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Win Total Update - July


July 31, 2015


Entering August, division races are starting to tighten up in the AL West and NL West, while the Wild Card races are getting closer by the day. Several teams have made major moves at the trade deadline to improve their playoff chances (Toronto) or solidify postseason spots (Kansas City and Houston). Looking back at July, a handful of clubs stepped up during the dog days of baseball, highlighted by the South Siders.


The White Sox pulled off a 7-1 road trip at Cleveland and Boston to post a 16-9 record in July. Chicago still has a long way to go as far as a playoff position, but dominated on the highway with a 10-2 mark away from U.S. Cellular Field. Twelve of the next 15 games for the Sox are at home, as Chicago tries to improve on a 1-5 record in the last six on the South Side.


The Yankees travel to Chicago this weekend, as the Bronx Bombers quietly put together a 16-7 record in July to open up a 6 ½-game edge in the AL East. New York dominated on the highway with a 7-3 ledger, including a 21-run output in Tuesday’s blowout of Texas. The Yankees compiled a solid 7-1 home record in their final eight July home games, while allowing three runs or less six times in this stretch.


Two of the teams chasing the Yankees in the AL East took a step back in July as the Orioles and Rays both stumbled. Baltimore began July with a dreadful 5-13 record, but won five of six towards the end of the month to pull back above the .500 mark. Tampa Bay had plenty of promise through the first two months of the season in spite of injuries to its rotation, but it caught up with the Rays in July. A 5-7 record following the All-Star break combined with New York’s hot stretch has separated the two teams in the division, as the Rays don’t face the Yankees again until early September.


Below are each team’s records for April, May, June, and July along with their current pace to cash their season ‘over’ or ‘under’ win totals.


NATIONAL LEAGUE WIN TOTALS


Team Win Total - 2015 April Record May Record June Record July Record Projection


Arizona 72 ½ 10-11 13-15 14-14 12-11

Atlanta 73 ½ 10-12 15-13 11-16 10-15


Chicago 81 ½ 12-8 14-14 14-13 14-12

Cincinnati 79 11-11 11-16 13-14 11-13

Colorado 70 ½ 11-10 11-16 12-17 9-14


L.A. Dodgers 91 13-8 16-12 15-15 13-10


Miami 81 ½ 10-12 10-19 12-15 10-13

Milwaukee 80 5-17 12-17 14-14 13-11

N.Y. Mets 81 15-8 13-15 12-15 12-12

Philadelphia 67 8-15 11-18 8-19 12-12

Pittsburgh 85 ½ 12-10 14-13 17-9 17-8


San Diego 84 11-12 13-15 12-15 12-11

San Francisco 85 9-13 21-9 12-14 14-9


St. Louis 87 ½ 15-6 18-11 18-8 14-12

Washington 93 10-13 18-9 15-12 11-12




AMERICAN LEAGUE WIN TOTALS


Team Win Total - 2015 April Record May Record June Record July Record Projection


Baltimore 84 ½ 10-10 13-16 18-10 10-14

Boston 86 12-10 10-19 14-14 9-15


Chicago 82 8-11 15-15 10-16 16-9


Cleveland 81 7-14 17-12 11-15 12-13

Detroit 81 15-8 13-15 11-13 11-15


Houston 73 ½ 15-7 16-13 15-14 12-11

Kansas City 83 15-7 14-12 15-11 17-10

L.A. Angels 87 ½ 11-11 15-13 14-13 14-9

Minnesota 68 ½ 10-12 20-7 11-17 12-15

N.Y. Yankees 80 13-9 13-16 15-12 16-7


Oakland 82 ½ 9-14 11-19 15-12 10-13

Seattle 85 10-12 14-14 11-16 11-15


Tampa Bay 77 ½ 12-10 14-15 16-12 9-15


Texas 76 ½ 7-14 19-11 14-13 9-14


Toronto 83 ½ 11-12 12-17 18-9 10-13

Pirates acquire J.A. Happ from M's


July 31, 2015


PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates added depth to their starting rotation on Friday, acquiring J.A. Happ from Seattle in exchange for minor-league pitcher Adrian Sampson.


The 32-year-old Happ went 4-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 21 appearances for the Mariners this season, with 20 starts. The move is the latest in a series of pitching additions made by the Pirates at the trade deadline as they try to chase down St. Louis in the NL Central.


Pittsburgh acquired relievers Joakim Soria from Detroit and Joe Blanton from Kansas City on Thursday.


The Pirates have the second-best ERA in the majors behind St. Louis but have seen starters Charlie Morton and A.J. Burnett struggle since the All-Star break. Burnett has given up at least five runs in each of his last three starts.

Phillies trade Revere to Blue Jays


July 31, 2015


PHILADELPHIA (AP) Ben Revere was there to see Troy Tulowitzki make his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays and bat leadoff for the first time in his career.


Now, he's probably taking his spot.


The Blue Jays have bolstered their offense by acquiring Revere from the Philadelphia Phillies for two minor leaguers on Friday. The speedy outfielder is the latest player heading to Toronto in a busy week in which they also obtained Tulowitzki, ace left-hander David Price and veteran reliever Mark Lowe.


''I just want to try to get on base and let the big boys do the work,'' Revere said.


Philadelphia got right-handed pitchers Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado for Revere. The rebuilding Phillies already traded closer Jonathan Papelbon to Washington and ace Cole Hamels to Texas.


Revere is batting .296 with 24 stolen bases. He gives the Blue Jays table-setter in a lineup filled with power bats. Tulowitzki, acquired from Colorado for Jose Reyes, had two doubles and a homer batting out of the leadoff spot against the Phillies on Wednesday night.


It was odd even for opponents to see Tulowitzki, who usually hits in the middle of the lineup, leading off.


''I just shook my head when I saw that,'' Revere said.


Revere packed his stuff at his locker upon learning the news and plans to leave for Toronto on Saturday morning.


''I want to go there, do what I can to help them make the playoffs,'' he said.


The Blue Jays haven't reached the postseason since beating the Phillies in the 1993 World Series. They entered Friday night's game six games behind AL East-leading New York Yankees and two games back in the wild-card race.


Revere is a career .292 hitter with three homers and 135 RBIs in 2,271 at-bats. He has 169 stolen bases.

Haren dealt by Marlins to Cubs


July 31, 2015


MIAMI (AP) Right-hander Dan Haren has been acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Miami Marlins.


As part of Friday's deal, Miami is sending cash to the Cubs to cover part of Haren's $11 million salary.


Haren was 7-7 with a 3.42 ERA in a team-best 21 starts for the Marlins this season. The Cubs will become his eighth team after previous stints with St. Louis, Oakland, Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers and then Miami.


Haren pitched Thursday in a 1-0 Miami loss to Washington, and suggested after that game that being linked to plenty of trade rumors was gnawing at him - though insisted it wasn't affecting him on the mound.


''It's always hard,'' Haren said. ''I've dealt with it before. It's tough for a lot of the guys going through it. ... It's been a crazy few days.''


If nothing else, moving to Chicago gets Haren a bit closer to his native Southern California. Even after the Marlins swung a deal with the Dodgers for Haren this past offseason, it seemed less-than-certain that he would leave the Los Angeles area to play in Miami. He eventually decided to join Miami, though wound up being with the Marlins for basically four months.


He has pitched five times in his career at Wrigley Field, giving up three runs or fewer in four of them. The other was when he gave up 10 runs - all in the fourth inning - for St. Louis against the Cubs on June 10, 2004.


The Marlins got a pair of minor leaguers, right-handed starter Ivan Pineyro and shortstop Elliot Soto. Both were sent to Double-A Jacksonville by the Marlins, who also have traded first baseman Michael Morse, starter Mat Latos and closer Steve Cishek in recent days.


The Cubs entered Friday two games out of the second NL wild-card spot. Haren - who is on pace to make at least 30 starts for the 11th straight year - has made seven postseason appearances, five as a reliever for St. Louis in 2004 (including two in the World Series loss to the Boston Red Sox) and two as a starter for Oakland in 2006.


''He's a pro,'' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. ''Dan Haren, in my time in the game, is one of the most professional mentors that I've ever been around. The way he carries himself, the things that he shares with the young players and what he does on that mound every fifth day, he is exactly the definition of a pitcher. He knows how to pitch. ... I tip my hat to what Dan Haren has been able to come here and do. He's showing a lot of people how to be a pro.''

