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MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (907) TEXAS@ (908) BALTIMORE | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the money line in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 14 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+16.82 units)

MLB > (915) MINNESOTA@ (916) CINCINNATI | 06/29/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 29 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (+20.8 units)


MLB > (901) MILWAUKEE@ (902) PHILADELPHIA | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 4 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (-15.15 units)

MLB > (911) KANSAS CITY@ (912) HOUSTON | 06/29/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the money line in Road games in June games
The record is 18 Wins and 5 Losses for the last two seasons (+15.35 units)


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (917) COLORADO@ (918) OAKLAND | 06/29/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play AGAINST COLORADO using the in Road games in an inter-league game
The record is 5 Wins and 19 Losses for the last three seasons (-20.9 units)


MLB > (901) MILWAUKEE@ (902) PHILADELPHIA | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using the in All games when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 4 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (-19.9 units)


MLB > (911) KANSAS CITY@ (912) HOUSTON | 06/29/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 25 Wins and 8 Losses for the last two seasons (+22.05 units)

MLB > (907) TEXAS@ (908) BALTIMORE | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the in Road games in games played on a grass field
The record is 28 Wins and 7 Losses for the this season (+17.25 units)


MLB TOTALS


MLB > (917) COLORADO@ (918) OAKLAND | 06/29/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play OVER OAKLAND on the total in All games in night games
The record is 30 Overs and 14 Unders for the this season (+16.2 units)


MLB > (901) MILWAUKEE@ (902) PHILADELPHIA | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games in June games
The record is 17 Overs and 6 Unders for the this season (+11.4 units)


MLB TOP POWERLINES


MLB > (905) BOSTON @ (906) TORONTO | 06/29/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: TORONTO -125 BTB PowerLine: TORONTO -174
Edge On: TORONTO (49)


MLB > (911) KANSAS CITY @ (912) HOUSTON | 06/29/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: HOUSTON -135 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON -198
Edge On: HOUSTON (63)

Preview: Rangers (38-38) at Orioles (40-34)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers' recent play at the plate does not bode well for a team looking to end a poor stretch of performances.


Neither does a road matchup Monday night with the Baltimore Orioles, who have dominated the AL West opponent in recent years.


Texas (38-38) has averaged 2.9 runs while losing seven of the last eight. The Rangers were dispatched in two of three over the weekend against Toronto, losing Sunday 3-2.


They had nine hits in that series finale, six from Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor, but failed to take advantage of run-scoring opportunities by going 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position.


"It's not how we designed it," manager Jeff Banister told MLB's official website. "We've got to be better with runners in scoring position. Felt like we got pitched tough but really had some opportunities to drive in some runs"


Trying to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since May 29, they'll face a Baltimore team that swept the Rangers at Camden Yards from June 30-July 3 and has won 11 of the last 12 against Texas.


The Orioles (41-34) have been on a tear of late, winning seven of their last eight for a league-best 18 wins since June 4. Manny Machado and Jimmy Paredes each hit home runs in Sunday's early 4-0 win over Cleveland, and Machado added two more RBIs in a 8-0 win in the doubleheader's nightcap.


Baltimore had not swept a doubleheader with shutouts in both games since Sept. 6, 1974.


"We've got to keep playing baseball," Machado said. "There's a lot more baseball going ahead. There's a lot more slumps. There's a lot more games lost coming ahead. We've got to stay focused and just stay with the mindset that we have, which is to make the playoffs and go on forward."


The majority of that recent success came without Adam Jones, who had been out of the lineup since June 20 with a sore right shoulder.


Jones went 14 for 26 (.538) with four homers and 11 RBIs in seven games against the Rangers last season.


Wandy Rodriguez (4-3, 4.06 ERA) will try to slow Baltimore after his month-long stretch of solid play came to a crashing end with eight runs and 11 hits allowed in an 8-2 loss to Oakland on Wednesday.


The left-hander had gone 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts from May 21-June 17, all Texas victories.


"Tough one, but we'll move on from it," Banister said. "I'm sure Wandy will erase this from his memory bank. If I know him well, he'll figure out what went wrong and move on."


Rodriguez has limited experience against Baltimore, facing the Orioles only twice over his 11-year career, but he struggled on May 21, 2014, while with Pittsburgh, surrendering six runs - one earned - in 1 2-3 innings of an eventual 9-8 victory.


He will oppose Bud Norris (2-6, 6.70), who finally lowered his ERA below seven Wednesday, though he allowed five unearned runs in a 5-1 loss to Boston. He has edged Texas in both career meetings, most recently winning 6-5 on June 4, 2014.


Norris has been hit hard this season, allowing an opponent batting average of .307 and OPS of .889, both of which rank among the highest in baseball.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rangers at Orioles
Mon, Jun 29 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Rangers at Orioles
Tue, Jun 30 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rangers at Orioles
Wed, Jul 1 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Rangers at Orioles
Thu, Jul 2 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Red Sox (34-43) at Blue Jays (41-36)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: June 29, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

Even with some key contributors missing, the Boston Red Sox lineup has continued to perform well for much of the last two-plus weeks.


The Red Sox, however, couldn't outdo the Toronto Blue Jays in a series at Fenway Park earlier this month.


