Evan Gattis will be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.
Gattis was forced to begin the season on the DL following February hernia surgery, but he has proved his readiness by homering in back-to-back rehab games with Double-A Corpus Christi. He's set to serve as Houston's primary DH this season.
Gattis was forced to begin the season on the DL following February hernia surgery, but he has proved his readiness by homering in back-to-back rehab games with Double-A Corpus Christi. He's set to serve as Houston's primary DH this season.
Monday Rewind ...
Giancarlo Stanton launched a two-run homer and scored a pair of runs in Monday's win over the Mets.
Stanton's two-run shot proved to be the decisive blow to Steven Matz in a seven-run second inning. He also walked and scored in the sixth inning. The slugger now has two longballs on the year and is sporting a .286 average and six RBI in the early going. Marcell Ozuna also went deep for Miami in their 15-hit, 10-run outburst.
Mallex Smith received five stitches above his left eye.
Smith was forced to exit his major league debut Monday after he suffered a cut above his eye when he took a helmet to the face on a slide into a second base. While he needed stitches, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't ruled him out as a possibility to play Tuesday. Consider him day-to-day.
Daniel Murphy kept up his hot start Monday, singling and smacking a two-run homer in a win over the Braves.
The longball came in the first inning off of Bud Norris, turning a Nationals' deficit into a lead. Even Murphy's outs after being stung right now, and he's sporting a .471/.591/1.000 batting line with two homers and seven RBI in the early going.
Zack Cozart left Monday's game against the Cubs in the fourth inning with tightness in his lower right quad.
Cozart went 1-for-2 with a single before being replaced by Ivan De Jesus Jr. at shortstop in the bottom of the fourth inning. It's probably safe to call him day-to-day.
According to the Associated Press, a Hawaii judge has approved dismissing a domestic abuse charge against Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes.
This makes official what was reported two weeks ago. Reyes was arrested in October after he allegedly grabbed his wife by the throat and shoved her into a sliding glass door. However, his wife refused to cooperate with prosecutors. The judge signed off on the move to dismiss the charge, but will give prosecutors about two years to re-file charges if his wife eventually decides to cooperate with the case. Even though Reyes wasn't convicted, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred still has the ability to levy a suspension. There should be more clarity on the matter soon, though the Rockies aren't really
Lance McCullers (shoulder) allowed a solo homer over three innings Monday in his first minor league rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi.
McCullers, who is working his way back from shoulder inflammation, got stretched out to 48 pitches while striking out four batters and walking none. He'll likely make another couple of starts in the minors, but he appears on track for a return by the end of the month.
Michael Wacha struck out seven while yielding just four singles and one walk over six shutout frames in Monday's 10-1 win over the Brewers.
Wacha was awful last week against the Pirates, lasting just 4 1/3 frames while allowing 10 hits and four earned runs. He obviously bounced back big time in this one in a much easier matchup. The right-hander surely could have gone another inning, but with a big lead the Cardinals wisely went ahead and pulled him. Wacha gets another favorable matchup this weekend at home versus the Reds.
Jeremy Hazelbaker continued his improbable start to the season Monday, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over the Brewers.
Hazelbaker's first at-bat at Busch Stadium resulted in a triple, and he then added a sacrifice fly, single, single and a double. The 28-year-old now has 10 hits -- including a pair of homers -- over his first 19 at-bats of the season. It's a run that's not going to continue at this pace, but Hazelbaker has started three straight games in the No. 2 spot in the Cardinals' order. He needs to be owned in fantasy leagues.
Chris Davis powered the Orioles to a 9-7 win over the Red Sox on Monday with five RBI, including a go-ahead three-run homer off Craig Kimbrel.
The Orioles are now a perfect 6-0 on the young season. Davis broke a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a long home run to straight-away center field which traveled an estimated 426 feet. The O’s slugger struck out three times on the day, but he also managed a two-run single. Three of his five hits so far this season have been home runs.
Mookie Betts busted out Monday against the Orioles with three hits, including a solo home run.
Betts drove in two runs on the day and also scored two runs. The young outfielder had just three hits over his first 23 at-bats coming into Monday’s action, but fantasy owners should expect more big days like this one in his future.
Giancarlo Stanton launched a two-run homer and scored a pair of runs in Monday's win over the Mets.
Stanton's two-run shot proved to be the decisive blow to Steven Matz in a seven-run second inning. He also walked and scored in the sixth inning. The slugger now has two longballs on the year and is sporting a .286 average and six RBI in the early going. Marcell Ozuna also went deep for Miami in their 15-hit, 10-run outburst.
Mallex Smith received five stitches above his left eye.
Smith was forced to exit his major league debut Monday after he suffered a cut above his eye when he took a helmet to the face on a slide into a second base. While he needed stitches, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't ruled him out as a possibility to play Tuesday. Consider him day-to-day.
Daniel Murphy kept up his hot start Monday, singling and smacking a two-run homer in a win over the Braves.
The longball came in the first inning off of Bud Norris, turning a Nationals' deficit into a lead. Even Murphy's outs after being stung right now, and he's sporting a .471/.591/1.000 batting line with two homers and seven RBI in the early going.
Zack Cozart left Monday's game against the Cubs in the fourth inning with tightness in his lower right quad.
Cozart went 1-for-2 with a single before being replaced by Ivan De Jesus Jr. at shortstop in the bottom of the fourth inning. It's probably safe to call him day-to-day.
According to the Associated Press, a Hawaii judge has approved dismissing a domestic abuse charge against Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes.
This makes official what was reported two weeks ago. Reyes was arrested in October after he allegedly grabbed his wife by the throat and shoved her into a sliding glass door. However, his wife refused to cooperate with prosecutors. The judge signed off on the move to dismiss the charge, but will give prosecutors about two years to re-file charges if his wife eventually decides to cooperate with the case. Even though Reyes wasn't convicted, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred still has the ability to levy a suspension. There should be more clarity on the matter soon, though the Rockies aren't really
Lance McCullers (shoulder) allowed a solo homer over three innings Monday in his first minor league rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi.
McCullers, who is working his way back from shoulder inflammation, got stretched out to 48 pitches while striking out four batters and walking none. He'll likely make another couple of starts in the minors, but he appears on track for a return by the end of the month.
Michael Wacha struck out seven while yielding just four singles and one walk over six shutout frames in Monday's 10-1 win over the Brewers.
Wacha was awful last week against the Pirates, lasting just 4 1/3 frames while allowing 10 hits and four earned runs. He obviously bounced back big time in this one in a much easier matchup. The right-hander surely could have gone another inning, but with a big lead the Cardinals wisely went ahead and pulled him. Wacha gets another favorable matchup this weekend at home versus the Reds.
Jeremy Hazelbaker continued his improbable start to the season Monday, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over the Brewers.
Hazelbaker's first at-bat at Busch Stadium resulted in a triple, and he then added a sacrifice fly, single, single and a double. The 28-year-old now has 10 hits -- including a pair of homers -- over his first 19 at-bats of the season. It's a run that's not going to continue at this pace, but Hazelbaker has started three straight games in the No. 2 spot in the Cardinals' order. He needs to be owned in fantasy leagues.
Chris Davis powered the Orioles to a 9-7 win over the Red Sox on Monday with five RBI, including a go-ahead three-run homer off Craig Kimbrel.
The Orioles are now a perfect 6-0 on the young season. Davis broke a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a long home run to straight-away center field which traveled an estimated 426 feet. The O’s slugger struck out three times on the day, but he also managed a two-run single. Three of his five hits so far this season have been home runs.
Mookie Betts busted out Monday against the Orioles with three hits, including a solo home run.
Betts drove in two runs on the day and also scored two runs. The young outfielder had just three hits over his first 23 at-bats coming into Monday’s action, but fantasy owners should expect more big days like this one in his future.
StatFox Super Situations
MLB | SAN FRANCISCO at COLORADO
Play Against - Home teams (COLORADO) where team's hitters draw 3 walks or less/game on the season against opponent where team's hitters strike out 6 or less times/game on the season
67-38 over the last 5 seasons. ( 63.8% | 32.7 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | TEXAS at SEATTLE
TEXAS is 26-16 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in Road games vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.9) , OPPONENT (4.1)
MLB | SAN FRANCISCO at COLORADO
Play Against - Home teams (COLORADO) where team's hitters draw 3 walks or less/game on the season against opponent where team's hitters strike out 6 or less times/game on the season
67-38 over the last 5 seasons. ( 63.8% | 32.7 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | TEXAS at SEATTLE
TEXAS is 26-16 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in Road games vs. an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.9) , OPPONENT (4.1)
Preview: Pirates (5-2) at Tigers (3-2)
Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 12, 2016 1:10 PM EDT
Pittsburgh hitters woke up in the opener of a home-and-home set against the Detroit Tigers, and next they draw a pitcher who hasn't enjoyed a win against them in quite some time.
Back on track following a disappointing series loss, the Pirates hope to hang another crooked number on Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
Pittsburgh (5-2) tallied 19 hits but only scored twice while stranding 23 baserunners in consecutive losses to close a three-game set in Cincinnati over the weekend.
After a young Reds pitching staff held down the Pirates, a former Cy Young Award winner couldn't figure them out on Monday. Pittsburgh piled up 10 of its 17 hits off Justin Verlander, who was yanked after 4 1-3 innings and charged with seven runs.
Gregory Polanco and Francisco Cervelli tallied three hits while John Jaso, Matt Joyce, Starling Marte and Josh Harrison added two apiece. Polanco had two of the Pirates' six doubles, their most since hitting seven on June 12, 2014.
The bottom five batters in the lineup combined to go 10 for 17 with three extra-base hits.
'When you are getting that kind of production from the bottom of your order, any major-league team is going to do well,' manager Clint Hurdle said. 'They were squaring up all balls and fouling off a lot of good pitches - everyone was - and that's going to play well.'
The Tigers (3-2), meanwhile, finished with a season-low six hits. J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos went deep, but Ian Kinsler finished without a knock for the first time and the Nos. 7-9 spots combined to go 1 for 10.
