Cnotes Best Bets For Tuesday June 16th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (957) SEATTLE@ (958) SAN FRANCISCO | 06/16/2015 - 03:45 PM
Play AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO using the money line in Home games in June games
The record is 9 Wins and 23 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.2 units)

MLB > (969) TORONTO@ (970) NY METS | 06/16/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play ON TORONTO using the money line in All games in June games
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+10.9 units)


MLB > (951) MINNESOTA@ (952) ST LOUIS | 06/16/2015 - 01:45 PM
Play ON ST LOUIS using the money line in Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 21 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+15.25 units)


MLB > (961) PHILADELPHIA@ (962) BALTIMORE | 06/16/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON BALTIMORE using the money line in Home games in night games
The record is 56 Wins and 26 Losses for the last two seasons (+27.2 units)

MLB > (955) OAKLAND@ (956) SAN DIEGO | 06/16/2015 - 03:40 PM
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 8 Wins and 20 Losses for the this season (-15.15 units)


MLB > (975) LA DODGERS@ (976) TEXAS | 06/16/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play AGAINST TEXAS using the money line in All games at home when the total is 9 to 9.5
The record is 20 Wins and 44 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.3 units)

MLB > (959) ATLANTA@ (960) BOSTON | 06/16/2015 - 04:05 PM
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the money line in All games in home games
The record is 49 Wins and 65 Losses for the last two seasons (-33.8 units)


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (953) COLORADO@ (954) HOUSTON | 06/16/2015 - 02:10 PM
Play AGAINST COLORADO using the in Road games in an inter-league game
The record is 5 Wins and 17 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.25 units)


MLB > (975) LA DODGERS@ (976) TEXAS | 06/16/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record


MLB TOTALS


MLB > (961) PHILADELPHIA@ (962) BALTIMORE | 06/16/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games when playing on Tuesday
The record is 9 Overs and 0 Unders for the this season (+9.1 units)


MLB > (959) ATLANTA@ (960) BOSTON | 06/16/2015 - 04:05 PM
Play OVER ATLANTA on the total in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 38 Overs and 19 Unders for the this season (+18.1 units)

MLB > (951) MINNESOTA@ (952) ST LOUIS | 06/16/2015 - 01:45 PM
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in All games in June games
The record is 9 Overs and 27 Unders for the last two seasons (+16.75 units)
The record is 18 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+12.75 units)


MLB TOP POWELINES


Users of our matchup reports are familiar with our Power Line ratings, calculated using both teams' ratings and home field advantage. The Top Power Lines tool offers a way to view and compare current Power Lines in one simple report, as well as the Power Line Edge, where the Power Line differs significantly from the current line.


MLB > (951) MINNESOTA @ (952) ST LOUIS | 06/16/2015 - 01:45 PM
Line: ST LOUIS -185 BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS -206
Edge On: ST LOUIS (21)


MLB > (959) ATLANTA @ (960) BOSTON | 06/16/2015 - 04:05 PM
Line: BOSTON -160 BTB PowerLine: BOSTON 111
Edge On: BOSTON (46)


MLB > (961) PHILADELPHIA @ (962) BALTIMORE | 06/16/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: BALTIMORE -205 BTB PowerLine: BALTIMORE -236
Edge On: BALTIMORE (31)


MLB > (963) CINCINNATI @ (964) DETROIT | 06/16/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: DETROIT -160 BTB PowerLine: DETROIT -135
Edge On: DETROIT (25)


MLB > (965) CHI WHITE SOX @ (966) PITTSBURGH | 06/16/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: PITTSBURGH -165 BTB PowerLine: PITTSBURGH -148
Edge On: PITTSBURGH (17)


MLB > (969) TORONTO @ (970) NY METS | 06/16/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: NY METS -150 BTB PowerLine: NY METS 108
Edge On: NY METS (38)


MLB > (971) WASHINGTON @ (972) TAMPA BAY | 06/16/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: TAMPA BAY -126 BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY -109
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (17)


MLB > (975) LA DODGERS @ (976) TEXAS | 06/16/2015 - 08:05 PM
Line: TEXAS +130 BTB PowerLine: TEXAS 111
Edge On: TEXAS (19)


MLB > (977) KANSAS CITY @ (978) MILWAUKEE | 06/16/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: MILWAUKEE -105 BTB PowerLine: MILWAUKEE 145
Edge On: MILWAUKEE (30)


MLB > (979) ARIZONA @ (980) LA ANGELS | 06/16/2015 - 10:05 PM
Line: LA ANGELS -190 BTB PowerLine: LA ANGELS -165
Edge On: LA ANGELS (25)

NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (711) GOLDEN STATE@ (712) CLEVELAND | 06/16/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND using the money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 31 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (+20.4 units)


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (711) GOLDEN STATE@ (712) CLEVELAND | 06/16/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND in the first half in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 18 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+13.6 units)


NBA TOP POWERLINE


NBA > (711) GOLDEN STATE @ (712) CLEVELAND | 06/16/2015 - 09:05 PM
Line: CLEVELAND 3.5 BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND 1
Edge On: CLEVELAND (2.5)

Preview: Twins (34-28) at Cardinals (41-21)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 16, 2015 1:45 PM EDT

There's not a whole lot happening offensively for the St. Louis Cardinals these days, which isn't all that surprising considering quad injuries have Matt Adams and Matt Holliday on the disabled list.


As good as the starting pitchers have been, they don't need much to work with.


The Cardinals will try to make it through another turn in the rotation without a loss Tuesday as Michael Wacha takes the Busch Stadium hill against the struggling Minnesota Twins.


St. Louis (42-21) has scored 3.15 runs per game in June, but it's 9-4 thanks to a rotation that seems determined to overcome the absence of Adams and Holliday. John Lackey was the latest with an outstanding start, going eight innings in Monday's 3-2 win over the Twins.


The Cardinals have held 10 opponents this month to no more than two runs. They're just the second team since 2006 to reach a .667 winning percentage any time after the 61-game mark, something that ended well for the other one - the 2014 Giants.


Wacha (8-2, 2.45 ERA) can pitch St. Louis to its third five-game winning streak - one more than last season - but he'll probably need to be better than he was last Tuesday in Colorado. After allowing just 7.17 hits per nine innings in his first 11 starts - ninth in the NL - the right-hander gave up nine in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-3 loss.


He struck out a career-high 10 but gave up two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh.


'I felt good the whole night. I just left some pitches over the middle of the plate and they didn't miss them,' Wacha said. 'I've got to do a better job of making better pitches in (key) situations.'


Aside from being out of the thin air, pitching while it's light out could make a big difference for Wacha. He's 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA in five starts during the day, and his 1.91 ERA since 2013 is the second best of any pitcher with at least 10 starts.


This is Wacha's first look at the Twins (34-29), who can relate to any run-scoring issues the Cardinals are having. Minnesota has dropped eight of 10 while scoring two runs or fewer seven times.


One bright spot in the Twins' lineup is Brian Dozier, who is hitting .343 with five homers and four doubles over his last nine road contests. He's been good all season in day games, posting a 1.017 OPS while leading the majors with 22 extra-base hits.


Dozier had a double Monday and a sacrifice fly that drove in Byron Buxton, Minnesota's top prospect who was on base after tripling for his first major league hit. Buxton also slammed into the wall earlier, narrowly missing a ball that wound up being a Randal Grichuk triple.


'He's a guy who's not afraid to run through a wall to get you an out," starter Trevor May said.


