Cnotes Best Bets For Wednesday May 20th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (911) OAKLAND@ (912) HOUSTON | 05/20/2015 - 02:10 PM
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using the money line in All games in all games
The record is 14 Wins and 26 Losses for the this season (-17.2 units)


MLB > (921) MINNESOTA@ (922) PITTSBURGH | 05/20/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 14 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+10.9 units)


MLB > (917) TEXAS@ (918) BOSTON | 05/20/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the money line in All games in home games
The record is 41 Wins and 57 Losses for the last two seasons (-30.85 units)


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (919) CLEVELAND@ (920) CHI WHITE SOX | 05/20/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play AGAINST CHI WHITE SOX using the in All games as a home favorite when the run line price is +135 to +160
The record is 4 Wins and 31 Losses for the last three seasons (-24.95 units)

MLB > (975) MILWAUKEE@ (976) DETROIT | 05/19/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using the in All games when playing on Tuesday
The record is 6 Wins and 24 Losses for the last two seasons (-21.45 units)


MLB TOTALS


MLB > (919) CLEVELAND@ (920) CHI WHITE SOX | 05/20/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play OVER CLEVELAND on the total in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 3 Unders for the this season (+12 units)


MLB > (911) OAKLAND@ (912) HOUSTON | 05/20/2015 - 02:10 PM
Play OVER OAKLAND on the total in All games in all games
The record is 27 Overs and 11 Unders for the this season (+16.05 units)


MLB TOP POWERLINES


MLB > (911) OAKLAND @ (912) HOUSTON | 05/20/2015 - 02:10 PM
Line: HOUSTON -160 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON -135
Edge On: HOUSTON (25)


MLB > (915) SEATTLE @ (916) BALTIMORE | 05/20/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: BALTIMORE -135 BTB PowerLine: BALTIMORE -161
Edge On: BALTIMORE (26)


MLB > (923) NY YANKEES @ (924) WASHINGTON | 05/20/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: WASHINGTON -145 BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON -106
Edge On: WASHINGTON (19)


MLB > (903) ST LOUIS @ (904) NY METS | 05/20/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: NY METS -115 BTB PowerLine: NY METS -169
Edge On: NY METS (54)


MLB > (929) CINCINNATI @ (930) KANSAS CITY | 05/20/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: KANSAS CITY -150 BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY -211
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (61)


MLB > (907) CHICAGO CUBS @ (908) SAN DIEGO | 05/20/2015 - 10:10 PM
Line: SAN DIEGO -130 BTB PowerLine: SAN DIEGO -115
Edge On: SAN DIEGO (15)


MLB > (909) LA DODGERS @ (910) SAN FRANCISCO | 05/20/2015 - 10:15 PM
Line: SAN FRANCISCO +100 BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO 200
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (80)

NBA ATS


NBA > (503) CLEVELAND@ (504) ATLANTA | 05/20/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON ATLANTA using the against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 28 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+13.7 units)


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (503) CLEVELAND@ (504) ATLANTA | 05/20/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON ATLANTA using the money line in All games in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points
The record is 16 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.9 units)


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (503) CLEVELAND@ (504) ATLANTA | 05/20/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND in the first half in All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 22 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (+13.2 units)


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (503) CLEVELAND@ (504) ATLANTA | 05/20/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the total in Home games in all playoff games
The record is 12 Overs and 36 Unders for the since 1992 (+22.8 units)


NBA TOP POWERLINES


NBA > (503) CLEVELAND @ (504) ATLANTA | 05/20/2015 - 08:35 PM
Line: ATLANTA -1 BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA 2
Edge On: ATLANTA (3)

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (59) NY RANGERS@ (60) TAMPA BAY | 05/20/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play ON NY RANGERS using the money line in All games in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 21 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (+14.7 units)


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (59) NY RANGERS@ (60) TAMPA BAY | 05/20/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play ON NY RANGERS using the in All games in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 21 Wins and 8 Losses for the this season (+14.7 units)


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (59) NY RANGERS@ (60) TAMPA BAY | 05/20/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play UNDER NY RANGERS on the total in Road games when tied in a playoff series
The record is 0 Overs and 9 Unders for the since 1992 (+9.4 units)

Always good info CNOTES

Preview: Mariners (17-20) at Orioles (16-19)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 20, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Nelson Cruz had a successful return to Baltimore but couldn't lift the Seattle Mariners to a win in the series opener.


Cruz will try again to beat his former team Wednesday night while the Orioles' Wei-Yin Chen attempts to extend his recent success against Seattle.


Cruz received a warm welcome Tuesday in his first game against the Orioles since leaving them after one season. Cruz, who led the majors with 40 home runs in 2014, hit his major league-leading 16th homer with two on in the third to give the Mariners (17-21) a 4-1 lead.


The Orioles (17-19), however, rallied for a 9-4 victory, their second in a row following a 3-8 stretch.


"It was nice, but I wish we would have played well enough to win the game," said Cruz, who has 33 RBIs and a .347 average. "It's a shame."


Jimmy Paredes provided a two-run homer and a two-run single, giving him a career high for RBIs, in Baltimore's sixth win in the past eight games against Seattle. Paredes is batting .346 with six homers, 22 RBIs and a .625 slugging percentage since returning from a strained lower back April 18.


"I think he likes it here, and he knows we like what he brings," manager Buck Showalter said of his designated hitter, who was acquired by Baltimore on July 24 after playing for Kansas City and Houston.


Chen (1-2, 2.53 ERA) will try to deliver another victory with another superb performance versus the Mariners, losers of seven of eight on the road. The left-hander went 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA in two starts against Seattle in 2014 and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last six outings.


He took a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, allowing two runs in seven-plus innings while striking out seven in his first defeat in four starts.


"He's gone through some pretty good periods for us where he's been pretty consistent," Showalter said. "He's in a pretty good place."


Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.24) went 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA in two starts against Baltimore in 2014 and is coming off one of his most effective outings this season. He yielded one run in 6 1-3 innings Thursday against Boston but did not get a decision in a 2-1 loss.


Elias has received six runs of support over 25 innings in four starts.


"He pitched a great game," manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "That's his fourth game in a row where he pitched and deserved to get the win. And he didn't get the win. But he was outstanding."


Cruz has gone 1 for 6 lifetime against his former teammate Chen. Kyle Seager has fared even worse at 1 for 17 but is 7 for 19 (.368) in his last five games.