A's acquire Doubront from Toronto


July 31, 2015


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Athletics have acquired left-hander Felix Doubront from Toronto for cash after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Wednesday.


The clubs announced the trade Friday. The A's will make a 25-man roster move when Doubront reports to Oakland, which is hosting Cleveland this weekend. He will help fill a void in a rotation that lost lefty Scott Kazmir in a trade to his hometown Houston Astros last Thursday.


Doubront has split time between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo, going 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five games with four starts while with Toronto. In nine total starts with Buffalo, he was 1-3 with a 2.44 ERA and struck out 43 batters in 48 innings.


Doubront was the odd man out after the Blue Jays acquired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki this week.

Baseball Capsules


August 1, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) New fan favorite Wilmer Flores hit a leadoff homer in the 12th inning to give the New York Mets a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night in the opener of a pivotal series between the top teams in the NL East.


Two nights after endearing himself to Mets rooters when they saw him wiping tears away at shortstop after he thought he'd been traded, Flores received four standing ovations.


Just a few minutes before the 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Mets gave their meager offense a major boost by obtaining slugger Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit for two minor league pitchers. Hours later, Flores drove in both Mets runs and made a spectacular defensive play at second base to back Matt Harvey.


The 23-year-old infielder drove a 1-1 pitch from Felipe Rivero (1-1) to left-center for his 11th home run and first in 147 at-bats since June 12 against Atlanta.


Nationals slugger Bryce Harper was ejected in the 11th after taking a called third strike and screaming right in the face of plate umpire Jerry Meals.


Flores put the Mets ahead in the fourth against Gio Gonzalez with a two-out RBI single off the glove of diving shortstop Ian Desmond.


Yunel Escobar tied it in the eighth with a two-out RBI single on Harvey's final pitch.


Carlos Torres (4-4) was the winner.


BLUE JAYS 7, ROYALS 6, 11 INNINGS


TORONTO (AP) - Josh Donaldson singled home Troy Tulowitzki in the 11th inning and the new-look Toronto rallied to beat Kansas City as Johnny Cueto failed to get a decision in his Royals' debut.


After acquiring Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins from Colorado and starter David Price from Detroit, the Blue Jays obtained right-hander Mark Lowe from Seattle and outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia ahead of Friday's trade deadline.


Tulowitzki played a key role in the win. With the score 6-all in the 11th, he singled to center and advanced on a balk by Franklin Morales (3-1).


Donaldson singled to left-center, giving Toronto its third straight win and sending the AL champion Royals to their third defeat in a row. Donaldson, mobbed at first base after his winning hit, went 3 for 4 with a walk and two RBIs. Liam Hendriks (3-0) pitched one inning for the win.


YANKEES 13, WHITE SOX 6


CHICAGO (AP) - Mark Teixeira homered from both sides of the plate for the record 14th time, hitting his 10th grand slam and a two-run homer that led New York past Chicago.


Teixeira had his second straight two-homer game and leads the Yankees with 28 homers and 73 RBIs.


Batting right-handed, Teixeira's slam off Carlos Rodon (4-4) put New York ahead 6-0 in a five-run second. Batting left-handed, he connected against Matt Albers for a 9-2 lead in a five-run fourth.


Teixeira, who went 3 for 4 with two walks, had been tied with Cleveland's Nick Swisher at 13 games homering from both sides, according to STATS. It was Teixeira's 41st multihomer game overall.


Alex Rodriguez had two hits, including a double, to reach 1,500 hits with the Yankees and also walked three times while scoring four runs. Carlos Beltran and Brendan Ryan each had three of New York's 18 hits.


Nathan Eovaldi (11-2) was the winner.


CARDINALS 7, ROCKIES 0


ST. LOUIS (AP) - Matt Carpenter homered for the third time in two games, Michael Wacha pitched seven crisp innings and St. Louis beat Colorado.


Carpenter, who hit two homers and drove in four runs in a 9-8 win over Colorado on Thursday, also had a double and reached three times.


Carpenter slammed a first-inning leadoff home run off right-hander Kyle Kendrick (4-12), who left after one inning with shoulder inflammation. It was Carpenter's seventh career leadoff homer and third this season. Kendrick has surrendered a major league-high 26 home runs.


Jhonny Peralta added a two-run homer for the Cardinals (66-37), who have won eight of 11 to move a season-high 29 games over .500 for the third time this season. Stephen Piscotty had a two-run double to help St. Louis run its major league-best home record to 39-15.


The six-hitter for Wacha (12-4) and two relievers came after St. Louis bolstered its bullpen by acquiring Jonathan Broxton before the non-waiver trade deadline Friday.


RANGERS 6, GIANTS 3


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre homered and Texas beat San Francisco in the Giants' first visit since winning the 2010 World Series in Texas.


Madison Bumgarner (11-6) gave up both homers and helped ignite a benches-clearing fracas when he shouted something toward the Rangers bench at the end of the fourth inning. There were no ejections, punches thrown or contact made between players, who were kept separated by the umpires.


Andrus hit a two-run homer in the second to put the Rangers up 6-2. He doubled in the first, scoring then on Beltre's homer lined over the 14-foot wall in left field.


Nick Martinez (6-6) won for the first time in seven starts, allowing two runs with four strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings.


DODGERS 5, ANGELS 3


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Zack Greinke won his fifth straight decision, Howie Kendrick homered in his first game against his former team, and the Dodgers beat the Angels in the opening game of the Freeway Series.


Rookie Alex Guerrero hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fourth inning in support of Greinke (10-2), who allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, who leads the majors with a 1.41 ERA, had his consecutive scoreless inning streak snapped at a career-best 45 2-3 innings last Sunday in a no-decision against the Mets at New York.


Kenley Jansen got his 18th save in 19 chances despite giving up Mike Trout's major league-leading 32nd homer leading off the ninth. The Dodgers' victory, coupled with San Francisco's loss at Texas, increased their NL West lead over the Giants to 1 1/2 games.


Hector Santiago (7-5) was the loser.


ORIOLES 8, TIGERS 7


BALTIMORE (AP) - Adam Jones and Manny Machado homered and Baltimore overcame a six-run deficit to beat trade-ravaged Detroit.


Down 6-0 in the fourth inning, the Orioles teed off against the pitching-poor Tigers and went ahead 7-6 in the sixth when Machado hit a two-run drive off rookie Jose Valdez (0-1), making his big league debut.


One night earlier, Detroit blew most of a 9-2 advantage in a one-run victory.


It was the sixth win in seven games for the Orioles, who earlier in the day bolstered their roster for a playoff run by obtaining outfielder Gerardo Parra from Milwaukee before the non-waiver deadline.


Mychal Givens (1-0) earned his first big league win with 1 2-3 innings of one-hit relief, and Zach Britton got three outs for his 27th save.


PIRATES 5, REDS 4


CINCINNATI (AP) - Andrew McCutchen hit another homer at Great American Ball Park, and Pittsburgh's rebuilt bullpen was shaky but delivered in a victory over Cincinnati.


The Pirates got their first win of the season in Cincinnati - they'd been 0-4 - and finished July with a 17-9 record, the best in the National League.


McCutchen connected off Michael Lorenzen (3-6), and Jung Ho Kang had three doubles and drove in a run to support Jeff Locke (6-6).


Former Tigers closer Joakim Soria arrived a few hours before the game and slipped into his new role as setup man. He loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh - a pair of walk got him in trouble - but snagged Brayan Pena's liner over his head to end the threat.


DIAMONDBACKS 6, ASTROS 4, 10 INNINGS


HOUSTON (AP) - Wellington Castillo and Jake Lamb homered to open the 10th inning and Arizona beat the Houston for its season-high sixth straight victory.


Castillo had three hits and finished a triple shy of the cycle. He hit the first pitch of the inning from Pat Neshek (3-2) just inside the left-field foul pole for his 11th home run of the year.


Lamb followed with a shot to right.


Neshek had not allowed two home runs in an inning this season and had not allowed a home run since June 10 at the White Sox.


Daniel Hudson (3-3) pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win, and Brad Ziegler got the last three outs for his 18th save.


RED SOX 7, RAYS 5


BOSTON (AP) - Boston held onto Mike Napoli at the trading deadline, and he responded a few hours later with a two-run homer off the top of the Green Monster against Tampa Bay.