They'll try for a different result when the teams meet again Monday night in Toronto with Clay Buchholz seeking to extend his recent string of effective road outings.


Boston (34-43) has averaged 5.4 runs and batted .286 in its last 16 games, but has only gone 7-9 in that stretch. The Red Sox, though, have produced with Dustin Pedroia on the disabled list (hamstring) and Hanley Ramirez having missed the past four games with a bruised left hand.


Ramirez, who has a team-best 15 homers, is expected to miss all four games against Toronto (41-36).


Pablo Sandoval, batting .386 in his last 15 games, had one of Boston's three home runs in a 5-3 victory in Tampa Bay on Sunday and Alejandro De Aza hit his third in four games.


Buchholz (5-6, 3.68 ERA) will next try to send the Red Sox to back-to-back wins for the second time since June 8.


The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in his last five road starts, including a 6-3 win in Toronto on May 10. He's won three consecutive overall decisions and has given up one earned run in 14 innings while winning in back-to-back starts, the latest a 5-1 victory over Baltimore on Wednesday.


"He's been very dependable for us," manager John Farrell said. "He's in a pretty solid run for us."


Buchholz was charged with four runs in six innings in a 5-4 loss in 11 innings to Toronto on June 13. The Blue Jays completed the sweep with a 13-5 victory the next day and rallied from a seven-run deficit for a 13-10 win in the opener.


Toronto enters having won 18 of 24 overall and 14 of 18 at home after Sunday's 3-2 win against Texas.


R.A. Dickey (3-7, 4.88) tries to earn just his second win in seven starts. The right-hander has a respectable 3.09 ERA in five outings this month and gave up three runs in seven innings in a 4-3 loss in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.


Dickey was pitching one week after his father passed away from a heart attack.


"I was kind of foggy today," Dickey told MLB's official website. "It has been a tough week so I haven't gotten to prepare the way that I normally do, but I was able to repeat my mechanics enough."


Dickey is 0-2 with a 6.16 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox this season and gave up four runs in six innings while pitching opposite Buchholz on June 13.


He was charged with six runs in six innings in a 6-3 loss to Boston at the Rogers Centre on May 10.


Sandoval is 4 for 9 with a homer and two doubles against Dickey this season and is batting .441 versus Toronto. Mookie Betts is batting .410 in a 10-game hit streak against Toronto and .400 in his last 15 contests.


Ryan Goins went 6 for 14 with nine RBIs and Russell Martin was 6 for 14 with six RBIs in the sweep in Boston. Goins, 9 for 19 lifetime against Buchholz, is 2 for 20 in his last eight games and Martin is 1 for 15 in his last five.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Blue Jays
Mon, Jun 29 - 7:07PM EDT


GAME 2
Red Sox at Blue Jays
Tue, Jun 30 - 7:07PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Blue Jays
Wed, Jul 1 - 1:07PM EDT


GAME 4
Red Sox at Blue Jays
Thu, Jul 2 - 7:07PM EDT

Preview: Twins (40-34) at Reds (34-39)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A shaky bullpen has contributed to a recent rough stretch for the Minnesota Twins. For the Cincinnati Reds, the lack of offense was the culprit in a lost week in New York.


The two teams set out to regroup starting Monday night in Cincinnati in this three-game interleague series.


Minnesota (40-35) is still in second in the AL Central, 5 1/2 games behind Kansas City, but has dropped three games in the standings since June 20 as its relievers have been inconsistent. They have a 6.15 ERA in that span, made higher after Blaine Boyer and Casey Fien allowed all five runs in their 5-3 defeat at Milwaukee on Sunday for their fifth loss in eight games.


For Fien, who served up two homers and allowed four runs in the eighth without retiring a batter, the five runs he's yielded in his last three outings matched his total from his first 18 appearances.


'There's strikes and then there's quality strikes and I didn't throw enough quality strikes,' Fien said. 'The strikes I did throw, they hit.'


Mike Pelfrey (5-4, 3.06 ERA) is winless in three starts but has pitched better in his last two after getting roughed up for eight runs and 11 hits in 3 2-3 innings of an 11-7 loss at Texas on June 13. He took the loss Tuesday versus the Chicago White Sox, who reached him for three runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-2 defeat.


While Pelfrey is 2-4 in his last eight starts, he has been backed with only 14 runs in those games and never received more than three in any contest over that span. The right-hander is facing Cincinnati for the first time since 2011 after going 4-2 in seven starts while with the New York Mets.


Manager Paul Molitor said he will likely rest outfielder Torii Hunter for one game in this series, but it likely won't be this one after he hit three homers in the previous two games. Though it's the first time Hunter will play at Cincinnati and face the Reds for the first time since 2001, he is 9 for 22 with a homer, five doubles and a triple in six lifetime games.


Cincinnati (34-40) was held to four runs in three losses to the Mets, going a combined 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position. After their defense contributed to a 2-1, 13-inning loss in the completion of Saturday's suspended game Sunday, the Reds let Stephen Matz have arguably the best start to a major league career of any player as the pitcher limited them to two runs in 7 2-3 innings and went 3 for 4 with four RBIs in Sunday's 7-2 defeat.