The long ball has been a huge problem for teammate Kyle Gibson (4-4, 3.24) over his last two starts. After giving up five homers in 62 innings through May, the right-hander has given up four in 13 innings this month.


A three-run shot in the first inning was enough to sink him in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to Kansas City.


"When you don't execute against good teams, you're going to pay for it,' said Gibson, who allowed five runs through six.


Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal, who hasn't allowed a run in 17 2-3 innings over his last 17 appearances, should be available Tuesday after missing out on Monday's save opportunity due to stiffness.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Twins at Cardinals
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Twins at Cardinals
Tue, Jun 16 - 1:45PM EDT


GAME 3
Cardinals at Twins
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Cardinals at Twins
Thu, Jun 18 - 1:10PM EDT

Preview: Rockies (28-34) at Astros (36-28)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 16, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Houston Astros' strong start looked to be crumbling amid an extended losing streak marked by lack of offense, but they've responded in impressive fashion.


Riding a red-hot lineup to three wins in the last four games, Houston faces a Colorado Rockies team that's had its own problems scoring runs Tuesday night.


Houston (37-28) managed two or fewer runs six times during a seven-game skid which it snapped with a 10-0 win over Seattle on Friday. The Astros fell 8-1 the next day, but have totaled 19 runs in winning their past two over Seattle and Colorado.


George Springer went 3 for 4 with two home runs in Monday's 6-3 victory, extended his hitting streak to eight games and giving him a .600 average in the past five.


He added two nifty catches in right field.


'George is playing complete baseball I think on both sides of the ball and we're watching him mature right before our eyes and he's an exciting player when puts things together like this,' manager A.J. Hinch said.


Carlos Correa also had three hits - a career best - and Colby Rasmus hit a three-run homer in Houston's sixth home win in eight games this month. The Astros are among the major league leaders with 4.3 runs per game.


'This team in general is just very aggressive,' Monday's losing pitcher Chad Bettis said of Houston.


Chris Rusin (2-1, 3.38 ERA) is next in line to try and shut down the surging Astros offense, but he gave up six runs and 11 hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-0 loss at Miami on Thursday. The right-hander had posted a 1.45 ERA in his first three outings.


Rusin will oppose Vincent Velasquez in his second career start. The right-hander pitched well in his major league debut, working around four walks and three hits to throw five scoreless innings in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.


"I struggled with (getting ahead) a little bit and lacked a little bit of consistency, and I've just got to work on it," Velasquez said. "This game will change, and I have to prepare myself in the next (bullpen session) and put it toward the next outing."


He joined Jarred Cosart (2013) and Carlos Hernandez (2001) as the only Astros starters to go five or more scoreless in his debut.


Velasquez faces a Rockies team that has totaled nine runs through five games of a six-game road swing. Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado each had an RBI on Monday, but they've combined to go 7 for 36 over the previous five.


Charlie Blackmon has also contributed to the struggles, going 3 for his last 15, while D.J. LeMahieu is 0 for 9 in his last two.


Colorado has lost four of its last five against Houston.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rockies at Astros
Mon, Jun 15 -Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rockies at Astros
Tue, Jun 16 - 2:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Astros at Rockies
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:40PM EDT


GAME 4
Astros at Rockies
Thu, Jun 18 - 3:10PM EDT

Preview: Braves (30-33) at Red Sox (27-37)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 16, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The AL East has been tight all season, and four of its clubs are keeping it that way. The Boston Red Sox aren't one of them, and if they don't pick it up, their manager might also fade away.


John Farrell is answering questions about job security, and that figures to only gather steam if his club can't end a seven-game losing streak Tuesday night against the visiting Atlanta Braves.


"I don't know that I pay much attention to what's written or talked about. I know it's all part of every major sports city," Farrell told MLB's official website. "I also recognize that this is a bottom-sum game, a bottom-line game. You work in that environment. And yet it doesn't affect the way I deal with players individually, the way I deal with our team. No one likes where we are. That comes with the territory."


The clubs opened four games split between series at Fenway Park and Turner Field on Monday night with the Braves (31-33) winning 4-2 to end Boston's six-game winning streak over Atlanta. A.J. Pierzynski was 2 for 4 and is batting .394 in his last 17 games as a visitor at Fenway, while Jace Peterson extended his career-best hitting streak to nine.


Boston's Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 3 and is batting .407 in 13 games.


The Red Sox (27-38) last dropped eight straight from Aug. 17-24. Pitching was the main concern during that streak and it's happening again this time with the club posting a 6.52 ERA.


Neither team's confidence level in its next starter can be all that high with Julio Teheran and Wade Miley taking the mound.


Teheran (4-2, 4.78 ERA) is 0-1 with a 6.57 ERA in his last four starts, pitching well in the last two until reaching the eighth inning. In Thursday's 6-4 loss to San Diego, the right-hander allowed four runs - three earned - and four hits in seven-plus innings. He gave up three runs in the eighth and didn't get the decision.


Teheran surrendered two in the eighth in a 5-4 win over Pittsburgh on June 6, giving up four runs in seven innings overall, and also struggled to start the seventh against San Francisco on May 31. Teheran has a .259 opponent batting average in the first six innings this season while opponents are 9 for 19 beyond that, but his manager isn't convinced it's an endurance issue.


"I don't think he ran out of gas; he just got himself in some trouble," Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think that's the third start in a row, going back to San Francisco, that we can't get him through an inning there late in the game when we needed to."


Teheran is 1-2 with 6.94 ERA on the road, and 0-2 with a 5.21 ERA in three career starts in AL parks.


Miley (5-6, 5.07) has been roughed up in two of his last three starts, including a 6-5 loss at Baltimore on Thursday. The left-hander gave up five runs and nine hits - three home runs - in four innings.


Farrell's decision to have Miley's day end there resulted in the two arguing in the dugout, though both parties said they're past it.


"When you pitch every five days, you get an opportunity (and) you want it to last as long as possible," Miley said. "It stings a little bit, but that's part of the game."


Miley has posted a 2.01 ERA in a three-start home winning streak. He's won four straight at home twice in his career, but has gone 1-2 with a 5.92 ERA in four starts and a relief appearance against the Braves.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Braves at Red Sox
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Braves at Red Sox
Tue, Jun 16 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Braves
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Red Sox at Braves
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: Phillies (22-42) at Orioles (31-31)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 16, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Baltimore Orioles opened a four-game stretch against the Philadelphia Phillies with another victory, and it seems the wins might keep coming.


That's because Philadelphia is entering Tuesday night's meeting at Camden Yards having dropped more than 20 games below .500 as fast as ever in the interleague era.


After Monday's 4-0 victory, the Orioles (32-31) have won nine of 11, eight of 11 against the Phillies (22-43) and 13 of 16 home games in interleague play.


Matt Wieters hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning, and the Baltimore catcher is batting .333 with a 1.051 OPS and seven RBIs in eight games since returning from the disabled list. He's homered in three of his last four games against the NL.


"Right now, I'm just trying to see the ball well and trying to take that into the game," Wieters said.


Philadelphia, meanwhile, is more than 20 games under 65 games into a season for the first time since 1997, the inaugural interleague season, when it had the same record. The Phillies have dropped seven straight overall for the second time during a 3-17 span, and their 11-game road skid is tied for their longest since a 12-gamer in 1999. They last lost eight straight overall in July 2013.


The Phillies have been shut out in consecutive games, three of the last four and a total of 21 consecutive innings over the last three. On the overall skid, they're batting .150 with runners in scoring position.