The Red Sox had already blown two leads when David Ortiz drew a two-out walk in the seventh inning and Napoli turned a one-run deficit into a 6-5 lead with a drive that landed on the ledge atop the 37-foot-high wall. Another subject of trade talks, Alejandro de Aza, had two hits for Boston. Blake Swihart also had a pair of hits, doubling with one out in the eighth and scoring on a wild pitch to make it 7-5.


Junichi Tazawa (2-3) earned the win despite allowing John Jaso's two-run double that gave Tampa Bay a 5-4 lead in the seventh. Koji Uehara pitched the ninth for his 23rd save.


Jake McGee (0-1) pitched one inning, giving up two runs on one hit and a walk.


PADRES 8, MARLINS 3, 11 INNINGS


MIAMI (AP) - A.J. Ramos forced home the tiebreaking run with a bases-loaded, four-pitch walk in the 11th inning, Jedd Gyorko added a two-run single and San Diego beat Miami.


After the Padres decided not to deal any of their major players at the trade deadline, San Diego won for the sixth time in seven games and the 11th time in its last 15.


With the score 3-3, Will Venable singled with a soft liner against Ramos (0-3) leading off the 11th and advanced to third when catcher J.T. Realmuto's throw went into center field for an error.


Ramos struck out Yangervis Solarte, then walked three in a row, including Yonder Alonso with the bases loaded. Andre Rienzo walked Derek Norris with a full count, forcing in another run, and Venable singled for a 7-3 lead. Brandon Maurer (7-3) was the winner.


PHILLIES 9, BRAVES 3


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Domonic Brown hit a two-run homer and Ryan Howard drove in four runs, helping David Buchanan and Philadelphia beat Atlanta.


The resurgent and rebuilding Phillies won for the 11th time in 13 games since the All-Star break on a day they finalized a trade that sent 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels to Texas. Despite their recent turnaround, the Phillies (40-64) still have the worst record in the majors.


Buchanan (2-5) allowed three runs and eight hits in 7 1-3 innings after being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Hamels in the rotation.


Braves starter Williams Perez (4-1) gave up nine runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings.


Freddie Freeman hit his 100th career homer for Atlanta. The Braves have lost five in a row.


MARINERS 6, TWINS 1


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Taijuan Walker pitched a one-hitter for his first career complete game in 29 major league starts, and Nelson Cruz and Jesus Montero homered to lift Seattle past Minnesota.


Walker (8-7), who gave up a home run to rookie Miguel Sano, tied a career high with 11 strikeouts to help Seattle end a four-game losing streak.


Cruz had four hits, including his 27th home run, and Montero added two hits and two RBIs after being recalled from Triple-A following a series of moves by the Mariners prior to Friday's trade deadline.


Tommy Milone (5-3) gave up four runs and 11 hits for Minnesota. The Twins have lost four of five.


INDIANS 2, ATHLETICS 1


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Danny Salazar pitched eight innings of one-hit ball, Michael Bourn doubled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth, and Cleveland beat Oakland for its third straight victory.


Lonnie Chisenhall had three hits, stole a base and scored the go-ahead run for the Indians, They lost eight of 11 before the streak.


Salazar (9-6) walked one and struck out four to end a personal two-game slide. He has a 1.53 ERA over his last four starts, spanning 29 1-3 innings.


Cody Allen got the last three outs for his 21st save. Edward Mujica (2-3) took the loss.


CUBS 4, BREWERS 1


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jason Hammel beat Milwaukee for the seventh consecutive decision with his first win in almost two months and Anthony Rizzo homered to lead Chicago.


Hammel (6-5) improved to 7-0 in nine starts against Milwaukee and picked up his first victory since June 6. He allowed a run on six hits over 5 2-3 innings to beat the Brewers for the second time this season. His only mistake was a pitch Ryan Braun hit in the first for his 19th home run.


Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 15th save.


Milwaukee starter Taylor Jungmann (5-3) was the loser.

Column: Baseball plays parity game as well as any sport


August 1, 2015


The Houston Astros are loading up for a pennant race.


Ditto for the Toronto Blue Jays.


Quit rubbing your eyes.


That's not a misprint.


If it seems like baseball has been turned upside down - with long-time doormats now on top and former powers such as Atlanta and Philadelphia in white-flag mode - you wouldn't be far off.


But here's the thing: It's really not an anomaly.


Baseball has always played the parity game as well or better than other major league sports, even though it's the only one that doesn't have a salary cap.


Sure, the Yankees and Dodgers of the world will always have an edge because of their seemingly limitless resources, but there's no reason a well-managed team with a fraction of the payroll that spends wisely can't make a run for a title.


That's what happened a year ago with the Royals, who surged to the AL pennant and within one win of a World Series championship after missing out on the playoffs for nearly three decades. And Kansas City doesn't look like a one-year wonder, either, having staked out the biggest lead of any division leader.


Now, along comes Houston, just two years removed from a 111-loss season but suddenly on top in the AL West and one of the big winners at Friday's trade deadline.


''We've got a chance to win this year. We've got a chance to win next year. We're taking advantage of it,'' Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.


Unlike the NBA, where an elite player can transform any team into a contender, or the NFL, where a top quarterback is a necessity for any team hoping to reach the Super Bowl, one or two stars won't necessarily make a huge difference on baseball's 25-man roster. Clayton Kershaw may be one of the game's most dominating starting pitchers, but he's only going to the mound every fifth day for the Dodgers.


Over the last decade, 27 of baseball's 30 teams have made at least one playoff appearance, and 24 of those have qualified more than once. And remember, the MLB playoffs are still the most exclusive, even taking into account the extra wild card that was added in 2012. Only 10 teams qualify, far fewer than the 16 that make it in both the NBA and the NHL (also with 30 teams each) and a lower percentage than the NFL, which takes 12 of 32.


Miami, Seattle and Toronto are the only teams to miss out on baseball's postseason the past 10 years, but the Blue Jays are eager to end their drought.


Which brings us to the biggest winners and losers at the deadline for making non-waiver trades:


THUMBS UP


- Toronto. Hand it to the Blue Jays, who haven't been to the postseason since winning the 1993 World Series - a longer stretch of futility than any other club. Even with his team barely over .500 and in the same division with the first-place Yankees, general manager Alex Anthopoulos rolled the dice, essentially mortgaging the future to land ace pitcher David Price, slugging shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Cover your eyes, Blue Jays fans, for what it means a couple of years down the road. For now, enjoy.


- Houston. Having built up his farm system through three miserable seasons, Luhnow had the wherewithal to acquire a top starting pitcher (Scott Kazmir) and a dynamic hitter (Carlos Gomez). Can you say division champion? ''We've been accumulating prospects in the minor leagues to make moves like this,'' the GM said.


- Los Angeles Dodgers. Armed with baseball's biggest payroll, the Dodgers don't have to fret about taking on big contracts for useless players. Still, give team president Andrew Friedman credit for preserving most of his top prospects while landing two starting pitchers (Mat Latos, Alex Wood), two relievers (Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan) and one of Atlanta's top prospects (Jose Peraza).


- Philadelphia. It must have been painful to deal longtime stalwart Cole Hamels to the Rangers, but the Phillies are firmly committed to rebuilding after waiting far too long to start this process. There's no help for this year, but those prospects acquired from Texas should pay dividends down the line.


THUMBS DOWN


- Atlanta. General manager John Hart made a bunch of strong moves before the season to begin rebuilding the Braves, most notably persuading someone to take Melvin Upton Jr. But Thursday's 13-player trade with the Dodgers and Marlins was a baffler, the Braves giving up the aforementioned Wood, Johnson, Avilan and Peraza essentially to acquire 30-year-old Hector Olivera. He'll need to be the next coming of Babe Ruth for this deal to make any sense.


- Detroit. After four straight AL Central titles and still within striking distance of a wild card, the Tigers went into rebuilding mode by trading Price, slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and closer Joakim Soria. They won't need to make room for another banner this season.


- Miami. Nothing wrong with dumping Latos and Michael Morse on the Dodgers as another season goes down the drain in south Florida. But the Marlins have done this so many times, we have to dock them points for originality.


Looking ahead, the game must still deal with several troubling issues, from the lack of scoring to interminably long games to declining popularity among African-Americans.


A lack of parity isn't one of them.

Blue Jays add RHP Lowe, OF Revere on deadline day


August 1, 2015


TORONTO (AP) The Blue Jays capped a busy week with pair of trade deadline deals, bolstering their bullpen and outfield options as they seek to end the longest playoff drought in the major leagues.


