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CFL Betting Recap - Week 6


August 4, 2015


League Betting Notes


-- Favorites went 3-1 SU in Week 6
-- Favorites/underdogs went 2-2 ATS in Week 6
-- Home teams posted a 4-0 SU record in Week 6
-- Home teams posted a 3-1 ATS record in Week 6
-- The 'Under' went 4-0 in Week 6


Team Betting Notes


-- The BC Lions (2-3) fell to 1-2 SU and 0-2-1 ATS on the road with a 23-13 setback at Winnipeg (3-3) despite being a 2.5-point favorite. The 'under' also hit for the third consecutive road outing for Jeff Tedford's squad.


-- Calgary (4-2) bounced back with a 25-22 win at home against Montreal (2-3), but they failed to cover for the sixth time in six games. The 'under' has also cashed in five of the first six games for the Stamps.


-- After failing to cover in their opening game, the Alouettes are 3-0-1 ATS in their past four games. And more importantly, the 'under' is a perfect 5-0 in five games for Montreal.


-- Saskatchewan (0-6) remains winless, and they looked worse than ever in Friday's setback in Edmonton (4-1). While the Esks have covered four in a row, and the 'under' is 4-1 through five games, things are going the other way for the Roughriders. Saskatchewan is 0-5-1 ATS through six games, and the 'under' has hit in three straight, helped out Friday by a mere five points. Their scoring totals have decreased in each of the past four games.


-- Hamilton (3-2) has won back-to-back games for the first time this season, knocking out a 34-18 win against Toronto (3-2) in the home opener for the TiCats after a road odyssey to kick off the season. The 'under' has now hit in three in a row for Hamilton, and four of five overall.


-- The Argonauts failed to cover for the first time in five games. Oddly enough, they're 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS in four games against the West, and 0-1 SU/ATS inside their own division.


-- Ottawa (3-2) was off in Week 6, as they prepare for the Alouettes at home Friday. They won at Montreal 20-16 June 25, winning outright as an eight-point underdog.
 

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CFL Betting Notes - Week 7


August 4, 2015




It took a few weeks of the new CFL regular season for the favorites to finally assert themselves, but they came away with a 3-1 straight-up run in Week 6 while going 2-2 against the spread. It did not start out that way in Winnipeg’s stunning 23-13 victory against British Columbia last Thursday night as a two-point home underdog, but Edmonton got things rolling with a 30-5 rout of Saskatchewan as a 9 ½-point favorite at home.


Calgary squeezed out a tight 25-22 victory in its matchup against Montreal this past Saturday, but it could not cover as 5 ½-point home favorite. In Monday’s East Division showdown between Hamilton and Toronto, the Tiger-Cats came out on top 34-18 as five-point favorites at home.




Thursday, Aug. 6


Edmonton Eskimos (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 47 ½



Game Overview


Through the first six weeks of the CFL regular season the Eskimos have clearly established themselves as the team to beat in the West Division both on the field and at the betting window. Edmonton is averaging 28.4 points a game while allowing an average of just 12.6 points to its opponents.


BC quarterback Travis Lulay is coming off a very shaky performance last week in which he was picked-off three times. The bright spot in the unexpected loss to Winnipeg was the running of Andrew Harris. He carried the ball 24 times and ended the game with 117 yards rushing. He also had four receptions for 51 yards in the losing cause.


Betting Trends


Edmonton has won the last two meetings SU, but it has failed to cover in six of its last eight road games against BC. The total has gone OVER in seven of the last 10 meetings there.


Friday, Aug. 7


Montreal Alouettes (2-3 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) vs. Ottawa RedBlacks (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 46 ½



Game Overview


Montreal has to be kicking itself for last week’s loss after opening up a 17 point lead on Calgary. The Alouettes did get another strong effort from quarterback Rakeem Cato, who threw for 278 yards and a score while completing 20 of his 32 attempts. His big target against the Stampeders was slotback SJ Green with seven receptions for 132 yards and a score.


Ottawa is coming off a bye and it has to be thrilled with its surprising 3-2 SU start after winning just two games all last season in its inaugural season in the CFL as the RedBlacks. Offensively, it is averaging just 21 points a game, but veteran quarterback Henry Burris is still ranked fifth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,372 through his first five games.


Betting Trends


Montreal swept Ottawa with three SU wins last season while going 2-1 ATS, but the RedBlacks drew first blood this season with a 20-16 victory as eight-point road underdogs in Week 1. The total has stayed UNDER in all four meetings.


Saturday, Aug. 8


Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-6 SU, 0-6 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -9 ½
Total: 48 ½

Game Overview


The loss of quarterback Darian Durant for the entire season continues to take its toll, but the Roughriders also have to place a good bit of the blame for their dismal 0-6 start both SU and ATS on the play of their defense. Following last week’s loss to Edmonton, this unit has been torched for an average of 32.5 points a game.


Toronto fell behind 14-0 early to Hamilton in Monday’s loss never recovered. Backup quarterback Trevor Harris put-up some solid numbers with 326 yards passing and one touchdown throw while completing 72.5 percent of his 40 attempts. It was the Argonauts’ defense that had no answer for stopping the Tiger-Cats.


Betting Trends


The Roughriders lost to Toronto 42-40 in overtime in Week 2 as three-point home favorites. They are now just 1-3 both SU and ATS in the last four meetings. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six games in this inter-division clash.


Sunday, Aug. 9


Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -7
Total: 54

Game Overview


The Blue Bombers are off to a respectable 3-3 SU start following a second-half collapse last season in which they lost 10 of their last 12 games SU. Quarterback Drew Willy has had to battle through injury this season and last week against BC he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns to help pace the upset. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards on just five carries.


Hamilton has gotten a solid effort from its quarterback Zach Collaros to help pace its 3-2 SU start. He is currently ranked fourth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,444 yards and he has completed 71.4 percent of his 168 attempts this season. In this past Monday’s victory over Toronto, he completed 21-of-27 attempts for 229 yards and three touchdowns.


Betting Trends


Winnipeg is just 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last eight meetings in Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats won the first meeting this season 52-26 as one-point road underdogs.
 

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Cfl Trend Report


EDMONTON (4 - 1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (2 - 3) - 8/6/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.



EDMONTON is 13-32 ATS (-22.2 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.
EDMONTON is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


MONTREAL (2 - 3) at OTTAWA (3 - 2) - 8/7/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.



MONTREAL is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) in road games when playing on a Friday since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 2-1 against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 3-1 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


SASKATCHEWAN (0 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 2) - 8/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.



SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in dome games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 105-74 ATS (+23.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
TORONTO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


WINNIPEG (3 - 3) at HAMILTON (3 - 2) - 8/9/2015, 5:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.



Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 5-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 6-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
 

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CFL


Dunkel


Week 7



Edmonton @ BC Lions


Game 121-122
August 6, 2015 @ 10:00 pm



Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
109.825
BC Lions
115.597
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
BC Lions
by 6
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Edmonton
by 1
47 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
BC Lions
(+1); Over


Montreal @ Ottawa


Game 123-124
August 7, 2015 @ 7:30 pm



Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
111.124
Ottawa
116.581
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 5 1/2
51
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
by 1
46 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+1); Over


Saskatchewan @ Toronto


Game 125-126
August 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm



Dunkel Rating:
Saskatchewan
106.134
Toronto
118.209
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12
44
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9 1/2
48
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9 1/2); Under


Winnipeg @ Hamilton


Game 127-128
August 9, 2015 @ 5:00 pm



Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
109.264
Hamilton
121.816
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 12 1/2
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 7
54
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(-7); Under
 

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Week 7



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thursday, August 6


10:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Edmonton's last 11 games
Edmonton is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
British Columbia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 5 games at home




Friday, August 7


7:30 PM
MONTREAL vs. OTTAWA
Montreal is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Ottawa's last 17 games




Saturday, August 8


7:00 PM
SASKATCHEWAN vs. TORONTO
Saskatchewan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Saskatchewan's last 15 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan




Sunday, August 9


5:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. HAMILTON
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Hamilton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games
 

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Wednesday, August 5




CFL Week 7 lines hit the board



There are four more CFL games on tap in Week 7 and the lines for all four games have hit the board:


* The Edmonton Eskimos visit the B.C. Lions in what opened as a Pick with a total of 47.5, but has already moved to Edmonton -1. The Eskimos are 4-0 ATS as a favorite this season.


* A matchup between the Montreal Alouettes and the RedBlacks in Ottawa has also opened at a Pick, with a total of 46.5. The under is a combined 2-8 in the Als and RedBlacks games this season.


* The Toronto Argonauts welcome the winless Saskatchewan Roughriders to town and the Argos are big 9.5-point faves. The total opened at 48.5.


* And finally, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opened as touchdown favorites over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with a total of 54.


Underdogs and the under have been the play so far this season, with dogs going 17-5-1 ATS and the under at 17-7.
 

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Thursday, August 6



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the day: Eskimos at Lions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions (+1, 47.5)


The Edmonton Eskimos look to distance themselves from the rest of the pack when they hit the road to face the BC Lions on Thursday. The Eskimos have reeled off four consecutive wins since a Week 1 loss, and are coming off an impressive 30-5 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders to move into top spot in the West Division.


Edmonton won both meetings against the Lions last season by an average margin of 20.5 points as it looks to notch five straight wins for the first time since 2011. BC dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season after a disappointing 23-13 setback to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 6. Travis Lulay had his worst outing of the year, throwing three interceptions as the Lions' high-powered offence, which had put up at least 27 points in each of the last three games, was held to its lowest scoring output of 2015. "Everybody is responsible," BC coach Jeff Tedford told reporters. "We all have to be accountable to get it right."


TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2


LINE HISTORY: The line opened as a pick'em, but has since shifted to BC +1. The opening total of 47.5 has yet to move.


INJURY REPORT: Eskimos - QB Mike Reilly (Out-Knee) Lions - G Cody Husband (Ques-Undisclosed)


ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 1-4 O/U): Matt Nichols bounced back after being pulled in the third quarter in Week 6 by going 27-of-39 for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Roughriders. "He responded like he always responds," Edmonton coach Chris Jones told reporters. "He did exactly what we as a coaching staff thought he would do." Kenny Stafford is in the midst of a breakout season as the fourth-year wide receiver has hauled in 19 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, including two in his last two games.


ABOUT THE LIONS (2-3 SU, 0-3-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U): Lulay went 22-of-33 for 255 yards and a score versus the Blue Bombers but has thrown four interceptions compared to two touchdown passes in his last two games. "We just got to get better," Lulay told reporters. "The biggest thing for us is being consistent in our execution for 60 minutes." Running back Andrew Harris continues to be BC's most consistent player as he racked up 167 yards from scrimmage against Winnipeg after accumulating 129 yards and three touchdowns in the previous week.


TRENDS:


*Eskimos are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
*Lions are 0-6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
*Under is 12-2 in Eskimos last 14 vs. West.
*Over is 4-0-1 in Lions last 5 home games.


CONSENSUS: 53.6 percent of the community is backing the Eskies with the total split 50/50.
 

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Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, August 6


Edmonton (4-1) @ British Columbia (2-3)-- Eskimos won/covered last four games, but three of those four were on road (won 23-12 at Ottawa); Edmonton beat BC twice LY 27-20/37-3 after going 1-9 in previous ten series games; Edmonton lost three of last four visits here, with losses by 20-10-14. Over is 8-3 in last 11 series games played here. Lions lost last two games, outscored 39-9 in second half; they're 0-4-1 vs spread this year, with only wins by FG each in only two played here. Four of five Eskimo games stayed under the total. Edmonton outscored last two foes 48-1 in second half.
 

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Preview: Cardinals (68-39) at Reds (48-57)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 06, 2015 12:35 PM EDT


Michael Wacha overcame his recent funk with some minor adjustments but he's still looking to solve his troubles on the road.


Wacha attempts to build on his latest effort with another strong performance against the Cincinnati Reds as the St. Louis Cardinals aim to cap this three-game series with back-to-back wins Thursday.


Wacha (12-4, 3.09 ERA) leads St. Louis (68-39) in wins after yielding four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings of Friday's 7-0 win over Colorado. That was a welcome change after he posted a 6.88 ERA in his three previous starts.


"I worked on it in the bullpen, tweaked a few things, and was able to keep the ball down," Wacha said. "It felt really good. I was able to keep the ball down in the zone. I was pretty happy with the movement."


Now, the right-hander will try to carry that success onto the road, where he is 1-2 with a 7.54 ERA in his last four starts.


"You hear us sometimes saying 'out of sync,' and that's what it is," manager Mike Matheny told MLB's official website. "It looked like he almost had less effort (Friday), even though the velocity was as good, which just means he was very efficient using all of his body."


Wacha has allowed two runs in 13 1-3 innings while winning both of his starts against the Reds (48-57) this year, including a 4-1 victory in Cincinnati on April 11.


Randal Grichuk continued his strong hitting against the Reds with an RBI double and a 13th-inning homer in Wednesday's 4-3 win.


"You know the ball flies here," Grichuk said of Great American Ball Park. "It's in the back of your mind."


The rookie has a .382 average in 13 career games against Cincinnati, with nine of his 13 hits going for extra bases, including four homers.


He's batting .365 in his last 23 games, connecting for 15 extra-base hits among his 31 total. Grichuk, however, has also struck out 27 times during that stretch, giving him 83 to rank third on the team behind Mark Reynolds (92) and Matt Carpenter (85).


"He's got the potential," Matheny said. "You might see some swings-and-misses sometimes, but you also see what he does (Wednesday)."


The Reds are trying to conclude a seven-game homestand above .500 before opening a 10-game road trip.


That could be difficult with struggling Michael Lorenzen (3-6, 4.80) on the mound. The right-hander went 0-4 with an 8.61 ERA in five starts last month, completing six innings only once.


He was tagged for 13 runs and three homers with five walks in eight innings while losing his last two starts.


"It's just I need to throw pitches that I want to throw with conviction ...," said Lorenzen, who is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in his past three home starts.