Brandon Phillips was one of the few offensive bright spots over the weekend, hitting safely in all three games, and is 9 for 29 with two homers, a triple and a double in a six-game hitting streak. He's also 7 for 19 with a homer against Pelfrey but is questionable after injuring both his hands Sunday.


"He had a problem with the left hand on a swing," manager Bryan Price explained to MLB's official website. "But then on his right hand when he went back in to try and tag Granderson at second, he got his hand jammed on that play.


"Right now both hands are probably on ice."


Mike Leake (5-4, 3.91) will try to win his third consecutive start and fourth straight decision for the Reds. He limited Pittsburgh to two runs in seven innings of a 5-2 victory Wednesday and is trying to wrap up a solid June during which he's gone 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Twins at Reds
Mon, Jun 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 2
Twins at Reds
Tue, Jun 30 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Twins at Reds
Wed, Jul 1 - 12:35PM EDT

Preview: Indians (33-40) at Rays (42-35)
Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Cody Anderson's outstanding major league debut seemed to have the Cleveland Indians riding high toward the end of the month, but little has gone right for them since.


Fresh off one of the franchise's worst single-day performances in four decades, the Indians will look to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.


Cleveland (33-41) was shut out in both ends of a doubleheader Sunday for the first time since Sept. 26, 1975, losing to Baltimore 4-0 and 8-0. Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor each went 0 for 7 over the sweep, as the Indians lost their seventh in nine games.


'Today was not a pretty day for us,' manager Terry Francona said. 'I don't see guys grinding the at-bat. We're not doing the things we're capable of doing.'


Francona's team has scored three runs and gone 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position while striking out 24 times in the three-game skid.


Anderson will face the Rays (42-35) for the second time looking to duplicate a stellar debut on June 21. He allowed six hits over 7 2-3 innings and did not factor into the decision of a 1-0 win - a performance that left Francona impressed.


"A small sample, like a game, I don't think defines somebody's career," Francona told MLB's official site. "But, besides the fact that he really pitched well, everything - from his poise to the way he competed, holding runners when he had to, fielding his position, covering first - he really (did well)."


He'll be facing a Tampa Bay team that has dropped two of three in each of its last two series, and fell 5-3 to Boston on Sunday.


Steven Souza Jr. went hitless for the fourth straight game, going 0 for 13. He's struck out 13 times during a 3-for-22 slump.


"We're playing good baseball, we're in every game," manager Kevin Cash said. "We know the way our team is we have to pitch well."


Newly acquired Grady Sizemore was one of the few bright spots in that defeat, going 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI in his Rays debut. The 32-year-old was signed by Tampa Bay to a minor league contract earlier this month, and expects to be a staple in the lineup against Cleveland, his former team.


"We're excited," Cash said. "We're going to face a string of right-handed pitching in these upcoming games and hopefully he can provide a little boost in our lineup. He's a veteran hitter. See if we can click a little bit."


Nathan Karns (4-3, 3.28) takes the mound for the Rays seeking his fourth consecutive solid start. The right-hander has posted a 1.04 ERA in 17 1-3 innings over his last three outings, including 5 1-3 in a 4-1 win at Cleveland on June 19.


Karns, however, has fared far better away from Tropicana Field this season, posting a 2.25 ERA in road games, compared with 3.79 at home.


Michael Brantley is hitting just .202 in 32 career games against the Rays, his lowest versus any opponent with at least 10 meetings.


Evan Longoria is 9 for 24 during a six-game hitting streak overall, but is 2 for 17 in his last five meetings with Cleveland.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Indians at Rays
Mon, Jun 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 2
Indians at Rays
Tue, Jun 30 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Indians at Rays
Wed, Jul 1 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Indians at Rays
Thu, Jul 2 - 12:10PM EDT

Preview: Royals (43-28) at Astros (43-34)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 29, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals' contact-hitting approach is one reason they are developing into a mainstay as an AL contender.


The Houston Astros are using an all-or-nothing approach at the plate to muscle their way into contention.


These division leaders with contrasting hitting styles meet for the first time Monday night in Houston to start a three-game series.


Kansas City (44-28) ended its 29-year postseason drought last year, and the AL Central leaders are now out to win their first division title in 30 years. The contact-hitting Royals are second in the majors with a .273 average, have struck out the fewest times (420) and drawn the fewest walks (152).


"We know what we're up against, we know that they're a good team, they've got a good record, they've got good talent, they got a million guys going to the All-Star Game as of right now," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "So we'll show up prepared, ready to play and they're going to be a tough team to match up against."


Houston (44-34) leads the West and is poised to end a six-year stretch of losing seasons and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. The Astros lead the majors with 110 homers and 728 strikeouts, and also are among baseball's leaders with 241 walks.


The Royals have won four straight after a three-game sweep at Oakland in which their pitchers did not allow a homer and their starters posted a 1.89 ERA. Kansas City has allowed the AL's fewest homers with 56.


Kansas City will get its first look at sensational Houston shortstop Carlos Correa, who is 5 for 8 with a homer and three doubles in his last two games. Correa has a .930 OPS since being recalled June 8 from the minors.