"We need to swing the bats," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "I know the guys are playing hard, hustling and trying hard. Players grinding it out, trying to turn the page."


Baltimore's 9-2 run has included some impressive pitching with a 2.57 ERA. In the last 12, the bullpen has a 0.92 ERA and .156 opponent batting average.


Chris Tillman's numbers don't quite match up with those.


Tillman (4-7, 5.68 ERA) has won consecutive starts, but he hasn't exactly dazzled with a 4.50 ERA after allowing four runs in 5 2-3 innings of Thursday's 6-5 win over Boston. It was the right-hander's first home win, but he has a ways to go to fix a 1-4 record and 7.28 ERA in six starts at Camden.


His career against the NL hasn't been all that much better, going 1-1 with a 5.80 ERA in 12 starts, though none have come against Philadelphia.


Phillies starter Jerome Williams (3-6, 5.71) is showing no signs of being able to carry the club's struggling offense.


Williams is 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA and .342 opponent batting average in his last five starts, and given his run-support average is under half his ERA in that span at 3.08, it's no wonder why the Phillies have lost all five. The right-hander surrendered four runs and nine hits in six innings of Wednesday's 5-2 loss in Cincinnati, dropping his road record to 0-4 with a 7.18 ERA in six starts.


Over the previous four seasons against Baltimore, Williams is 3-2 with a 4.97 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances. Nolan Reimold (3 for 6), Manny Machado (3 for 8), J.J. Hardy (7 for 19), Chris Davis (3 for 9), Adam Jones (3 for 12) and Wieters (1 for 9) have all homered against the veteran.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Phillies at Orioles
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Phillies at Orioles
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Orioles at Phillies
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Orioles at Phillies
Thu, Jun 18 - 1:05PM EDT

Preview: Reds (28-34) at Tigers (33-30)
Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 16, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

Kyle Ryan was somewhat of an afterthought for the Detroit Tigers at the start of spring training before outperforming the club's other left-handed pitching prospects. Although he didn't make the opening day roster, he's now been given a golden opportunity.


Getting his first start as a member of the starting rotation, Ryan will look to continue a successful second stint in the majors when he faces the Cincinnati Reds in the second of a four-game home-and-home series Tuesday night at Comerica Park.


Ryan (1-0, 2.08 ERA) was brought up from Triple-A Toledo last month and has definitely earned a chance to show what he can do as the No. 5 starter after Shane Greene was sent down to work out his recent struggles. Although manager Brad Ausmus said he'd be "shocked" if Greene doesn't return, he has plenty of confidence in Ryan.


"He's pitched well since he's been here," Ausmus said. "He came up here in an emergency situation and pitched well enough to stick around. He's helped us."


Although he's 6-foot-5, Ryan is not overpowering with a fastball hovering in the low 90s, but his quirky delivery is deceptive and he changes speeds well to compensate.


Ryan, who tossed six scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox last year in his first career start, has given up one earned run over six innings of relief work since being called up and made an impressive spot start June 5 in the Windy City.


Facing the White Sox again, the 23-year-old tossed seven innings of three-hit ball while allowing two runs before leaving with a 3-2 lead. He did not get the win, however, after Chicago tied it in the bottom of the ninth and then won 4-3 in the 11th.


That loss marked a season-worst seventh in a row for Detroit (34-30) and dropped its record to .500, but the Tigers have turned it around with six wins in their last eight.


Ryan won't need to go too deep since Detroit's bullpen will be well rested after Anibal Sanchez tossed a two-hitter in Monday's 6-0 win. It extended a stellar stretch for Tigers starters, who have a 1.46 ERA in their last eight.


The offense has also been solid in that time, batting .365 with 5.5 runs per game.


The Tigers get their first look at shortstop Eugenio Suarez, whom they shipped to the Reds in the offseason deal that brought in starter Alfredo Simon. Suarez was called up to replace Zack Cozart, who was lost for the year to a torn knee ligament.


The season-long injury woes mounted for the Reds on Monday when right-hander Jon Moscot left in the first after dislocating his left shoulder while tagging out a runner.


"I've been a part of a season here or there where we've had a lot of injuries, but never anything like this back-to-back seasons," manager Bryan Price said.


Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 4.01) takes the hill for the Reds (28-35) looking to bounce back from his shortest start of 2015. The rookie right-hander lasted 4 1-3 innings against the Cubs on Thursday, giving up six runs and five hits in a 6-3 loss.


He hit a two-run triple and managed to strike out a season-best six, but he gave up two homers, issued three walks and also hit a batter.


That defeat was the first of three in the club's four-game series at Wrigley Field, which marked the eighth loss in 10 road series for Cincinnati this season. Dating to June 30, the Reds are an MLB-worst 19-51 away from home.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Tigers
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 0 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Reds at Tigers
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:08PM EDT


GAME 3
Tigers at Reds
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Tigers at Reds
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: White Sox (28-33) at Pirates (35-27)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 16, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Heavily dependent on one pitch to be effective, Charlie Morton has his sinker dipping and diving just the way he wants right now.


Morton's return to Pittsburgh's rotation couldn't be going much better, and he'll look for a fifth win in as many starts while trying to help his Pirates teammates make it six in a row Tuesday night against the visiting Chicago White Sox.


It might not seem like Pittsburgh (36-27) was missing much as Morton recovered from offseason hip surgery through late May, but having the right-hander healthy for the first time in a while has made a considerable difference.


Just 32-53 with a 4.31 ERA over his first 119 starts as a Pirate, Morton is 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA over four in 2015. He struck out six over 19 innings in his first three, but fanned that many while allowing only three hits in 7 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Milwaukee.


Morton has allowed just eight fly balls in this stretch, and with his signature sinker especially effective, his 70.0 ground-ball percentage is the best in the majors among those who have made at least four starts.


"I think early in games that I am thinking about things a little bit because I want to make sure I get in a groove mechanically," Morton said. "I want to get things straight. As the game goes on, you just get more competitive and that takes over."


The Pirates' rotation is having its own competition. Their last eight starters have gone at least six innings, and seven of them have allowed one earned run or none after Francisco Liriano went eight while surrendering only two hits in Monday's 11-0 rout.


"Guys have different skill sets, different pitches," manager Clint Hurdle said. "More often than not we're pounding the zone. We're throwing strikes. We're changing speeds. We're moving things around, going to different locations. Their command and pace on the mound has played a big role."


Pittsburgh finally got going at the plate as well after totaling nine runs in its previous six games. Seven Pirates had multiple hits and Josh Harrison and Starling Marte had four apiece while occupying the top two spots in the order.


Marte has at least three hits in four straight games, becoming the first Pittsburgh player to do it since Willie Stargell in 1973. No Pirate has done it in five straight since at least 1914 and no major leaguer since George Brett's six-game streak in May 1976.


After coming into Sunday with by far the majors' fewest plate appearances against left-handers, Pittsburgh now faces a third straight southpaw starter with another - John Danks - to come Wednesday as this series shifts to Chicago.


First comes Jose Quintana (3-6, 4.00), whom the White Sox are hoping is over his awful start to 2015. With his ERA at 4.67 through nine outings, Quintana has posted a 2.21 over his last three.


His margin for error continues to be minuscule - Quintana's 2.66 run-support average is among the lowest in baseball - but he got enough help in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Houston while giving up one through seven innings.


"It feels good. Every time you wait for that," Quintana said. "But first you have to deliver a good outing and after that you wait for the support."