Joey Votto is 1 for his last 11 but is batting .353 with four homers and eight RBIs in 11 games this season against the Cardinals. He's 6 for 15 with a homer and two doubles off Wacha, while Todd Frazier has one of each and is 3 for 6 in this matchup this season.


Frazier, though, has a .186 average against St. Louis this year after going 1 for 10 in this series.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cardinals at Reds
Tue, Aug 4 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cardinals at Reds
Wed, Aug 5 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Reds
Thu, Aug 6 - 12:35PM EDT
 

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Preview: Royals (63-43) at Tigers (52-55)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 06, 2015 1:08 PM EDT


With the largest division lead in the majors, the Kansas City Royals aren't terribly alarmed by a rough stretch.


The AL Central leaders, though, would like to salvage a split of this 10-game road trip Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.


Kansas City (63-43) owns the best league's best record and is atop the Central by 9 1/2 games on Minnesota. That lofty standing makes it easy for the Royals to brush off a 2-5 stretch that matches their loss total over the previous 21 games.


They're struggling in nearly every facet, compiling a 5.52 ERA while hitting .226 in those seven games. The staff had a 2.13 ERA while Kansas City won six of the previous eight, and the team's .270 season average ranks fourth in the majors.


A lack of offense was the problem in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Detroit (52-55), as the Royals went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and failed to back Johnny Cueto's strong start.


One of the biggest culprits lately is Alcides Escobar, who is hitting .152 in his last eight games. Lorenzo Cain is 0 for 9 in this series after batting .342 with 20 runs in the previous 20 games.


Kansas City may have better luck at the plate with the Tigers turning to Anibal Sanchez (10-9, 4.77 ERA), who has allowed a career-high 24 homers to rank among the most in the majors - a source of frustration for the right-hander.


"It's like every hit," Sanchez told MLB's official website. "If I allow two hits in a game, it's two home runs. If I allow three hits in a game, it's three homers. If I allow one hit, it's one homer. It's crazy."


He served up two homers among nine hits Saturday, allowing six runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-2 loss at Baltimore.


"It's like a roller coaster right now. I don't know," Sanchez lamented.


Sanchez, though, has only allowed five homers in his last six home starts, going 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA. He's also 6-3 with a 1.98 ERA in nine career starts against Kansas City, which ranks last in the AL with 84 homers.


The only homer he's given up in two starts against the Royals this season was a leadoff blast by Escobar in a 6-2 home defeat May 9. Sanchez surrendered six runs in six innings.


Escobar is 4 for 10 in the last two years against Sanchez, while Cain is 4 for 20 lifetime in this matchup.


The Royals are turning to Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.98), who has won both of his starts after his demotion to Triple-A Omaha was cut short by Jason Vargas needing Tommy John surgery.


The right-hander allowed one run in seven innings of a 5-1 win over Houston on July 26. He followed that six days later by retiring the first 11 batters he faced before being tagged for five runs and two homers in seven innings of a 7-6 win at Toronto.


Ventura is 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA in three games - two starts - against the Tigers. He gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 6-5 loss at Detroit on May 8.


Ian Kinsler figures to be a tough out for Ventura. The Tigers second baseman is batting .542 in his last six games and is 4 for 6 against Ventura.




SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Tigers
Tue, Aug 4 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Royals at Tigers
Wed, Aug 5 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Tigers
Thu, Aug 6 - 1:08PM EDT
 

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Preview: Dodgers (61-46) at Phillies (42-66)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 06, 2015 1:05 PM EDT


The Philadelphia Phillies have enjoyed a surprising offensive surge over the last few weeks, but were brought back to Earth by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.


They could be in for another drop-off Thursday against Zack Greinke, who looks to continue his historic season.


Philadelphia (42-66) won 13 of 16 while averaging 5.4 runs and recording 10-plus hits 10 times before losing 4-3 on Wednesday. The Phillies were limited to six hits, including four over starter Brett Anderson's six innings, and struck out 12 times.


After struggling with Anderson, Greinke (10-2, 1.41 ERA) could be unsolvable, especially less than a month removed from a gem against Philadelphia. He yielded only a second-inning single to Ryan Howard over eight innings in a 6-0 home victory July 9.


"If it wasn't for the base hit that Howard got, it probably would have gotten him close to a no-hitter," catcher Yasmani Grandal said.


Greinke's ERA leads the majors by more than half a point and would be the lowest for a full season since St. Louis' Bob Gibson posted a 1.12 mark in 1968.


The right-hander has surrendered two runs in back-to-back outings after six straight scoreless starts, but remains undefeated since June 13, going 5-0 with a 0.61 ERA in his last eight turns. Opponents are hitting just .141 with no homers in that span, including a 1-for-22 mark with runners in scoring position.


Greinke's stuff might be getting even better as the season wears on. He has 30 strikeouts over 31 innings spanning his last four starts after averaging 7.7 per nine innings previously.


Greinke lost his first career meeting with the Phillies in 2004 but is 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six matchups since, including five starts.


Domonic Brown has been one of Philadelphia's hottest bats, hitting .349 with nine RBIs in his last 12 games, but is just 1 for 12 off Greinke.


Chase Utley is expected to rejoin the club after a three-game rehab assignment with Double-A Reading, though it's unclear if he'll be activated from the disabled list Thursday. Utley, hitting just .179 in 65 games, hasn't played since June 22 due to a sprained ankle.


Los Angeles (61-46) dropped six of its first 11 after the All-Star break but is 5-1 since. Howie Kendrick had another nice game Wednesday, going 3 for 5, and is batting .367 over his last seven games, while Yasiel Puig hit his fourth home run in 13 games. Puig had homered as many times in his previous 47 contests.


They'll dig in against an improved David Buchanan (2-5, 6.44), who is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his last three outings. He had given up five-plus runs in three of his five starts in April, a stretch that prompted a demotion to Triple-A.


Buchanan has drastically reduced his walks, issuing three bases on balls in his last three starts after walking 15 in the first five. His 7 1-3 innings in Friday's 9-3 win over Atlanta marked the second-longest outing of his career.


"Like I always say, I say it every day, you're constantly auditioning," interim manager Pete Mackanin told MLB's official website. "Your last outing is behind you. You've got to keep pitching well ... He's done that his last three outings for us."


Buchanan won his major league debut against Los Angeles on May 24, 2014, allowing two runs over five innings in a 5-3 victory.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Dodgers at Phillies
Tue, Aug 4 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Dodgers at Phillies
Wed, Aug 5 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Phillies
Thu, Aug 6 - 1:05PM EDT
 

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Preview: Padres (52-56) at Brewers (46-63)
Game: 4
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 06, 2015 2:10 PM EDT


The San Diego Padres had been executing better with runners in scoring position in recent weeks, but timely hits have been rare in the last few days.


They're hoping for better situational hitting to end this 10-game trip on a positive note Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.


The Padres (52-56) won eight of 10 from July 24-Monday, going 23 for 53 with runners in scoring position in the last five victories. They've lost three of four, however, going 4 for 27 in those situations in the losses.


San Diego matched Milwaukee's 11 hits Wednesday, but was 3 for 12 with runners in scoring position in an 8-5 loss to the Brewers (46-63), who were 4 for 7.