Lorenzo Cain figures to return to the lineup after he did not start Sunday's 5-3 win after tweaking his hamstring stealing a base Saturday. Eric Hosmer is day to day after he left early Sunday due to a sprained left ring finger suffered Saturday. Alcides Escobar is expected to start Monday despite having a split nail on his right index finger.


Kendrys Morales is batting .357 in an 11-game hitting streak.


The Royals will start Joe Blanton (2-0, 1.73 ERA), who improved to 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts after giving up one run in six-plus innings in last Monday's 4-1 victory at Seattle. It's been a remarkable turnaround since coming out of retirement.


"Being able to get back was kind of almost the pinnacle and now I'm just riding it out and enjoying it," he said.


The right-hander is 3-2 with a 2.77 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros. Jose Altuve is 5 for 14 against him and Chris Carter is 3 for 8 with three homers.


Blanton will be opposed by rookie Lance McCullers (3-2, 2.33), who is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in four home starts. The right-hander surrendered one run in six innings in Wednesday's 2-1, 13-inning defeat to the Los Angeles Angels.


McCullers is averaging 10.10 strikeouts per nine innings while limiting hitters to a .189 average.


The visiting team went 6-0 in this series last year.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Royals at Astros
Mon, Jun 29 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 2
Royals at Astros
Tue, Jun 30 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Royals at Astros
Wed, Jul 1 - 8:10PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (43-34) at Diamondbacks (35-39)
Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: June 29, 2015 9:40 PM EDT

It's been 11 seasons since the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks eight straight times.


The Dodgers can accomplish that feat Monday night when starter Mike Bolsinger returns to Chase Field for the opener of a three-game set to oppose former Los Angeles draft pick Allen Webster.


Los Angeles (43-34) dropped the first two meetings before outscoring Arizona 41-18 over the next seven. The Dodgers have won 12 of the last 14 matchups and last took eight straight from July 5-Aug. 31, 2004.


Bolsinger (4-2, 2.95 ERA) was a 15th-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 2010 who went 1-6 with a 5.50 ERA for them last year as a rookie in 10 games - nine starts. He was traded in the offseason to Los Angeles.


The right-hander faced Arizona (36-39) for the first time June 8, allowing two runs in seven innings to earn a 9-3 victory.


Bolsinger is 0-1 with a 5.52 ERA in three starts since that win, giving up two runs in 4 2-3 innings in Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. He is 0-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five road outings.


The Diamondbacks will counter with Webster (1-1, 6.46), who the Dodgers selected in the 18th round in 2008 before he was dealt to Boston on Aug. 25, 2012, in a deal that brought Adrian Gonzalez to Los Angeles. Arizona acquired Webster in an offseason deal that sent Wade Miley to the Red Sox.


Webster has never faced the Dodgers. The only Los Angeles hitter he has seen is Howie Kendrick, who is 1 for 6 in this matchup.


The right-hander allowed five runs in 4 1-3 innings Wednesday in an 8-7 victory at Colorado.


The Dodgers are searching for offense on this 10-game trip, batting .208 through seven games. They have won four of their last five, though, after Zack Greinke pitched 7 2-3 effective innings in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Miami.


Yasiel Puig went 0 for 2 with three walks in his first start in four games after being limited by a torn callus on his left hand.


Justin Turner will return to Monday's lineup after he got a day off. He's batting .364 with six homers and 15 RBIs in his last 18 games.


Gonzalez went 6 for 13 over the weekend against the Marlins. He's at .235 in the season series with one of his team-high 48 RBIs.


Arizona center fielder A.J. Pollock will be back in the starting lineup after he began on the bench in Sunday's 6-4 win at San Diego. Pollock was out of the lineup for just the second time in 30 games because manager Chip Hale was concerned about fatigue.


Slugger Paul Goldschmidt has hit safely in his last nine games and is second in the majors with a 1.104 OPS. He is 15 for 36 with four homers and 10 RBIs in the season series.


The Diamondbacks ended a three-game slide Sunday. They failed to homer in those losses before Welington Castillo, Jake Lamb and David Peralta all went deep.


"The guys bounced back,' Hale said. 'Welington's home run was beautiful, Lamber off the lefty, that was nice. It was a day of home runs.'




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Mon, Jun 29 - 9:40PM EDT


GAME 2
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Tue, Jun 30 - 9:40PM EDT


GAME 3
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Wed, Jul 1 - 9:40PM EDT

Preview: Rockies (33-41) at Athletics (34-43)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: June 29, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

There's hasn't been a whole lot for the Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics to feel good about this season.


At least a young player for each team is making each game a little more exciting.


Nolan Arenado looks to extend a pair of impressive streaks for the Rockies, while Athletics rookie Billy Burns brings one of his own into Monday night's matchup in Oakland.


Colorado (33-42) appears headed for a fifth consecutive losing season, sitting last in the NL West with one of the majors' worst records. Pitching is again a huge issue for the Rockies, who rank last in baseball with a 4.94 ERA and have received only five quality starts in the past 18 games.


The offense, however, seems to be in very good hands with Arenado leading the way for a team that leads the NL in runs (344) and is tied for the best batting average (.270).


After two solid years, Arenado is putting together a breakout season that should put him in the conversation with the best third basemen in the game.