Quintana has never faced the Pirates - nor has Morton seen the White Sox (28-34) - but Marte figures to be happy to see him. Pittsburgh's left fielder has a 1.185 OPS against lefties in 2015, including five homers in 39 at_bats.


Chicago is hitting .199 during a five-game road losing streak and has been outscored by 58 runs while going 12-22 away from home.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
White Sox at Pirates
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 0 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
White Sox at Pirates
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Pirates at White Sox
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Pirates at White Sox
Thu, Jun 18 - 8:10PM EDT

Preview: Yankees (34-28) at Marlins (27-37)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 16, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The four principles in December's five-player trade between the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins have done fine, but none of them has performed so well as to distinguish a clear winner in the deal so far.


Two of them will take the mound Tuesday night when David Phelps leads the host Marlins against Nathan Eovaldi and the Yankees in the second and final game of the series.


New York sent Phelps and infielder Martin Prado to Miami for Eovaldi, first baseman Garrett Jones and pitching prospect Domingo German on Dec. 19.


Phelps, Prado, Eovaldi and Jones have been solid in their roles for their new teams, though none has turned in a standout season. Phelps (3-3, 4.11 ERA) will be looking to beat the team that drafted him in the 14th round in 2008 and for which he pitched his first three seasons, going 15-14 with a 4.21 ERA in 87 games - 40 starts - from 2012-14.


The right-hander rebounded from a brutal effort June 6 in which he allowed nine runs and 11 hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 10-5 loss at Colorado by pitching a career-high eight innings of four-hit ball in a 6-0 victory over the Rockies on Thursday.


Eovaldi (5-1, 4.13) threw seven-plus innings of three-run ball in a 5-4, 11-inning loss to Washington on Wednesday. He was in line for the win but the bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead. Eovaldi, 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last four starts, went 13-27 with a 4.10 ERA from 2012-14 with the Marlins.


The right-hander is 0-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts in interleague play and 6-14 with a 4.12 mark at Marlins Park.


'It would work out that way,' Phelps said of opposing Eovaldi.


Miami (28-37) took the series opener 2-1 on Monday for its fourth win in five games. Tom Koehler pitched seven innings and Derek Dietrich hit his first home run to put the Marlins ahead for good.


'That was the loudest I've heard in this stadium,' closer A.J. Ramos said of a conflicted Marlins Park that contained large numbers of Yankees fans. 'I kind of took it in. You've got to take those moments in. I was like, `Man, this is really cool.''


New York (34-29) lost for the fourth time in five games. Mark Teixeira hit his 18th homer but the Yankees managed a season-low three hits, two by Didi Gregorius.


'Really good defensive plays on their part,' manager Joe Girardi said. 'I though we actually swung the bats pretty good, and really didn't have much to show for it.'


Alex Rodriguez flew out to end the game as a pinch-hitter in his Miami homecoming, remaining five hits shy of 3,000. New York finished the night out of first place in the AL East for the first time since May 25.


"Got a good pitch to hit, and just popped it straight up," said Rodriguez, playing in his hometown for the first time since 2009. He's not expected to start Tuesday's contest either.


Teixeira is batting .429 during a six-game hitting streak.


Right fielder Carlos Beltran was held out of the starting lineup because of a sore hamstring. He pinch-hit in the eighth and struck out.


Prado, batting .272 with four home runs and 14 RBIs, sat out Monday with a sore right shoulder and a stint on the disabled list hasn't been ruled out.


Ex-Yankee Ichiro Suzuki had two hits Monday and has gone 3 for 5 in the last two games.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Marlins
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Marlins
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Marlins at Yankees
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Marlins at Yankees
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Blue Jays (34-30) at Mets (34-30)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 16, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The New York Mets could have David Wright back as soon as next month, but for now they'd settle for Matt Harvey resembling an ace again.


Harvey will try to quell any concerns and keep the Mets perfect at home against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of a four-game home-and-home series Tuesday night.


New York (35-30) sits 1 1/2 games ahead of Washington atop the NL East despite being without Wright for all but the first eight games due to a strained right hamstring and spinal stenosis. The third baseman will reportedly return after the All-Star break.


"If he's cleared by the end of the month, then I think two or three weeks into July is realistic," general manager Sandy Alderson told MLB's official website. "Am I predicting that? No, I'm not predicting it. But I do think it's realistic. Is there anything short of that that would be realistic? Probably not."


Harvey (6-4, 3.62 ERA), however, is the Mets' immediate concern with losses in three of his last four starts behind a 7.20 ERA. He's served up eight homers in that span after giving up just four through his first eight.


"With his stuff, you don't get hit that hard unless the ball's in the middle of the plate," manager Terry Collins said.


The right-hander gave up seven runs for the second time in four starts Wednesday and was tagged for a career-high three homers in six innings of an 8-5 loss to San Francisco.


"Everything was all over the place," he said. "I'm not putting people away when I need to. I'm not keeping people off base when I need to and obviously I'm not keeping the ball in the yard when I need to."


Harvey certainly needs to find a solution since Toronto (34-31) leads the majors with 5.5 runs per game while ranking among MLB leaders with a .268 average and 81 homers.


He may draw some inspiration from Noah Syndergaard, who held the Blue Jays to one run and two hits in six innings before Wilmer Flores hit a walkoff single to cap a two-run, two-out rally in the 11th inning of Monday's 4-3 win.


"We're not giving up," Flores said. "That's what good teams do."


New York has won all 10 of its home games against Toronto, with the latest denying the Blue Jays a franchise-record 12-game winning streak. It was also the Mets' fourth win in five games following a 2-6 stretch.


Lucas Duda scored on Flores' hit after driving in Michael Cuddyer to tie it in the previous at-bat. The first baseman also had a double, giving him three among his six hits over the last three games.


The Jays have recalled Scott Copeland (1-0, 0.90) from Triple-A Buffalo and will use him in place of scheduled starter Aaron Sanchez, who has a strained lat muscle and landed on the disabled list Monday, retroactive to June 6.


He's not expected to be out beyond the minimum amount of time.


"It's just the right move, smart move," manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website.


Copeland's performance in a spot start in place of Sanchez may have influenced that decision. The rookie right-hander allowed one run and six hits in seven innings of a 7-2 win over Miami in his first career outing.


"He definitely opened up everybody's eyes," Gibbons said of Copeland, whose only other two appearances came in relief last month.


Jose Bautista hit a pair of solo homers Monday after going 2 for 20 over the previous five games.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Blue Jays at Mets
Mon, Jun 15 -Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Blue Jays at Mets
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Mets at Blue Jays
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:07PM EDT


GAME 4
Mets at Blue Jays
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:07PM EDT

Preview: Nationals (33-30) at Rays (35-29)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 16, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Almost all of the Tampa Bay Rays' losses over the past two-plus weeks have come in games Alex Colome has started. He can't be blamed for the last couple of defeats, however.


Colome looks for his first win in five outings Tuesday night in the second of two home matchups with the Washington Nationals before the teams head to the nation's capital for another pair of meetings.


Tampa Bay (36-29) cruised to a 6-1 victory Monday to extend its winning streak to four and move into sole possession of first place in the AL East. It was the Rays' 12th victory in 16 games, but they're 0-3 over that span when handing the ball to Colome (3-2, 4.21 ERA).


The right-hander, however, has allowed one run in each of his last two starts covering 11 1-3 innings while the Rays have scored a total of three times. He left with a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning Thursday before the bullpen crumbled in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. It was the fourth time in five home outings that he allowed two or fewer runs.