Toronto acquired right-hander Mark Lowe from Seattle and got outfielder Ben Revere from Philadalphia ahead of Friday's deadline for trades without waivers. Earlier in the week, the Blue Jays obtained All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, reliever LaTroy Hawkins, and former Cy Young Award winner David Price.


''This organization definitely put their best foot forward at the trade deadline, and you've got to love seeing that,'' Price said after the Blue Jays rallied to beat Kansas City 7-6 in 11 innings Friday night.


''You can feel the excitement when you're in the dugout, you can feel it in the locker room,'' Price added.


General manager Alex Anthopoulos has overhauled a fifth of his roster in a bid to put the Blue Jays in the postseason for the first time since consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and `93.


''Alex isn't letting up, I know that,'' manager John Gibbons said.


Anthopoulos, who stayed up all night Wednesday working on the Price deal, said his week has been ''a whirlwind.''


''We're excited and I love the fact that we were in a position to do some things and be this close,'' he said.


Toronto began Friday six games behind AL East-leading New York Yankees and two games back in the wild card race.


Lowe, obtained for a trio of minor league left-handers, has had a bounce-back year with the Mariners after appearing in just 18 games during the 2013-14 seasons.


''He's having an outstanding year,'' Anthopoulos said. ''Our bullpen is really starting to be deep with power arms.''


Lowe pitched in 34 games for Seattle this season, developing into a consistent eighth-inning option. He had a 1.00 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Lowe was a non-roster invite to Mariners' spring training and started the season in the minors before being called up in early May. He will become a free agent after the season.


''He could pitch anywhere, seventh, eighth, ninth, depending on what's going on,'' Gibbons said. ''He's got that ability.''


Revere, acquired for two minor league right-handers, is batting .296 with 24 stolen bases.


''It was someone that brings an element to our lineup that we don't have: a contact bat with speed,'' Anthopoulos said.


Revere was in Toronto with the Phillies when Tulowitzki was acquired earlier this week.


''I just want to try to get on base and let the big boys do the work,'' Revere said before leaving Philadelphia.


Gibbons said Revere will platoon in left field but isn't likely to displace Tulowitzki from the leadoff spot, where the slugging shortstop has started since joining Toronto.


''I kind of like the way it's set up now,'' Gibbons said.


Revere is eligible for arbitration after the season.


Price was due to be introduced on Friday afternoon but his arrival was delayed by a flat tire, a story that played out on Twitter with Blue Jays fans offering to rescue the stranded pitcher.


Price posted a message just after 10 a.m. saying he'd blown a tire. About an hour later, he posted again to say he couldn't find anyone to fit a new tire on his car.


Blue Jays fans tweeted to the ace pitcher, telling him they'd pick him up wherever he was waiting. One fan cautioned ''If you change the tire..RIGHT HAND ONLY!!!''


Shortly before 1:00 p.m., just as Price was tweeting a photo of his gray Jaguar XJR being loaded onto a truck, the Blue Jays announced they were postponing a planned 3:30 p.m. introductory news conference.


Price said he was on Interstate 94 near Chesterfield, Michigan, when his right rear tire blew.


''I got the extra tire put on and the guy was like `Where are you headed?,''' Price said. ''I was like `I'm going to Toronto,' and he was like `You can't make it there on this tire.' I went to Discount Tires, they didn't have a tire to fit my back tire and then I just had to sit in a Target parking lot and wait for the tow truck to come and wait for my ride to arrive.''


A noted fan of the popcorn at Rogers Centre, Price already had a gift awaiting him: six bags of popcorn were placed inside his locker, along with a welcome note from the team.


''I think some guys might have taken some before I got here but I was completely OK with that,'' Price said. ''This is the best popcorn I've ever had.''


Price said he was better able to handle a midseason trade after moving from Tampa Bay to Detroit at the deadline last summer.


''It definitely made it easier going through it my second time,'' he said.


Toronto put second baseman Devon Travis (left shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Price, who is to make his Blue Jays debut on Monday afternoon against wild-card rival Minnesota. Price is being pushed back a day after being unable to throw his side session Thursday. He worked out on the field after the game.


R.A. Dickey will start on three days' rest against Kansas City on Sunday.


Toronto has seven off days remaining but Price isn't likely to get extra rest down the stretch.


''I think he needs to be out there on his fifth day,'' Gibbons said.


The Blue Jays will need to make two additional roster moves when Lowe and Revere arrive Saturday.


Toronto hopes to improve its depth even further if outfielder Michael Saunders can return from a left knee injury. Saunders has yet to begin a rehab assignment.


''We expect him back in September,'' Anthopoulos said.


Also Friday, the Blue Jays traded left-hander Felix Doubront to Oakland for cash. Doubront was designated for assignment Wednesday to make room for Tulowitzk

LEADING OFF: Hamels in Texas debut, Cespedes slugs for Mets


July 31, 2015


A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Saturday:


NEW TEAM FOR NO-NO HAMELS


Cole Hamels, the first player traded midseason following a no-hitter, makes his Texas Rangers' debut on Saturday night against the World Series champion Giants following his trade from Philadelphia. Hamels no-hit the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 25. Chris Heston, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season starts for San Francisco.


SLUGGER IN THE CITI


Yoenis Cespedes is expected to make his New York Mets' debut on Saturday night against Washington in a matchup of the NL East leaders.


PIRATES ACE


Gerrit Cole, who leads the major leagues in wins, takes a 14-4 record into Pittsburgh's game at Cincinnati.


PUSHED BACK


Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw had his start pushed back a second time for a sore left hip. He will try again, taking a 29 inning scoreless streak in an outing against the Angels.


ACE IN WAITING?


A day after the Phillies traded their ace Cole Hamels, top prospect Aaron Nola makes his third big league start, facing the Braves and right-hander Matt Wisler.

Bench-clearing incident between Giants, Rangers


July 31, 2015


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Tempers flared and the benches cleared after San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner shouted something toward the Texas Rangers bench as the fourth inning ended Friday night.


No punches were thrown, and players from both teams were kept separated by umpires.


Delino DeShields had an infield popout to end the inning, flipping his bat after hitting the ball. Earlier in the fourth, Rougned Odor made a hard slide into fellow second baseman Joe Panik to break up a potential double play.


Bumgarner looked directly at the Rangers bench and shouted something as he left the mound. That led to Rangers players coming out on the field, and the Giants bench and both bullpens quickly followed.


There were no ejections after umpires spoke with both managers.

Mets get Cespedes at trade deadline


August 1, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) The Mets finally landed the bat they were looking for in Yoenis Cespedes just ahead of Friday's trade deadline, and Cole Hamels confirmed he blocked a trade to Houston before Philadelphia dealt its ace to Texas.


Sixteen trades were made Friday ahead of the annual deadline for deals without waivers, but San Diego was among the buyers, not the sellers, to the surprise of some.


Hamels was the only top starting pitcher dealt following earlier trades that sent Scott Kazmir to Houston, Johnny Cueto to Kansas City and David Price to Toronto. The Blue Jays scheduled a blowout news conference at Rogers Centre to introduce Price, but instead the left-hander was sidetracked by a blowout to one of the tires on his gray sports car


The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, traded by Detroit on Thursday, tweeted just after 10 a.m. saying he'd blown a tire. About an hour later, he posted again to say he couldn't find anyone to fit a new tire on his car.


Blue Jays fans tweeted back, telling him they'd pick him up wherever he was waiting. One fan cautioned ''If you change the tire..RIGHT HAND ONLY!!!''


''I got the extra tire put on and the guy was like `Where are you headed?''' Price said. ''I was like `I'm going to Toronto,' and he was like, `You can't make it there on this tire.' I went to Discount Tires. They didn't have a tire to fit my back tire, and then I just had to sit in a Target parking lot and wait for the tow truck to come and wait for my ride to arrive.''


Eleven of 15 AL teams began the day within five games of a playoff berth, and seven of 15 in the NL, where the races are more defined.


''There are a lot of buyers out there,'' Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. ''And that probably has something to do with the second wild card, and maybe just the reality of that second wild card has sunk in, and the tightness of various races around both leagues.''


Cespedes, eligible for free agency after the season, hit .293 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs in 102 games for the Tigers. Seeking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Mets have a talented starting rotation but rank last in the majors in runs and batting average, and 29th in on-base percentage and slugging.