"It would make a big difference to come out tomorrow and redirect this kind of momentum, have some fun, win a ballgame, go home 6-4 (on the trip)," interim manager Pat Murphy told MLB's official website.


Murphy did have a few reasons to be encouraged: San Diego rallied for three runs in the ninth, Justin Upton was 2 for 4 after sitting out Tuesday with a sore thumb and Yangervis Solarte extended his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest by a Padre since Will Venable's 15-game run in August 2013.


San Diego's Odrisamer Despaigne (5-7, 4.75 ERA) is aiming to win a third straight outing after back-to-back victories over Miami. He had won only once in his previous 12 starts.


"I think he was great," Murphy said after the right-hander gave up three runs over six innings in Saturday's 5-3 road win.


Despite Murphy's glowing assessment, those performances might have been misleading given Miami's major league-worst 3.5 runs per game - though Milwaukee isn't much better at 3.9 per game. Despaigne was also excellent in his only start against the Brewers, giving up one earned run while striking out nine over seven innings of a 3-2 victory for the Padres on Aug. 27, though he wasn't credited with the win.


Matt Garza (5-12, 5.17), conversely, is trying to avoid dropping a third consecutive start for the third time this year. He had three such skids in his previous nine seasons.


Garza - trying to avoid joining teammate Kyle Lohse as the only 13-game losers in the majors - is 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in his last seven outings, walking 13 in the last five.


Though he issued four free passes Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, he was solid otherwise, allowing three runs - all on Anthony Rizzo's homer - over six innings in the 4-2 loss.


"That's the way my year has gone," Garza said of all of the damage coming on one pitch. "You have to keep going out there and going right at it."


The Milwaukee offense was lackluster as it often has been with Garza on the mound, and he fell to 1-11 when getting two or fewer runs of support.


He hasn't faced San Diego since 2011 but has fared well in three matchups, going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 21 innings.


Upton is 2 for 15 with six strikeouts versus Garza.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Padres at Brewers
Mon, Aug 3 Final 13 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Padres at Brewers
Tue, Aug 4 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores


GAME 3
Padres at Brewers
Wed, Aug 5 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Padres at Brewers
Thu, Aug 6 - 2:10PM EDT
 

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Preview: Diamondbacks (52-54) at Nationals (55-51)
Game: 4
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 06, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals are doing their best to remain positive and loose during a current rough stretch.


Following a lopsided defeat, the Nationals try to bounce back and salvage a split of their four-game home series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.


Washington (55-51) led 2-1 after five innings Wednesday, but Arizona scored four in the sixth and three each in the eighth and ninth to hand the host its fifth defeat in the last six contests. The Nationals are 4-9 since taking two of three at home from the same New York Mets team they now trail by two games in the NL East.


'We've got a limited number of games left, and we have to play well if we want to go where we want to go,' Nationals manager Matt Williams said. 'Can (Wednesday's loss) galvanize? Yeah, we hope so.'


Washington won't panic despite being 3 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.


'We've just got to keep battling, keep grinding,' star Bryce Harper said. 'Just got to keep smiling, keep laughing and try to have some fun. We've got a long ways to go.'


Though the bullpen let them down Wednesday, the Nationals have batted .216 and failed to score more than four runs in eight of the last 10 contests.


Harper has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games but has two home runs and four RBIs in his last 17.


Teammate Joe Ross (2-3, 3.00 ERA) is 0-2 in his last three starts but hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of the six since making his major league debut June 6. The right-hander yielded a pair of solo homers in 6 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday.


"(He has the) ability to make pitches, (he has good) stuff," teammate Jayson Werth told MLB's official website. "His mound presence, demeanor - he is out there pitching like he has been around a while. I think he has a future in this game."


Washington will need Ross to keep the game close against an Arizona club that's won two of the first three of this series and eight of its last 10 games. Ender Inciarte, A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt - the top three hitters in the order - each had three hits Wednesday for the Diamondbacks (52-54), who have batted .290 while scoring at least six runs five times in the last eight contests.


Hitting a NL-best .339, Goldschmidt broke out Wednesday after going 0 for 15 with nine strikeouts in the previous four games.


Wellington Castillo, meanwhile, is batting .393 with six home runs and nine RBIs in his last eight.


'I don't know how to explain what's going on right now,' Castillo said. 'Just go there, see the ball, hit the ball, and just try to keep everything simple."


Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 4.95) looks to rebound from his shortest start of the year Saturday when he matched a season high with seven runs allowed, including six on three homers, in 3 1-3 innings of a 9-2 loss to Houston.


"He just didn't have his control and where he wanted to throw the ball,' Arizona manager Chip Hale said. 'You can't make mistakes.'


The right-hander yielded a three-run homer to Werth and one other run while walking four in 5 2-3 innings, not factoring in the decision of a 9-6 loss to Washington on May 13.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Mon, Aug 3 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Tue, Aug 4 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Wed, Aug 5 Final 11 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Thu, Aug 6 - 4:05PM EDT
 

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Preview: Red Sox (48-60) at Yankees (60-46)
Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 06, 2015 7:05 PM EDT


It was a rare off night for the New York Yankees offensively, but it's been that way much of the season for one-time staff ace CC Sabathia.


Trying to get on track once more, Sabathia seeks a rare quality outing Thursday night as the Yankees wrap up their series with the Boston Red Sox.


The left-hander has endured a trying season with a career-worst 5.54 ERA. Sabathia (4-8) has not recorded a decision in his three previous starts but has done himself no favors in the last two by allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 10 2-3 innings.


He should be good to go after a bout of dehydration following his most recent start last Thursday in Texas. The left-hander was reached for five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings while pitching in 101-degree heat in New York's 7-6 defeat.


Sabathia was hospitalized and received IV fluids during an overnight stay at an Arlington hospital before catching up with the team in Chicago the following day.


"I think I'm good," he told MLB's official website Friday. "I usually hydrate really good before games, in between games and in-between innings, nights before. This was just a tough one."


Sabathia has pitched more than six innings just once in his last 12 starts and given up four or more runs in 12 of his 20 outings. One of the good eight ones, though, came at Fenway Park on May 1 when he yielded two runs in six innings before leaving without a decision in New York's 3-2 victory.


Sabathia is 11-12 with a 4.63 ERA lifetime versus the Red Sox, with a 9-8 mark pitching for the Yankees.


The Yankees have not dropped a series since losing two of three to the Los Angels Angels on the road from June 29-July 1. Carlos Beltran extended New York's home run streak to a season-high 11 games with a solo blast in the seventh.


Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is a .239 hitter versus Sabathia with as many hits as strikeouts (16). He belted a towering fourth-inning solo homer in Wednesday night's 2-1 win, ending a seven-game drought without a long ball.


'We don't leave New York without David probably going deep one time. He just put a beautiful swing on the pitch,' manager John Farrell said.


That swing hasn't surfaced often in the Bronx this year - Ortiz is 3 for 23 with two solo homers in five games. Pablo Sandoval, though, went 2 for 4 with two doubles and is hitting .375 during a 13-game hitting streak versus New York.


Rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.34) is seeking his fourth win in five decisions but struggled with his control Friday versus Tampa Bay, giving up three runs and six hits while walking four in five innings and throwing 110 pitches. He did not get a decision as the Red Sox eventually won 7-5.


The left-hander won his lone start against the Yankees on July 11, allowing solo homers to Jacoby Ellsbury and Alex Rodriguez along with three other hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-3 victory.


Yankees catcher Brian McCann, who flied out as a pinch-hitter to end Wednesday's game, likely will not start for the second straight contest due to inflammation in his left MCL. Rodriguez, who went 0 for 4, is hitting .207 in eight home games since the All-Star break.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Yankees
Tue, Aug 4 Final 3 to 13
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Red Sox at Yankees
Wed, Aug 5 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Yankees
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:05PM EDT
 

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Preview: Twins (54-53) at Blue Jays (57-52)
Game: 4
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 06, 2015 7:07 PM EDT


The Toronto Blue Jays might now have the overall talent needed to reach the postseason, and the growing confidence to get there.


They can complete a four-game home sweep of the reeling Minnesota Twins with a fifth consecutive victory Thursday night.


With Wednesday's 9-7 victory, Toronto (57-52) has won seven of the last eight on its 10-game homestand and owns a one-game lead over Baltimore for the AL's second wild-card spot. A grand slam by Jose Bautista, three-run homer from Edwin Encarnacion and a two-run shot off the bat of Josh Donaldson helped the Blue Jays continue their surge.


'We went out there (Wednesday) and we did what we do best,' Bautista said.


That power trio, combined with recent marquee additions Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, has the Blue Jays feeling good about themselves every time they step on the field.


"Winning games is fun," Tulowitzki told MLB's official website. "That makes (being here) comfortable, that makes it fun, and it's really what you come from the ballpark for."


Toronto has totaled 31 home runs while hitting at least one in 17 of the last 18 contests. Donaldson, who has homered in each game of this set to match his career high of 29, has seven home runs and 18 RBIs in the last 15 games.


The Blue Jays will try to complete the sweep of Minnesota (54-53) behind Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.32 ERA), who is 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA in nine home starts.


His 29 wins over the Twins are the left-hander's most against any opponent. Buehrle won his fourth consecutive start against Minnesota on May 29 when he threw a six-hitter in a 6-4 victory to record one of his four complete games this season.


Brian Dozier is 3 for 7 with two doubles against Buehrle, but is batting .132 with 14 strikeouts in the last nine contests. Teammate Trevor Plouffe drove in a pair of runs Wednesday, but is 2 for his last 14 and batting .167 when facing Buehrle.


Overtaken by Toronto for that second wild-card spot with Tuesday's 3-1 defeat, Minnesota has dropped 13 of the last 17 to drop two behind the Blue Jays. Though the Twins matched their run total from the previous five contests Wednesday, they blew a 3-0 first-inning lead.


'I think we're all frustrated,' manager Paul Molitor said. 'We see what's happening and the fact that we're having trouble winning games.'


Kyle Gibson (8-8, 3.37) allowed 12 runs in 10 1-3 innings to lose his first two starts following the All-Star break, then gave up two in seven innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 win over Seattle on Saturday. The Twins have provided the right-hander with two runs of support in those three starts.


Gibson has yielded one earned run over 13 2-3 innings to go 1-0 in two starts against the Blue Jays but is facing them for the first time on the road.


While Bautista and Encarnacion are a combined 1 for 9 when facing Gibson, Donaldson is 2 for 5 with a double.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Twins at Blue Jays
Mon, Aug 3 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Twins at Blue Jays
Tue, Aug 4 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Twins at Blue Jays
Wed, Aug 5 Final 7 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Twins at Blue Jays
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:07PM EDT
 

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Preview: Marlins (43-65) at Braves (48-60)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 06, 2015 7:10 PM EDT


Long eliminated from the NL playoff race, the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves' offenses continue to limp along as they enter what appears to be an irrelevant final two months of the season for these clubs.


They'll be hoping for at least a temporary respite with two rookie starters on the mound in Thursday night's opener of a four-game series in Atlanta, especially after facing two of the game's best pitchers.


The Marlins (43-65) are only one game ahead of major league-worst Philadelphia and rank last in baseball with 3.5 runs per game. They've scored fewer than four runs nine times while dropping 10 of 12 and had collected seven hits or fewer in seven consecutive contests before a late rally Wednesday. Miami recorded just two hits during Matt Harvey's seven-inning start, but tallied seven and scored six runs in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss to the New York Mets.


"These guys showed heart and didn't quit and battled back to bring the winning run to the plate in the ninth," manager Dan Jennings said.


The Braves (48-60) failed a tough assignment of their own, striking out nine times during Madison Bumgarner's 7 1-3 innings in a 6-1 loss to San Francisco.


Atlanta has averaged 2.5 runs while dropping 11 of 14, totaling four runs in back-to-back losses after seemingly encouraging six and nine-run outputs in wins Sunday and Monday.


Jose Urena (1-5, 4.37 ERA) will try to extend the Braves' woes. He gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings in his first career start May 26 at Pittsburgh, but has posted a 3.40 ERA in seven outings since. He's just 1-4 in that span, however, averaging 2.5 runs of support.


The right-hander may have taken a step back Saturday against San Diego, surrendering five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 5-3 loss.


Urena enjoyed a successful major league debut in Atlanta on April 14, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of relief in the Marlins' 8-2 win.


Atlanta counters with another first-year hurler in Matt Wisler (5-2, 4.44), who comes off his first loss in six starts after being hit hard by Philadelphia on Saturday. Wisler yielded a season-high seven runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 12-2 road loss.


He allowed two homers for the first time in his career, including a three-run shot by Cameron Rupp.


"I need to pitch better than that," he said. "The three-run homer just can't happen."


Wisler, 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three outings at Turner Field, can become the majors' first pitcher to win the first four home starts of his career since Yu Darvish, who won his first seven home outings for Texas in 2012. He'd join Ron Piche as the only other Brave to accomplish the feat since 1914. Piche won his first four at County Stadium for the then-Milwaukee Braves.


For all of Atlanta's offensive issues, Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski own 12- and 10-game hitting streaks, respectively.


Dee Gordon's .358 career average against Atlanta is his highest against any of the 17 teams he's played at least seven times, and he's batting .391 while hitting safely in 11 straight matchups.


The Braves lead the season series 7-2 while limiting Miami to 25 runs.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Marlins at Braves
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 2
Marlins at Braves
Fri, Aug 7 - 7:35PM EDT


GAME 3
Marlins at Braves
Sat, Aug 8 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Marlins at Braves
Sun, Aug 9 - 5:10PM EDT
 

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Preview: Giants (59-48) at Cubs (58-48)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: August 06, 2015 8:05 PM EDT


Only one-half game separates the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs in the race for the NL's second wild-card spot.


A four-game series at Wrigley Field could be just what the Giants need to widen that gap.


Among the league's best road teams, the Giants go for an eighth win in 10 tries on the North Side on Thursday night.