Manny Machado is 3 for 5 against Elias while Adam Jones, batting .354 at Camden Yards this season, is 0 for 6.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mariners at Orioles
Tue, May 19 - Final 4 - 9
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Mariners at Orioles
Wed, May 20 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Mariners at Orioles
Thu, May 21 - 12:35PM EDT

Preview: Brewers (14-25) at Tigers (23-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 20, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

After winning a road series over the NL Central's leading team, the Detroit Tigers appeared to have a prime opportunity to maintain their momentum during a visit from the division's last-place club.


It hasn't worked out that way for the Tigers, and the Milwaukee Brewers have a chance at their first three-game sweep of Detroit in 18 years Wednesday night.


Detroit (23-17) took two of three from St. Louis this weekend with only a 2-1 loss Sunday keeping it from a sweep. The Tigers totaled 27 runs and 50 hits while winning their prior three games and haven't figured out how to get back in that groove.


They've produced a combined four runs and 19 hits in three consecutive defeats, and had three singles in an 8-1 loss Tuesday. They also placed designated hitter Victor Martinez on the disabled list because of inflammation in his surgically repaired left knee.


The Brewers, losers in four of five before this series, had a season-high 13 hits, including three consecutive home runs in a six-run third inning.


Ryan Braun began that streak with a three-run shot, and Carlos Gomez went 3 for 4 with two RBIs in his second game since being hit in the helmet with a pitch. Gomez is 5 for 10 with a home run and four RBIs in the series.


"I think everybody has passion for the game, (but) there's players it comes out in more," manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website. "His passion really is at the surface. It's bubbling over. And it's fun to see. It puts a smile on your face."


The Brewers recorded their last three-game sweep over the Tigers from July 25-27, 1997, in their final season before moving to the NL.


Kyle Lohse (3-4, 5.85 ERA) will try to help Milwaukee accomplish that while winning a third consecutive start. He benefited from 11 runs of support in a 12-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on May 9 and got seven in eight innings against the New York Mets on Friday.


He hardly needed that assistance in a 7-0 win, yielding two hits and one walk while fanning a season-high eight. Lohse has a combined 15 strikeouts and two walks in his past 13 innings.


Lohse is facing Detroit for the first time since June 21, 2012, when he was with St. Louis. He's 7-6 with a 5.65 ERA in 20 career starts against the Tigers.


He'll pitch opposite Shane Greene, who hasn't allowed a run while winning each of his two interleague starts this season and has yielded one in 13 innings in his past two games. The right-hander, however, was forced to leave after throwing five scoreless innings in a 10-4 win against St. Louis on Friday reportedly because of mild ulnar tendinitis.


Greene had his ulnar nerve moved when he had Tommy John surgery in 2008, one year before he was drafted by the New York Yankees.


"He doesn't feel any tingling. He doesn't feel pain or anything, so that was a good sign," manager Brad Ausmus said Saturday. "He was actually working out when I saw him, which is also a good sign."


Greene has never pitched against the Brewers and only Adam Lind has faced him, going 0 for 3.


Yoenis Cespedes has two home runs in his three at_bats against Lohse but has hit two in his last 28 contests. Ian Kinsler, batting .371 in his last 16 games, is 3 for 6 lifetime with a home run.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Brewers at Tigers
Mon, May 18 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Brewers at Tigers
Tue, May 19 - Final 8 - 1
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Brewers at Tigers
Wed, May 20 - 7:08PM EDT

Preview: Angels (19-19) at Blue Jays (18-22)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 20, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

Though the velocity of Jered Weaver's fastball continues to diminish, he's managed to bounce back from a rough start to the season.


The Los Angeles Angels right-hander will try for a third straight victory Wednesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.


Averaging a career-low 83.2 miles per hour on his fastball, Weaver's velocity has dipped for a fifth consecutive season. Never an overpowering pitcher, the 10-year veteran doesn't have the same zip on a pitch he registered at 89.8 mph on average during his first three seasons.


Though Weaver (2-4, 4.44 ERA) has thrown it less than 30 percent of the time in 2014 and '15, it remains the most prominent pitch in his repertoire.


After going 0-4 with a 6.29 ERA in his first six starts, Weaver tossed a six-hitter without a walk during a 2-0 win over Houston on May 8. He then allowed a homer and two other hits over 7 1-3 innings of Friday's 3-1 victory at Baltimore.


"Obviously it's going to help your confidence out there," Weaver, who turns 33 in October, told MLB's official website. "Getting deep in games is always what you're trying to do. ... It was definitely a confidence builder."


He gave up one run over 6 1-3 innings of a 9-3 win at Toronto on May 11 of last year, then left after two scoreless innings because of lower-back tightness during the Angels' 5-2 victory over the Blue Jays on July 7.


He'll try to help Los Angeles (20-19) build on Tuesday's 3-2 victory. Hector Santiago pitched seven strong innings and Kole Calhoun connected for his first career opposite-field home run as the Angels evened this four-game set by winning for the ninth time in 13 games since opening May with four consecutive defeats.


Russell Martin had half of the four hits for Toronto (18-23), which has dropped eight of 10.


Teammate Drew Hutchison (3-0, 6.17) is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts after posting a 12.96 ERA in his previous two. The righty gave up two runs and struck out nine in six innings of a 6-4 loss at Houston on Thursday.


Though Hutchison is 6-0 with a 2.13 ERA in eight home starts since losing to Boston on July 21, he's felt frustrated while lasting past the sixth inning once in his eight overall starts this season.


'I continue to hurt our bullpen by not going enough innings, which is unacceptable,' he said. "I need to go out there and get the job done, and not kill our bullpen, too.'


Hutchison couldn't go longer than 5 1-3 innings while posting a 6.52 ERA in losing his two career starts versus Los Angeles.


Erick Aybar is 1 for 5 versus Hutchison, but is batting .447 during a 10-game hitting streak. He's also hit safely in 10 straight against the Blue Jays, and .354 over his last 19 in the series.


Martin batted .185 in his first 21 games but .433 in his last 15. He's 1 for his last 13 against Weaver.


Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson have each homered in the series but are a combined 3 for 26 versus Weaver.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Angels at Blue Jays
Mon, May 18 Final 6 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Angels at Blue Jays
Tue, May 19 - Final 3 - 2


Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Angels at Blue Jays
Wed, May 20 - 7:07PM EDT


GAME 4
Angels at Blue Jays
Thu, May 21 - 7:07PM EDT

Preview: Twins (21-17) at Pirates (18-20)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 20, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins own the most wins in baseball over left-handed starters, though they have never faced the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jeff Locke.