''He's a very dynamic player,'' Alderson said. ''We think he's going to impact us in a number of different ways. But I think also just his presence in the lineup and his presence on the team will raise the energy level - and I hope it raises the energy level in the dugout and in the stands. I think that this is the kind of player that could have a big impact both in terms of the game on the field and how the team is perceived.''


New York already had added infielders Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, and reliever Tyler Clippard. The moves increased New York's payroll by about $8.2 million within the last week. Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said a trade fell through Wednesday night that would have sent outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Mets.


''When you're in the hunt, what you want is general managers on your team to be somewhat aggressive,'' injured third baseman David Wright said as news of the Cespedes trade was breaking. ''And it seems like Sandy has done that. So give him credit.''


Texas completed its deal to acquire Hamels and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman for left-hander Matt Harrison and five prospects. The Rangers will receive $9.5 million - $7 million in 2016 and $2.5 million in 2018 - to offset part of the contract for Hamels, who is due $22.5 million per season through 2018 with a club option for 2019.


''I'm excited to start the next chapter of my baseball life,'' Hamels said. ''They have a lot of great players and there's always a chance in that league. I don't think they are too far away, even this year.''


Hamels, 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA, figures to be part of a rotation next year with Japanese ace Yu Darvish, who had Tommy John surgery in March. Hamels, who had a limited no-trade provision, vetoed a deal to the AL West-leading Houston Astros.


''You don't want to say no to anybody and you don't want to let a city down or an organization down,'' Hamels said. ''But you want to do what's best not just for my baseball career, but for my family.''


Philadelphia got Double-A catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nick Williams and right-hander Jake Thompson - three of the Rangers' top prospects - and Triple-A right-handers Jerad Eickhoff and Alec Asher.


''We're in a world where teams are buying talent. This is one of the ways we can use our economic muscle to buy talent,'' Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. ''We bought talent with talent, and we bought talent with dollars and cents, as well. Based on all the information that we had and the package we ended up getting, we think we used our money wisely.''


Toronto acquired right-hander Mark Lowe from Seattle and outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia, following up on its deals for All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, reliever LaTroy Hawkins and Price.


''We're excited and I love the fact that we were in a position to do some things and be this close,'' Toronto general manager Alex


Anthopoulos said.


Among other deals:


-The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Dan Haren and cash from Miami and right-hander Tommy Hunter from Baltimore for outfielder Junior Lake.


-The Orioles got outfielder Gerardo Parra from Milwaukee.


-San Diego obtained left-hander Marc Rzepczynski from Cleveland.


-Pittsburgh got left-hander J.A. Happ from Seattle and first baseman Michael Morse from the Los Angeles Dodgers.


-Minnesota acquired right-hander Kevin Jepsen from Tampa Bay.

Leake will make his Giants' debut Sunday at Texas


July 31, 2015


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Mike Leake is replacing Tim Hudson in San Francisco's rotation, and the newly acquired right-hander will make his Giants' debut in their series finale Sunday at Texas.


Leake joined the Giants on Friday, the same day the struggling 40-year-old Hudson was put on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain.


''Just stunned. Kind of a stunned reaction,'' Leake said of his trade from Cincinnati. ''I didn't expect it to be them because I knew how many pitchers they had. I'm glad I'm in. ... I'm excited. It's a bunch of proven players.''


San Francisco sent two prospects to the Reds for the 27-year-old Leake, who allowed only two earned runs winning his last four starts. He threw eight scoreless innings in a win at St. Louis on Tuesday and is 9-5 with a 3.56 ERA in 21 outings this season.


''He's a quality starter who's going to help us. He's excited about being here. He's been throwing the ball well, good athlete,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ''That's a great move for us to give us some depth in the rotation.''


Hudson, who plans to retire at the end of this season, is 6-8 with a 4.80 ERA and hasn't gone seven innings in a game since June 3. Hudson won his first championship after 16 major league seasons last year with the Giants, who won their third World Series in five seasons.


While Hudson said he could have pitched Saturday, he expressed no issues with Leake taking his spot in the rotation and said he would do what he could to help in other ways.


''I wish I would have been pitching better and going out there and giving us a better chance to win, but it hasn't been the case,'' Hudson said.


Leake said he used to watch video of Hudson pitching and learned a lot.


''Just because he attacked the ball in the zone and had a lot of movement on his pitches that were moving outside of the zone rather than into the zone.'' Leake said. ''I look forward to actually working with him and talking with him, and picking his brain a little.''


As a preteen, Leake played on a travel team out of San Diego that also included Bochy's son Brett and Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the first overall pick of the 2009 draft.


''He was a good athlete then. He could pitch and played short. It was a really good club. Mike, he stood out,'' Bruce Bochy said. ''He was the best player on the field, whether it was pitching, playing short, swinging the bat. He was their best player.''

In a stunner, Preller, Padres make no major trades


July 31, 2015


SAN DIEGO (AP) The trade deadline was a dud for the San Diego Padres.


While many in baseball expected general manager A.J. Preller to perhaps be as frenzied of a trader as he was in December, he made only a minor deal.


When the deadline passed Friday afternoon, left fielder Justin Upton, right-hander Tyson Ross, closer Craig Kimbrel and everybody else who had been named in various rumors remained with the Padres.


Upton seemed the likeliest to be moved, since he'll be eligible for free agency after the season. Ross and Kimbrel were attracting interest, too.


''We've got a lot of players that are attractive to clubs and we were working through all different scenarios to add to the club and other scenarios. Teams were asking about our guys, but ultimately we didn't feel like we got to the value that we needed to get to,'' Preller said in Miami before the Padres played the Marlins.


''If we got to those values I think we probably would have made other trades, but I think the fact that the team has played better, that made it a little easier to kind of stay pat and add a guy and go from there.''


The Padres went into Friday's game at Miami at 49-53, eight games back in the NL West and 7 1/2 out of the second wild-card spot.


San Diego has been a disappointment since adding Upton, Matt Kemp, James Shields, Wil Myers and Derek Norris in a flurry of winter deals that cost it plenty of prospects. The Padres added Kimbrel the day before opening day, also taking on Melvin Upton Jr.'s large contract.


''It's a relief and I think just the sense around the clubhouse is the front office wants this group, so we're going to do everything in our power to make sure they didn't make the wrong decision,'' Justin Upton said.


He said the hours leading up to the deadline weren't stressful.


''I've been having fun. I've got friends in town and we've just been hanging out and I'm enjoying my time with them so I haven't been too worried.''


The Padres are 8-4 since the All-Star break.


''Playing well the last few weeks I guess showed them that this team is confident in themselves,'' Upton said. ''We're enjoying the fact that we're going to keep this group here.''


Said Preller: ''I know the last couple of weeks we've played better baseball. At the trade deadline we had the chance to land a left-handed reliever in Mark Rzepczynski and we'll see. I think what we've seen here in the last few weeks we're hoping that continues on in the second half.''


The Padres obtained Rzepczynski from Cleveland for outfielder Abraham Almonte.


Rzepczynski appeared in 45 games out of the bullpen this season for the Indians, going 2-3 record with a 4.43 ERA. He's also been with Toronto and St. Louis. He made four appearances in the 2011 World Series with St. Louis.


''He's pitched in World Series games, he's pitched in big spots,'' Preller said. ''He's been one of the toughest lefty relievers on left-handed hitters over the last few years.''

Pirates acquire starter Happ, 1B Morse in trades


July 31, 2015


CINCINNATI (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't enter the final 24 hours before the trade deadline looking for a starting pitcher. The state of A.J. Burnett's elbow quickly made them change their mind.


The Pirates acquired veteran left-hander J.A. Happ from Seattle on Friday as a stopgap - and possibly more - after Burnett complained of elbow pain and was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation following his third straight bumpy outing.


Pittsburgh also picked up infielder Michael Morse from Los Angeles, hoping Morse's proven right-handed bat will give the Pirates a platoon option at first base to complement left-handed slugger Pedro Alvarez.


Pittsburgh sent minor league pitcher Adrian Sampson to the Mariners while shipping enigmatic outfielder Jose Tabata to Los Angeles as the Pirates eye a third straight playoff berth.


The start of the stretch run will begin without Burnett, who made the All-Star team for the first time in his 17-year career this summer but has struggled over the last two weeks. The 38-year-old gave up 10 hits, two walks and eight runs - seven earned - in 4 1-3 innings in the series opener. The Reds also stole four bases off Burnett, whose velocity was down at the start of the game.


