old lefthander has a 3.05 ERA in five starts this season, but has yet to earn a decision. Reyes is coming off his best effort of the year on May 23rd, allowing two earned runs and five hits over six innings of an eventual 3-2 loss to Oakland.

Reyes has made four career relief appearances against the Twins, going 0-0 with a 2.00 ERA.

In the series opener on Friday, Tony Graffanino hustled out an infield single in the bottom of the ninth to score Wilton Guerrero with the game-winning run, as the Royals edged the Twins, 2-1.

Graffanino, fresh off the 15-day disabled list with a knee injury, was called safe on a close play at first after grounding a ball into the hole at short. Cristian Guzman backhanded the roller and made a strong throw, but Graffanino beat it out with a dive into the bag, allowing Guerrero to score the winning run from third.

New Royals closer Jeremy Affeldt (1-3) picked up the win after tossing a scoreless ninth. Rookie prospect Zack Greinke threw seven strong innings but left with a no decision after yielding just one run on seven hits in his second big league start.

Ken Harvey finished with his second three-hit performance in as many games, helping Kansas City to its third win in eight chances.

Twins starter Brad Radke matched Greinke's effort but also did not factor in the decision. Radke scattered seven hits in seven innings of work with just one run against him. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Radke's replacement, Juan Rincon (6-3) suffered the loss after allowing the winning run in the ninth.

Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-3 and accounted for the Twins' lone run with a solo homer in the fifth that tied the game up at 1-1. Minnesota has lost six of its last eight contests.

Kansas City is 11-11 at home this season, while the Twins have posted a 12-13 mark on the road.

Minnesota took five of its six meetings with the Royals last season and was 2-1 in KC. The Twins are also 19-13 in their last 32 visits to Kauffman Stadium.

TEXAS RANGERS (26-21) AT TORONTO BLUE JAYS (21-27), 4:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Juan Dominguez (0-0, 0.00) Toronto - Miguel Batista (2-4, 5.52)

(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers try to snap a three slide today, when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the second contest of a three-game set from SkyDome.

Taking the hill for the Rangers today will be Juan Dominguez, who is taking the spot of the injured Chan Ho Park. The 24-year-old righthander is making his fist appearances in the majors this season after going 5-1 with a 3.13 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma.

Dominguez appeared in six games for the Rangers last season and was 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA. He has never faced the Blue Jays in his brief major league career.

Countering for Toronto will be Miguel Batista. The veteran righthander had his two- game winning streak snapped in his last outing on May 23rd, allowing five earned runs and seven hits in just three innings of a 7-2 setback to Boston.

Batista lost his only other appearance against Texas in his career, yielding four earned runs and six hits over seven innings.

In the first game of the series on Friday, Vernon Wells went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead the Toronto to a 5-4 win. Carlos Delgado added a two-run homer and Josh Phelps had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Blue Jays, who have won four in a row -- all by one run.

Rod Barajas went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and a career-high four RBI for Texas, which has dropped four of five.

Ted Lilly (3-2) got the win, tossing six innings of one-run ball. He scattered six hits, struck out four and walked a season-high five, earning his first victory since May 1.

R.A. Dickey (4-5) was hit with the loss, yielding five runs -- four earned -- in six innings. He allowed eight hits, struck out one and walked two, but he and his teammates couldn't rebound from a four-run first for Toronto.

With the win on Friday, the Blue Jays improved to an even 13-13 at home after starting the season 0-8.

Texas won five of nine meetings with the Blue Jays last season and are 13-6 against Toronto since the start of the 2002 campaign.

ANAHEIM ANGELS (29-19) AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX (28-19), 4:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Anaheim - Aaron Sele (3-0, 3.05) Chicago - Jon Rauch (0-0, 0.00)

(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox shoot for their fourth straight victory today, when they host the Anaheim Angels in the second contest of a three-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.