It was Pittsburgh's fourth straight win in this series, each coming in Detroit to follow a 4-11 stretch there. The teams play in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sanchez has his own personal four-game skid against the Pirates, the first two coming while with Miami in 2012 and the final two with the Tigers in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old right-hander did strike out a combined 31 batters and pitched into the seventh inning in each meeting, though he finished the stretch with a 5.33 ERA after serving up six home runs.
Joyce and Harrison are the only two current Pirate hitters with homers against the 11-year veteran. Andrew McCutchen (4 for 16, seven strikeouts), Michael Morse (4 for 18, eight strikeouts), Marte (1 for 7, three strikeouts) and Jaso (1 for 16) have struggled in the matchup.
Also, Sanchez opened the season well by playing a hand in ending Jose Fernandez's winning streak in Miami last Wednesday. Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in five innings against his former team in a 7-3 win over the Marlins, handing Fernandez his first blemish in 27 home starts.
His next opponent picked up his first win as a starter in nearly two years last week.
Juan Nicasio's debut with the Pirates was nearly flawless as he tossed six two-hit innings while allowing just a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over St. Louis. The right-hander struck out seven without a walk in just his second start since June 2014.
Nicasio signed a $3 million, one-year contract in December after posting a 3.86 ERA in 52 relief appearances and one start with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. He didn't give up a run and only surrendered 10 hits in 15 innings while striking out 24 this spring, earning a spot in the Pirates' rotation.
'I'm just coming to the field and doing everything I can to help my team win,' Nicasio said. 'I'm just trying to take it batter-by-batter, pitch-by-pitch, trying to get each hitter out."
Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 12, 2016 1:10 PM EDT
Pittsburgh hitters woke up in the opener of a home-and-home set against the Detroit Tigers, and next they draw a pitcher who hasn't enjoyed a win against them in quite some time.
Back on track following a disappointing series loss, the Pirates hope to hang another crooked number on Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
Pittsburgh (5-2) tallied 19 hits but only scored twice while stranding 23 baserunners in consecutive losses to close a three-game set in Cincinnati over the weekend.
After a young Reds pitching staff held down the Pirates, a former Cy Young Award winner couldn't figure them out on Monday. Pittsburgh piled up 10 of its 17 hits off Justin Verlander, who was yanked after 4 1-3 innings and charged with seven runs.
Gregory Polanco and Francisco Cervelli tallied three hits while John Jaso, Matt Joyce, Starling Marte and Josh Harrison added two apiece. Polanco had two of the Pirates' six doubles, their most since hitting seven on June 12, 2014.
The bottom five batters in the lineup combined to go 10 for 17 with three extra-base hits.
'When you are getting that kind of production from the bottom of your order, any major-league team is going to do well,' manager Clint Hurdle said. 'They were squaring up all balls and fouling off a lot of good pitches - everyone was - and that's going to play well.'
The Tigers (3-2), meanwhile, finished with a season-low six hits. J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos went deep, but Ian Kinsler finished without a knock for the first time and the Nos. 7-9 spots combined to go 1 for 10.
It was Pittsburgh's fourth straight win in this series, each coming in Detroit to follow a 4-11 stretch there. The teams play in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sanchez has his own personal four-game skid against the Pirates, the first two coming while with Miami in 2012 and the final two with the Tigers in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old right-hander did strike out a combined 31 batters and pitched into the seventh inning in each meeting, though he finished the stretch with a 5.33 ERA after serving up six home runs.
Joyce and Harrison are the only two current Pirate hitters with homers against the 11-year veteran. Andrew McCutchen (4 for 16, seven strikeouts), Michael Morse (4 for 18, eight strikeouts), Marte (1 for 7, three strikeouts) and Jaso (1 for 16) have struggled in the matchup.
Also, Sanchez opened the season well by playing a hand in ending Jose Fernandez's winning streak in Miami last Wednesday. Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in five innings against his former team in a 7-3 win over the Marlins, handing Fernandez his first blemish in 27 home starts.
His next opponent picked up his first win as a starter in nearly two years last week.
Juan Nicasio's debut with the Pirates was nearly flawless as he tossed six two-hit innings while allowing just a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over St. Louis. The right-hander struck out seven without a walk in just his second start since June 2014.
Nicasio signed a $3 million, one-year contract in December after posting a 3.86 ERA in 52 relief appearances and one start with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. He didn't give up a run and only surrendered 10 hits in 15 innings while striking out 24 this spring, earning a spot in the Pirates' rotation.
'I'm just coming to the field and doing everything I can to help my team win,' Nicasio said. 'I'm just trying to take it batter-by-batter, pitch-by-pitch, trying to get each hitter out."
Preview: Diamondbacks (2-5) at Dodgers (4-3)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 12, 2016 4:10 PM EDT
The Los Angeles Dodgers loaded Kenta Maeda's contract with performance incentives after laying down a $20 million posting fee to pluck him from Japan's top league.
If his debut is any indication, they may wind up on the hook for plenty more cash.
The Dodgers hand the ball to Maeda for their home opener Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks looking to bounce back after faltering in the late innings over the weekend.
Maeda, who celebrated his 28th birthday Monday, signed an eight-year contract in January that guarantees him $25 million, but clauses in the deal allow him to earn up to $106.2 million if he meets benchmarks that include number of starts and innings pitched.
The right-hander made a great first impression Wednesday, allowing five hits over six innings and hitting a solo homer in the fourth of a 7-0 win at San Diego.
"Until you see it, you don't know what to expect, but I wasn't really too surprised," manager Dave Roberts said. "I think it's great for him to pitch that day, great for baseball for him to pitch the home opener, and even better for the fans of Los Angeles to see Kenta Maeda pitch that home opener."
Another efficient effort certainly would be appreciated. The Dodgers (4-3) lost three of four to rival San Francisco after the bullpen blew two saves while surrendering 12 runs and 17 hits in 10 2-3 innings.
They led 5-0 after a half inning Sunday before starter Scott Kazmir lost the lead and the 'pen gave up three runs in the sixth of a 9-6 defeat. Los Angeles scored six runs twice in the series and lost both times.
"The pen's going to be fine," Roberts said. "We always can't be hitting on all cylinders. No concern."
The lineup could look different for the home opener with catcher Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick expected to be activated from the disabled list. Scott Van Slyke also could return after leaving Saturday's contest with lower-back tightness.
Los Angeles' three homers are among the fewest in the majors to start the young season, but that's exactly how many Patrick Corbin allowed in his first start Wednesday.
Each of the four runs he allowed over seven innings of a 4-3 home loss to Colorado came via the long ball in another otherwise decent outing. Corbin struck out six and didn't issue a walk.
The left-hander has allowed only four homers in 44 innings against the Dodgers in his career, but he has an 8.76 ERA while losing his last three starts against them.
"It was good to get through seven," Corbin said. "I felt strong and felt like I could have done longer. Just frustrating. Just a couple of pitches."
Manager Chip Hale felt similarly after Arizona (2-5) failed to capitalize on a long homestand to open the season. The Diamondbacks dropped three of four to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend while being outscored 27-14.
Paul Goldschmidt homered in Sunday's 7-3 loss and Socrates Brito hit his first career homer for Arizona, which is beginning a 10-game trip against the Dodgers.
"It was frustrating at times, but we played some good baseball," Hale said. "It's seven games in. It's not how we wanted to start but you know what, you tip your caps to the Cubs and the Rockies. They outplayed us and they won the series."
The Diamondbacks have dropped 15 of the last 18 meetings at Chavez Ravine.
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 12, 2016 4:10 PM EDT
The Los Angeles Dodgers loaded Kenta Maeda's contract with performance incentives after laying down a $20 million posting fee to pluck him from Japan's top league.
If his debut is any indication, they may wind up on the hook for plenty more cash.
The Dodgers hand the ball to Maeda for their home opener Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks looking to bounce back after faltering in the late innings over the weekend.
Maeda, who celebrated his 28th birthday Monday, signed an eight-year contract in January that guarantees him $25 million, but clauses in the deal allow him to earn up to $106.2 million if he meets benchmarks that include number of starts and innings pitched.
The right-hander made a great first impression Wednesday, allowing five hits over six innings and hitting a solo homer in the fourth of a 7-0 win at San Diego.
"Until you see it, you don't know what to expect, but I wasn't really too surprised," manager Dave Roberts said. "I think it's great for him to pitch that day, great for baseball for him to pitch the home opener, and even better for the fans of Los Angeles to see Kenta Maeda pitch that home opener."
Another efficient effort certainly would be appreciated. The Dodgers (4-3) lost three of four to rival San Francisco after the bullpen blew two saves while surrendering 12 runs and 17 hits in 10 2-3 innings.
They led 5-0 after a half inning Sunday before starter Scott Kazmir lost the lead and the 'pen gave up three runs in the sixth of a 9-6 defeat. Los Angeles scored six runs twice in the series and lost both times.
"The pen's going to be fine," Roberts said. "We always can't be hitting on all cylinders. No concern."
The lineup could look different for the home opener with catcher Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick expected to be activated from the disabled list. Scott Van Slyke also could return after leaving Saturday's contest with lower-back tightness.
Los Angeles' three homers are among the fewest in the majors to start the young season, but that's exactly how many Patrick Corbin allowed in his first start Wednesday.
Each of the four runs he allowed over seven innings of a 4-3 home loss to Colorado came via the long ball in another otherwise decent outing. Corbin struck out six and didn't issue a walk.
The left-hander has allowed only four homers in 44 innings against the Dodgers in his career, but he has an 8.76 ERA while losing his last three starts against them.
"It was good to get through seven," Corbin said. "I felt strong and felt like I could have done longer. Just frustrating. Just a couple of pitches."
Manager Chip Hale felt similarly after Arizona (2-5) failed to capitalize on a long homestand to open the season. The Diamondbacks dropped three of four to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend while being outscored 27-14.
Paul Goldschmidt homered in Sunday's 7-3 loss and Socrates Brito hit his first career homer for Arizona, which is beginning a 10-game trip against the Dodgers.
"It was frustrating at times, but we played some good baseball," Hale said. "It's seven games in. It's not how we wanted to start but you know what, you tip your caps to the Cubs and the Rockies. They outplayed us and they won the series."
The Diamondbacks have dropped 15 of the last 18 meetings at Chavez Ravine.