Colome will be opposed by Tanner Roark (2-2, 3.71), who got off to a nice start with a 2.45 ERA in his first two outings at the end of May after Doug Fister went on the 15-day disabled list.


The right-hander, though, has posted a 6.57 ERA in two this month and has allowed seven home runs over 23 1-3 innings as a starter after giving up two in 20 1-3 spanning 13 relief appearances.


Roark didn't receive a decision Thursday in Milwaukee as he failed to hold a 5-1 lead, allowing a tying solo homer with one out in the seventh inning of a 6-5 loss.


"We should've came out with the win," Roark said. "That's on my shoulders for not keeping it there and letting them back in the game."


Logan Forsythe went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and Joey Butler had another two hits Monday as the Rays prevented the Nationals (33-31) from winning three in a row. Butler has batted .400 in his last 15 games.


The Rays lost third baseman Evan Longoria after he was hit in the left wrist by a pitch. The team said X-rays were negative and he's day to day.


'I wouldn't rule out the possibility of playing (Tuesday),' Longoria said. 'There's nothing seriously wrong there. It's a matter of seeing how I feel when I wake up.'


Bryce Harper returned to the Nationals' lineup after missing Sunday's game with a leg injury suffered on a hit by pitch a day earlier. He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts as the designated hitter after going 9 for 17 with two homers and five RBIs in his previous five games.


"I think it's difficult when you play every day to DH, but it was the only way we could get him in the lineup today to give his leg one more day to rest," manager Matt Williams said. "I fully anticipate he'll be in (the outfield) tomorrow."


No one on the Nationals has ever faced Colome while catcher Rene Rivera is the only active Rays player to bat against Roark, going 2 for 5 last season while with San Diego.


Tampa Bay has won four straight and seven of eight at home in the series.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Nationals at Rays
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 1 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Nationals at Rays
Tue, Jun 16 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Rays at Nationals
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Rays at Nationals
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (37-26) at Rangers (33-30)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: June 16, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Rougned Odor's return to the majors was a hit, and the Texas Rangers aren't giving up many of those with Chi Chi Gonzalez on the mound.


Odor and Gonzalez will try to help the Rangers cap this five-game homestand with a fourth win Tuesday night against the Dodgers before this series shifts to Los Angeles.


Odor hit .259 with nine homers and 48 RBIs as a rookie last season, but struggled to build on that in 2015. The 21-year-old second baseman was batting .144 with one homer and nine RBIs in 29 games before being sent to Triple-A Round Rock last month.


He returned to Texas (34-30) in a big way Monday, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs to spur a 4-1 win over Los Angeles.


"How about the young man coming back, first night with the hits, but more importantly the big one," manager Jeff Banister said. "Get him back up here on night one, you see the adjustments, and it paid off for us."


Giving the ball to Gonzalez (2-1, 0.42) has also paid off.


The rookie right-hander has held righties to a .105 average through three starts. He yielded one run in the first Thursday at Oakland, then responded with six scoreless in a 7-0 loss.


"I loved the way he competed," Banister told MLB's official website. "He made an adjustment and started getting the ball in on them. He picked that out on his own. Two walks early, but once he found the strike zone, he was good. He has tremendous composure; he's composed beyond his experience at this level."


The Dodgers (37-27) have alternated wins and losses over the last 10 road games.


Yasiel Puig is hitting .419 in eight games since returning from a left hamstring strain. However, he struck out three times in four at_bats Monday, with the final one coming with two runners on in the eighth. He showed his frustration by snapping a bat in half over his leg before breaking a light in the tunnel behind the dugout.


"I think anyone, obviously, in a big situation, you want to get a hit. He didn't and reacted," manager Don Mattingly said. "I'd probably rather see a bat flip than a bat break. I don't want anyone to injure themselves. That's the only thing I worry about when slamming helmets or slamming bats."


The Dodgers are turning to Brett Anderson (2-4, 3.57), who is trying to bounce back from one of his worst efforts of the season. The left-hander gave up four runs and eight hits - two homers - in five innings while not figuring in the decision of a 7-6 win over Arizona on Wednesday.


He had a 2.28 ERA while going 1-3 over his seven previous outings.


Anderson is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in his last six games - three starts - against Texas, all coming with Oakland. He hasn't faced the Rangers since a relief appearance on Sept. 13, 2013, and his last start came in a loss at Texas on May 10, 2011.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Rangers
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Dodgers at Rangers
Tue, Jun 16 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rangers at Dodgers
Wed, Jun 17 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Rangers at Dodgers
Thu, Jun 18 - 10:10PM EDT

Preview: Indians (29-33) at Cubs (34-27)
Game: 2
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 16, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Starlin Castro's late-inning heroics and another extended hitting streak from Kris Bryant have the young Chicago Cubs on a roll.


The Cleveland Indians are prepared to see what their own top prospect has to offer.


After Francisco Lindor's first major league start was postponed by a downpour, he'll get another chance Tuesday night at Wrigley Field against a Cubs team still riding high after a pair of walk-off wins.


Monday's contest never got underway due to heavy storms in Chicago, which deprived the Cubs of a chance to immediately build on a pair of exciting victories over the weekend. Chicago (34-27) took three of four from Cincinnati, capped by game-ending RBI singles from Castro in Saturday's 4-3 victory and Sunday's 3-2 win in 11 innings.


Castro, who became the first Cubs player with back-to-back walk-off hits since Ron Santo in 1966, was 3 for 5 for his first three-hit game since April 28 against Pittsburgh.


"He's starting to really get his mojo back, which is good for us," manager Joe Maddon said.


The Cubs have won four of five to move seven games over .500 for the first time since they were 82-74 on Sept. 29, 2009.


Bryant is hitting .372 during an 11-game hitting streak after doubling in the first. The prized rookie had a 12-game run May 11-23 and has hit safely in 24 of his last 27, recording six homers, two triples and seven doubles in that stretch.


His .885 OPS is second among rookies to Joc Pederson's.


Lindor figures to make his first major league start Tuesday, and it's possible another big-name prospect will get an at-bat as this series opens before slotting into the starting lineup Wednesday in Cleveland. The Cubs announced Monday night that they were calling up catcher Kyle Schwarber - their 2014 first-round pick - to serve as a DH for the remainder of the week in AL parks.


While Chicago has hinged its success on young talents like Bryant and the 25-year-old Castro, the Indians (29-33) now hope Lindor can provide them a boost.


Lindor, who is considered one of baseball's best prospects, was called up from Triple-A over the weekend and entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh of Sunday's 8-1 loss to Detroit. He struck out in his first at-bat, then singled in the ninth.


The 21-year-old likely would've had a double had he not tripped rounding first base, providing a light moment in an otherwise dismal performance from the Indians, who have lost five of seven.


"It's a tough day for us, but you try to always (find) something (positive)," manager Terry Francona said. "In this case, getting (Lindor) in there and getting him a couple at_bats should help his nerves moving forward."


Taking the mound for the Cubs will be Jake Arrieta (6-4, 3.16 ERA), who has won back-to-back starts. He gave up one run in six innings of a 2-1 win over Washington on June 4 before allowing three runs in six innings of Wednesday's 12-3 victory over Detroit.


The right-hander, who struck out eight in both outings, opposes Trevor Bauer (5-3, 3.53) in his first start against the Indians since 2012 while with Baltimore.