He homered twice in Sunday's 6-3 loss at San Francisco, giving him a career-high 24 this season and eight in his last seven games. Arenado is batting .379 with 21 RBIs during a 15-game hitting streak and set a franchise record for consecutive games (12) with at least one hit and one run scored.


His three RBIs Sunday gave him a major league-leading 68. Thirty-three have come 33 in June, seven more than any other player this month.


'Every time I get a ball up in the zone lately, I've been hitting them,' Arenado said. 'I've been sticking with a plan and it's been going good. I'll stick with that."


Oakland (34-44) can empathize with Colorado, also last in its division with a double-digit deficit to first-place Houston. The Athletics appeared to be turning a corner with nine wins in 11 games, but they scored seven runs while being swept in a three-game set by Kansas City.


'We were playing really good ball lately and this happens,' said rookie third baseman Max Muncy, who made a key error in Sunday's 5-3 loss.


Burns returned to the lineup Sunday after missing two games with a hip flexor. His leadoff single sparked a two-run third inning and extended his hitting streak to 16 games in which he's batting .365.


Burns is one away from tying the Oakland rookie hitting streak record of 17 games shared by Mike Edwards (1978), Luis Polonia (1987) and Terrence Long (2000).


The A's will try to avoid their second four-game skid this month behind resurgent Kendall Graveman (4-4, 3.86 ERA). Since he was recalled from the minors in late May, the rookie right-hander has gone 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in seven starts after he posted an 8.27 ERA in his first four.


He regrouped from two straight tough-luck losses with another strong performance Wednesday in an 8-2 victory at Texas. Spotted a five-run lead before he even took the mound, Graveman limited the Rangers to two runs over seven-plus innings.


'It's the guy we saw in spring training, he just needed a little break after a few starts, and went down there and made use of his time,' manager Bob Melvin said.


The Rockies have lost 18 of 20 interleague games, including all six this season, and will send struggling David Hale (2-2, 5.86) to the mound Monday.


The right-hander is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in his last three outings after going 2-0 with a 4.12 mark in his first three. He lasted a season-low 4 2-3 innings Wednesday against Arizona and allowed five runs, eight hits and three walks before leaving without a decision in an 8-7 loss.


Hale is 0-2 with a 10.32 ERA in seven interleague games, including one start.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rockies at Athletics
Mon, Jun 29 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Rockies at Athletics
Tue, Jun 30 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rockies at Athletics
Wed, Jul 1 - 3:35PM EDT

WNBA Betting Recap - 6/22-6/28


June 28, 2015


League Betting Notes (from Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28)


-- Favorites went 11-2 straight up
-- Underdogs went 8-5 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 11-2 SU record
-- Home teams posted a 7-6 ATS record
-- The 'over' went 8-5


Team Betting Notes


-- Tulsa (8-1) picked up its eighth straight victory Sunday against Seattle (2-7), but the Storm was able to hang on for the cover. The non-cover was the first for the Shock (8-1 ATS) this season.


-- New York (5-4) got back on track at home with a nine-point win and cover against Los Angeles (0-7). The Liberty had been 0-2 SU/ATS in their past two at home.


-- The Sparks are the only winless team in the WNBA, and every other team has at least two victories. L.A. is also just 2-5 ATS. One thing that is consistent about the Sparks is the 'over', which has cashed in five of seven this season.


-- Washington (6-3) clobbered Chicago (5-4) Sunday, finishing the week 2-1 SU and just 1-2 ATS. In fact, it was a rare cover for the Mystics, as they entered play just 2-6 ATS.


-- Connecticut (7-1) picked up a seventh straight win last time out against L.A. Friday, but they failed to cover for the first time all season. The 'over' has been the rule lately, too, going 3-0 in the past three after the 'under' went 4-0-1 in their first five.


-- Minnesota (7-2) rolled past Phoenix (3-5) in weekend action, covering for the first time in three outings. The Mercury is now a dismal 1-3 ATS over its past four games.


-- Atlanta (4-6) managed a win at home against Washington Saturday, capping off an otherwise disappointing week (1-2 SU). Still, the Dream have been much more competitive lately, going 3-1 ATS over the past four games after starting out 1-5 ATS. The 'under' has been the play for Atlanta, going 3-1 in the past four and 6-3-1 overall.


-- Indiana (3-6) lost their only game of the week, and they're 2-7 ATS overall this season. Next up will be a game at Connecticut Tuesday against a Sun team which is 3-1 SU/ATS at home.


-- San Antonio (2-6) surprised this week, going a perfect 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS. They topped Phoenix 76-71 June 25 at home, avenging a 76-71 setback in Phoenix June 5 in the season opener. Both games have gone 'under'. The two sides meet for a third time Tuesday.

LeBron declines option, elects free agency


June 28, 2015


For the third time in six seasons, LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent.


The difference this time is he has no plans to move again.


The Cleveland star will not exercise a $21.6 million option on his contract for next season, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because neither the Cavaliers nor James were publicly discussing the process.


James' decision has been widely expected for months. The approach allows him to sign a new maximum contract - likely another two-year deal with a player option for 2017-18 -that will pay him more than he would have made under his previous contract. His max number for next season, which is tied to how high the salary cap rises, is expected to be more than $22 million.