Preview: Braves (0-6) at Nationals (4-1)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
After opening the season with a pair of wins in Atlanta, it shouldn't come as a surprise the Washington Nationals again beat the Braves when the series shifted to the nation's capital.
Seeking their best start in 15 years, the Nationals on Tuesday night look to win their 12th straight home game over winless Atlanta, which is off to its worst start in nearly three decades.
Cleanup hitter Ryan Zimmerman and No. 5 hitter Daniel Murphy have been a catalyst to Washington's strong start, with Zimmerman 6 for 15 with six runs and Murphy 8 for 17 with seven RBIs. Murphy homered in his first at-bat with the Nationals (4-1) and hit home run No. 2 in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Braves.
'Good at-bats up and down the lineup,' Murphy said. 'As an offense, I feel like we're able to put pressure on the pitcher continually.'
Washington is 17-4 in the last 21 against Atlanta and has won all 11 meetings at Nationals Park since the start of last season. The Nationals are averaging 6.9 runs and batting .333 during their home win streak in the series - the franchise's longest home win streak over a single opponent since Montreal won 14 in a row over San Diego between 1993-95.
The Braves haven't lost 12 consecutive road games to a single opponent since a 13-game skid at the Dodgers from 1951-52.
The Nationals haven't won five of their first six since the Expos opened 6-1 in 2001.
Things are not going as smoothly for the Braves (0-6), who are off to their worst start since opening 0-10 in 1988.
The problems are widespread, as they have one of baseball's worst slugging percentages at .299 to go with the majors' second-worst ERA at 6.67.
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta's leader in homers and RBIs a year ago, is 2 for 18 while new shortstop Erick Aybar is 5 for 25.
'I told the guys: Keep your heads up. ... Don't get down," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We're playing good. If you have this in July - you lose five in a row or six in a row in July - nobody worries. It's the beginning of the season. And I am worried, but I know that we're playing good baseball. We're close to playing good baseball.'
Nick Markakis is swinging a hot bat, compiling five doubles in the last two games. However, he is 2 for 12 since 2013 against starter Gio Gonzalez, who is making his season debut as Washington's No. 5 starter.
Gonzalez, who was the team's No. 2 starter from 2012-14, went 11-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 31 starts last season.
The left-hander struggled early in spring training, walking 12 over 13 innings in his first four starts before throwing six innings without issuing a base on balls in his final one March 27.
Gonzalez posted a 1.38 ERA while striking out 18 over 13 innings to win two 2015 starts against the Braves - both at home. He had a 5.32 ERA in going 0-7 in his previous eight in the series.
Atlanta turns to Jhoulys Chacin, who will make his first start of 2016. Slowed by shoulder issues the past two seasons, Chacin went 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts last season for Arizona.
The right-hander had a 3.00 ERA over six spring training appearance but was regularly working with men on base, yielding 28 hits and eight walks over 21 innings. He was sharp, however, in a start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, walking two in 7 2-3 scoreless innings.
He has a 2.65 ERA in winning his last three starts against the Nationals, last facing them in 2013.
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
After opening the season with a pair of wins in Atlanta, it shouldn't come as a surprise the Washington Nationals again beat the Braves when the series shifted to the nation's capital.
Seeking their best start in 15 years, the Nationals on Tuesday night look to win their 12th straight home game over winless Atlanta, which is off to its worst start in nearly three decades.
Cleanup hitter Ryan Zimmerman and No. 5 hitter Daniel Murphy have been a catalyst to Washington's strong start, with Zimmerman 6 for 15 with six runs and Murphy 8 for 17 with seven RBIs. Murphy homered in his first at-bat with the Nationals (4-1) and hit home run No. 2 in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Braves.
'Good at-bats up and down the lineup,' Murphy said. 'As an offense, I feel like we're able to put pressure on the pitcher continually.'
Washington is 17-4 in the last 21 against Atlanta and has won all 11 meetings at Nationals Park since the start of last season. The Nationals are averaging 6.9 runs and batting .333 during their home win streak in the series - the franchise's longest home win streak over a single opponent since Montreal won 14 in a row over San Diego between 1993-95.
The Braves haven't lost 12 consecutive road games to a single opponent since a 13-game skid at the Dodgers from 1951-52.
The Nationals haven't won five of their first six since the Expos opened 6-1 in 2001.
Things are not going as smoothly for the Braves (0-6), who are off to their worst start since opening 0-10 in 1988.
The problems are widespread, as they have one of baseball's worst slugging percentages at .299 to go with the majors' second-worst ERA at 6.67.
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta's leader in homers and RBIs a year ago, is 2 for 18 while new shortstop Erick Aybar is 5 for 25.
'I told the guys: Keep your heads up. ... Don't get down," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We're playing good. If you have this in July - you lose five in a row or six in a row in July - nobody worries. It's the beginning of the season. And I am worried, but I know that we're playing good baseball. We're close to playing good baseball.'
Nick Markakis is swinging a hot bat, compiling five doubles in the last two games. However, he is 2 for 12 since 2013 against starter Gio Gonzalez, who is making his season debut as Washington's No. 5 starter.
Gonzalez, who was the team's No. 2 starter from 2012-14, went 11-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 31 starts last season.
The left-hander struggled early in spring training, walking 12 over 13 innings in his first four starts before throwing six innings without issuing a base on balls in his final one March 27.
Gonzalez posted a 1.38 ERA while striking out 18 over 13 innings to win two 2015 starts against the Braves - both at home. He had a 5.32 ERA in going 0-7 in his previous eight in the series.
Atlanta turns to Jhoulys Chacin, who will make his first start of 2016. Slowed by shoulder issues the past two seasons, Chacin went 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in four starts last season for Arizona.
The right-hander had a 3.00 ERA over six spring training appearance but was regularly working with men on base, yielding 28 hits and eight walks over 21 innings. He was sharp, however, in a start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, walking two in 7 2-3 scoreless innings.
He has a 2.65 ERA in winning his last three starts against the Nationals, last facing them in 2013.
Preview: Padres (3-4) at Phillies (2-5)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
In a span of a week, Robbie Erlin went from being one of the San Diego Padres' last roster cuts to a spot in their rotation.
The left-hander's whirlwind beginning to the season continues Tuesday night when he takes the mound for the second of a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Erlin pitched well in four Cactus League starts, posting a 2.25 ERA over 12 innings before being sent to Triple-A El Paso on April 3. His stay in the minors was brief, though, as Erlin was recalled Friday when reliever Matt Thornton went on the 15-day disabled list.
He pitched that day in relief at Colorado, allowing one hit over 3 2-3 scoreless innings to pick up the win.
"Robbie's a really versatile piece," manager Andy Green told MLB's official website. "He's a guy that can start, can pitch in long relief, can pitch out of the bullpen, can match up. So I think in time, you'll probably see him do all of those things."
The time for Erlin to start came sooner than expected after the Padres placed opening-day starter Tyson Ross on the DL on Saturday with shoulder inflammation.
"That's just how it played out," Erlin said. "I haven't really given it too much thought. You just kind of expect that kind of stuff in this game. You've got to be on your toes and ready to move at the drop of a hat."
Erlin was called up in mid-September and went 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts. He's 9-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 28 appearances - 23 starts - since making his major league debut with San Diego in 2013.
Two of those starts came against Philadelphia - both at home - with Erlin going 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA and striking out 11 with one walk in 12 1-3 innings.
San Diego set a major-league record by starting the season with a 30-inning scoreless streak before beating the Rockies 13-6 in the game Erlin earned the victory.
The Padres followed with another blowout win Saturday, 16-3, before losing 6-3 in the finale at Coors Field. San Diego (3-4) opened this series with a 4-3 victory Monday, spoiling the Phillies' home opener and preventing them from winning three in a row.
Alexi Amarista's safety squeeze in the seventh broke a tie.
Charlie Morton gets the ball after a poor first start for Philadelphia (2-5). The right-hander, acquired from Pittsburgh in December, gave up six runs and five hits over 3 2-3 innings of a 10-6 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday.
"I felt like I was getting in trouble out of the stretch," Morton said. "I don't know if it was (because it was) the second time through (the lineup). I was struggling out of the stretch. I felt like I was getting ahead. Then I started getting into deep counts."
Morton went 1-5 with a 6.95 ERA in his final seven starts last season but appears to have a good chance to get on track Tuesday. He's 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in seven outings against the Padres.
Morton is quite familiar with former St. Louis outfielder Jon Jay from their NL Central matchups. Jay is 9 for 22 and has been hit a career-high five times by Morton.
Jay has hit safely in all seven games and has five RBIs over the last four, including a run-scoring double Monday.
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
In a span of a week, Robbie Erlin went from being one of the San Diego Padres' last roster cuts to a spot in their rotation.
The left-hander's whirlwind beginning to the season continues Tuesday night when he takes the mound for the second of a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Erlin pitched well in four Cactus League starts, posting a 2.25 ERA over 12 innings before being sent to Triple-A El Paso on April 3. His stay in the minors was brief, though, as Erlin was recalled Friday when reliever Matt Thornton went on the 15-day disabled list.
He pitched that day in relief at Colorado, allowing one hit over 3 2-3 scoreless innings to pick up the win.
"Robbie's a really versatile piece," manager Andy Green told MLB's official website. "He's a guy that can start, can pitch in long relief, can pitch out of the bullpen, can match up. So I think in time, you'll probably see him do all of those things."
The time for Erlin to start came sooner than expected after the Padres placed opening-day starter Tyson Ross on the DL on Saturday with shoulder inflammation.
"That's just how it played out," Erlin said. "I haven't really given it too much thought. You just kind of expect that kind of stuff in this game. You've got to be on your toes and ready to move at the drop of a hat."
Erlin was called up in mid-September and went 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA in three starts. He's 9-10 with a 4.48 ERA in 28 appearances - 23 starts - since making his major league debut with San Diego in 2013.
Two of those starts came against Philadelphia - both at home - with Erlin going 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA and striking out 11 with one walk in 12 1-3 innings.
San Diego set a major-league record by starting the season with a 30-inning scoreless streak before beating the Rockies 13-6 in the game Erlin earned the victory.
The Padres followed with another blowout win Saturday, 16-3, before losing 6-3 in the finale at Coors Field. San Diego (3-4) opened this series with a 4-3 victory Monday, spoiling the Phillies' home opener and preventing them from winning three in a row.