San Francisco (59-48) moved ahead of Chicago in the wild-card race after beating Atlanta 6-1 on Wednesday, while the Cubs (58-48) fell 7-5 at Pittsburgh to conclude a 5-1 trip.


"It's getting about that time where we start hitting our stride, and everything's coming together for us," said Madison Bumgarner, who struck out nine in 7 1-3 innings.


The Giants have won 16 of their last 21 games, hitting .303 with a 2.98 ERA. That stretch includes taking eight of 12 on the road


Their 29-25 record as the visitors ranks third in the NL. San Francisco should feel right at home at Wrigley, where it's won seven of the last nine games and hit .325 while taking two of three from Aug. 19-21.


Buster Posey may get the day off despite being a career .354 hitter at Chicago and going 5 for 9 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs in his last three games. The All-Star catcher enters this matchup hitting .449 with 18 RBIs in his last 19 games after going 3 for 5 on Wednesday.


His .332 average trails only Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt (.339) in the NL batting race.


Matt Duffy is also on a tear, batting .383 with 14 RBIs and 16 runs in the past 21 games. His .310 average leads all rookies and makes him a contender for the league's rookie of the year award with Chris Heston (11-5, 3.13 ERA), who faces Chicago for the first time.


The right-hander, who tossed a no-hitter June 9, is the rookie wins leader and owns the most by a Giants' rookie since Matt Cain had 13 in 2006.


Heston, though, is coming off one of his shortest outings, giving up three runs and seven hits while throwing 93 pitches in 4 2-3 innings of Saturday's 9-7 win at Texas.


He had a 0.95 ERA while going 3-0 over his four prior starts. Heston also hasn't given up a home run in his last 12 outings, a span of 76 2-3 innings.


Despite their six-game winning streak ending Wednesday, the Cubs' 31-24 road record is tied with Texas for the best in baseball. They're looking to carry that success into this seven-game homestand, but they've dropped seven of their last 10 at the Friendly Confines.


"We're coming off a tremendous road trip. There's nothing to lament about these several days on the road," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website.


He'll give the ball to Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13), who allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings of Friday's 4-1 win at Milwaukee. The right-hander yielded eight runs in 8 2-3 innings over his two previous starts after tightness in his left hamstring limited him to one inning of a loss to St. Louis on July 8.


"I saw 93, 94 and the ball down, which meant he could get over his front-side extension," Maddon said Friday. "I thought it was a good sign."


Hammel is 0-3 with a 3.19 ERA in nine starts against the Giants, but he's held Posey to 2 for 11.


Rookie sensation Kris Bryant is batting .141 with 35 strikeouts in his last 22 games, including .118 with 18 strikeouts in nine at home.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Giants at Cubs
Thu, Aug 6 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Giants at Cubs
Fri, Aug 7 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Giants at Cubs
Sat, Aug 8 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Giants at Cubs
Sun, Aug 9 - 2:20PM EDT
 

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Preview: Astros (60-49) at Athletics (48-61)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 06, 2015 10:05 PM EDT


Stellar play at home is a big reason Houston sits atop the AL West. But if the Astros can't turn things around on the road, they may not be there for much longer.


Looking to avoid a sixth consecutive road defeat, the Astros try to get back on track Thursday night at Oakland, where they managed to sweep the Athletics earlier this season.


Houston's 38-18 home mark is the best in the AL but it's 22-31 on the road, where it has dropped seven consecutive series and has averaged 2.3 runs and batted .194 while losing 11 of the last 12. The Astros opened a nine-game trip by losing three straight at Texas, totaling 10 hits in the final two games of the series.


Though the Astros' division lead was cut to two games after Wednesday's 4-3 loss, manager A.J. Hinch won't knock his team's effort, especially after trailing 3-0 in the first inning of the finale.


"I'm proud of our guys," Hinch, whose club has lost 28 of the last 38 on the road, told MLB's official website. "We fought; we battled; we played hard; the effort's there."


All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve went 0 for 4 on Wednesday, and is 2 for 18 in the last four away from Minute Maid Park. However, he's batting .361 while hitting safely in 21 of his 22 career games at Oakland (48-61), where the Astros have won their last four and scored 21 runs during a three-game sweep April 24-26.


Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.58 ERA) gave up eight runs in five innings of an 8-1 home defeat to the A's on April 13, then 12 days later yielded three in 6 2-3 innings of a 9-3 victory at Oakland.


The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts since missing almost two months with a knee injury. However, his best start of that stretch and the season came on the road July 25 when he yielded a run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1, 10-inning defeat at Kansas City.


Sitting 3-4 on an 11-game home stay, the A's counter with Aaron Brooks (1-0, 3.09).


The right-hander earned a spot in the rotation after allowing a home run, four other hits and striking out five without a walk in 7 1-3 innings of Saturday's 5-1 victory over Cleveland. It was Brooks' second career start and first appearance since the A's acquired him in the deal that sent Ben Zobrist to Kansas City.


'He deserves to (have a spot in the rotation),' manager Bob Melvin said. 'It would have been pretty tough to send him down after that.


"We want to take a look at our young guys, some of the guys that we traded for. We wanted to see how he reacted to pitching at the big league level."


Coco Crisp is 7 for 20 (.350) against Feldman, and went 3 for 8 during this week's three-game set with Baltimore in his return from missing almost three months with a cervical strain.


Teammate Josh Reddick is 0 for 11 in the last four games but is batting .304 with two doubles and three home runs while facing Feldman.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Astros at Athletics
Thu, Aug 6 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Astros at Athletics
Fri, Aug 7 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Astros at Athletics
Sat, Aug 8 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Astros at Athletics
Sun, Aug 9 - 4:05PM EDT
 

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Thursday's Tip Sheet


August 6, 2015


Red Sox at Yankees – 7:05 PM EST


The most storied rivalry in baseball doesn’t hold the same luster this season with Boston languishing in last place of the AL East. However, the Red Sox pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday as a +165 underdog behind a two-run homer from David Ortiz to snap an eight-game road losing streak. The Bronx Bombers still sit atop the division by four games over the surging Blue Jays as Toronto invades Yankee Stadium this weekend.


The Yankees hand the ball to veteran CC Sabathia (4-8, 5.54 ERA) in the rubber match, as the southpaw has allowed five earned runs in each of his last two starts. Sabathia has been hurt by the gopher ball this season, yielding 24 home runs, including five in the past two outings against the Twins and Rangers. New York has performed well when Sabathia has pitched at home of late, posting a 4-1 record, while the left-hander picked up a no-decision in a road win at Boston back in early May.


The Red Sox counter with another left-hander, sending out rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.34 ERA), who has lost once in his past six starts. Rodriguez began his big league career on fire by allowing just one earned run in his first three starts, while Boston owns a solid 6-2 record in his previous eight trips to the mound. The southpaw beat the Yankees at Fenway Park prior to the All-Star break, scattering five hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings of a 5-3 triumph.