The last time James became a free agent from Cleveland in 2010, he famously left his home state team to play for the Miami Heat. James won two championships and played in four NBA Finals in his four years in Miami before making the celebrated decision to return home last summer.


This time around, James plans to stay put while Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and GM David Griffin set about improving the roster in hopes of surrounding James with the talent he will need to end Cleveland's 51-year championship drought.


The Cavaliers have plenty of decisions to make and negotiations to conduct for free agents Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert. But the process with James will be fairly straight forward. He's made it clear through actions and words to Cavaliers management that he isn't going anywhere.


''We've heard from him every day pretty much relative to our roster,'' Griffin said last week. ''It's been great. He's been very much engaged with us on a lot of different levels, so it's been positive.''


James led the short-handed Cavaliers back to the finals in June and put on a breath-taking performance to make the Golden State sweat it out for six games before Steph Curry and Co. captured the Warriors' first title since 1975. With Love and Kyrie Irving out with injuries, James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and almost 46 minutes in the series.


If James signs another two-year contract with a player option on the second year, it would allow him to reap the financial windfall that is expected when the NBA's new television contract kicks in next summer and sends the salary cap sky-rocketing.


Teams can start negotiating with players on July 1 and sign them to contracts beginning July 8.


James' deal will likely be tabled while the Cavaliers address Thompson, Love and Shumpert, who is a restricted free agent.

Bucs QB Winston not worrying about past


June 26, 2015


BEREA, Ohio (AP) Jameis Winston knows there are always eyes on him - watching, dissecting and waiting for him to make a mistake.


The spotlight doesn't leave, and Winston wants to shine in it.


''It's about my actions,'' the Tampa Buccaneers rookie said while attending a youth football clinic. ''I got to be a quarterback. When I'm off the field, I got to be a quarterback. When I'm on the field, I've got to be a quarterback. I know people are going to look at me in each and every way.


''I just smile, man.''


He did a lot of that on Friday.


Winston is trying to move on from a celebrated and checkered college career at Florida State, where he won a Heisman Trophy and led the Seminoles to a national championship but also brought himself and the school shame for multiple off-field incidents, including a rape accusation that was dismissed after prosecutors cited problems with a police investigation.


As he embarks on his NFL career, the 21-year-old is staying positive. And while he's not hiding from his past, Winston is focused on what's in ahead, not behind him.


''I have nothing to prove,'' he said. ''I believe that people make mistakes but I also believe that you bounce back from those and I'm just moving forward.''


Winston and the NFC's other drafted rookies got a break from their four-day symposium - a league-run orientation program designed to help players transition to the pros - by playing with school-aged children on Cleveland Browns training fields. While the youngsters ran pass routes, bumped into blocking pads and tossed footballs into garbage cans, Winston seemed to be the biggest kid on the field.


He led the boys and girls in cheers, handed out high-fives and advice and taught the kids how to put some touch on a pass or fire a rocket.


''Set your feet and let it rip,'' he told one boy. ''Don't be afraid.''


Winston was clearly in his element inside the field's white-chalked borders. It was when he has ventured off the field, out of bounds, that Winston has gotten into trouble.


There was the shoplifting charge for stealing crab legs from a grocery store; the suspension for jumping on a table on Florida State's campus and screaming an explicit phrase and the sexual-assault allegation in 2012. Those actions overshadowed Winston's achievements on the field, earned him a troublemaker's image and made him a target of criticism on social media.


While the 2015 rookie class is being lectured on professional life by former players offering their experiences, Winston can already speak to how a bad decision can be irrevocable.


Several of Winston's fellow rookies said he has been one of the most engaged players this week. And despite his higher profile, he has been just one of the guys.


''He is the most high-spirited guy I've been around,'' said Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith, a second-round pick from Penn State. ''He's a great leader. And he likes to have fun. You're looking at us - we're 21, 22 years old. You have to think about it. We're adults, but we're still kids sometimes and we want to have fun.''


And although he recognizes Winston may endure more scrutiny than other players, Smith said every pro athlete is under a microscope and should be accountable for their behavior.


''All of us are in spotlights,'' he said. ''We're the one percent of athletes who make it to the pros. We're going to be scrutinized in our worst times, praised in our best times. It comes with the territory. We just got to live with it.''


Winston will stay active on social media, while others are more wary of potential dangers. Earlier this week, No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota said he won't bother with Twitter or any other online platform.


Winston isn't going to hide.


''You can only be yourself. What people put out there on social media is just whatever. But I am just trying to be a better person and live life, and that's all,'' he said. ''I mean social media can help you in so many ways, from a positive standpoint. I can't control what people put on social media about me, but I can control my actions and what I do.''


And he plans to smile while doing it.

Preview: Brewers (28-48) at Phillies (26-50)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

In a battle of the National League's worst, both teams are coming in relatively hot.


The Milwaukee Brewers face the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night for the start of a four-game series that can determine baseball's last-place team.


Milwaukee (29-48) got home runs from Ryan Braun and Adam Lind in a 5-3 victory over Minnesota on Sunday to win its second straight series.


Braun is 10 for 30 in his last nine games with two homers and eight RBIs.