General manager Neal Huntington said Burnett complained of some elbow soreness following the game, which ''directly influenced'' the pursuit of Happ. The 32-year-old left-hander went 4-6 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance for Seattle this season. Happ will take Burnett's turn in the rotation and Huntington didn't rule out keeping Happ there whenever Burnett returns.


''He's a guy we've actually liked for a handful of years,'' Huntington said.


The Pirates were 5 1-2 games behind St. Louis in the NL Central, but first in line for a wild-card berth and looking to close ground on the Cardinals by upgrading their pitching staff. They worked on their bullpen first, obtaining Joe Blanton from Kansas City for versatility and Joakim Soria from Detroit as another setup reliever on Thursday.


Morse, who is expected to join the Pirates on Monday, was part of a massive three-team, 13-player deal on Thursday that ended with the 33-year-old traded from Miami to the Dodgers, who then designated him for assignment. Morse, who won a World Series ring with the San Francisco Giants last fall, hit .213 with four homers and 12 RBI for the Marlins this season. Pittsburgh is in need of depth along the infield following injuries to third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer.


The Pirates brought in three-time All-Star Aramis Ramirez from Milwaukee last week. Morse's presence gives them even more flexibility. Morse is due $8.5 million in 2016 should Pittsburgh decide to being him back, though Huntington said the team will wait and see how the next two months unfold.


''If we get him back to what he was a year ago, it can play out very well,'' Huntington said. ''If he continues to scuffle, we'll have a decision to make moving forward.''


Tabata, who Los Angeles assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, never lived up to expectations after signing a $21-million contract in 2011. He spent most of the last two seasons bouncing back and forth between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis, his most notable contribution this season breaking up Max Scherzer's perfect game when the Washington ace dinged Tabata in the left elbow with two outs in the ninth inning on June 20.


Left-hander Bobby LaFromboise was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his roster spot. LaFromboise made his one appearance with the Pirates this season, pitching a scoreless inning on May 14 at Philadelphia.


To open a spot for Soria, the Pirates designated reliever Deolis Guerra for assignment. Guerra gave up a pair of three-run homers by Brandon Phillips on Thursday night.


Soria arrived in town shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday. Hurdle plans to use him in a set-up role for closer Mark Melancon, who has converted a club-record 30 consecutive save chances and is 32 of 33 overall this season.


''If that's the case, the eighth (inning) is very similar,'' Soria said.


When Soria walked into the clubhouse, reliever Jared Hughes was first to notice him and say hello. Soria doesn't have any close friends on the Pirates.


''It's kind of like spring training,'' he said. ''You recognize faces. I know some of them. It's normal for us to have these types of situations.''

August Pitchers Report


July 31, 2015


With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs? Take a look below.


Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of August. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.


Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s August list.


I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, as the legendary Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:


*Buehrle, Mark - 11-5 (5-2 A)


If Toronto fails to make the post-season, it will not be Buehrle's fault since he had another strong season as a middle of pack starter for the Blue Jays. On July 26th he walked his first batter in the 127 he faced over the prior month and that outing ended a streak of 11 consecutive quality starts. Highly dependable.


*Gallardo, Yovani - 10-3 (6-1 A)


After pitching well in May and June, July was bumpy for this Texas hurler who longer has the blazing fastball. On the season, his numbers are fairly typical of his career and if the Rangers score a few more times, Gallardo could bounce back.


*Hamels, Cole - 11-5 (5-2 A)


Hamels will be joining the Texas Rangers and all indications are he will take the ball either Aug. 1st. His last start was historic, a no-hitter and besides the two walks, no ball put in play was really close to being a hit. Being on a better team with immediate brighter future might well propel the lefty to a strong close of the season.


Iwakuma, Hisashi - 11-5 (6-2 A)


Iwakuma struggled when first coming off the DL, but turned in terrific work over three starts, allowing just four runs on 14 hits and four walks while striking out 18 in 20.2 innings. However, he was clobbered for six runs and 10 hits in final July outing and will attempt to get back to normal.


Kershaw, Clayton - 11-5 (6-1 A)


So much for the demise Clayton Kershaw whose ERA is as 2.48 and opposing hitters are back to hitting just over .200 against him. In July the dominating lefty pitched 33 innings, allowing 19 hits, striking out 45, walking only two and surrendered ONE earned run (as of July 30th). August is looking pretty good.


Sanchez, Anibal - 9-4 (6-2 H)


After winning seven straight decisions (Tigers 8-0), Sanchez lost his last of July at Tampa Bay, 5-2. He starts this month with an ERA of 4.61 which is his highest since 2008. The culprit has been the gopher ball already having allowed 22, which is a career-high.


*Scherzer, Max - 13-4 (7-0 H)


Still a great hurler, Scherzer was tagged for five runs twice last month and conceded six of the 13 homers he's given up on the season. Chances are he will be his usual self with more big games coming up in August. Opposing hitters batting only .193 against him.


*Shields, James - 12-5 (7-1 A)


After starting 7-0, Shields is 1-4 since. Though San Diego has only won two of his last eight starts since that time, his ERA has only gone up just slightly and his ERA for July was 2.50.


Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (7-1 H)


Been on the DL since July 5th with an oblique strain and made rehab start on July 29th. Expected to return this month but all bets are off on his true effectiveness.


Tillman, Chris - 12-5 (4-1 A)


Tillman has found his groove since being hammered for six runs on six hits on June 21st, not allowing more than two runs in five starts. Biggest difference is the right-hander is averaging almost 10 groundball outs compared to six in five previous starts and strikeouts also are up. Should have a strong August.


Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-5 (7-2 H)


When watching Zimmermann, it always seems his record should be better. Starting the month at just 8-6, the two most notable stats that catch your eye is opposing teams have a higher OBP against him (.311 vs. career .295) and his strikeouts are on pace to be the lowest of his career. If Washington is to win the NL East and make the World Series, Zimmermann has to produce.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:


Alvarez, Henderson - 3-10 (1-4 A)


Alvarez has been diagnosed with a tear in his right shoulder and will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery,


Eovaldi, Nate - 5-12 (1-7 H)


His 10-2 record is a bit suspect with a 4.27 ERA, WHIP of 1.48 and teams hitting .300 against his tosses coming into this month. But Eovaldi has done what's asked of him and he's getting double-digit groundball outs in his last five starts. Yankees 6-1 in his last seven starts, will it continue?


Happ, J. A. - 5-11 (2-7 A)


After becoming a surprise fifth starter for Seattle and owning a 2.98 ERA on May 15th, Happ his seen his ERA creep up to 4.64. Never a hard thrower, his problems start the third time around the batting order.


Harang, Aaron - 4-12 (1-7 H)


Harang has been on the disabled list since July 2 with plantar fasciitis and returned with five strong innings on July 30 (5 innings - one run allowed) against Atlanta, earning the victory and ending his seven-game losing streak. He's still on a bad club and the losses are likely to continue.


*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-13 (2-9 A)


For the first several months the Diamondbacks starter was brutal, with an ERA over 5, and every couple of fair outings led to shelling. Hellickson was sharp in July with a 1.88 ERA, but that just probably means August will be nasty for him and backers.


Hernandez, Roberto - 4-8 (1-4 H)


Made 11 starts for Houston through June 5th before being sent to bullpen where he's been since.


*Jimenez, Ubaldo - 3-10 (1-6 A)


Jimenez will never be anything more than a back of the rotation hurler because his delivery is so hard to repeat time after time. However, for him he's having a good season like he did in Cleveland two years ago, when he was 13-9 with 3.31 ERA. His track record is not good late in the season, though, so let's see what he does.


Keuchel, Dallas - 4-11 (1-4 A)


Ace of the Houston staff having a true breakout campaign and opposing hitters are just past the Mendoza Line (.200 BA) and his WHIP is under 1.00. Don't look for his past numbers to continue.


Miley, Wade - 5-10 (3-6 H)


Miley has not come close to being the same pitcher since 2012, his first year as a starter with Arizona. This year it has been more of the same of being inconsistent in his first year with Boston and chances are he will repeat the past.


Wood, Travis - 5-13 (1-8 H)


Made a few starts early for the Cubs, before manager Joe Maddon said that was enough and Wood has been in bullpen since mid-May.