Twins at Blue Jays – 7:05 PM EST


Toronto pushed its chips in the middle of the table at the trade deadline by acquiring Troy Tulowitzki and David Price for a playoff run. The moves have paid off so far, as the Jays have won seven of their past eight games, while going for the four-game sweep of the reeling Twins at Rogers Center. Minnesota led Toronto by three games for the final AL Wild Card spot on July 28, but the Twins have slipped to five games back of the Jays for that position thanks to a 2-9 slide.


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Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.32 ERA) is coming off consecutive no-decisions in one-run losses to the Mariners and Royals, while giving up 15 hits and seven runs in those outings. The Toronto veteran has been up and down since a 4-1 start at home, as the Jays have split his past four outings at Rogers Center. Buehrle fell behind the Twins, 4-0 after one inning the last time he faced them at Target Field in May, but the Jays rallied for a 6-4 win as the southpaw tossed a complete game.


The Twins send out Kyle Gibson (8-8, 3.37 ERA), who is winless in three starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander put together a quality start against Seattle in his past outing, allowing six hits and two earned runs in seven innings as Minnesota rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth to win, 3-2. Minnesota has compiled a 2-0 record in Gibson’s two career starts against Toronto, including a 3-2 home victory back in May.


Giants at Cubs – 8:05 PM EST


San Francisco and Chicago begin a crucial series at Wrigley Field as the two teams are separated by a half-game for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The Giants pulled ahead of the Cubs thanks to a 6-1 blowout of the Braves on Wednesday, coupled with Chicago’s 7-5 loss at Pittsburgh, snapping a five-game winning streak. The Cubs will look to turn around their recent woes on the North Side, dropping seven of their past 10 games at Wrigley Field.


Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) picked up his first win since early June by knocking off the Brewers last Friday, 4-1 as a -125 road favorite. The Cubs’ right-hander is winless in his past four starts as a home favorite, allowing a season-high six earned runs to the suddenly surging Phillies in less than four innings in an 11-5 loss on July 26. Hammel faced the Giants last season in his first start as a member of the A’s after getting traded by the Cubs in July, losing at San Francisco, 5-2 as a short favorite.


The Giants go for their third straight win behind Chris Heston (11-5, 3.24 ERA), who has been nearly automatic pitching away from AT&T Park. San Francisco owns a terrific 8-2 record in Heston’s 10 road starts, including a perfect 5-0 mark as an away underdog. Heston needed to get bailed out by a Giants’ rally in his last start, as San Francisco erased a late 7-4 deficit at Texas to stun the Rangers, 9-7 in extra innings, the ninth time the Giants have scored at least five runs for the righty in a road outing.


Astros at Athletics – 10:05 PM EST


Houston started out of the gate hot to begin the season to basically control the AL West since mid-April. The Astros have managed to stay atop the division heading into August, but they have needed some help from the Angels, who have lost seven of their last nine games to remain two back of Houston. The AL West leaders head to California after getting swept by the Rangers, as the Astros have dropped 13 of their last 15 games away from Minute Maid Park.


The Astros have won six of nine meetings with the A’s this season, sending out veteran Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.58 ERA) in the series opener. Feldman shut down Oakland back on April 25 as a short road underdog, scattering five hits and three earned runs in 6.2 innings of a 9-3 blowout. The right-hander hasn’t fared well since being activated off the disabled list following the All-Star break, going winless in three starts, while Houston has won just once in his past four road outings since May.


The A’s look to snap a four-game losing streak in home series openers, as recently acquired Aaron Brooks (1-0, 3.09 ERA) tries to duplicate a solid performance in his debut. Brooks shut down the Indians days after getting dealt from the Royals in exchange for infielder Ben Zobrist, putting together 7.1 solid innings in a 5-1 victory last Saturday. Oakland hasn’t scored many runs recently at home, as the A’s are 6-2 to the ‘under’ in the past eight games at Coliseum, while scoring three runs or less seven times in this stretch.
 

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Baseball Capsules


August 6, 2015



CINCINNATI (AP) Matt Carpenter tied it with a solo homer in the eighth, and Randal Grichuk connected in the 13th in the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.


Grichuk was moved up to second in the Cardinals' struggling batting order. He doubled home a run in the sixth inning and hit his 15th homer in the 13th off Dylan Axelrod (0-1), Cincinnati's eighth pitcher.


Seth Maness (4-1) gave up a pair of walks in two innings.


Manager Mike Matheny changed the batting order - Grichuk went from batting eighth on Tuesday to second - to try to spark his struggling offense, but the Cardinals didn't get much going until late in the game.


Left-hander David Holmberg allowed two runs, including Grichuk's RBI double off the top of the wall in center that cut it to 3-2 in the sixth.


Carpenter tied it with a homer in the eighth off J.J. Hoover, only the third that the reliever has allowed this season. It was Carpenter's fifth homer in his last six games.


ANGELS 4, INDIANS 3


ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - C.J. Cron hit a tying two-run single with two out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning against Cleveland closer Cody Allen and pinch-runner Taylor Featherston scored on a wild pitch, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 victory Wednesday.


Allen (1-4), coming in to protect a 3-1 lead for Danny Salazar, was charged with his third blown save in 25 chances after giving up a one-out single to Albert Pujols and two-out walks to Erick Aybar and Conor Gillaspie. Cron lined an 0-1 pitch to center to tie it, and Allen uncorked his fourth wild pitch of the season and second of the inning with pinch-hitter David DeJesus at the plate.


The Angels came in 0-44 when trailing after eight.


Cam Bedrosian (1-0), the son of 1987 Cy Young Award-winning closer Steve Bedrosian, pitched a perfect ninth for his first career victory. Jose Ramirez and Ryan Raburn hit leadoff homers in the sixth and seventh innings Angels starterHector Santiago.


METS 8, MARLINS 6


MIAMI (AP) - Closer Jeurys Familia finally got the last out and New York halted Miami's furious six-run rally in the ninth inning, holding off the Marlins for its sixth straight victory.


Ahead 8-0 going into the ninth, the NL East-leading Mets saw the Marlins actually bring the potential winning run to the plate. Familia retired Christian Yelich on a grounder with two runners on to end it.


Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer and Lucas Duda drove in three runs, giving Matt Harvey (10-7) a huge lead. Harvey pitched seven dominant innings, giving up two hits and striking out six without a walk.


Mets relievers Eric O'Flaherty, acquired Tuesday from Oakland, Hansel Robles and Familia all struggled in the ninth. Familia gave up two hits, but got Yelich for his 29th save in 34 chances.


David Phelps (4-8) was the loser.


DIAMONDBACKS 11, NATIONALS 4


WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington reliever Aaron Barrett threw away a bunt in the sixth inning and Arizona quickly broke away, handing the Nationals their fifth loss in six games.


Down 11-2 in the ninth, the pitching-rich Nationals resorted to putting utilityman Tyler Moore on the mound. He retired the first batter he faced, Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt, on an RBI groundout.


Goldschmidt, Ender Inciarte and A.J. Pollock each got three of Arizona's 17 hits. Welington Castillo added his sixth homer in nine games.


The Nationals dropped two games behind the New York Mets in the NL East. Arizona has won nine of 13.


Rubby De La Rosa (9-5) went five innings for the win. Barrett (3-3) was the loser.