Alexi Amarista's safety squeeze in the seventh broke a tie.
Charlie Morton gets the ball after a poor first start for Philadelphia (2-5). The right-hander, acquired from Pittsburgh in December, gave up six runs and five hits over 3 2-3 innings of a 10-6 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday.
"I felt like I was getting in trouble out of the stretch," Morton said. "I don't know if it was (because it was) the second time through (the lineup). I was struggling out of the stretch. I felt like I was getting ahead. Then I started getting into deep counts."
Morton went 1-5 with a 6.95 ERA in his final seven starts last season but appears to have a good chance to get on track Tuesday. He's 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in seven outings against the Padres.
Morton is quite familiar with former St. Louis outfielder Jon Jay from their NL Central matchups. Jay is 9 for 22 and has been hit a career-high five times by Morton.
Jay has hit safely in all seven games and has five RBIs over the last four, including a run-scoring double Monday.
Preview: Yankees (3-2) at Blue Jays (3-4)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 12, 2016 7:07 PM EDT
A postponement pushed Masahiro Tanaka's second start back a couple days and into a daunting matchup for most pitchers.
However, baseball's highest-scoring lineup over the last two seasons hasn't mustered much against him in that time.
The New York Yankees' ace looks to continue his success against the host Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night while further escaping the concerns of offseason surgery and a shaky spring.
The Yankees (3-2) were denied a shot to open with two series wins for the first time since 2011 when Sunday's finale against Detroit was postponed because of rain, but it afforded Tanaka another chance to best the Blue Jays (3-4).
Since entering the majors in 2014, the right-hander has a 2.23 ERA and 48 strikeouts while winning five of seven starts against them. Toronto has managed just a .204 batting average in the matchup with five home runs and didn't hit a long ball in last season's final two meetings - which included Tanaka's five-hitter Aug. 15 at Rogers Centre.
Another solid outing would help a Yankees rotation that has a 7.29 ERA since Tanaka's solid opening-day start last Tuesday. It would also lessen concerns from a spring that ended with a 7.36 ERA after October surgery on his pitching elbow to remove a bone spur. His first meaningful start was a step in the right direction as he surrendered two runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings against Houston.
"I thought he threw the ball really well," catcher Brian McCann told MLB's official website. "He really had his sinker going today. Some really good movement, kept them off balance, pitched to both sides. I thought he threw the ball really well."
Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson have homered off Tanaka, but they're a combined 5 for 33 with 11 strikeouts, while Ryan Goins and Troy Tulowitzki are hitless in 17 at-bats. Edwin Encarnacion is 7 for 14 in the matchup with two doubles and a homer.
Despite Tanaka's dominance in this series, the Blue Jays won 13 of 19 meetings last season en route to the AL East title.
But a lineup that finished with at least 10 hits in 67 games in 2015 has yet to reach double digits while averaging 4.1 runs, down from last year's league-leading 5.5.
Donaldson is the lone Blue Jay hitting over .300 with knocks in each game along with four home runs and nine RBIs. He is expected back at third base after serving as designated hitter in a three-game series against Boston while nursing a sore right calf.
He'll try to help ignite the offense in support of Aaron Sanchez. The 23-year-old right-hander was in line to pick up a win in his first start last Tuesday, but the bullpen coughed up a late lead in a 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay.
Sanchez struck out a career-high eight in his 12th career start while holding the Rays to one run and five hits over seven innings. He has never started against the Yankees but has posted a 3.48 ERA in 10 relief appearances.
Carlos Beltran is 2 for 3 against him with a three-run homer.
Sanchez will try to build off Marco Estrada's effort in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Red Sox. The victory was Toronto's first at home and closed a series that began with losses of 8-7 and 8-4.
"We needed that game right there," manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website. "We needed a game like that."
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 12, 2016 7:07 PM EDT
A postponement pushed Masahiro Tanaka's second start back a couple days and into a daunting matchup for most pitchers.
However, baseball's highest-scoring lineup over the last two seasons hasn't mustered much against him in that time.
The New York Yankees' ace looks to continue his success against the host Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night while further escaping the concerns of offseason surgery and a shaky spring.
The Yankees (3-2) were denied a shot to open with two series wins for the first time since 2011 when Sunday's finale against Detroit was postponed because of rain, but it afforded Tanaka another chance to best the Blue Jays (3-4).
Since entering the majors in 2014, the right-hander has a 2.23 ERA and 48 strikeouts while winning five of seven starts against them. Toronto has managed just a .204 batting average in the matchup with five home runs and didn't hit a long ball in last season's final two meetings - which included Tanaka's five-hitter Aug. 15 at Rogers Centre.
Another solid outing would help a Yankees rotation that has a 7.29 ERA since Tanaka's solid opening-day start last Tuesday. It would also lessen concerns from a spring that ended with a 7.36 ERA after October surgery on his pitching elbow to remove a bone spur. His first meaningful start was a step in the right direction as he surrendered two runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings against Houston.
"I thought he threw the ball really well," catcher Brian McCann told MLB's official website. "He really had his sinker going today. Some really good movement, kept them off balance, pitched to both sides. I thought he threw the ball really well."
Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson have homered off Tanaka, but they're a combined 5 for 33 with 11 strikeouts, while Ryan Goins and Troy Tulowitzki are hitless in 17 at-bats. Edwin Encarnacion is 7 for 14 in the matchup with two doubles and a homer.
Despite Tanaka's dominance in this series, the Blue Jays won 13 of 19 meetings last season en route to the AL East title.
But a lineup that finished with at least 10 hits in 67 games in 2015 has yet to reach double digits while averaging 4.1 runs, down from last year's league-leading 5.5.
Donaldson is the lone Blue Jay hitting over .300 with knocks in each game along with four home runs and nine RBIs. He is expected back at third base after serving as designated hitter in a three-game series against Boston while nursing a sore right calf.
He'll try to help ignite the offense in support of Aaron Sanchez. The 23-year-old right-hander was in line to pick up a win in his first start last Tuesday, but the bullpen coughed up a late lead in a 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay.
Sanchez struck out a career-high eight in his 12th career start while holding the Rays to one run and five hits over seven innings. He has never started against the Yankees but has posted a 3.48 ERA in 10 relief appearances.
Carlos Beltran is 2 for 3 against him with a three-run homer.
Sanchez will try to build off Marco Estrada's effort in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Red Sox. The victory was Toronto's first at home and closed a series that began with losses of 8-7 and 8-4.
"We needed that game right there," manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website. "We needed a game like that."
Preview: Marlins (2-3) at Mets (2-4)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
Noah Syndergaard and Jose Fernandez are among the best young pitchers in baseball, both relying mainly on an overpowering fastball. However, it's the latest addition to Syndergaard's arsenal that has already left batters off balance in 2016.
Syndergaard will try to help the New York Mets stop their three-game slide Tuesday night when he takes the mound opposite Fernandez and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
Syndergaard and Fernandez are both 23 and capable of hitting 100 on the radar gun. While Tommy John surgery and other injuries have limited Fernandez over the past two years, Syndergaard is looking every bit like an emerging ace while displaying some versatility on the mound.
He had nine strikeouts in six innings and yielded three hits in a 2-0 win at Kansas City last Tuesday, utilizing a low-90s slider that baffled the reigning World Series champion.
"I felt like I really took it to the next level," Syndergaard told MLB's official website. "I kind of shocked myself with how good my slider was. It felt good in spring training, but I amped it up."
Syndergaard will have it on display for the Marlins for the first time, and he's 9-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 14 career home starts, including two wins in last year's postseason.
The Mets (2-4) could use another stellar effort from Syndergaard after falling 10-3 to Miami in the opener of this three-game series. Steven Matz lasted just 1 2-3 innings, allowing seven runs - all in the second.
The Marlins (2-3) had 15 hits Monday, raising their average to .299 through five games.
Fernandez didn't get any offensive support in his season debut in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Detroit. However, while he struck out 13 in 5 2-3 innings, he also gave up five runs and threw 106 pitches as his 17-game home winning streak ended.
"His stuff is good, but I think he can continue to grow and get better," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's funny you say something like that with a guy like Jose, but you do always have to be on the mission to get better and figure out a way to use your pitches at different times in the game and know exactly what you want to do.
"Jose is great, but he still can get better."
That's certainly true on the road, where Fernandez is 5-9 with a 3.78 ERA and 10.68 strikeouts per nine innings over 21 career starts. He's yielded two runs and fanned 15 in 11 innings while not getting a decision in two outings in Queens.
Fernandez is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 22 innings during four overall starts against New York.
Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .304 with nine homers and 16 RBIs over his last 14 games against the Mets after connecting for a two-run shot Monday.
Marcell Ozuna had a solo homer and a double, matching his hit total from the first four games. The center fielder has a .339 average in his last 16 games against New York.
David Wright is 4 for 8 with two doubles in two games after being rested for Saturday's 1-0 loss to Philadelphia. He was 2 for 11 while stranding seven runners over the three previous games.
Wright is 0 for 8 versus Fernandez.
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
Noah Syndergaard and Jose Fernandez are among the best young pitchers in baseball, both relying mainly on an overpowering fastball. However, it's the latest addition to Syndergaard's arsenal that has already left batters off balance in 2016.
Syndergaard will try to help the New York Mets stop their three-game slide Tuesday night when he takes the mound opposite Fernandez and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
Syndergaard and Fernandez are both 23 and capable of hitting 100 on the radar gun. While Tommy John surgery and other injuries have limited Fernandez over the past two years, Syndergaard is looking every bit like an emerging ace while displaying some versatility on the mound.
He had nine strikeouts in six innings and yielded three hits in a 2-0 win at Kansas City last Tuesday, utilizing a low-90s slider that baffled the reigning World Series champion.
"I felt like I really took it to the next level," Syndergaard told MLB's official website. "I kind of shocked myself with how good my slider was. It felt good in spring training, but I amped it up."
Syndergaard will have it on display for the Marlins for the first time, and he's 9-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 14 career home starts, including two wins in last year's postseason.