Why baseball bettors should pay attention to heat and humidity


Jul 28, 2015

Pitching matchups, home field advantage, current form. These are the types of angles that even the most novice of baseball bettors consider before walking to the window to plunk down a chunk of cash with the hopes of a profitable return.


However, as the gambler’s level of sophistication increases, so too does his or her attention to detail when it comes to handicapping the matchup in question. Ballpark factors are integral in evaluating totals, while lefty/righty splits, line movements and situational analysis serve as important tools in gaining an edge when working to identify a potential winning wager.

You’ll sometimes encounter the phrase, “Paralysis by over analysis,” which simply implies that one can suffer adverse consequences from too much research. But one important key for all bettors, no matter the sport, should be to invest as much time in studying the game as much as possible, as long as that time is dedicated to sifting through the information that truly matters. The color of the road team’s jerseys means nothing.


Additionally, a piece of information such as, “The Chicago Bears are 0-7 ATS on Monday night football over the last 20 years,” could, on its face, appear to serve as a valuable slice of intel…right up until you realize that the Bears haven’t played on Monday night in 15 years. What does Chicago’s roster from 2002 have to do with Chicago’s roster in 2015?

That’s preciously where we come into play.

Today’s lesson/science experiment (gasp!) focuses on the influence weather, specifically heat and humidity, has on a baseball. We all know that centerfield gusts at Wrigley Field will lead to a longer ball flight, just as the higher elevation in Denver will also aid in carrying a baseball further through the air.


But what about heat and humidity and how these two weather factors affect a ball’s flight and trajectory?

The answer is relatively simple to regurgitate from any seventh grade science book: As air warms, it expands, which in turn lowers the air’s density while paving the way for a baseball to travel longer distances. The same can be said as it relates to humidity, as air with a higher dew point is less dense, meaning baseballs will travel further in higher humidity if all other factors are considered equal.

Simply put, the higher the temperature and/or humidity, the farther a baseball will travel. The good news here is that you don’t need to invest in meteorology lessons in order to improve your skills as a baseball bettor, as websites like Weather.com, AccuWeather.com and Baseball-Weather.com, among others, have all the information you need at just the few clicks of a mouse.

As we transition from rudimentary science back to gambling (hoorah!), the first element to consider is the fact that of the 30 ballparks that comprise Major League Baseball locales, one (Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida) is a fixed roof dome stadium while six others (Chase Field in Phoenix, Marlins Park in Miami, Miller Park in Milwaukee, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Rogers Centre in Toronto and Safeco Field in Seattle) feature retractable roofs. That means when the temperatures and humidity get too high in any of these seven cities, the likelihood is great that the game will be played indoors and away from the elements, which leaves us with 23 stadiums left to evaluate.

The next item on our checklist is to create an adequate sample size, but one that attempts to eliminate the “Steroid era” in Major League Baseball, as run production was at an all-time high during this period of time, which was vastly different than what we watch on television today. So with that in mind, we’ll use 2010 through the end of last week as our sample size.

Using the above parameters, here’s what we discovered:

WHEN TEMPERATURES RANGE FROM 95-99 DEGREES

Home teams: 86-63 (.577)
Total runs scored per game: 9.9

WHEN TEMPERATURES RANGE FROM 100-104 DEGREES

Home teams: 36-23 (.610)
Total runs scored per game: 10.2

WHEN TEMPERATURES RANGE FROM 105 DEGREES AND UP

Home teams: 5-3 (.625)
Total runs scored per game: 11.5

A cursory first glance at this data would likely indicate that home teams tend to fair better and produce more profitable results when playing in hotter weather. However, when you factor in the juice that is associated with most of these home favorites, the profit margins quickly decrease. So employing the simple strategy of backing home teams in hot weather is not something that we would advise.

However, it is absolutely worth noting the total number of runs produced in games with hotter temperatures. Compare what you see above to the average number of runs scored per game during this time frame:

2010: 8.76 runs/game
2011: 8.56 runs/game
2012: 8.65 runs/game
2013: 8.33 runs/game
2014: 8.13 runs/game

Combine those five years and you get an average of just 8.48 runs per game, which is a full three runs shy of the average runs scored in games with temperatures of 105 degrees or higher during the same time span. Additionally, you’ll note that games in the range of 95-99 degrees produce an average of 1.5 more runs per game while matchups in the range of 100-104 degrees produce an average of 1.74 more runs per outing.

As Stephen Hawking once famously said, “Science is not only a disciple of reason, but also one of romance and passion.”

In this instance it appears as if we are able to take our romance and passion surrounding baseball wagering and, combined with a science lesson in weather, determine yet another significant angle to consider when attempting to defeat the sports books.

Preview: Royals (61-41) at Blue Jays (53-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 01, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

Being buyers before the trade deadline has put a bounce in the Toronto Blue Jays.


After their aggressive flurry of deals to spark a postseason push, the Blue Jays seek a fourth consecutive victory Saturday when they continue their series against the Kansas City Royals.


Toronto's wheeling and dealing brought some of the marquee names available north of the border in pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Blue Jays (53-51) added Ben Revere from Philadelphia on Friday prior to the deadline, giving them speed at the top of a power-based lineup.


'I just want to try to get on base and let the big boys do the work,' said Revere, who has 24 stolen bases and joins a Blue Jays team third in the majors with 135 homers.


In the thick of the wild-card race and lingering in the AL East race, Toronto was able to win without the longball in Friday night's 7-6, 11-inning victory as it rallied twice from three-run deficits. Josh Donaldson provided an RBI double and scored the tying run in a three-run seventh before plating Tulowitzki with a one-out walkoff single as the Blue Jays improved to 6-24 when failing to homer.


'He left me a pitch over the middle of the plate, what I was kind of waiting for the entire time,' said Donaldson, who is 7 for 13 with a homer and three doubles his last three games. 'I didn't miss it.'


While Price isn't slated to make his Blue Jays debut until Monday, they are in more than capable hands with Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.29 ERA). The left-hander is 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in as many starts versus the Royals since joining Toronto in 2013, and limited them to two runs in seven innings of a 6-2 road victory July 11.


Buehrle's 26 wins against Kansas City (61-41) are his second-most against any team, trailing only the 29 he's accumulated facing Minnesota. He's 5-1 in eight starts at Rogers Centre this year while being backed with 8.94 runs per outing - the best run support in the majors when pitching at home.


Ben Zobrist - 12 for 33 lifetime versus Buehrle - had a two-run single for his first hit with the Royals, who are looking to avoid a season high-tying fourth straight loss. Their vaunted bullpen gave up four runs Friday, spoiling Johnny Cueto's debut, and their relievers have a 4.96 ERA halfway through this 10-game road trip - well above their 2.20 season mark.


Kelvin Herrera may not be available after throwing 34 pitches in back-to-back games and All-Star Wade Davis is day to day with a sore back. Closer Greg Holland has yet to pitch in this four-game set, and Ned Yost may shy away from using Ryan Madson - seven of the 13 runs he's given up this year have come in his last two appearances against Toronto, during which he's retired one batter.


Yordano Ventura (5-7, 4.86), who got a reprieve from a demotion to the minors, tries to win a second consecutive start. Still in the rotation only because Jason Vargas suffered a season-ending elbow injury, Ventura recalled flashes of his 14-win rookie season in 2014, limiting Houston to one run in seven innings of a 5-1 victory Sunday.


'The two things that helped today was that I attacked the hitters and I threw inside,' Ventura told MLB's official website via a translator. "I feel like I pitched similar to last year."


Ventura allowed two hits over five scoreless innings in his lone career start against the Blue Jays last April.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Royals at Blue Jays
Thu, Jul 30 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Royals at Blue Jays
Fri, Jul 31 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Royals at Blue Jays
Sat, Aug 1 - 1:07PM EDT


GAME 4
Royals at Blue Jays
Sun, Aug 2 - 1:07PM EDT

Preview: Rays (51-53) at Red Sox (46-58)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 01, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Letting the trade deadline slip by without making any major deals, the Tampa Bay Rays think they already have enough to reach the postseason.


They could have a hard time getting there if they keep wasting opportunities against last-place teams, however.


They'll try to avoid a third straight loss Saturday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.


The Rays (51-53) were content to largely stay put at the deadline, only dealing reliever Kevin Jepsen to Minnesota for a pair of minor league pitching prospects. They're three games behind the Twins for the AL's second wild-card spot, and any improvements are likely going to have to come from in-house.