Bauer went 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA over his previous five starts before giving up a career high-tying six earned runs while walking five in 3 2-3 innings of Wednesday's 9-3 loss to Seattle. The right-hander has walked 12 over his last three outings.


"If you look at my stats, every time I pitch, I tend to have one bad inning with walks," Bauer said. "(Wednesday), they cost me, and it sucked. If I knew what happened, I'd fix it."


Bauer has never faced the Cubs, who swept a three-game series at Wrigley Field from June 19-21, 2009, in the last meetings between the clubs.


Indians designated hitter Nick Swisher won't be available for this series after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with left knee inflammation.


Monday's game will be made up at Wrigley on Aug. 24.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Indians at Cubs
Mon, Jun 15 - 8:05PM EDT ( RAIN OUT )
Recaps


GAME 2
Indians at Cubs
Tue, Jun 16 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Cubs at Indians
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Cubs at Indians
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (37-26) at Rangers (33-30)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: June 16, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Rougned Odor's return to the majors was a hit, and the Texas Rangers aren't giving up many of those with Chi Chi Gonzalez on the mound.


Odor and Gonzalez will try to help the Rangers cap this five-game homestand with a fourth win Tuesday night against the Dodgers before this series shifts to Los Angeles.


Odor hit .259 with nine homers and 48 RBIs as a rookie last season, but struggled to build on that in 2015. The 21-year-old second baseman was batting .144 with one homer and nine RBIs in 29 games before being sent to Triple-A Round Rock last month.


He returned to Texas (34-30) in a big way Monday, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs to spur a 4-1 win over Los Angeles.


"How about the young man coming back, first night with the hits, but more importantly the big one," manager Jeff Banister said. "Get him back up here on night one, you see the adjustments, and it paid off for us."


Giving the ball to Gonzalez (2-1, 0.42) has also paid off.


The rookie right-hander has held righties to a .105 average through three starts. He yielded one run in the first Thursday at Oakland, then responded with six scoreless in a 7-0 loss.


"I loved the way he competed," Banister told MLB's official website. "He made an adjustment and started getting the ball in on them. He picked that out on his own. Two walks early, but once he found the strike zone, he was good. He has tremendous composure; he's composed beyond his experience at this level."


The Dodgers (37-27) have alternated wins and losses over the last 10 road games.


Yasiel Puig is hitting .419 in eight games since returning from a left hamstring strain. However, he struck out three times in four at_bats Monday, with the final one coming with two runners on in the eighth. He showed his frustration by snapping a bat in half over his leg before breaking a light in the tunnel behind the dugout.


"I think anyone, obviously, in a big situation, you want to get a hit. He didn't and reacted," manager Don Mattingly said. "I'd probably rather see a bat flip than a bat break. I don't want anyone to injure themselves. That's the only thing I worry about when slamming helmets or slamming bats."


The Dodgers are turning to Brett Anderson (2-4, 3.57), who is trying to bounce back from one of his worst efforts of the season. The left-hander gave up four runs and eight hits - two homers - in five innings while not figuring in the decision of a 7-6 win over Arizona on Wednesday.


He had a 2.28 ERA while going 1-3 over his seven previous outings.


Anderson is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in his last six games - three starts - against Texas, all coming with Oakland. He hasn't faced the Rangers since a relief appearance on Sept. 13, 2013, and his last start came in a loss at Texas on May 10, 2011.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Rangers
Mon, Jun 15 - Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Dodgers at Rangers
Tue, Jun 16 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rangers at Dodgers
Wed, Jun 17 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Rangers at Dodgers
Thu, Jun 18 - 10:10PM EDT

Preview: Mariners (29-35) at Giants (34-31)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: June 16, 2015 3:45 PM EDT

The Seattle Mariners have gone through quite a few up-and-down stretches this season, but their recent trend has been quite simple: If they score, they win.


After doing just that in their series opener with the San Francisco Giants, the Mariners will again look to keep the offense rolling Tuesday behind J.A. Happ, who has been on the wrong side of Seattle's fluctuating results.


The Mariners (29-35) have failed to score in all three of their losses over the last seven games. After suffering their latest shutout Sunday against Houston, Austin Jackson had two RBIs and Kyle Seager hit his 11th home run to help Seattle beat the Giants 5-1 in Monday's opener of this four-game home-and-home series.


For manager Lloyd McClendon, it was the insurance runs he found most valuable.


"We have to have the ability to add on," McClendon said. "That's what keeps teams at bay. When we have a lead and add on, it quiets their spirit a little bit."


Happ (3-2, 3.72 ERA) has not enjoyed the same offensive production, receiving not a single run of support in his previous two starts.


Happ, however, failed to uphold his end as well with four runs allowed in 2 1-3 innings of Thursday's 6-0 loss to Cleveland. The left-hander had managed only five outings of fewer than three innings through 147 career starts, but now has two in his last five - both of which have come on the road.


"It's certainly frustrating," he told MLB's official website. "I felt like I threw a lot of strikes the first hitters of the game. But you have to make adjustments."


He suffered through a similarly dismal performance in his last start at AT&T Park on June 13, 2012, allowing eight runs in 3 1-3 innings while with Houston. A good outing wouldn't have helped, though, with the Giants' Matt Cain tossing a perfect game that day.


San Francisco (34-31), which has now lost five straight, will go with Tim Lincecum (6-3, 3.33), who has drastically slowed from the 2.08 ERA he earned through eight starts. He has a 6.30 mark in his last four while pitching past the fifth only once in that span.


Lincecum fell victim to inefficiency in Thursday's loss to the New York Mets, exiting after allowing three runs - two earned - in 4 2-3 innings while throwing 102 pitches. He ranks among baseball's worst with 4.83 walks per nine innings since May 14.


"I'm just not finishing guys off when I'm supposed to," Lincecum said. "It just comes back to challenging the bottom of the strike zone more and making them hit the ball more, which is what I was doing in my first eight starts.


"I just haven't been executing the last few games."


The right-hander has a 1.98 ERA at AT&T Park, and although he allowed four runs in 4 1-3 innings May 30, Lincecum had previously worked 21 consecutive scoreless innings at home over three starts.


The two-time Cy Young Award winner is just 3-7 in interleague play since 2012, but he dazzled against the Los Angeles Angels with eight shutout innings May 3. He suffered a loss in his only meeting with Seattle, but has yet to face the Mariners in San Francisco.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mariners at Giants
Mon, Jun 15 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Mariners at Giants
Tue, Jun 16 - 3:45PM EDT


GAME 3
Giants at Mariners
Wed, Jun 17 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Giants at Mariners
Thu, Jun 18 - 10:10PM EDT

Preview: Royals (35-25) at Brewers (24-41)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: June 16, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals may see a good portion of their lineup start at this season's All-Star Game, although those same bats went silent over a brief weekend series.


Now with that spark seemingly rediscovered, the AL Central leaders will look to maintain momentum against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night in the second of a four-game home-and-home series.


Kansas City (35-25) has eight players currently leading the AL All-Star vote and ranks in MLB's upper half with 4.3 runs per game and a .267 average. The Royals, however, managed only two runs and 10 hits in a two-game sweep at St. Louis on Friday and Saturday.


That effort improved quickly with three first-inning runs in an 8-5 win over Milwaukee (24-41) on Monday that opened a series which shifts to Kansas City on Wednesday.


Alex Gordon got his fifth RBI in his last four games, Salvador Perez had his fourth multi-hit game in his last five and Lorenzo Cain extended his hitting streak to six with his fifth homer of the year.