"There's still three months of baseball left," Braun told MLB's official website. "And I think we've gotten to a point where we need to get back to wanting to win, to feeling like we're going to win, to showing up and feeling like we have a legitimate chance to win."


Jonathan Lucroy is mired in a 3-for-23 slump, but could be poised for a big series this week. He's 18 for 39 (.462) with hour homers and 11 runs in 10 career games in Philadelphia.


'We've got some good hitters in the lineup,' Lucroy said. 'We've got to put it all together, so we can get all clicking.'


This series marks the first time this season that the Brewers will play a team with a lower winning percentage.


"There's a challenge every night in front of a major league baseball player," manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website. "The challenge is to perform every single night, no matter what the record is, and I think we've done a good job of responding to that challenge. That's the challenge that these guys live for."


Jimmy Nelson (4-8, 4.34 ERA) takes the hill for a Brewers team that has posted a 2.83 ERA over the past six games. The right-hander had struggled with a 1-3 record and 6.86 ERA in June, but rebounded with eight two-hit innings in a 4-1 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday.


"I know I have the ability to go out there and perform like that, or close to that, every time I go out there," said Nelson. "It's not so much the ups and downs, the really highs and really lows. It's just trying to stay on a level plane."


Philadelphia (27-50) snapped a three-game skid with an 8-5 victory over Washington in the back end of Sunday's doubleheader after dropping the first game 3-2.


Cesar Hernandez matched a career high with four hits and Maikel Franco added three RBIs to give the Phillies their first win under interim manager Pete Mackanin.


Philadelphia has won four of seven and averaged 9.8 runs in those victories.


'It's nice to see,' Mackanin said. 'We have it in us to do it more often and confidence is the factor.'


Confidence doesn't seem to be a problem for Franco, who is batting .421 with 14 RBIs in his last nine games.


Sean O'Sullivan (1-5, 5.34) struggled in his last outing, but has been far more comfortable at Citizens Bank Park. The right-hander allowed six runs in 4 1-3 innings Tuesday and did not factor into the decision of an 11-6 win at the New York Yankees.


O'Sullivan has a 3.48 ERA at home, compared with 7.67 on the road, and lost his only meeting with Milwaukee 3-1 at Miller Park on July 24, 2013, while with San Diego.


Philadelphia swept a four-game set in Milwaukee on July 7-10, but suffered a three-game sweep of their own at home April 8-10, 2014.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Brewers at Phillies
Mon, Jun 29 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Brewers at Phillies
Tue, Jun 30 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Brewers at Phillies
Wed, Jul 1 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Brewers at Phillies
Thu, Jul 2 - 6:35PM EDT

MLB


Monday, June 29




MLB roundup:


Dodgers' Greinke finally gets a win


MIAMI -- Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke, who had gone 10 straight starts without a win even though he is leading the majors in ERA, beat the Miami Marlins 2-0 on Sunday at Marlins Park


Greinke (6-2), who had been 0-2 with eight no-decisions during his winless streak, has a 1.58 ERA after getting his first win since May 5.


On Sunday, he allowed four hits, one walk and no runs. Greinke left the game after 7 2/3 innings and 101 pitches despite having no one on base. Still, he allowed the minimum three batters in four of his seven complete innings, and he never allowed a Miami base-runner to get past second.


Los Angeles (43-34) took two out of three games in the series. The Dodgers got three hits and one RBI from first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and two hits and one RBI from second baseman Howie Kendrick.


Miami (31-46) dropped to a season-worst 15 games under .500.


Orioles 4, Indians 0 (Game 1)


BALTIMORE -- Jimmy Paredes and Manny Machado homered, Ubaldo Jimenez scattered four hits over a season-high eight innings and the Orioles beat the Cleveland in the first game of a split doubleheader.


The Orioles earned their 5,000th regular-season win since moving to Baltimore in 1954.


Jimenez dominated his former team, finishing with seven strikeouts. It was also the third time in 15 starts Jimenez (7-3) did not allow a walk.


Machado extended his hitting streak to nine games and got his career-high 15th home run for the Orioles, who have won nine of their past 12 games.


Orioles 8, Indians 0 (Game 2)


BALTIMORE -- Chris Davis, Travis Snider and Chris Parmelee all homered in a six-run fourth inning, and starter Chris Tillman threw seven shutout innings as Baltimore completed a doubleheader sweep of Cleveland.


The sweep -- the Orioles scored a 4-0 victory earlier in the day -- lets Baltimore pull into a virtual tie for first place with the Rays in the American League East. The Orioles (.547) actually lead Tampa Bay (.545) by two percentage points. In addition, the Orioles won the season series (5-1) against the Indians for the first time in nine years. Also, according to STATS, LLC, this is the first time the Orioles have posted two shutouts in a doubleheader since Sept. 6, 1974 -- also versus the Indians.


The six-run fourth inning -- powered by solo homers from Davis, Snider and a two-run shot from Parmelee -- gave Tillman an early 8-0 lead, and he breezed through seven innings.


Blue Jays 3, Rangers 2


TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson homered and right-hander Drew Hutchison struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings to lead Toronto.


Hutchison (8-1) allowed four hits, three walks and one unearned run to win his fifth consecutive decision as the Blue Jays took the rubber match of the three-game series.