The Mets (2-4) could use another stellar effort from Syndergaard after falling 10-3 to Miami in the opener of this three-game series. Steven Matz lasted just 1 2-3 innings, allowing seven runs - all in the second.
The Marlins (2-3) had 15 hits Monday, raising their average to .299 through five games.
Fernandez didn't get any offensive support in his season debut in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to Detroit. However, while he struck out 13 in 5 2-3 innings, he also gave up five runs and threw 106 pitches as his 17-game home winning streak ended.
"His stuff is good, but I think he can continue to grow and get better," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's funny you say something like that with a guy like Jose, but you do always have to be on the mission to get better and figure out a way to use your pitches at different times in the game and know exactly what you want to do.
"Jose is great, but he still can get better."
That's certainly true on the road, where Fernandez is 5-9 with a 3.78 ERA and 10.68 strikeouts per nine innings over 21 career starts. He's yielded two runs and fanned 15 in 11 innings while not getting a decision in two outings in Queens.
Fernandez is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 22 innings during four overall starts against New York.
Giancarlo Stanton is hitting .304 with nine homers and 16 RBIs over his last 14 games against the Mets after connecting for a two-run shot Monday.
Marcell Ozuna had a solo homer and a double, matching his hit total from the first four games. The center fielder has a .339 average in his last 16 games against New York.
David Wright is 4 for 8 with two doubles in two games after being rested for Saturday's 1-0 loss to Philadelphia. He was 2 for 11 while stranding seven runners over the three previous games.
Wright is 0 for 8 versus Fernandez.
Preview: Indians (2-2) at Rays (2-4)
Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
After having their first two series cut short by inclement weather, the Cleveland Indians should feel good about heading indoors for a three-game set at Tropicana Field.
With their top three pitchers going in the series, the Indians will try to keep Tampa Bay's bats quiet starting on Tuesday night when they chase a sixth straight win over the Rays.
Cleveland played the fewest games in the AL during the opening week after two were washed away in its home series with Boston and another in Sunday's finale at the Chicago White Sox. The teams played in snow Friday and in 30-degree temperatures Saturday.
The Indians (2-2) have only been able to take batting and infield practice once, and Terry Francona is looking forward to giving his club a workout once it arrives in Tampa.
'We'll probably have early work on Tuesday because we need it,' the veteran manager said. 'I think it's the groundballs and getting guys out there to turn double plays and stuff - we haven't done any of that. And early in the year is when you need it.'
After a series-opening 6-1 loss on Friday, the Rays had the middle game of their three-game series at Baltimore postponed before dropping Sunday's finale 5-3. Corey Dickerson went 2 for 3 with his third home run, but the rest of the team only managed six hits.
The Rays (2-4), who are in the midst of their worst start since losing their first six in 2011, have scored three runs or fewer in five of their first six games while striking out 51 times.
Logan Morrison and Brad Miller have gotten off to slow starts after coming over from Seattle in the offseason. Miller has gone 1 for 17 and Miller is 1 for 18 with eight strikeouts.
'It's really early in the season,' said Dickerson, whose long ball extended the team's record to 20 straight games with at least one, MLB's longest streak since Seattle's 23 in 2013.
Now Tampa Bay will have to face Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar over the next three days. Kluber hopes to bounce back after allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1-3 innings in last Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Boston.
The right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA in five career starts against the Rays.
Evan Longoria, who hit his first home run on Friday, is 5 for 14 with a homer off Kluber. However, he's just 4 for 31 (.129) over his last nine games versus Cleveland.
The Indians have outscored the Rays 52-23 in winning seven of the past eight road meetings. Kluber struck out 14 on his last visit to Tropicana, a 5-4, 10-inning victory July 2.
Matt Moore allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings in that contest after he had gone 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his previous three versus Cleveland. The left-hander seeks his first victory after giving up three runs over five in Wednesday's 5-3 home win over Toronto.
Jose Ramirez is off to a 5 for 13 start for the Indians, while Mike Napoli has homered in two of his last three. Jason Kipnis is 8 for 19 with a homer over his past four at Tropicana.
Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
After having their first two series cut short by inclement weather, the Cleveland Indians should feel good about heading indoors for a three-game set at Tropicana Field.
With their top three pitchers going in the series, the Indians will try to keep Tampa Bay's bats quiet starting on Tuesday night when they chase a sixth straight win over the Rays.
Cleveland played the fewest games in the AL during the opening week after two were washed away in its home series with Boston and another in Sunday's finale at the Chicago White Sox. The teams played in snow Friday and in 30-degree temperatures Saturday.
The Indians (2-2) have only been able to take batting and infield practice once, and Terry Francona is looking forward to giving his club a workout once it arrives in Tampa.
'We'll probably have early work on Tuesday because we need it,' the veteran manager said. 'I think it's the groundballs and getting guys out there to turn double plays and stuff - we haven't done any of that. And early in the year is when you need it.'
After a series-opening 6-1 loss on Friday, the Rays had the middle game of their three-game series at Baltimore postponed before dropping Sunday's finale 5-3. Corey Dickerson went 2 for 3 with his third home run, but the rest of the team only managed six hits.
The Rays (2-4), who are in the midst of their worst start since losing their first six in 2011, have scored three runs or fewer in five of their first six games while striking out 51 times.
Logan Morrison and Brad Miller have gotten off to slow starts after coming over from Seattle in the offseason. Miller has gone 1 for 17 and Miller is 1 for 18 with eight strikeouts.
'It's really early in the season,' said Dickerson, whose long ball extended the team's record to 20 straight games with at least one, MLB's longest streak since Seattle's 23 in 2013.
Now Tampa Bay will have to face Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar over the next three days. Kluber hopes to bounce back after allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1-3 innings in last Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Boston.
The right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 2.56 ERA in five career starts against the Rays.
Evan Longoria, who hit his first home run on Friday, is 5 for 14 with a homer off Kluber. However, he's just 4 for 31 (.129) over his last nine games versus Cleveland.
The Indians have outscored the Rays 52-23 in winning seven of the past eight road meetings. Kluber struck out 14 on his last visit to Tropicana, a 5-4, 10-inning victory July 2.
Matt Moore allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings in that contest after he had gone 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his previous three versus Cleveland. The left-hander seeks his first victory after giving up three runs over five in Wednesday's 5-3 home win over Toronto.
Jose Ramirez is off to a 5 for 13 start for the Indians, while Mike Napoli has homered in two of his last three. Jason Kipnis is 8 for 19 with a homer over his past four at Tropicana.
Preview: Orioles (6-0) at Red Sox (3-3)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
The Baltimore Orioles are the last undefeated team in the majors, and they haven't been this good to start a season since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office.
After Chris Davis practically carried them to their latest victory, the Orioles attempt to go 7-0 on Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
Baltimore has opened with a six-game winning streak for the first time since going 9-0 as the St. Louis Browns in 1944, when they went on to lose the World Series to the Cardinals.
The Orioles aren't getting ahead of themselves, and manager Buck Showalter likes their even-keeled attitude.
"Our guys are very reality based and understand it doesn't mean much of anything," Showalter said. "They're more interested in winning at the end of the season."
Davis was most responsible for Baltimore's 9-7 win to open this three-game series in Boston on Monday. He hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning off closer Craig Kimbrel after driving in two runs on a single in the third, matching his career high in RBIs.
The first baseman has homered on three of his five hits this season.
"I'm proud of how we're playing," Davis said. "Everybody knows once it heats up, the ball's going to start flying, and guys are going to start hitting the ball out of the ballpark. It's good to see these quality at-bats early on."
Baltimore isn't having any problems with the long ball, connecting for 10 over the last five games after hitting two Monday.
The Orioles' bullpen has also been vital to their start, compiling a 1.78 ERA.
The relievers will need to be ready with Mike Wright (3-5, 6.04 ERA in 2015) taking the mound for his season debut after Saturday's start against Tampa Bay was rained out. The right-hander, who is still considered a rookie, went 0-5 with a 10.88 ERA over his final six starts last year after going 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA in his first three - including 14 1-3 scoreless innings over the first two.
Wright allowed six runs over three innings in losing his only other start against the Red Sox (3-3) in September, and they've scored at least six runs five times after matching a season high with 11 hits Monday.
Mookie Betts had three of them, including a solo shot while driving in another run in a breakout performance. The leadoff hitter was 3 for 23 with one homer and three RBIs over the first five games.
Clay Buchholz is trying to shake off his own rough start and any lingering effects of an elbow injury that limited him to 18 starts last year. In his first start since July, the right-hander was tagged for four runs in the first inning before giving up one more and getting pulled after the fourth while not getting a decision in a 7-6 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday.
"The challenge in his last start was putting up a zero in the first inning," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "It's all about consistent location for Clay."
Buchholz is 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA over his last seven starts against the Orioles, yielding one run in seven innings of a 5-1 home win in the most recent June 24.
He may have to contend with Adam Jones, who went 3 for 3 against him last year and has a .400 average in his past 16 games at Fenway Park. The center fielder has been out of the starting lineup for four straight games with rib soreness but is expected back in this series. He was used as a defensive replacement in the opener.
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: April 12, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
The Baltimore Orioles are the last undefeated team in the majors, and they haven't been this good to start a season since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office.
After Chris Davis practically carried them to their latest victory, the Orioles attempt to go 7-0 on Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
Baltimore has opened with a six-game winning streak for the first time since going 9-0 as the St. Louis Browns in 1944, when they went on to lose the World Series to the Cardinals.
The Orioles aren't getting ahead of themselves, and manager Buck Showalter likes their even-keeled attitude.
"Our guys are very reality based and understand it doesn't mean much of anything," Showalter said. "They're more interested in winning at the end of the season."
Davis was most responsible for Baltimore's 9-7 win to open this three-game series in Boston on Monday. He hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning off closer Craig Kimbrel after driving in two runs on a single in the third, matching his career high in RBIs.
The first baseman has homered on three of his five hits this season.
"I'm proud of how we're playing," Davis said. "Everybody knows once it heats up, the ball's going to start flying, and guys are going to start hitting the ball out of the ballpark. It's good to see these quality at-bats early on."
Baltimore isn't having any problems with the long ball, connecting for 10 over the last five games after hitting two Monday.
The Orioles' bullpen has also been vital to their start, compiling a 1.78 ERA.