Locke has excelled in interleague play and will try to help the Pirates split this two-game home series Wednesday night.


Minnesota (22-17) built a 7-0 lead in two innings against former Twins starter Francisco Liriano to post an 8-5 victory Tuesday. The Twins, who entered the series third in the majors with a .288 average against southpaws, improved to an AL-best 12-5 against left-handed starters.


Next up is Locke (2-2, 5.40 ERA), who is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in six interleague starts. The only Minnesota hitters he has faced are Shane Robinson (0 for 6 against him) and Torii Hunter (1 for 2).


Locke went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against Milwaukee to begin 2015 before going 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in his next five. He matched his shortest outing of the year when he gave up five runs in 3 2-3 innings in Friday's 11-10, 12-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs.


Brian Dozier is batting .342 during a 10-game hitting streak and homered in the first inning Tuesday, though it was his play on the basepaths in the next inning that highlighted the win. Dozier scored all the way from first base on Joe Mauer's three-run single after left fielder Starling Marte was late getting to the ball.


'How about that? A three-run single,' Mauer said with a grin. 'That was a great piece of baserunning by (Dozier).'


The early seven-run deficit proved to be too much for Pittsburgh, which has lost five of six.


"We've got more guts than good right now," manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official site. "We battle. We're going to fight you."


Pittsburgh (18-21) outhit Minnesota 13-8 and got a 461-foot home run from Pedro Alvarez that landed in a boat docked along the Allegheny River beyond the right-field stands. Alvarez became the third player to reach the water on the fly since PNC Park opened in 2001.


Rookie Jung Ho Kang is 7 for 12 in his last three games while Josh Harrison is 15 for 29 over a seven-game hitting streak.


The Twins had a five-game win streak in starts by Mike Pelfrey (3-1, 3.23) end Thursday when he surrendered five runs and 10 hits over 4 2-3 innings in a 13-1 loss at Detroit. He was 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his previous five outings.


The right-hander went 3-2 with a 4.78 ERA in six starts against Pittsburgh between 2008-11 with the New York Mets. Andrew McCutchen has enjoyed the most success among Pirates hitters by going 6 for 12 against him.


Neil Walker is 3 for 14 with a homer, Jose Tabata is 1 for 10 and Francisco Cervelli is 1 for 8 in this matchup.


It's unclear if two of those players will be in the Pirates' lineup. Cervelli was removed at the end of the fifth inning for what the team said were 'precautionary reasons' after taking a foul tip off his mask earlier in the game. Tabata made his season debut Tuesday with a pinch-hit infield single after having his contract purchased from the minors before the game.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Twins at Pirates
Tue, May 19 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores


GAME 2
Twins at Pirates
Wed, May 20 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Rangers (16-22) at Red Sox (18-20)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: May 20, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Boston Red Sox showed some power upon returning from an underwhelming trip, but its offense still left much to be desired.


Potentially being without their third baseman wouldn't help, though Boston hopes to have Pablo Sandoval available for Wednesday night's tilt with the visiting Texas Rangers.


The Red Sox (19-20) totaled 11 runs while splitting the final six on a season-high 10-game trip. They had also dropped five of six at home prior to Tuesday's 4-3 victory over Texas, totaling 13 hits for their most in 18 games.


The lineup's top four each had at least two hits, including David Ortiz, who hit his sixth home run and second in as many games. Ortiz is 6 for 12 over his last three after a 3-for-27 slump. He has five homers and 16 RBIs in his last 11 meetings with the Rangers.


Mike Napoli, who was 4 for 27 on the trip, also had two hits, including his fourth home run.


"He's been able to identify something in his timing that seemed to play out tonight," manager John Farrell said of Napoli. "The home run to the pull side on the breaking ball, that's a pitch he's been missing."


Boston could have done a lot more damage, however, stranding 12 men, and its 2.5 runs per game this month still rank last in baseball.


Sandoval left after being hit on the left knee by a pitch in the seventh inning. He's tied for third on the team with five home runs and is batting .327 at home.


Farrell said Sandoval was sore, but X-rays were negative and he is day to day.


The Red Sox will try to take advantage of an opposing pitcher being called up from the minors to make his first big league start. Phil Klein (0-0, 7.71 ERA) struggled in six relief appearances last month for Texas after posting a 2.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 19 innings last season.


He's looked good in two starts this month for Triple-A Round Rock, however, allowing a run and three hits over 8 1-3 innings. Klein's chance came about after Ross Detwiler landed on the disabled list due to shoulder inflammation.


"I'm not going to read anything into this," Klein told MLB's official website. "It's a new adventure and a new chapter. I'm excited."


Left-handers have hit .333 off Klein in his career, while right-handers are at .094. He has never pitched against Boston.


The Rangers (16-23) lost for the fourth time in five games, though Prince Fielder continued his hot stretch. He was 2 for 4 with a double to improve to 13 for 32 (.406) over his last eight games and has hit safely in 17 of 18.


Fielder and Texas will dig in against Joe Kelly (1-2, 5.58), who is winless since his season debut but is coming off his first quality start since that game. He yielded one run over 6 1-3 innings in a 2-1 victory at Seattle on Thursday. The right-hander had given up at least five runs in four straight outings.


He threw five scoreless innings of relief in his only appearance versus Texas on June 21, 2013, with St. Louis. Kelly is 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA in his last seven home outings.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rangers at Red Sox
Tue, May 19 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rangers at Red Sox
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Rangers at Red Sox
Thu, May 21 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: Rays (21-18) at Braves (18-19)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 20, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Atlanta Braves have pulled the plug on the woeful Eric Stults in their starting rotation, and will turn to a rookie in his place.


Williams Perez makes his first career start Wednesday night when the Braves complete a two-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays.


Stults won a spot in the rotation in spring training, but a three-start stretch this month in which he amassed a 7.00 ERA and allowed six homers over 18 innings in three defeats prompted a change.


Atlanta (18-20) has decided to give Perez (0-0, 15.43 ERA) a few starts. The right-hander was recalled from the minors May 6 and has yielded four runs over 2 1-3 innings in two relief appearances.


"(He) is a guy who throws strikes and he has a good mixture of pitches," manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "He's a young guy that could help us in the rotation in the future. So we'll give him an opportunity to start."


Perez, who will turn 24 on Thursday, went 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Gwinnett.


Atlanta was hurt by the inexperience of starter Mike Foltynewicz in Tuesday's 5-3 defeat. Foltynewicz, making his fourth career start, allowed the Rays to score twice with two outs in the fifth inning to take the lead.