Getting the ball for the White Sox today will be Jon Rauch, who is making his first major league appearance of the season. The 25-year-old righthander posted a 2.25 earned run average over his last two Major League starts in 2002 against Minnesota, and posted solid numbers at Triple-A Charlotte.

Rauch, who went 2-1 with a 6.59 ERA in eight starts for the White Sox last season, has never faced the Angels before.

Countering for Anaheim will be veteran Aaron Sele, who is trying to remain unbeaten on the season. The crafty righthander has flourished since being moved into the starting rotation, going 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts.

Sele has fared well against the White Sox in his career, with an 8-5 mark and a 3.70 ERA in 22 appearances.

On Friday, Paul Konerko drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Angels in the opener of the three-game series.

Konerko finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI and a his ninth home run of the season.

Starter Jon Garland allowed just two runs in seven strong innings, but did not receive a decision.

Shingo Takatsu (3-0) threw a 1-2-3 ninth for the win.

Ramon Ortiz (1-4) took the loss after allowing the winning run on two hits in one- third of an inning.

Kelvim Escobar started the game for Anaheim, allowing two runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of work.

Jose Guillen homered for the Angels, who have lost four straight games, each by one run.

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen will miss today's contest to attend his son's high school graduation. Bench coach Harold Baines will take over the managerial duties for one day.

The White Sox took four of their seven matchups with Anaheim last season, but have dropped 15 of the last 26 meetings. The Angels dropped all three contests in Chicago last year.

NEW YORK YANKEES (29-1 AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (16-30), 6:15 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Kevin Brown (5-1, 3.60) Tampa Bay - Mark Hendrickson (2-4, 5.15)

(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees will try to extend their winning streak to six games tonight when they square off against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the second contest of a three-game series at Tropicana Field.

The Yankees will send ace pitcher Kevin Brown to the mound tonight. Brown will look to rebound after he recorded his first loss of the season in his last outing on May 21st. In that contest, Brown allowed five runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings of work against the Rangers.

Brown has already faced the Devil Rays three times this season and has posted a 3-0 record with an impressive ERA of 1.29.

Heading the to the rubber for the Devil Rays will be Mark Hendrickson. In his last outing, Hendrickson allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work, but did not record the decision.

The 29-year-old last won on May 13th when he defeated the Rangers 6-3. In that contest, the southpaw allowed just three runs on seven hits in six innings. This will be Hendrickson's second start against the Bronx Bombers this season. In his other start, Hendrickson allowed five runs on six hits in six innings.

In his career against the Yankees, the left-handed hurler is 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA.

Last night, Gary Sheffield stroked a three-run homer to lead New York to a 7-5 win. Derek Jeter finished with three hits -- including a solo homer -- for the Yankees, while Hideki Matsui and Ruben Sierra also homered.

Javier Vazquez (5-4) earned the victory despite permitting four runs on eight hits in six-plus innings. Mariano Rivera, who earned his 17th save of the season, became the first pitcher in Yankees history -- and 18th in major league history -- to record 300 saves.

Aubrey Huff tied a career high with four hits, including a homer, scored three runs and drove in two for the Devil Rays, who lost for just the second time in their last eight games. Carl Crawford chipped in with three hits and Julio Lugo drove in three.

Sierra's two-run homer with two outs in the fourth forced a 2-2 tie for the Yankees. The upper deck shot to right scored Matsui, who reached on a single.

Waechter (2-5), the Tampa Bay starter, took the loss after permitting six runs on eight hits in five innings.

Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams needs 13 hits to become the seventh Yankee to reach 2,000. Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Don Mattingly, and Yogi Berra are also on that list.

Veteran first baseman Fred McGriff has rejoined the Devil Rays as his contract was selected by the team earlier on Friday from Triple-A Durham. He is the club?s all-time leader in batting average (.295), home runs (97), RBI (352), runs scored (270), at-bats (2002), hits (590), extra-base hits (197), and walks (296). He is nine homers shy of becoming the 20th player in major league history to amass 500 home runs.