The relievers will need to be ready with Mike Wright (3-5, 6.04 ERA in 2015) taking the mound for his season debut after Saturday's start against Tampa Bay was rained out. The right-hander, who is still considered a rookie, went 0-5 with a 10.88 ERA over his final six starts last year after going 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA in his first three - including 14 1-3 scoreless innings over the first two.
Wright allowed six runs over three innings in losing his only other start against the Red Sox (3-3) in September, and they've scored at least six runs five times after matching a season high with 11 hits Monday.
Mookie Betts had three of them, including a solo shot while driving in another run in a breakout performance. The leadoff hitter was 3 for 23 with one homer and three RBIs over the first five games.
Clay Buchholz is trying to shake off his own rough start and any lingering effects of an elbow injury that limited him to 18 starts last year. In his first start since July, the right-hander was tagged for four runs in the first inning before giving up one more and getting pulled after the fourth while not getting a decision in a 7-6 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday.
"The challenge in his last start was putting up a zero in the first inning," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "It's all about consistent location for Clay."
Buchholz is 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA over his last seven starts against the Orioles, yielding one run in seven innings of a 5-1 home win in the most recent June 24.
He may have to contend with Adam Jones, who went 3 for 3 against him last year and has a .400 average in his past 16 games at Fenway Park. The center fielder has been out of the starting lineup for four straight games with rib soreness but is expected back in this series. He was used as a defensive replacement in the opener.
Preview: Royals (4-2) at Astros (3-4)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: April 12, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
While the Houston Astros used the opener of this four-game set to break out of their woes with runners in scoring position, the Kansas City Royals saw their problems continue in those situations.
The Royals could have some difficulty fixing those problems Tuesday night considering how well Astros starter Mike Fiers has pitched at Minute Maid Park.
These teams have both struggled with runners in scoring position, with Kansas City (4-2) entering this series batting .200 with no homers and Houston (3-4) at .182. The Astros went 5 for 15 in Monday's 8-2 victory in their home opener, including an RBI double by Carlos Correa and a two-run homer by Colby Rasmus that staked them to a 3-0 first-inning lead.
The Royals were 0 for 5 and were shut out until Kendrys Morales' two-run homer in the eighth inning in the teams' first meeting since Kansas City captured a dramatic AL division series in five games.
It may not be any easier against Fiers, who went 1-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four home starts for Houston last year after being acquired from Milwaukee on July 30. He had 24 strikeouts and limited batters to a .144 mark in those games, throwing the only no-hitter in the history of Minute Maid Park in a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 21.
Fiers made his lone career start versus Kansas City on June 17 for the Brewers, getting tagged for six runs in a 10-2 loss. Only one Royals hitter has more than three at-bats against him, with Omar Infante going 1 for 5.
The right-hander had a rough season debut Thursday, yielding five runs in five innings in an 8-5 road loss to the New York Yankees.
The Astros have been boosted by the early production of rookie Tyler White, who is 12 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs after he had two hits Monday.
They will have another slugger available for his season debut in Evan Gattis, who has been out since having surgery Feb. 10 to repair a sports hernia. He was rehabbing with Double-A Corpus Christi before being activated after Monday's game.
"It will be nice to get him back," manager A.J. Hinch told the Astros' official website. "His presence will be good for us. It makes us closer to full strength."
Hinch said that Gattis will not catch Tuesday, meaning he should be the club's designated hitter.
The Royals will give fifth starter Kris Medlen his season debut after he went 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA in 15 games - eight starts - in 2015. He missed the first half of the season after Tommy John surgery.
Medlen threw a simulated game Thursday after he registered a 5.94 ERA in five spring starts. He has a 3.64 career ERA before the All-Star break compared to 2.51 after.
The Astros hitter who has faced the right-hander most is backup catcher Erik Kratz, who is 2 for 6.
Kansas City's three-game win streak ended Monday in its first road game since beating the New York Mets in Game 5 to capture the World Series. The Royals have lost four straight regular-season games at Houston.
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: April 12, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
While the Houston Astros used the opener of this four-game set to break out of their woes with runners in scoring position, the Kansas City Royals saw their problems continue in those situations.
The Royals could have some difficulty fixing those problems Tuesday night considering how well Astros starter Mike Fiers has pitched at Minute Maid Park.
These teams have both struggled with runners in scoring position, with Kansas City (4-2) entering this series batting .200 with no homers and Houston (3-4) at .182. The Astros went 5 for 15 in Monday's 8-2 victory in their home opener, including an RBI double by Carlos Correa and a two-run homer by Colby Rasmus that staked them to a 3-0 first-inning lead.
The Royals were 0 for 5 and were shut out until Kendrys Morales' two-run homer in the eighth inning in the teams' first meeting since Kansas City captured a dramatic AL division series in five games.
It may not be any easier against Fiers, who went 1-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four home starts for Houston last year after being acquired from Milwaukee on July 30. He had 24 strikeouts and limited batters to a .144 mark in those games, throwing the only no-hitter in the history of Minute Maid Park in a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 21.
Fiers made his lone career start versus Kansas City on June 17 for the Brewers, getting tagged for six runs in a 10-2 loss. Only one Royals hitter has more than three at-bats against him, with Omar Infante going 1 for 5.
The right-hander had a rough season debut Thursday, yielding five runs in five innings in an 8-5 road loss to the New York Yankees.
The Astros have been boosted by the early production of rookie Tyler White, who is 12 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs after he had two hits Monday.
They will have another slugger available for his season debut in Evan Gattis, who has been out since having surgery Feb. 10 to repair a sports hernia. He was rehabbing with Double-A Corpus Christi before being activated after Monday's game.
"It will be nice to get him back," manager A.J. Hinch told the Astros' official website. "His presence will be good for us. It makes us closer to full strength."
Hinch said that Gattis will not catch Tuesday, meaning he should be the club's designated hitter.
The Royals will give fifth starter Kris Medlen his season debut after he went 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA in 15 games - eight starts - in 2015. He missed the first half of the season after Tommy John surgery.
Medlen threw a simulated game Thursday after he registered a 5.94 ERA in five spring starts. He has a 3.64 career ERA before the All-Star break compared to 2.51 after.
The Astros hitter who has faced the right-hander most is backup catcher Erik Kratz, who is 2 for 6.
Kansas City's three-game win streak ended Monday in its first road game since beating the New York Mets in Game 5 to capture the World Series. The Royals have lost four straight regular-season games at Houston.
Preview: Giants (5-2) at Rockies (3-3)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 12, 2016 8:40 PM EDT
(AP) - Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss told rookie Trevor Story when he reported to spring training that he had a chance to win the starting shortstop job with veteran Jose Reyes on leave while facing legal issues.
Then, he sat back and wondered how the 23-year-old would handle his opportunity.
'You see young players go either way. Sometimes it's too much for them at an early age,' Weiss said. 'Trevor went the other way. He elevated his game. I never saw the game get too fast for him in spring training. It's nice when pressure brings out the best in people.'
Nobody in major league history ever had a first week like Story did: a record seven home runs in his first six games, including homers in his first four starts. He'll try to add to that total when the Rockies (3-3) open a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
'It has been fun so far,' Story said Sunday after hitting a solo shot in Colorado's 6-3 win over San Diego, giving him 12 RBIs and putting him on pace for 189 home runs and 324 RBIs.
OK, that won't happen. But that's the kind of start Story had in his first week in the majors, when just about every day he was doing something nobody had ever done in the history of the game.
Of the 27 players in the 500-homer club, Willie McCovey needed the fewest games - 18 - to reach seven home runs in 1959, according to STATS.
Barry Bonds needed 38 games. Hank Aaron needed 49, Babe Ruth 68 and Alex Rodriguez 77.
Cooperstown already has Story's helmet and batting gloves.
'They asked for the bat,' Story said, 'but I couldn't give up the bat.'
Story, who averaged 14 home runs in his five minor league seasons, has no explanation for his sizzling start other than he's locked in at the plate, where he said, 'I just clear my mind, compete with my eyes and react with my hands.'
The Giants (5-2) have had plenty of success hitting the ball out of the park, too. They homered eight times while taking three of four from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and have hit one in their first seven games for the first time since 1913.
San Francisco fell behind 4-0 in Thursday's series opener before winning 12-6 and overcoming a five-run deficit in the first inning to win 9-6 on Sunday, when Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan went deep.
Posey went 7 for 14 in the three full games he played.
'Throughout the lineup, we have guys who can drive the ball,' manager Bruce Bochy said. 'We're not going to rely on the long ball, but it certainly helps.'
Jeff Samardzija will be tasked with keeping Story and the rest of the Rockies (3-3) within the Coors Field walls. He's allowed a homer in nine of his last 10 starts, including his Giants debut Wednesday in which he walked three and gave up three runs through 5 1-3 innings of a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee.
The right-hander said he expects more of himself.
'I thought I was great out of the stretch,' Samardzija said. 'Made some big outs. It was just out of the windup, man, falling behind in the count, putting the leadoff runner on and just asking for a day of fighting out there when that happens.'
He is 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies and has posted a 1.88 mark over 14 1-3 total innings at Coors.
Tyler Chatwood gets the ball for Colorado after allowing two runs - one earned - in 6 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 4-3 win over Arizona. The right-hander, though, allowed three of San Francisco's six homers and walked four in the Giants' 12-10, 11-inning road victory the last time he faced them April 23.
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 12, 2016 8:40 PM EDT
(AP) - Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss told rookie Trevor Story when he reported to spring training that he had a chance to win the starting shortstop job with veteran Jose Reyes on leave while facing legal issues.
Then, he sat back and wondered how the 23-year-old would handle his opportunity.
'You see young players go either way. Sometimes it's too much for them at an early age,' Weiss said. 'Trevor went the other way. He elevated his game. I never saw the game get too fast for him in spring training. It's nice when pressure brings out the best in people.'
Nobody in major league history ever had a first week like Story did: a record seven home runs in his first six games, including homers in his first four starts. He'll try to add to that total when the Rockies (3-3) open a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
'It has been fun so far,' Story said Sunday after hitting a solo shot in Colorado's 6-3 win over San Diego, giving him 12 RBIs and putting him on pace for 189 home runs and 324 RBIs.