'You can't let your guard down, especially after striking out the first two guys in that inning," Gonzalez said. "But that's what you have to live with when you have a young pitcher.'


The Braves bolstered their bullpen by agreeing Monday to a one-year contract with right-hander Nick Masset, who was designated for assignment by Miami the day before. Masset worked a perfect inning in his club debut Tuesday.


'It was a little disheartening for me, but we're just players and we go out and do what we're supposed to do,' he said. 'To be picked up by the Braves, that's kind of a dream come true for me, too.'


Tampa Bay (22-18) moved into a tie for first place in the AL East with the New York Yankees. Asdrubal Cabrera homered and Logan Forsythe and David DeJesus had RBIs in the two-run fifth inning.


Steven Souza Jr. singled in a run in the first inning after entering Tuesday at 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position for baseball's second-worst mark.


Evan Longoria collected his 14th RBI this month after amassing four in April.


Rays starter Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 2.36) has been plagued by one of baseball's worst run support averages at 2.36. That problem surfaced Friday when he allowed three runs over six-plus innings in a 3-2 loss at Minnesota.


The right-hander has yielded homers in consecutive outings after allowing none over his first 40 2-3 innings. He hasn't issued a walk in 26 innings over his last four starts.


Odorizzi has never faced the Braves. The Atlanta hitter he has seen the most is Nick Markakis, who is 5 for 11 with a homer in this matchup.


Braves left fielder Todd Cunningham, recalled from the minors Friday, improved to 9 for 15 this year with a double in three at_bats Tuesday.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rays at Braves
Tue, May 19 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rays at Braves
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: Diamondbacks (16-21) at Marlins (16-23)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 20, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Dan Jennings era isn't off to a promising start in South Florida.


Miami's offensive malaise has continued under the suit-turned-skipper, and Jennings may have been tactically outmaneuvered in his second loss as manager.


The Marlins will try to turn things around and avoid a season-worst sixth straight loss Wednesday night against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.


Miami (16-24) started Jennings' tenure with a 3-2, 13-inning loss Monday, though the former general manager said there was "a lot of good to take away" despite his last 22 batters going hitless. Another comment by Jennings regarding how quickly the game seemed to move from the dugout proved prophetic a day later.


Jennings committed perhaps his first significant strategic mistake in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Arizona, leaving left-handed reliever Mike Dunn in to face right-handed pinch-hitter A.J. Pollock, who took him deep for a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. Pollock came in hitting .355 against left-handers.


"I went with the gut feeling and the gut feeling did not work," Jennings said.


The Marlins have also dropped six straight at home, where they haven't lost seven in a row since Aug. 4-10, 2011.


Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks (17-21) are aiming for a third straight road victory for the first time since June 15-28. Three of Pollock's four home runs have come in his last 10 games.


They'll try to help Chase Anderson (0-1, 2.81 ERA) snap an eight-start winless stretch dating to last season, though he's been mostly reliable this year. He has yielded two runs in 18 1-3 innings this month, but his 2.16 run-support average this season is the second-lowest in baseball ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver (2.13).


"He gives us a chance to win every time out," manager Chip Hale said. "He mixes his pitches well, has a very good change and he just pitches."


Anderson was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts versus Miami last season. Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton were each 3 for 6 against him.


David Phelps (2-0, 2.68) has posted a 1.75 ERA in six games since joining the Marlins rotation, recording five straight quality starts and still not allowing a home run in 37 innings on the year. He matched a career best with eight strikeouts and gave up three runs - one earned - in six innings of a 5-3 loss to Atlanta on Friday.


Phelps also had his first career hit but was backed by two runs, the fourth straight time he received three or fewer.


"It would have been nice if (the hit) came in one of the games where we won, it would have been more exciting," he told MLB's official website.


Baltimore's Wei-Yin Chen is the only pitcher with a lower ERA and fewer than three wins in at least six starts.


Phelps lost his only appearance versus Arizona, giving up three earned runs over two innings of relief in a 6-2, 12-inning defeat with the New York Yankees on April 18, 2013.


Stanton hit his 12th homer of the season and fifth in seven games Tuesday, a span in which he has nine RBIs. His 38 on the season are tied with Bryce Harper for the major league lead.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Mon, May 18 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores


GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Tue, May 19 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Thu, May 21 - 12:10PM EDT

Preview: Cardinals (25-13) at Mets (23-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 20, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Bartolo Colon is trying to become the first seven-game winner in the majors, and a New York Mets record is also in sight.


Colon attempts to bounce back from his worst performance of the season by extending his recent mastery of the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Citi Field.


Colon (6-2, 3.86 ERA) didn't get his seventh win last year until a 3-2 victory at St. Louis on June 18, yielding one run and four hits in eight innings. He has a 1.17 ERA while winning all three of his starts against the Cardinals since the start of the 2013 season. He's 4-0 in six career outings against them, and his teams won all of those games.


The right-hander, who turns 42 on Sunday, has also put together the longest active stretch in baseball without issuing a walk at 45 1-3 innings, seven outs shy of Bret Saberhagen's franchise record set in 1994.


Colon, though, has given up 30 hits - five homers - in 25 1-3 innings while splitting his last four starts and posting a 4.97 ERA. His most recent outing was his shortest of the year, surrendering six runs in five innings of a 7-0 defeat to Milwaukee on Friday. He had won his first three home starts with a 2.18 ERA.


"When he misses in on the plate like he did tonight, he's going to get hit," manager Terry Collins said.


New York (23-17) hasn't done much hitting this week, batting .190 with four runs while splitting the first two of this four-game set. Daniel Murphy had a two-run homer Tuesday, but that was one of only five hits by the Mets while Jonathon Niese was roughed up for eight runs in five innings of a 10-2 loss.


The Cardinals (26-13) matched a season high with 15 hits and scored in double digits for just the third time after manager Mike Matheny loaded the lineup with right-handers against Niese, a lefty. It was just the fourth win in 10 games for the owners of the best record in the majors.


Randal Grichuk collected two doubles, a triple and three RBIs, a day after going 0 for 6 in a 2-1 loss while becoming the first Cardinal in 17 years to strike out five times, matching the franchise record.


St. Louis is turning to Carlos Martinez (3-2, 4.73), who has lasted just 14 innings in three starts this month. He allowed two runs and seven hits while battling through a season-high 103 pitches in five-plus innings of Friday's 10-4 defeat to Detroit. It was his second straight loss but a major improvement after being hammered for 14 runs and 16 hits while walking eight over his two previous starts.