Texas right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-3) allowed four hits, four walks and three runs in six innings. He struck out three in losing his third straight decision.


Astros 3, Yankees 1


HOUSTON -- Right-hander Collin McHugh pitched eight strong innings while rookie Carlos Correa doubled and scored twice as Houston salvaged a split of this four-game weekend series.


McHugh (9-3) won a third consecutive start by limiting the Yankees (41-35) to one run on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.


Correa was able to round the bases on a double and an error in the fourth. In the seventh, Correa doubled and scored on designated hitter Evan Gattis' triple.


Michael Pineda tossed a complete game but lost.


Mets 2, Reds 1; Mets 7, Reds 2


NEW YORK -- Steven Matz had a major league debut to remember Sunday afternoon, when the New York Mets left-hander threw 7 2/3 strong innings and tied franchise records for pitchers with three hits and four RBIs at the plate as he led his team to a 7-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.


The Mets completed a sweep of the three-game series. Earlier Sunday, New York pulled out a 2-1, 13-inning win in the completion of a game suspended by rain Saturday.


Braves 2, Pirates 1


PITTSBURGH -- Atlanta's Alex Wood pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings and the Braves avoided a sweep.


Pittsburgh lost for the first time at home against a team from the National League East this season. The Pirates are now 11-1 in such games.


Right-hander Jason Grilli gave up a run in the ninth but still earned his 21st save.


Jace Peterson hit a home run in the seventh for the Braves' second run.


Nationals 3, Phillies 2; Phillies 8, Nationals 5


PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia's bats opened up like they haven't too often this season, salvaging a split of a doubleheader with an win over Washington.


In the opening game of the afternoon, Washington got seven strong innings from starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg to hold on for a 3-2 win.


The Nationals couldn't get that same effort from Tanner Roark in the series finale.


Cesar Hernandez went 4-for-4 with a stolen base after going 2-for-4 with two steals in the first game; center fielder Odubel Herrera, who watched the opener from the bench, went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Maikel Franco, Darin Ruf and Cody Asche all had two hits apiece.


Tigers 5, White Sox 4


DETROIT -- James McCann drove an 0-2 pitch from Chicago reliever Zach Putnam over the left-field wall for his third home run of the year and second walk-off winner to give Detroit the victory.


The home run rewarded Detroit right-handed reliever Joakim Soria (3-0), who pitched a scoreless top of the ninth.


Putnam (1-3) had come in during the eighth to shut off a Tigers' four-run rally and got the first out of the ninth before McCann hit his game-winner. Victor Martinez tied the score with a three-run double in the eighth.


Red Sox 5, Rays 3


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Red Sox got to Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer, tagging him for three home runs.


The Red Sox got solo home runs from Pablo Sandoval and Alejandro De Aza, then a two-run shot from David Ortiz, helping them take two of three in the divisional series.


Archer (9-5) had allowed a total of seven earned runs in his previous six starts, giving him the AL's lowest ERA at 2.01 entering the game.


Diamondbacks 6, Padres 4


SAN DIEGO -- Homers by Welington Castillo, David Peralta and Jake Lamb powered Arizona to a win over San Diego at Petco Park.


Derek Norris hit two homers for the Padres, who got a game-opening blast from Matt Kemp.


All 10 runs scored on home runs.


Angels 3, Mariners 2 (10 innings)


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Kole Calhoun scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Los Angeles a win over Seattle at Angel Stadium.


Right-hander Trevor Gott received his first major league victory after pitching a perfect 10th inning.


Hector Santiago retired the first 10 Mariners he faced while Felix Hernandez retired the first seven Angels he faced and finished with eight strikeouts in six innings while permitting just one hit and three walks.


Giants 6, Rockies 3


SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, and he helped his cause with a home run, powering San Francisco over Colorado.


Matt Duffy had a double, a triple and a home run, and Buster Posey drove in three runs with a pair of singles as the Giants won their second in a row to take the three-game series after the Rockies won the opener Friday night.


Brandon Crawford also homered for the Giants, who scored 38 runs over the final five games of the homestand after beginning the week averaging just three runs at home, the lowest figure in the majors.


Royals 5, Athletics 3


OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings, Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer and Kansas City rallied for a victory against Oakland, sweeping the three-game series at the O.co Coliseum.


The series sweep was Kansas City's first against Oakland since Sept. 2-4, 2008, at Kauffman Stadium and first at the Coliseum since July 28-30, 2008.


Guthrie allowed two runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out a season-high seven. He struck out the side in the second and sixth innings.


Brewers 5, Twins 3


MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun and Adam Lind each hit two-run home runs in the eighth inning to lead Milwaukee past Minnesota at Miller Park.


Brewers starter Mike Fiers went seven innings and allowed only one run on four hits while walking three and striking out four.


Cardinals 4, Cubs 1


ST. LOUIS -- Overcoming two rain delays that lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours and an opponent that torched him for nine hits and seven runs the last time it faced him, Carlos Martinez turned in a strong performance as St. Louis polished off a sweep of Chicago.


Martinez (9-3) checked the Cubs on two hits and a run over six innings, walking three and fanning six. He lowered his ERA to 2.80.


Jason Heyward, Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter each hit RBI doubles for St. Louis.