This is a series traditionally dominated by the Yankees, as they have won 18 of the last 25 meetings, including 13 of the last 16 encounters. New York has also won 10 of its last 13 and 16 of its last 22 in St. Petersburg.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (21-23) AT DETROIT TIGERS (22-25), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Baltimore - Daniel Cabrera (2-1, 4.32) Detroit - Jeremy Bonderman (4-3, 4.66)

(Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles look to make it two straight tonight when they square off against the Detroit Tigers in the second contest of their three-game series at Comerica Park.

The Orioles will send Daniel Cabrera to the mound tonight. After winning two straight contests, Cabrera was defeated for the first time this season in his start on May 23rd against the Angels. In that contest, the 23-year-old allowed six runs on nine hits in just four innings of work.

With only three career starts under his belt, Cabrera will be facing the Tigers for the first time in his young career.

The Tigers will counter with Jeremy Bonderman on the mound this evening. Bonderman was solid in his last outing, allowing just three runs on nine hits in seven innings of work against the Mariners on May 23rd. Despite the strong effort, the young hurler recorded his third loss of the year.

The 21-year-old has squared off against the Orioles just once in his career. In that outing, Bonderman was defeated as he allowed four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Last night, Luis Matos smacked a two-run homer and went 2- for-4 to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 7-5 win over Detroit at Comerica Park.

B.J. Surhoff was 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Orioles, who snapped a seven- game losing streak. Miguel Tejada added a solo homer in the winning effort.

Baltimore starter Eric DuBose (4-3) went five innings and earned the win by allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts, despite walking five.

Carlos Guillen finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored for the Tigers, who have dropped four of their last five games overall. Chris Shelton added a two-run shot, the first of his major league career.

Detroit starter Jason Johnson (3-6) was saddled with the loss after he yielded six runs on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings of work.

The Tigers split six meetings with the Orioles last season after winning the final three matchups.

The Orioles are just 9-10 away from Camden Yards this season, while the Tigers have struggled at home, posting just a 10-12 mark.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (26-21) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (20-26), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Rich Harden (3-3, 5.56) Cleveland - Joe Dawley (0-0, 00.00)

(Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians will look to grab its third straight victory tonight when they square off against the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their three-game set at Jacobs Field.

The Indians will send a fresh arm to the mound this evening to help try and continue their brief winning streak, as Joe Dawley will be making his first start of the season.

The 32-year-old has only made six appearances in his major league career. In those six games, Dawley has allowed 14 runs on 15 hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.

Heading the rubber for the Athletics will be young hurler Rich Harden. The 22- year-old threw well in his last start, holding the Royals to just two runs on eight hits while striking out six batters in six innings of work on May 23rd.

The righthander last posted a victory on May 12th when he held the Tigers to just one run in seven innings pitched. In his lone career start against the Tribe, Harden was brilliant, tossing seven scoreless innings, while striking out nine batters.

In Friday's series-opener, Casey Blake ended 8 1/2 innings of scoreless baseball with a game-winning home run that gave the Indians a 1-0 victory. Field.

Blake lifted the third pitch he saw from Oakland reliever Jim Mecir (0-4) into the seats in left-center field, making a winner of Jose Jimenez (1-3), who tossed a scoreless ninth. Cleveland has now won two straight on the heels of its season-long seven-game skid.

The Athletics wasted a superb performance by starter Barry Zito, who yielded just three hits in eight shutout innings. He struck out seven, but walked five, a season high.

Indians starter Cliff Lee left a scoreless game after 6 1/3 solid innings in which he allowed only four hits. He tied a career-high with eight strikeouts but also walked five to match a high for his career.

Rafael Betancourt and Matt Miller also combined for the Indians' second shutout of the season.

The A's took six of nine from Cleveland last season and a 11-4 in the last 15 meetings against the Indians.

The Athletics are 14-12 on the road this season, while the Indians are 14-11 at Jacobs Field.

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