"He just can't average 20 pitches an inning," Matheny told MLB's official website. "It's not going to work out real well for you. ... The stuff is there. He looks good. He's just going to have to be more on the plate with it."


Martinez yielded one unearned run and two hits with four walks in four innings of a 6-2 win over the Mets on June 16, 2014, in his only start against them - and the second of his career overall.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cardinals at Mets
Mon, May 18 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores


GAME 2
Cardinals at Mets
Tue, May 19 Final 10 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Cardinals at Mets
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Cardinals at Mets
Thu, May 21 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Indians (14-23) at White Sox (18-17)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 20, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Less than 24 hours after Carlos Rodon struggled in his second career start, the prized Chicago White Sox prospect was preparing himself to be better for the next time out.


He'll get the chance against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.


Rodon (1-0, 4.96 ERA) overcame four walks by striking out eight and yielding two runs in six innings of an 8-2 win over Cincinnati on May 9 in his first start. The left-hander wasn't as fortunate Friday while walking six and giving up five runs in four-plus innings of a 7-6 victory at Oakland.


'There's going to be some of that for a young kid," manager Robin Ventura said about the 22-year-old Rodon, the third overall pick in last year's draft. "I think confidence-wise he's got the stuff to come back from that and be fine.'


Prior to the next day's game, Rodon spent a good amount of the afternoon dissecting the video of his most recent outing, trying to figure out where things went wrong and how he can prevent a repeat.


"It's tough to go back and look at that kind of film because you don't want to relive it," he told MLB's official website. "All the veterans here say it: The beautiful thing about baseball is in five days you get to pitch again and erase it from your memory. It's good to look back at it, good or bad, and see what you can improve on."


Rodon made his major league debut April 21 when he allowed two runs, three hits and walked three in 2 1-3 innings of a 6-2 home defeat to Cleveland (15-23).


He'll try to help Chicago (18-18) bounce back after its six-game winning streak ended with Tuesday's 3-1 loss. Trevor Bauer threw 7 1-3 strong innings and Jason Kipnis stayed hot with two hits for the Indians, who have scored five runs in three games since totaling 18 to win the first two of a weekend set at Texas.


"Runs are hard to come by sometimes," manager Terry Francona said.


Kipnis, who grew up in north suburban Chicago, is batting a major-league best .486 in May. He delivered a sacrifice fly in his only plate appearance versus Rodon.


With Bruce Chen designated for assignment, Shaun Marcum (0-0, 1.80) makes his first start since July 6, 2013 - three days before he was placed on the disabled list with thoracic outlet syndrome that required surgery on his shoulder.


Following a lengthy recovery and some time in the minors, the right-hander allowed a run in five innings of an 8-5 loss to Detroit on April 12 in his first appearance since that 2013 start. He was then sent to Triple-A Columbus where he went 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA in five starts.


"He's worked hard for this opportunity," Francona said. "He pitched well in the spring and we told him we'd like for him to pitch more. To his credit, he went down to Triple-A and picked up right where he left off."


Facing the White Sox for the first time since June 2013, Marcum is 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA in six starts against them.


Alexei Ramirez is 4 for 9 versus Marcum, but 0 for 8 in the series after batting .349 during an 11-game hitting streak.


Teammate Jose Abreu is batting .333 during a 14-game hitting streak.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Indians at White Sox
Mon, May 18 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Indians at White Sox
Tue, May 19 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores


GAME 3
Indians at White Sox
Wed, May 20 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Indians at White Sox
Thu, May 21 - 8:10PM EDT

Preview: Reds (18-20) at Royals (24-14)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 20, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals have a chance at a franchise record, but they'd surely settle for a fifth win in six games.


Jeremy Guthrie will try to lead the Royals to a third straight shutout and send the Cincinnati Reds to their longest losing streak of the season Wednesday night.


Despite ranking toward the bottom of the majors with a 4.32 ERA from its starting pitchers, Kansas City (25-14) has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since Sept. 29-30, 1992.


Yordano Ventura went seven innings and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Cincinnati. That came two days after Edinson Volquez worked the first seven innings of a six-hitter in a 6-0 victory over the New York Yankees.


Kansas City, which has never had three straight shutouts, should feel confident about its chances with the resurgent Guthrie (3-2, 5.44 ERA) on the mound. He's 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in his last two starts after going 1-2 with a 6.52 ERA in his first five.


The right-hander, though, is 0-2 with a 6.88 ERA in three home outings.


Guthrie gave up two runs over five innings in a 6-3 win at Texas on Thursday.


"He did a nice job of mixing up his pitches," manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "He did the things we say you need to do to be successful. He was working the ball in really well, good changeups, good sliders. Just great command."


Guthrie, who hasn't faced the Reds (18-21) since 2012, will want to be careful with Brandon Phillips, who is 4 for 6 with a home run and double in this matchup.


Cincinnati has lost four straight to match a season high, with its starting rotation posting a 12.00 ERA in those games. Giving the ball to Jason Marquis (3-3, 6.63) may not provide much relief, either.


The right-hander has surrendered 11 runs and 17 hits - five homers - in 8 2-3 innings while losing his last two starts. He was pulled after three innings Friday, giving up six runs and two homers in a 10-2 loss to San Francisco.


"He's missing with the changeup that's staying on the arm side, away to lefties and in to right-handers," manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website. "The fastball command of the bottom of the zone and working ahead hasn't been as consistent as it was earlier.


"I know he's working hard on it. I tried to make an adjustment with his mechanics between starts ... just to stay back and give himself time to gather and get out in front with his stuff."


He'll have to deal with Mike Moustakas, who continued his interleague success Tuesday with three hits and a pair of RBI doubles. He's hitting .412 (14 for 34) with eight RBIs in his last nine games against the NL, and is 2 for 2 with a homer versus Marquis.


Also swinging a hot bat for Kansas City is Omar Infante, who is 9 for 20 with two doubles and a triple over the last five games. Infante is batting .412 over his last 13 matchups against the Reds.


The Royals have won six of the last seven meetings with Cincinnati, including all four at home.


Joey Votto is 5 for 34 in nine games after going 0 for 4 Tuesday. He's doubled on both of his hits in four at_bats against Guthrie.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Royals
Tue, May 19 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Reds at Royals
Wed, May 20 - 8:10PM EDT

Preview: Yankees (22-17) at Nationals (22-17)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 20, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Bryce Harper continued his magnificent May with another homer.