DODGERS 4, PHILLIES 3


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Yasiel Puig hit a three-run home run, Brett Anderson allowed one run in six innings and Los Angeles beat Philadelphia.


Howie Kendrick had three hits to help the Dodgers win for the fifth time in six games.


Jeff Francoeur homered for Philadelphia. The Phillies lost for only the fourth time in their last 17 games. They still have the worst record in baseball at 42-66.


Anderson (6-6) won for the first time since July 1. He allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two. Kenley Jansen struck out the side in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save in his 21st opportunity.


Philadelphia starter Aaron Harang (5-12) was the loser.


GIANTS 6, BRAVES 1


ATLANTA (AP) - Madison Bumgarner pitched into the eighth inning, Kelby Tomlinson drove in three runs and San Francisco beat Atlanta.


Matt Duffy added a two-run double and Hunter Pence had an RBI single for San Francisco. The Giants have won 16 of 21.


Bumgarner (12-6), last year's World Series MVP and a three-time All-Star, allowed seven hits, one run and struck out nine in 7 1-3 innings. Just two baserunners made it into scoring position against the left-hander.


Williams Perez (4-2) surrendered 10 hits, two walks and six runs in six-plus innings for the Braves, who have lost 11 of 14.


BLUE JAYS 9, TWINS 7


TORONTO (AP) - Jose Bautista hit a grand slam, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson homered and Toronto beat Minnesota for its fourth straight win.


Encarnacion hit a three-run drive and Donaldson added a two-run shot. Toronto has homered in 17 of 18 games since the All-Star break, with 10 multihomer games in that span.


Miguel Sano homered and had three RBIs for the Twins. Sano hit an RBI single and Trevor Plouffe doubled home two runs as the Twins jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first against Drew Hutchison (10-2).


Toronto answered in the bottom half against right-hander Tyler Duffey (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Troy Tulowitzki walked and Donaldson hit his 29th homer, tying a career high.


Bautista made it 6-3 in the second with his fifth career grand slam and 24th home run of the season.


Encarnacion made it 9-3 with a three-run drive off reliever J.R. Graham in the fourth, his 20th. The second-deck drive traveled an estimated 462 feet.


LaTroy Hawkins finished for his third save.


RED SOX 2, YANKEES 1


NEW YORK (AP) - Steven Wright handcuffed a torrid New York ineup with his steady supply of knuckleballs, and David Ortiz hit a colossal home run for Boston.


A costly throwing error by third baseman Chase Headley helped spoil the debut of prized Yankees pitching prospect Luis Severino, who yielded only two hits over five impressive innings.


Koji Uehara retired pinch-hitter Brian McCann with two on for his 24th save.


Alejandro De Aza hit an RBI double with two outs in the second - immediately following Headley's 18th error of the season. Ortiz connected on a 96 mph 2-0 fastball leading off the fourth, launching a drive that landed more than halfway up the elevated concrete bleachers in right field.


That was enough for Wright (5-4).


RANGERS 4, ASTROS 3


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Chris Gimenez hit the deciding home run and Texas held on to complete a three-game sweep of AL West-leading Houston.


After Texas scored three unearned runs in the first off Scott Kazmir (6-6), the Rangers' second started with Gimenez homering to straightaway center for a 4-0 lead. All three Houston runs were scored by players who reached on a walk.


The Rangers have won four in a row and seven of eight, moving within five games of the division lead, the closest they have been since June 30.


Texas starter Nick Martinez (7-6), the right-hander pitching on his 25th birthday, walked three and struck out one while throwing 86 pitches in a game that started with the temperature at 100 degrees.


Sam Dyson, the sixth Rangers pitcher, worked the ninth for his second career save - both since being acquired in a trade with Miami on Friday.


WHITE SOX 6, RAYS 5, 10 INNINGS


CHICAGO (AP) - Avisail Garcia hit a three-run homer in Chicago's five-run first inning and had a bases-loaded walk in the 10th to lift the White Sox past Tampa Bay.


Garcia drew the winning walk off closer Brad Boxberger (5-6).


In the 10th, Adam Eaton singled and stole second base and advanced to third when catcher Curt Casali's throw struck shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in the ear, knocking him to the ground. Cabrera left the game later in the inning. Boxberger then intentionally walked Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera to load the bases with one out before walking Garcia.


Chicago closer David Robertson (5-3) had four strikeouts in two hitless innings.


Evan Longoria homered for the Rays.


ORIOLES 7, ATHLETICS 3, 10 INNINGS


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Chris Davis hit his second grand slam in 12 days with one out in the 10th inning to lead Baltimore past Oakland.


Davis hit his 28th home run and third in four games on a 3-2 pitch from Arnold Leon (0-1). It came two batters after Gerardo Parra was intentionally walked to load the bases. Caleb Joseph and Manny Machado led off the inning with singles.


Closer Zach Britton (2-0) pitched a season-high 2 1-3 scoreless innings for the victory.


PIRATES 7, CUBS 5


PITTSBURGH (AP) - Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen homered and Pittsburgh beat Chicago to snap the Cubs' season-best winning streak at six games.


Polanco led off the first inning with a home run off Dan Haren, who was making his Cubs' debut. He then hit an RBI single to break a 4-4 tie in a decisive two-run sixth.


McCutchen hit a solo homer in the third and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to make it 6-4.


Francisco Cervelli and Aramis Ramirez each had two hits to help the Pirates win for the 12th time in their last 15 home games at PNC Park.


ROCKIES 7, MARINERS 5


DENVER (AP) - Michael McKenry hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning in Colorado's comeback victory over Seattle.


McKenry hit Mayckol Gauipe's 2-2 curveball into the left-field seats for his fourth home run of the season and the first walk-off hit in his career.


Seattle's Nelson Cruz doubled and singled to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, but failed to homer for the first time in six games. Franklin Gutierrez homered for the Mariners.


The Rockies' winning rally started with Ben Paulsen's one-out single off Guaipe (0-3).


Yohane Flande (2-1) pitched the 11th for the victory.


BREWERS 8, PADRES 5


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Rookie Taylor Jungmann struk out a career-high eight and allowed six hits without a walk over seven innings in Milwaukee's victory over San Diego.


Jungmann (6-3) has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight straight starts and in all but one this season. Jonathan Lucroy, Shane Peterson and Jean Segura each drove in two runs to help Milwaukee record back-to-back wins for the first time in 15 games.


After San Diego scored three runs in the ninth off Corey Knebel, Francisco Rodriguez recorded the final out for his 25th save in as many chances.


Padres starter Ian Kennedy (6-10) gave up four earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.


TIGERS 2, ROYALS 1


DETROIT (AP) - Matt Boyd pitched seven strong innings in his Detroit debut and Anthony Gose and Ian Kinsler hit key triples in the Tigers' victory over Kansas City.


Acquired last week from Toronto in the David Price trade, Boyd (1-2) only allowed one run on seven hits and didn't walk a batter in a career-long seven innings.


The Tigers broke a scoreless tie in the third when Gose's two-out triple over Lorenzo Cain brought home Tyler Collins. Johnny Cueto (7-7) couldn't pick up his first win for Kansas City despite only allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings.
 

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