The Royals will now try to put that production behind Chris Young (5-2, 2.25 ERA), who owns Kansas City's best ERA among those with at least 50 innings pitched.


Young, who ceded only three earned runs through his first 34 2-3 innings, stumbled with 10 runs allowed in 11 inning over two starts from May 27-June 4, but the right-hander rebounded last Tuesday with 6 1-3 of one-hit ball in a 2-0 win at Minnesota.


"Fastball command was good," Young told MLB's official website. "I could locate down and I was able to elevate. For most pitchers, fastball command is paramount. The last couple starts maybe I didn't have that command. That's baseball."


He is 1-1 with a 2.49 ERA against Milwaukee and lost at Miller Park on Sept. 16, 2012.


Home field advantage has provided little reprieve for the Brewers and they've now lost three straight and 10 of 13 in Milwaukee. Their only win in 10 previous home series this year came when they took two of three against the Chicago Cubs in early May.


Matt Garza (4-7, 4.80 ERA) will take the mound for Milwaukee after notching a 2-0 record and 1.00 ERA in his last three outings, although he surrendered four unearned run over six innings of a 6-5 win over Washington on Thursday.


Most impressive lately has been Garza's command. The right-hander has not issued a walk over his last two starts - the first time he's done so in consecutive outings.


Garza limited Kansas City to one run in eight innings on Sept. 21, 2013, allowing only a home run to Eric Hosmer.


Despite Monday's defeat, the Brewers had no trouble with Kansas City's Greg Holland and could again take advantage of the closer as the series goes on. Trailing by six runs in the ninth inning, Milwaukee scored three and had four hits against Holland before Wade Davis shut the door with three quick outs.


Jonathan Lucroy went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and doubled home a run in the ninth.


"Our guys put good at_bats together against two really good pitchers," manager Craig Counsell said. "We made them work for it."




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Royals at Brewers
Mon, Jun 15 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Royals at Brewers
Tue, Jun 16 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Brewers at Royals
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Brewers at Royals
Thu, Jun 18 - 8:10PM EDT

Preview: Diamondbacks (31-32) at Angels (32-32)
Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 16, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Jeremy Hellickson entered May with a 1-3 record and 5.24 ERA. He's since gone eight starts without losing, but that hardly summarizes the last month and a half of his work.


The right-hander is last in the majors in home runs per nine innings during the unbeaten run, and his ERA has actually increased from a rather high starting point.


Angel Stadium, however, might be just the place for him to get those numbers more in line with the unblemished loss column. He gets the opportunity as the Arizona Diamondbacks try to match their longest winning streak of the season Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels.


Hellickson (4-3, 5.29 ERA) hasn't lost since April 26, but his ERA has gone up in that time from 5.24. After allowing five runs in 3 2-3 innings of Wednesday's 7-6 road loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the right-hander is 3-0 with a 5.32 ERA in the unbeaten streak thanks in part to a 5.73 run-support average.


He's allowed 10 home runs in those eight games for a major league-worst 2.05 homers per nine innings rate.


In his days in the AL, Hellickson went 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA in five starts against the Angels, and he's 2-0 without allowing a run in 11 1-3 innings over his only two starts in Anaheim. He's held Albert Pujols to 1 for 8 with four strikeouts, but Mike Trout is 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the matchup.


After Monday's 7-3 victory to open the two-game series that precedes two more meetings in Arizona, the Diamondbacks (31-32) have won four straight, with their only five-game run coming May 18-22. They can return to .500 for the first time since being 8-8 on April 24.


Pitching has keyed the streak. All three runs allowed Monday were unearned, leaving the staff with a 0.50 ERA.


The bullpen, which had a 4.04 ERA entering play June 5, has posted a 1.35 mark in 26 2-3 innings over 10 games.


Paul Goldschmidt continued his offensive tear Monday, going 3 for 4 with a three-run homer and a double to leave him at 13 for 20 with a 1.758 OPS in his last five. He's also reached base in 25 straight games, though he'll be in a slightly different role Tuesday as manager Chip Hale plans to use him as the designated hitter.


"I think he's fine with it," Hale told MLB's official website. "He understands that he needs a rest sometimes but his bat will still be in there."


Los Angeles (32-32) has lost back-to-back games and scored five runs in the last three, which could put some pressure on Garrett Richards (6-4, 3.97).


The right-hander overcame probably the worst start of his career with Thursday's 6-2 road win over Tampa Bay, limiting the Rays to two runs and four hits in seven innings. He allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning in an 8-2 loss to the New York Yankees on June 6.


"I worked on some things in my bullpen (sessions) this week, sticking my landing and finishing square. That's what I did last year and that's why I was successful, so I'm getting back to that," Richards said.


His last two starts came on the road, and Richards has gone 7-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 12 home starts dating to June 9, 2014. He threw eight scoreless innings in his only start against Arizona in 2012 for a win, and he's 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA in eight career starts against the NL.


Diamondbacks right fielder and leadoff hitter Ender Inciarte was taken out with a right hamstring strain Monday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Angels
Mon, Jun 15 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Angels
Tue, Jun 16 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Angels at Diamondbacks
Wed, Jun 17 - 9:40PM EDT


GAME 4
Angels at Diamondbacks
Thu, Jun 18 - 3:40PM EDT

NBA Finals - Game 6


June 15, 2015


The NBA Finals heads back to Cleveland on Tuesday as Golden State will look to capture its first NBA championship since the franchise won the title in the 1974-75 season. After facing a 2-1 deficit, the Warriors have rebounded with back-to-back wins and covers against the Cavaliers for a 3-2 series lead.


In Game 5 on Sunday, Golden State pulled away from Cleveland for a 104-91 victory as a 9 ½-point home favorite. Even though it was the second consecutive double-digit win for the Warriors in this series, the game was much tighter than the final score.


The Warriors lead 51-50 at halftime and pushed the lead to six (73-67) after three quarters but the Cavaliers fought back and took an 80-79 lead with just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth. Like other games in this series, LeBron James ran out of gas and the Warriors closed the game on a 25-11 run.


LeBron finished with 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in the loss but his incredible night was overshadowed by the reigning NBA regular season Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry. After posting inconsistent numbers in the first four games of the series, Curry lived up to his billing with 37 points on 13-of-23 shots, with seven of his baskets coming from 3-point land.


Some pundits didn’t like Cleveland’s rotation in Game 5 and VegasInsider.com NBA expert Tony Mejia was confused by the moves.


“David Blatt is going to have to figure out a way to get Timofey Mozgov on the floor for more than nine minutes. Even though the Warriors smallball approach had been picking on him in the pick-and-roll, it’s terrible that the Cavs decided an agile 7-footer who just had 28 points the previous game could no longer help them in the series. He is so difficult to handle on the boards, often tying up multiple guys to allow teammates to attack the glass and provide second chances, so it wasn’t shocking that Golden State ended up winning the rebounding battle despite making the conscious decision to go small,” said Mejia.


He added, “Instead of playing to their strength and allowing LeBron’s brilliance to be the x-factor, Cleveland opted to match up and trust J.R. Smith more than Mozgov. I’d expect Blatt to find a better middle ground at home in Game 6, where it should be tougher for the Warriors to get to their spots and dictate pace. If Mozgov plays more than 20 minutes, look for a slower pace to prevail.”


After watching Golden State push Cleveland to the brink of elimination on Sunday, oddsmakers opened the Warriors as 4 ½-point road favorites for Game 6. As of Tuesday morning, most betting shops have dropped the number to four points.