The New York Yankees, meanwhile, will have to make do without their leading hitter for the foreseeable future.


The visiting Yankees will be without Jacoby Ellsbury on Wednesday night when they seek a two-game split against Harper and the red-hot Nationals.


Harper is hitting .535 in a 10-2 stretch for Washington, with all of his 10 homers and 23 RBIs this month coming in that span. He homered in his first at-bat in Tuesday's 8-6, 10-inning victory before drawing a walk, hitting into a double play and striking out twice over the remainder of his night.


"The way he's swinging the bat, any way you get him out, we'll take it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Our guys did a really good job."


Harper leads the majors this month in homers, RBIs and OPS (1.503). He is 9 for 15 with three homers and seven RBIs in the Nationals' four-game win streak.


While there is no doubt Harper will be penciled in Washington's lineup, New York (22-18) won't be able to insert Ellsbury. The center fielder is heading to the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right knee suffered Tuesday.


Ellsbury, batting a team-high .324, was replaced by Carlos Beltran. The Yankees, losers of six of seven, said that outfielder Slade Heathcott would be called up from Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.


"It's not what you want but if we are going to lose him for some time, somebody's gotta step up," Girardi said.


Washington (23-17) got a winning two-run homer from Ryan Zimmerman to complete a rally from a four-run deficit.


"The fact that we got back into it is a credit to the offense," manager Matt Williams said. "Getting back into that game, it's easy to pack tents and say it's not our night, but we don't do that."


Zimmerman's blast accounted for the first runs allowed by Yankees closer Andrew Miller.


'He's not going to be perfect,' Girardi said about Miller. 'You know, he gave up his first run."


Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (3-2, 3.66 ERA) is 5-0 with a 1.87 ERA in eight career home interleague outings. That includes a 5-3, 14-inning loss to New York in which he gave up three runs over six innings on June 16, 2012.


The right-hander struck out six in six innings Friday to earn a 10-0 win at San Diego in Washington's fourth straight victory with him on the mound.


Zimmermann has faced Chase Headley the most among Yankees hitters, with the third baseman going 3 for 19. He has never faced Alex Rodriguez, who was not in Tuesday's lineup with New York playing in an NL ballpark.


Washington catcher Wilson Ramos homered Tuesday to extend his career-high hitting streak to 19 games. He is batting .365 with 12 RBIs during his run.


The Yankees' Adam Warren (2-2, 4.50) will make his first career interleague start and first appearance against Washington. The right-hander yielded three runs in a career-high seven innings in last Wednesday's 3-2 defeat at Tampa Bay.


Yunel Escobar, who is 2 for 5 off Warren, is 7 for 16 with six runs scored in his last four games




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Nationals
Tue, May 19 Final 6 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Nationals
Wed, May 20 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Phillies (17-24) at Rockies (14-22)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: May 20, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten a number of solid performances from their rotation in the past week but will have a new member for at least the next month.


Severino Gonzalez will get the first crack at replacing an injured Chad Billingsley on Wednesday night against the Colorado Rockies and try to help the Phillies rebound from having their season-best win streak snapped.


Philadelphia's starters have combined for a 1.39 ERA in the last seven games, and Aaron Harang gave up three unearned runs in his six innings Tuesday in Denver. The Rockies, though, pulled out a 6-5 victory to snap the Phillies' string of six consecutive victories, their longest run since a seven-game streak in September 2012.


Nick Hundley hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth and went 2 for 4 with two RBIs as Colorado (14-22) stopped a six-game home losing streak. The Rockies overcame their seventh consecutive game with double-digit strikeouts, one shy of the modern era record set by San Diego in July 2011.


"We have to go out and earn these victories. We have to expect that out of ourselves," Hundley told MLB's official website.


Maikel Franco was 3 for 4 with three RBIs while helping Philadelphia (17-24) rally from a pair of deficits. The highly touted rookie is 7 for 16 with five RBIs in four games since a hitless season debut Friday.


The Phillies reached double digits in hits for the fourth consecutive contest and are batting .321 with 22 runs in that stretch.


"The guys kept battling back," manager Ryne Sandberg said.


Gonzalez (1-1, 10.57 ERA) will attempt to lead Philadelphia back into the win column in his third career start. The right-hander is getting recalled from the minors because Billingsley strained his right shoulder in Friday's 4-3 win over Arizona and is expected to miss four to six weeks.


Gonzalez gave up two runs in five innings to win his most recent major league start in a 6-2 victory over Miami on May 3. He was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in 2 2-3 innings in his debut April 28, an 11-5 loss in St. Louis.


Eddie Butler (2-4, 4.24) will make his first start against Philadelphia and is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts this month. He was 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA in his four in April.


Butler had the shortest outing of his career Friday, lasting 2 2-3 innings and giving up four runs in a 6-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.


The right-hander has received no more than one run of support in six of his seven starts, but that trend could change if Troy Tulowitzki and Wilin Rosario keep tormenting Philadelphia. Tulowitzki is batting .439 with 13 RBIs in his last 13 games against the Phillies and hit a two-run double Tuesday. Rosario had a two-run triple to give him a .333 average and 19 RBIs in his last 15 against them.


Chase Utley doubled for the fourth straight game after having only four extra-base hits in his first 32. He's batting .416 with 21 RBIs in his last 20 games at Coors Field including the postseason.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Phillies at Rockies
Mon, May 18 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Phillies at Rockies
Tue, May 19 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Phillies at Rockies
Wed, May 20 - 8:40PM EDT


GAME 4
Phillies at Rockies
Thu, May 21 - 3:10PM EDT

Preview: Cubs (21-17) at Padres (20-20)
Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 20, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

Tyson Ross has been one of baseball's best strikeout artists this year, though it's come with a price - lots of walks.


It could be feast or famine Wednesday night for the San Diego Padres starter against the visiting Chicago Cubs, who also do a lot of both.


Ross (2-3, 3.94 ERA) earned his first victory in six starts Thursday, giving up two runs while striking out six over five-plus innings in an 8-3 win versus Washington. Both his victories have come at Petco Park, though he owns a 5.06 ERA in three outings there compared to a 3.34 mark in five road games.


The right-hander averages 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings, tied for the sixth-best rate in baseball, but his 5.1 walks per nine are the most in the NL.


Ross is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA in three matchups with the Cubs. At Wrigley Field on April 18, he gave up three runs, including a solo shot to Miguel Montero, and walked five while matching a season high with nine strikeouts over 5 2-3 innings in a 7-6, 11-inning loss.