OK, that won't happen. But that's the kind of start Story had in his first week in the majors, when just about every day he was doing something nobody had ever done in the history of the game.
Of the 27 players in the 500-homer club, Willie McCovey needed the fewest games - 18 - to reach seven home runs in 1959, according to STATS.
Barry Bonds needed 38 games. Hank Aaron needed 49, Babe Ruth 68 and Alex Rodriguez 77.
Cooperstown already has Story's helmet and batting gloves.
'They asked for the bat,' Story said, 'but I couldn't give up the bat.'
Story, who averaged 14 home runs in his five minor league seasons, has no explanation for his sizzling start other than he's locked in at the plate, where he said, 'I just clear my mind, compete with my eyes and react with my hands.'
The Giants (5-2) have had plenty of success hitting the ball out of the park, too. They homered eight times while taking three of four from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend and have hit one in their first seven games for the first time since 1913.
San Francisco fell behind 4-0 in Thursday's series opener before winning 12-6 and overcoming a five-run deficit in the first inning to win 9-6 on Sunday, when Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan went deep.
Posey went 7 for 14 in the three full games he played.
'Throughout the lineup, we have guys who can drive the ball,' manager Bruce Bochy said. 'We're not going to rely on the long ball, but it certainly helps.'
Jeff Samardzija will be tasked with keeping Story and the rest of the Rockies (3-3) within the Coors Field walls. He's allowed a homer in nine of his last 10 starts, including his Giants debut Wednesday in which he walked three and gave up three runs through 5 1-3 innings of a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee.
The right-hander said he expects more of himself.
'I thought I was great out of the stretch,' Samardzija said. 'Made some big outs. It was just out of the windup, man, falling behind in the count, putting the leadoff runner on and just asking for a day of fighting out there when that happens.'
He is 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies and has posted a 1.88 mark over 14 1-3 total innings at Coors.
Tyler Chatwood gets the ball for Colorado after allowing two runs - one earned - in 6 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 4-3 win over Arizona. The right-hander, though, allowed three of San Francisco's six homers and walked four in the Giants' 12-10, 11-inning road victory the last time he faced them April 23.
Preview: Angels (3-4) at Athletics (4-4)
Game: 2
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: April 12, 2016 10:05 PM EDT
Mike Trout is hoping his early season slump is over. Hector Santiago, meanwhile, is looking to build on a strong debut.
After hitting his first homer of 2016, Trout looks to continue hammering the Oakland Athletics and help the Los Angeles Angels to a third straight win Tuesday night.
Trout was 4 for 20 with two RBIs through the first six games but belted a mammoth two-run shot off ace Sonny Gray in Monday's 4-1 win at Oakland.
"If you get a pitch to hit, you can't miss it especially against him," Trout said. "He can throw all his pitches for strikes. If you miss that one pitch, you put yourself in a hole."
The 2014 AL MVP has made a habit of pounding A's pitching to the tune of a .392 average, a 1.241 OPS and 15 runs over the last 15 matchups. He's homered in each of the last two, driving in three runs.
Unlike Trout, Santiago is off to a solid start to the season. The left-hander allowed two earned runs and four hits with seven strikeouts in six-plus innings but received a no-decision in a 4-3 win over Texas on Thursday. The performance came after he posted a 2.89 ERA in seven starts during spring training, giving the Angels (3-4) some depth to the rotation.
"He was awesome," Albert Pujols said. "If you look at his last two starts in spring training and that game he threw against the Dodgers, he reminded me of when he was with the White Sox. His velocity was up, he was pumping 93, 94 consistently, pounding the strike zone and using his cutter and changeup."
Santiago is 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career starts against the A's (4-4). However, he gave up five runs and three walks in 2 2-3 innings of an 11-5 loss at Oakland on Aug. 31.
The A's have lost four of five at home, batting .204 with runners in scoring position after going 1 for 11 Monday.
Run support was absent in Kendall Graveman's season debut Thursday. The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
"He pitched really well. We need to be better for Kendall when he's throwing that well," catcher Stephen Vogt said.
Vogt surely felt that way when Graveman tossed his only complete game in his last matchup with the Angels on June 13. The only run he allowed came on a first-inning homer but the offense only managed two hits in a 1-0 loss.
Pujols is 4 for 6 with a homer off him.
Graveman hasn't won since July 4, going 0-6 with a 5.52 ERA in nine starts.
Josh Reddick is 5 for 12 with two homers and three RBIs over the last four games after getting two hits in the series opener. The right fielder is 5 for 13 off Santiago, but is 2 for 9 in the matchup over the last two years.
Game: 2
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: April 12, 2016 10:05 PM EDT
Mike Trout is hoping his early season slump is over. Hector Santiago, meanwhile, is looking to build on a strong debut.
After hitting his first homer of 2016, Trout looks to continue hammering the Oakland Athletics and help the Los Angeles Angels to a third straight win Tuesday night.
Trout was 4 for 20 with two RBIs through the first six games but belted a mammoth two-run shot off ace Sonny Gray in Monday's 4-1 win at Oakland.
"If you get a pitch to hit, you can't miss it especially against him," Trout said. "He can throw all his pitches for strikes. If you miss that one pitch, you put yourself in a hole."
The 2014 AL MVP has made a habit of pounding A's pitching to the tune of a .392 average, a 1.241 OPS and 15 runs over the last 15 matchups. He's homered in each of the last two, driving in three runs.
Unlike Trout, Santiago is off to a solid start to the season. The left-hander allowed two earned runs and four hits with seven strikeouts in six-plus innings but received a no-decision in a 4-3 win over Texas on Thursday. The performance came after he posted a 2.89 ERA in seven starts during spring training, giving the Angels (3-4) some depth to the rotation.
"He was awesome," Albert Pujols said. "If you look at his last two starts in spring training and that game he threw against the Dodgers, he reminded me of when he was with the White Sox. His velocity was up, he was pumping 93, 94 consistently, pounding the strike zone and using his cutter and changeup."
Santiago is 3-1 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career starts against the A's (4-4). However, he gave up five runs and three walks in 2 2-3 innings of an 11-5 loss at Oakland on Aug. 31.
The A's have lost four of five at home, batting .204 with runners in scoring position after going 1 for 11 Monday.
Run support was absent in Kendall Graveman's season debut Thursday. The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
"He pitched really well. We need to be better for Kendall when he's throwing that well," catcher Stephen Vogt said.
Vogt surely felt that way when Graveman tossed his only complete game in his last matchup with the Angels on June 13. The only run he allowed came on a first-inning homer but the offense only managed two hits in a 1-0 loss.
Pujols is 4 for 6 with a homer off him.
Graveman hasn't won since July 4, going 0-6 with a 5.52 ERA in nine starts.
Josh Reddick is 5 for 12 with two homers and three RBIs over the last four games after getting two hits in the series opener. The right fielder is 5 for 13 off Santiago, but is 2 for 9 in the matchup over the last two years.
Preview: Rangers (4-4) at Mariners (2-5)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 12, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
Robinson Cano has stopped hitting homers since the Seattle Mariners have gone home and they have stopped winning games.
The Mariners look to avoid the first 0-5 home start in franchise history Tuesday night, and Cano hopes his slump will end with a favorable matchup against Texas Rangers starter Derek Holland in the middle game of this series.
Cano was one of baseball's hottest hitters when he homered four times with seven RBIs as Seattle took two of three at Texas last week to open the season.
He has gone 2 for 16 since with 10 straight hitless at-bats after getting to the plate four times in Monday's 7-3 defeat that dropped Seattle (2-5) to 0-4 at home for the first time since 2004. The Mariners have never started worse.
They have totaled seven runs while batting .169 at home. Nelson Cruz was the lone bright spot Monday with a two-run homer and RBI double with no other Seattle hitter recording an extra-base hit.
"We struggled to put consistent quality at-bats together," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "It just isn't happening right now. What are you going to do? You just got to keep battling, keep fighting through it, and eventually we will come out of it."
Cano is hitting .176 against left-handers, although he could get back on track Tuesday. The second baseman is a career .405 hitter versus Holland in 37 at-bats, going 7 for 12 over the two previous seasons.
Holland allowed three runs in five innings Thursday without a decision in a 4-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels. He went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in three starts versus the Mariners in 2015 after going 8-2 with a 2.90 ERA in his first 14 starts against them.
Another Seattle hitter he has had trouble with is Adam Lind, who is 6 for 15 off him.
Lind, however, is struggling with one hit in 17 at-bats with his new team and the lefty-swinging slugger isn't expected to start with right-handed Dae-Ho Lee likely getting the start at first base.
Texas (4-4) has no such issues with its offense Monday after finishing with a season-high 14 hits, with everyone but the struggling Ian Desmond finishing with one. Ryan Rua went 3 for 4 and Rougned Odor drove in three runs.
Catcher Brett Nicholas was 2 for 4 with two runs scored in a major league debut that was extra special. He left tickets for his 92-yard grandfather, who played baseball in the Seattle area in the 1940s and '50s.
"It has always been my dream to leave tickets for my grandfather at Safeco Field, and today I did," Nicholas told the Rangers' official website. "He is a legendary player around here."
Another rookie, Nomar Mazara, has started the last two games and gone 5 for 8 with his first homer Sunday.
Seattle will start Wade Miley, who faces Texas again after yielding five runs over six innings with seven strikeouts in Wednesday's 9-5 comeback victory. Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Miley in the sixth inning that day.
The left-hander, acquired from Boston in the offseason, will make his home debut in his first start at Safeco Field.
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 12, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
Robinson Cano has stopped hitting homers since the Seattle Mariners have gone home and they have stopped winning games.
The Mariners look to avoid the first 0-5 home start in franchise history Tuesday night, and Cano hopes his slump will end with a favorable matchup against Texas Rangers starter Derek Holland in the middle game of this series.
Cano was one of baseball's hottest hitters when he homered four times with seven RBIs as Seattle took two of three at Texas last week to open the season.
He has gone 2 for 16 since with 10 straight hitless at-bats after getting to the plate four times in Monday's 7-3 defeat that dropped Seattle (2-5) to 0-4 at home for the first time since 2004. The Mariners have never started worse.