VegasInsider.com handicapper Kevin Rogers doesn’t dismiss Golden State’s talent but the betting history and angles both lean to Cleveland on Tuesday.


He explained, “The Warriors can close things out in Cleveland on Tuesday, but recent history goes against them. Since 2010, road teams looking to win the title in a potential-clincher are just 1-4 straight-up in the Finals, with the lone club to emerge victorious being the 2011 Mavericks, who won Game 6 at Miami as an underdog. It’s also rare to see three straight blowouts in the NBA Finals, as Golden State is coming off back-to-back double-digit victories. Since 2005, only four times had teams won consecutive games in the Finals by 10 points or more (Spurs ’05, Pistons ’05, Mavs ’06, Spurs ’14). Last season’s San Antonio squad was the only one from this group that actually won three straight games by at least double-digits, with the final one coming in Game 5 to capture the championship. “


Bettors should make a note that prior to last year’s playoffs, the finals were a 2-3-2 format which was changed back to the 2-2-1-1-1. Most pundits would agree that the change gives the team with home-court in the series a bigger advantage, in this case the Warriors.


Golden State has gone 3-1 in close out games this postseason, the lone loss coming in Game 4 of the conference finals as the Rockets avoided getting swept at home before the Warriors took care of business in Game 5 at home. Despite failing to finish off Houston on the road, Golden State did eliminate both the Pelicans and Grizzlies as a visitor in the first two rounds of the playoffs and those wins came by 11 and 13 points respectively.


This will be the first time in this year’s playoffs that Cleveland is facing elimination and only the second time that it’s trailed in a series. According to Rogers, the Cavaliers should have confidence off back-to-back losses especially with LeBron in the lineup.


“Cleveland hasn’t lost three consecutive games with LeBron James all season long, with its last skid of at least three contests coming in early January of six games. James has avoided playoff elimination at home four straight times with the last loss coming in 2011 to Dallas, while being listed as an underdog in an elimination spot for the first time since his final game in Cleveland the first time around in the 2010 conference semifinals at Boston,” he said.


For those believing that LeBron and company can win two straight against Golden State then I suggest you take advantage of the updated series prices. At Sportsbook.ag, Cleveland is now a 7/1 underdog (Bet $100 to win $700) to capture the NBA Finals while Golden State has been made a prohibitive betting favorite 1/11 (Bet $100 to win $9).


The total for Game 6 opened 195 and has been hovering right around that number. The ‘under’ has gone 3-1-1 in the series and it could arguably be 5-0. Cleveland has had trouble scoring against Golden State and only managed to put up triple digits once, which was helped with overtime. The Warriors have been held in check for their standards but the potential for an explosion could be coming. In close-out victories in the first three rounds of the playoffs, Golden State scored 109, 108 and 104 points.


Bettors weary of the side or total for Game 6 can take their chances with prop bets, which includes who will win the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals.


Per Sportsbook.ag, Stephen Curry is the 2/5 favorite (Bet $100 to win $40) while LeBron James offers up a nice return (8/5) and a lot of people are buying that he could win the award on a losing team.


If necessary, Game 7 will take place on Friday.


ABC will continue its coverage of the finals with Game 6 slated to begin at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Game 6 Props - Best Bets


June 16, 2015


Game 6 of the NBA Finals takes place Tuesday as the Warriors look to close out the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.


Since this could be the last game of the season to bet, we suggest you check out the proposition wagers as well.


Our trio of experts went 7-2 on Sunday and produced a nice profit ($925) in Game 5.


Kevin Rogers (9-2, +1400) continues to dominate this market and he's locked and loaded for Tuesday's card as well.


Overall Results


Kevin Rogers: (9-2, +1,400)
Tony Mejia: (8-8, -255)
Chris David: (5-7, -555)


Based on a five-unit bankroll, their top props are listed for Game 6 below.


Odds & Props provided by Sportsbook.ag


Kevin Rogers


3 Units - Under J.R. Smith 14 Points (-115)


Smith blew up in the first half of Game 5 by hitting four shots from downtown, but failed to score in the second half, finishing with 14 points. Smith scored a combined 14 points in the two home games of the NBA Finals, while not busting the 14-point mark in any game of this series. James will have to carry the load once again and who knows which of his supporting cast will step up. Smith needs to catch fire to cash this 'over,' but hasn't proven it yet against Golden State.


2 Units - Over Klay Thompson 20.5 Points (Even)


The Warriors are one win away from a title in spite of not getting a lot of offense from one of its Splash Brothers. Since Thompson blew up for 34 points in the Game 2 victory, the All-Star guard has scored just 35 points in the past three games combined. Thompson has put up at least 21 points on the road only once since the opening round, but he has taken plenty of shots that haven't fallen. With Golden State spreading the ball around, Thompson can eclipse this prop tonight, especially if he is able to get to the free throw line.


Tony Mejia


2 Units - Over LeBron James 20.5 Rebounds + Assists (-115)


This prop has been a consistent winner for us throughout these Finals, so we'll ride it out even though it's set higher than it has been at any point. James has racked up the over on this prop in four consecutive games, averaging 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists over the last four after losing Kyrie Irving late in Game 1. The ball is in his hands too much not to ride here, especially since he's often the second biggest guy on the floor now that both teams are going small.


2 Units - Under Stephen Curry 28.5 points (-115)


He set his personal Finals-high with 37 points in Game 4, finishing 7-for-13 from 3-point range. He'll break Ray Allen's Finals record for 3-pointers in a six-game series with his first make and has Danny Green's all-time mark (27) well within his sights. Don't expect that one to fall unless there's a seventh game in Oakland on Friday night, because the Cavs are going to prioritize getting the ball out of his hands at all costs. Since Curry has only surpassed the 28.5 points this prop is set at once in five games, the under looks appetizing.


1 Units - Under Draymond Green 23.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)


Green has been terrific over the past two games, attacking the basket and playing the role of point center. This prop sets him up for failure, however, since it's counting on him staying out of foul trouble when he's had at least four in every game. He's averaging 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds so far in these Finals and we're banking on him not enjoying a huge scoring night or posting double-digit rebounds. Ride the under.


Chris David


3 Units – Harrison Barnes Total Points Over 10 (-115)


Even though he’s put up a couple bagels on the road in this year’s playoffs, Barnes has still has surpassed this number in five of eight games. In this series, he’s averaging 8.8 points per game and that includes the zero points he posted in Game 3. He’s been aggressive the last two games and I expect that to continue as the Warriors look to win the series. Also, if you’ve followed the NBA Finals over the years then you’re well aware that there is always somebody that steps up in the clincher. Last year, Patty Mills went off for San Antonio as it beat Miami. The previous two years, the Heat got surprising performances from Shane Battier and Mike Miller as they captured titles and you could point to Jason Terry’s eruption the key to Dallas’ win in the 2011 NBA Finals. I believe Barnes could be that guy on Tuesday.


2 Units – LeBron James Total Rebounds and Assists Over 20.5 (-130)


I haven’t played a LeBron prop in this series and I understand that I could be late for the party but I’m still going to press this prop. He’s jumped over this number twice in five games and he put up 20 combined rebounds and points in two other games. He’ll log plenty of minutes again which makes this prop live for the entire game. Barring a horrible shooting night by his teammates, which is very possible, his assists should easily surpass double digits. I’d also take a small investment on him to win the MVP at 8/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $160).