Chicago (21-17) ranks second with 10.5 plate appearances per walk, but its 377 strikeouts are also more than any other club.


The Cubs struck out 14 times, including 11 against James Shields, in Tuesday's 4-3 loss, their second straight defeat following six consecutive victories. They walked once after drawing 19 the past three games.


San Diego (20-20), which had lost three in a row, went ahead on Derek Norris' two-run double in the eighth. Shields helped stabilize a rotation that had given up 16 earned runs during the losing streak.


'We really made an emphasis during our meetings today to get that edge back and it's something that we really pride ourselves on, being a gritty team that's never out of it until the last out is recorded,' he said.


'It was a great comeback. The pitching is what kept us in tonight.'


The Padres placed Wil Myers on the disabled list, retroactive to May 11, because of tendinitis in his left wrist. Myers tried to take some cage swings Tuesday but still experienced pain. He has missed the last seven games.


He's hitting .291 and ranks second on the club with five home runs.


Tsuyoshi Wada is making his season debut after sitting out due to a strained groin. He went 1-3 with a 2.86 ERA in six rehab starts for Triple-A Iowa.


"Typically, he's not the hard thrower, but he has great action on his fastball," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website. "He's throwing the ball extremely well. He feels great."


Wada went 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 13 starts as a rookie last season, and the Padres handed him his first loss in his second outing. The left-hander gave up season highs of five runs and four walks over four-plus innings in an 8-3 loss July 23.


Chris Coghlan homered twice Tuesday for Chicago, which has dropped eight of 12 on the road and nine of 12 in San Diego. Kris Bryant, who played at the University of San Diego, singled to extend his hitting streak to eight games.


The Cubs shipped catcher Welington Castillo to Seattle on Tuesday in exchange for reliever Yoervis Medina, who was sent to Triple-A Iowa.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Padres
Tue, May 19 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cubs at Padres
Wed, May 20 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Cubs at Padres
Thu, May 21 - 9:10PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (24-14) at Giants (21-18)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 20, 2015 10:15 PM EDT

Outstanding pitching has been key to the San Francisco Giants' recent home success, especially against the Los Angeles Dodgers.


Tim Lincecum should be looking forward to a return to AT&T Park as he tries to help the Giants to their longest home winning streak over the Dodgers in 12 years Wednesday night.


San Francisco (21-18) has won 11 of 14 at home behind a rotation that's posted a 2.37 ERA after it compiled a 4.46 mark while the Giants dropped six of their first seven games there.


The starters aren't the only ones dominating the Dodgers (24-14), as the staff owns a 1.46 ERA while winning all four home matchups this year. Tim Hudson and four relievers combined on a seven-hitter in Tuesday's 2-0 victory in the opener of this three-game set.


San Francisco last won five straight at home against Los Angeles from April 10-June 24, 2003.


Lincecum (3-2, 2.43 ERA) is trying to win a fourth consecutive home start for the first time since 2009. He's yielded one run in 20 innings - none in the last 15 - in his last three outings there, including a 6-2 victory over the Dodgers on April 21. The right-hander allowed one run in six innings to improve to 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 career home starts against them.


Lincecum wasn't nearly that sharp at Los Angeles on April 27, giving up four runs and eight hits with three walks in four innings of an 8-3 loss. He struggled again on the road Thursday, surrendering three runs and walking a season-high five over 4 2-3 innings before escaping without a decision in a 4-3 loss to Cincinnati.


"Too many wasted pitches," Lincecum told MLB's official website. "I wasn't attacking the zone the way I wanted. I was lucky to get out of there with what I did."


Buster Posey has a .341 average during an 11-game hitting streak, matching Joe Panik's team high from earlier this month. The catcher has at least one hit in each of the seven season meetings with the Dodgers, going 9 for 26 (.346) with an RBI single Tuesday.


Los Angeles has totaled 13 hits and been outscored 9-2 while losing two of three.


Adrian Gonzalez is 4 for 28 in the last eight at San Francisco after going 11 for 26 in his previous seven games there. He's 6 for 12 against Lincecum over the past two seasons, while Jimmy Rollins is 2 for 17 with six strikeouts in the last four - 0 for 5 this year.


Rollins had a single Tuesday, snapping his 0-for-20 slump at San Francisco.


Brett Anderson (2-1, 3.50) will try to reverse his fortunes against the Giants after going 0-3 with a 6.10 ERA in five career starts. The left-hander opposed Lincecum in back-to-back starts in April and was roughed up for seven runs and 14 hits in 8 2-3 innings.


Anderson, though, has a 1.10 ERA over three starts since - winning his only decision. He yielded two runs and struck out a season-high eight in 5 1-3 innings Thursday, but Yimi Garcia blew the save by surrendering three runs in the ninth of a 5-4 defeat to Colorado.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Giants
Tue, May 19 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores


GAME 2
Dodgers at Giants
Wed, May 20 - 10:15PM EDT


GAME 3
Dodgers at Giants
Thu, May 21 - 3:45PM EDT

Preview: Athletics (14-27) at Astros (26-14)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 20, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Even when Dallas Keuchel is not at his best, the Houston Astros keep finding ways to win for their ace.


As the Astros try to continue that trend, the left-hander looks to extend his undefeated run to 14 games in Wednesday's decisive finale against the visiting Oakland Athletics.


Keuchel (5-0, 1.87 ERA) allowed four runs over 45 innings in his first six starts, then four and eight hits in each of his last two while lasting 12 2-3 innings. He managed to get the win in both, however. Houston (26-14) is 12-1 while he's gone 7-0 with a 1.93 ERA since losing at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 21.


'His first six starts, he dominated," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. 'It's hard to keep that pace up. I think it speaks more about the domination that he had at the beginning of the season and less about the struggles or anything like that.'


The first Houston starter to go 5-0 since Roger Clemens won his first nine decisions in 2004, Keuchel remains confident but slightly frustrated after those last two performances.


'I can't keep having self-inflicted wounds," he said. 'I can't keep putting myself in those situations and keep expecting to get out of them. That's not the way this game is meant to go. I think the law of averages is catching up to me, and I've got to do a better job of keeping my foot on the gas.'


Keuchel hasn't let up much while the Astros have won his last five versus Oakland (14-27), and he is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in the last four. He gave up two hits over nine scoreless innings of a 5-4, 11-inning victory over the A's on April 24.