"The way we see it, three games out of the wild card today, if we play to our potential, we're going to be in it in September and have a chance at the postseason," president of baseball operations Matt Silverman told MLB's official website.


Tampa Bay, though, needs to ditch its recent habit of underachieving against lesser competition. The Rays dropped two of three at major league-worst Philadelphia from July 20-22, were swept in four games by cellar-dwelling Cleveland at home June 29-July 2, and lost two of three at home to Boston from June 26-28.


The season series with the Red Sox, who own the AL's second-worst record, is 5-5 after Boston won for just the fourth time in 16 games with a 7-5 victory Friday.


The Red Sox (46-58) also made little noise during deadline week, only acquiring reliever Ryan Cook from Oakland.


Facing Tampa Bay's Matt Moore (1-2, 7.61 ERA) doesn't appear intimidating after five uninspiring starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. He's failed to complete more than five innings and given up at least four runs four times.


Luck hasn't been on the left-hander's side, either, with opponents hitting .375 on balls in play.


"I feel fine ... I feel good out there," said Moore, who is surrendering a .441 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position. "It's just a matter of making a couple pitches in situations where you have runners on."


He won his last two starts against Boston, most recently a two-hitter in a 3-0 road victory July 22, 2013.


The Red Sox have been middling against lefties, hitting .245. David Ortiz is having his worst season ever against left-handers, batting .185, but he's fared well against Moore, going 6 for 13 with a home run and two doubles.


Joe Kelly (2-6, 5.94) has been one of many disappointments for Boston, especially after predicting before the season he'd win the Cy Young.


Kelly has been anything but fit for an award and is 0-2 with a 7.33 ERA in two starts since rejoining the team from Triple-A Pawtucket. He threw 3 1-3 innings Monday against the Chicago White Sox - his second-shortest effort of the season - giving up four earned runs and seven hits.


"You don't really predict that, but it is what it is right now," Kelly said of his struggles. "Something that I just have to keep fighting. I'm not going to give up out there. Just going to keep pitching."


Kelly gave up five runs over five-plus innings of Boston's 7-5 loss to the Rays on April 22. Steven Souza Jr. hit a solo shot off the right-hander.


Evan Longoria is 15 for 36 during a nine-game hitting streak against the Red Sox after a 3-for-4 night Friday.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rays at Red Sox
Fri, Jul 31 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rays at Red Sox
Sat, Aug 1 - 1:35PM EDT


GAME 3
Rays at Red Sox
Sun, Aug 2 - 1:35PM EDT

Preview: Angels (55-47) at Dodgers (58-45)
Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 01, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

A few days later than expected, Clayton Kershaw finally appears ready to continue his recent dominance.


Riding the majors' longest active scoreless streak, the left-hander will get the ball in the Freeway Series on Saturday at Dodger Stadium opposite unbeaten Andrew Heaney and the Los Angeles Angels.


Though Kershaw (8-6, 2.51 ERA) saw his bid for a perfect game end in the seventh inning last Thursday against the New York Mets, he hasn't allowed a run in 29 innings after tossing a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts during that 3-0 win.


"That's what aces do. When he's like that, they've got no chance," teammate Jimmy Rollins told MLB's official website.


Kershaw last yielded a run in the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Mets on July 3. In three starts since, he's recorded two complete games and struck out 38 without a walk over 26 innings to become the first pitcher in history with three straight scoreless starts that included no walks and at least 10 strikeouts.


Kershaw, 3-1 with an 0.97 ERA in his last five home starts, had this start originally pushed back from Wednesday to Friday due to hip soreness. He then got pushed back one more day, with Zack Greinke pitching Friday's three-game series opener and getting the win in a 5-3 victory.


'As much as anything, we're just making sure that everything's good,' manager Don Mattingly said. 'He threw yesterday before his (charity bowling) event, and we knew he was feeling good. But we wanted to give him the extra day and keep Zack on (his regular rest).'


Kershaw, who insisted to reporters he will pitch Saturday, is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three home starts against the Angels.


Albert Pujols is 9 for 20 with four doubles against him while Mike Trout is 2 for 3 with a double. Both faced Kershaw this year in the All-Star game, with Pujols walking and Trout grounding out against the NL's losing pitcher.


Heaney (5-0, 1.79) will make his seventh start after winning his last five. He is trying to become the first Angels rookie to win six straight starts since Jered Weaver in 2006. In that year, Weaver also became the only pitcher in club history to throw at least six innings and allow two runs or fewer in his first seven starts.


"I'm trying to take the same stuff out there; the only thing that changes is the hitters," he told MLB's official website.


The Angels (55-47) have provided a healthy amount of support with 35 runs for him in his last four outings. That includes Sunday's 13-7 victory over Texas in which the left-hander gave up two runs in six innings.


Greinke struck out eight in eight innings for the Dodgers (58-45). Howie Kendrick homered in his first game against his former team and rookie Alex Guerrero hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fourth inning.


Trout finished a double shy of the cycle and drilled his major league-leading 32nd homer in the ninth off closer Kenley Jansen. He finished with three RBIs and half of the Angels' hits, with Kole Calhoun getting the other three.


Pujols was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and will seek to avoid going hitless in three straight games for the first time since Aug. 31-Sept. 2.


The Dodgers have won six of their last eight at home while the Angels have lost seven of eight overall.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Angels at Dodgers
Fri, Jul 31 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores


GAME 2
Angels at Dodgers
Sat, Aug 1 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Angels at Dodgers
Sun, Aug 2 - 4:10PM EDT

Preview: Tigers (50-53) at Orioles (52-50)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 01, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Gerardo Parra arrived too late to make his debut for Baltimore and was only a witness to a stirring comeback victory.


The newly acquired outfielder could get his first opportunity to play for the Orioles and attempt to extend his 14-game hit streak Saturday night against the Detroit Tigers.


Parra, acquired from Milwaukee on Friday, made his first appearance in the Baltimore dugout in the second inning and watched Baltimore (52-50) erase a six-run deficit for an 8-7 victory. Manny Machado provided a go-ahead, a two-run homer in the sixth, and Adam Jones went 3 for 5 with a three-run shot in the fifth for the Orioles' sixth win in seven games.


Baltimore nearly rallied from a seven-run deficit in Thursday's opener, a 9-8 loss, and will try to get a quick jump on the Tigers (50-53) with help from its newest player. Parra was fourth in the NL with a .328 average, and had nine homers and 24 doubles.


He's 23 for 50 (.460) during his streak - tied with teammate J.J. Hardy's for the longest in the majors - and has batted .390 in 43 games dating back to June 11. Parra is also a two-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder.


"I've always been a fan of his," manager Buck Showalter said. "The guy won a Gold Glove in left and right and is having a big year offensively. Plays the game like our fans like to see it played. He's really likes winning, so he should fit in well."


Parra is also 8 for 14 with two doubles lifetime against Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez (10-8, 4.61 ERA), who had a career high-tying string of seven consecutive victories and a four-start win streak snapped Monday.


Sanchez gave up three runs in 5 1-3 innings in a 5-2 loss in Tampa Bay while getting zero runs of support.


The right-hander received 56 runs in his prior eight games, including a 7-3 win over Baltimore on July 17. He won't have Yoenis Cespedes to help him after the Tigers slugger was traded to New York Mets on Friday.


Detroit, though, had 16 hits for the second straight game and its first without its second-leading home run hitter and second-best RBI man.


"Guys continue to play hard," manager Brad Ausmus said. "Offensively we're fine right now. A week ago we couldn't buy a run. Now we seem to get runs but we can't seem to hold them."


Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.20) will try to power the Orioles to another victory over Detroit while hoping to get better run support. The right-hander has gotten a combined four runs in his five starts this season, going 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA, and couldn't benefit from one of the best performances of his career Monday.


Gausman tossed 7 2-3 scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory against Atlanta.


Gausman is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against Detroit and allowed five runs in four innings in his lone matchup last season, a 7-5 loss May 14, 2014.


Sanchez yielded two runs in six innings in defeating Baltimore last month and is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts against the Orioles.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Tigers at Orioles
Thu, Jul 30 Final 9 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Tigers at Orioles
Fri, Jul 31 Final 7 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Orioles
Sat, Aug 1 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Tigers at Orioles
Sun, Aug 2 - 1:35PM EDT