After Houston's five-game winning streak ended with Monday's 2-1 loss, it bounced back for a 6-4 victory one night later. Colby Rasmus, Chris Carter and Jason Castro each homered for the Astros, who have the AL's best record and are 17-0 when hitting at least two of their major league-leading 60 home runs.


'I hope we do it for four more months,' Hinch said.


Brett Lawrie had three hits for Oakland, which has dropped 11 of 13.


The A's are 1-6 in games started by Jesse Hahn (1-3, 4.42), who has an 8.71 ERA while losing his last two road outings. His most recent start came at home Friday when he gave up four runs - two earned - over 6 1-3 innings of a 7-6 loss to the Chicago White Sox.


This will the right-hander's his first appearance against the Astros.


Rasmus is 6 for 15 with three RBIs in his last four games versus Oakland.


The A's could be without center fielder Coco Crisp, who left Tuesday's game after the top of the fourth with neck tightness. Crisp, who dealt with a neck problem last May, is 2 for 45 since debuting May 6 after recovering from elbow surgery.


"Similar to last year," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said, "but to what degree, we're not sure."


Rookie Billy Burns, who replaced Crisp on Tuesday, had two hits and is 10 for 23 in his last six contests.


Lawrie is 0 for 12 versus Keuchel.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Athletics at Astros
Mon, May 18 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores


GAME 2
Athletics at Astros
Tue, May 19 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Athletics at Astros
Wed, May 20 - 2:10PM EDT

Wednesday's Tip Sheet


May 20, 2015




Trending Up

Los Angeles Angels

Just like when they started a little slow last year, it was only a matter of time before the Angels got it going, and that appears to be the case at this point in time. After surprisingly starting 12-15, Los Angeles became the second team in the AL West to finally ascend above the .500 barrier, with nine wins in their past 13 games. Their pitching has been a big reason for that, yielding three runs or less in ten of those 13 contests, making them a great consistent unders play over the past couple of weeks. Interestingly, it looks like their offense hasn’t even collectively hit their stride yet, entering Wednesday with the third-lowest team batting average in the game (.234), so when they inevitably improve upon that mark, look out. The Angels could be on the verge of a monumental run comparable to last year’s extensive streak, and might be a good team to tail as we progress through the next few weeks. They’re +110 road ‘dogs tonight in Toronto with ace Jered Weaver on the hill, opposing fellow Opening Day starter Drew Hutchison.

Trending Down

Miami Marlins

This choice really isn’t surprising, given that the Marlins have continued to struggle even after the firing of manager Mike Redmond. Usually, when you endure a midseason dismissal of your skipper, there’s some sort of improvement right away (see: Brewers), but that hasn’t been the case so far, with Miami dropping both games against Arizona under new manager Dan Jennings, who also happens to be their GM. Overall, the Marlins have dropped five in a row and eight of their past nine, and combined with Philadelphia’s recent surge, they’ve sunk into last place in the NL East. At least they’ve been a pretty consistent team in regards to over/under bets, producing a 23-15-2 record towards overs, including a 14-5-1 mark at home. They’re at Marlins Park tonight as their series with the Diamondbacks continues.



Cincinnati Reds

With a four-game losing streak and seven losses in their past ten games, the Reds suddenly find themselves in a bit of trouble, being only 3.5 games separated from last-place Milwaukee in the division. Mainly, you can look at their starting pitching as the big reason for their recent funk, having allowed a whopping 33 runs over the past four games. In fact, their starting rotation has surrendered the third-most home runs as a group with 36 long balls, so this might be something that becomes closer to the norm. You might not want to count them out for long, though, as their offense has been overachieving, recording the most stolen bases in baseball as a team, and are in the top five in home runs as well. With numerous impact players in their lineup, the Reds’ lineup should have them back on track sooner than later, but they’re going to need more consistency from the pitching staff outside of Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake if they want to get back into first.

Hitter to Watch

Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers

There’s no doubt that even after a down year in 2014, Ryan Braun has to still be considered amongst baseball’s uppermost elite hitters. Even so, the fact remains there were whispers about a potential decline coming into the season, but the face of the Brewers franchise has done his best to bring that conversation to an end. He’s especially heating up as of late, with three home runs, nine runs batted in, and a stolen base over his last six games, while hitting .318/.333/.773 during that span. For the year, he’s got 9 HRs and 27 RBIs, helping Milwaukee resurface from its horrid start that resulted in the firing of manager Ron Roenicke. The Brewers are playing much better baseball right now, with Braun playing a big role in that, and have a chance at a potentially shocking three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit. They’re +130 road ‘dogs in the series finale, with Kyle Lohse taking on Shane Greene.

Pitchers to Watch

Tsuyoshi Wada - Chicago Cubs

Yes, this seems like a pretty unorthodox pick for a “Pitcher to Watch” but it’s certainly justified. Tsuyoshi Wada is making his season debut tonight against the Padres in San Diego (as a +125 road ‘dog), after coming up to the big leagues for the first time in 2014 as a 33-year-old rookie. This is very intriguing to me, not just because he was one of my top sleeper picks coming into the campaign, but I also feel he can be an underrated piece for the Cubs as they continue to make their postseason push. As a rookie last season, he was 4-4 in 13 starts with a 3.25 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, while registering a modest 57/19 K/BB ratio in 69.2 innings. The left-hander maintained a fine 2.86 ERA in six starts at Triple-A this year, and probably would have cracked the Cubs’ Opening Day roster in camp had he not been sidelined by a groin injury. His big-game experience in Japan, pitching for the national team in the Olympics and World Baseball Classic, could serve to suit him well and help prevent any jitters he might have in trying to stick in Chicago’s pitching rotation. He could be a very profitable starting pitcher as the season rolls along, and offers fine value in his first outing this evening.

Jason Marquis - Cincinnati Reds

Generally I reserve this portion of Wednesday’s weekly analysis to cover a pitcher who is trending upwards, but I’ll throw in an extra one this week from the opposite end of the spectrum who commands your attention, considering his next start is tonight. Of course, I’m referring to veteran Jason Marquis, who has been an absolute overs machine, registering a 6-1 record for over bets in his seven starts. Comically, in the one under he did take part in this year thus far, it was in no thanks to him, as he lasted only four innings and surrendered four runs. Marquis’ next assignment is this evening on the road against a hard-hitting Royals lineup that ranks amongst the best in baseball in most major offensive categories, so if you’re a fan of trends, you might want to start riding this one. Furthermore, his opponent tonight is Jeremy Guthrie, who isn’t an overpowering pitcher. Marquis looks poised to extend his overs run at least one more start.