They have totaled seven runs while batting .169 at home. Nelson Cruz was the lone bright spot Monday with a two-run homer and RBI double with no other Seattle hitter recording an extra-base hit.
"We struggled to put consistent quality at-bats together," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "It just isn't happening right now. What are you going to do? You just got to keep battling, keep fighting through it, and eventually we will come out of it."
Cano is hitting .176 against left-handers, although he could get back on track Tuesday. The second baseman is a career .405 hitter versus Holland in 37 at-bats, going 7 for 12 over the two previous seasons.
Holland allowed three runs in five innings Thursday without a decision in a 4-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels. He went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in three starts versus the Mariners in 2015 after going 8-2 with a 2.90 ERA in his first 14 starts against them.
Another Seattle hitter he has had trouble with is Adam Lind, who is 6 for 15 off him.
Lind, however, is struggling with one hit in 17 at-bats with his new team and the lefty-swinging slugger isn't expected to start with right-handed Dae-Ho Lee likely getting the start at first base.
Texas (4-4) has no such issues with its offense Monday after finishing with a season-high 14 hits, with everyone but the struggling Ian Desmond finishing with one. Ryan Rua went 3 for 4 and Rougned Odor drove in three runs.
Catcher Brett Nicholas was 2 for 4 with two runs scored in a major league debut that was extra special. He left tickets for his 92-yard grandfather, who played baseball in the Seattle area in the 1940s and '50s.
"It has always been my dream to leave tickets for my grandfather at Safeco Field, and today I did," Nicholas told the Rangers' official website. "He is a legendary player around here."
Another rookie, Nomar Mazara, has started the last two games and gone 5 for 8 with his first homer Sunday.
Seattle will start Wade Miley, who faces Texas again after yielding five runs over six innings with seven strikeouts in Wednesday's 9-5 comeback victory. Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Miley in the sixth inning that day.
The left-hander, acquired from Boston in the offseason, will make his home debut in his first start at Safeco Field.
Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, April 12, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews
To no surprise, Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story won the first National League Player of the Week Award of the season as he became the first player in big-league history to hit seven homers in his first six games in the majors. Those are more dingers than half the teams have thus far. Story's helmet and batting gloves already are in Cooperstown, but Story said the Hall of Fame couldn't have his bat. Story, who averaged 14 home runs in his five minor league seasons, is on pace for 189 home runs and 324 RBIs this season. Here's guessing he doesn't even get to 25 homers. The record for most homers in April is 14 by Albert Pujols (2006) and Alex Rodriguez (2007).
Diamondbacks at Dodgers (-160, 7)
It's a 4:10 p.m. ET matinee on the MLB Network. The injury-ravaged Dodgers have lost outfielder Carl Crawford to the 15-day disabled list. He's dealing with stiffness in his lower back. Crawford (.273, two RBIs) was playing nearly every day because outfielder Andre Ethier is out until at least June with his own injury. But the Dodgers are expected to get both second baseman Howie Kendrick and catcher Yasmani Grandal off the DL on Tuesday. They start Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda. He had quite the debut last Wednesday, shutting out San Diego over six innings on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He also homered. Arizona, which has lost outfielder Ender Inciarte to the DL, goes with Patrick Corbin. The lefty lost to Colorado in his first start, allowing four runs on eight hits (three homers) in seven innings. Last year, Corbin was 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez is 4-for-13 off him with a homer. Kendrick is 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Key trends: Arizona is 4-1 in Corbin's past five road starts. The Dodgers are 5-0 in their past five against a lefty. The "over/under" has gone under in six of Corbin's past eight games.
Early lean: Dodgers and under.
Yankees at Blue Jays (-115, 8.5)
New York's Masahiro Tanaka was set to start Sunday night in Detroit but that game was postponed due to weather, so I'm sure the Yankees are more than happy to give him a couple extra days off. Although he was significantly better last year on regular rest than when he had extra rest, registering a 2.56 ERA with a 9.0 K/BB ratio after four days of rest compared to a 3.75 ERA and 4.7 K/BB ratio on five or more days of it. Tanaka took a no-decision last Tuesday at Yankee Stadium against Houston, allowing two runs and four hits over 5.2 innings. He was 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA last year in four starts against the Blue Jays. Edwin Encarnacion is 7-for-14 off him with a homer. Josh Donaldson is 1-for-13. Toronto's Aaron Sanchez struck out a career-high eight Rays in his first start of the season but took a no-decision despite allowing just one run over seven innings. Sanchez was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in six relief appearances vs. the Yanks in 2015. Carlos Beltran is 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs against him.
Key trends: New York is 0-5 in its past five after an off day. It is 0-4 in Tanaka's past four starts. The Jays are 4-1 in Sanchez's past five at home. The under is 6-0 in Tanaka's past six vs. Toronto.
Early lean: Blue Jays and under.
Marlins at Mets (-127, 6)
Easily the pitching matchup of the day on paper and has the lowest total by far. It's Jose Fernandez for the Marlins, and he comes off the first home loss of his career (had been an MLB-record 17-0 there) last week against the Tigers, allowing five runs but striking out 13 in 5.2 innings. The whiffs were one shy of a career high. Away from Miami, Fernandez is 5-9 with a 3.78 ERA in his career. He didn't face the Mets last year. David Wright is 0-for-8 off him career. Lucas Duda is 2-for-7 with three walks. Noah Syndergaard was my pick for the NL Cy Young this season and he looked the part in his debut, shutting out the Royals on three hits over six innings, striking out nine. He was baffling the Kansas City batters with his new 93 mph slider. Syndergaard somehow managed to avoid facing the division rival Marlins as a rookie.
Key trends: The Marlins are 1-5 in Fernandez's past six road starts. The Mets are 9-2 in Syndergaard's past 11 at home. The under is 10-4 in his past 14 there.
Early lean: Mets and under.
Royals at Astros (-134, 8.5)
Rematch of last season's ALDS, won by the Royals in five games. Kansas City goes with No. 5 starter Kris Medlen, who before injuries looked like a rising star with the Atlanta Braves. He missed all of the 2014 season following Tommy John surgery and pitched just 58.1 innings for the Royals last year, going 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA. Not many Astros have faced him. Jose Altuve is 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Luis Valbuena is 1-for-4 with a double. Houston goes with Mike Fiers. He was knocked around a bit in his first start, allowing five runs and nine hits over five innings at the Yankees. Fiers pitched one inning against the Royals in the ALDS last year and allowed a run. Kendrys Morales is 2-for-3 career off him in the regular season with an RBI. Lorenzo Cain has a triple and RBI off him in two at-bats.
Key trends: The Royals are 4-0 in Medlen's past four road starts. Houston is 0-4 in Fiers' past four overall. The over is 6-2 in Medlen's past eight starts.
Early lean: Astros and over.
Giants at Rockies (+111, 11)
Story looks to continue his Babe Ruth impression against San Francisco's Jeff Samardzija He allowed three runs and eight hits over 5.1 innings in Milwaukee in his Giants debut last week. So basically he looked like the Samardzija of last season while with the White Sox. That's not a good thing. He didn't face the Rockies in 2015. Gerardo Parra is 6-for-15 off him with a homer and two RBIs. Carlos Gonzalez has a dinger off him in 12 at-bats. It's Tyler Chatwood for Colorado. In his first since April 29, 2014, off Tommy John surgery, he beat the Diamondbacks last Wednesday, allowing one earned run over 6.1 innings. The Giants ' Hunter Pence is just 1-for-16 off him. Buster Posey is 2-for-11 with three walks.
Key trends: The Rockies are 5-0 in Chatwood's past five series openers. The over is 5-1 in his past six starts.
Early lean: Rockies and over.
by Alan Matthews
To no surprise, Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story won the first National League Player of the Week Award of the season as he became the first player in big-league history to hit seven homers in his first six games in the majors. Those are more dingers than half the teams have thus far. Story's helmet and batting gloves already are in Cooperstown, but Story said the Hall of Fame couldn't have his bat. Story, who averaged 14 home runs in his five minor league seasons, is on pace for 189 home runs and 324 RBIs this season. Here's guessing he doesn't even get to 25 homers. The record for most homers in April is 14 by Albert Pujols (2006) and Alex Rodriguez (2007).
Diamondbacks at Dodgers (-160, 7)
It's a 4:10 p.m. ET matinee on the MLB Network. The injury-ravaged Dodgers have lost outfielder Carl Crawford to the 15-day disabled list. He's dealing with stiffness in his lower back. Crawford (.273, two RBIs) was playing nearly every day because outfielder Andre Ethier is out until at least June with his own injury. But the Dodgers are expected to get both second baseman Howie Kendrick and catcher Yasmani Grandal off the DL on Tuesday. They start Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda. He had quite the debut last Wednesday, shutting out San Diego over six innings on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He also homered. Arizona, which has lost outfielder Ender Inciarte to the DL, goes with Patrick Corbin. The lefty lost to Colorado in his first start, allowing four runs on eight hits (three homers) in seven innings. Last year, Corbin was 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez is 4-for-13 off him with a homer. Kendrick is 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Key trends: Arizona is 4-1 in Corbin's past five road starts. The Dodgers are 5-0 in their past five against a lefty. The "over/under" has gone under in six of Corbin's past eight games.
Early lean: Dodgers and under.
Yankees at Blue Jays (-115, 8.5)
New York's Masahiro Tanaka was set to start Sunday night in Detroit but that game was postponed due to weather, so I'm sure the Yankees are more than happy to give him a couple extra days off. Although he was significantly better last year on regular rest than when he had extra rest, registering a 2.56 ERA with a 9.0 K/BB ratio after four days of rest compared to a 3.75 ERA and 4.7 K/BB ratio on five or more days of it. Tanaka took a no-decision last Tuesday at Yankee Stadium against Houston, allowing two runs and four hits over 5.2 innings. He was 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA last year in four starts against the Blue Jays. Edwin Encarnacion is 7-for-14 off him with a homer. Josh Donaldson is 1-for-13. Toronto's Aaron Sanchez struck out a career-high eight Rays in his first start of the season but took a no-decision despite allowing just one run over seven innings. Sanchez was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in six relief appearances vs. the Yanks in 2015. Carlos Beltran is 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs against him.
Key trends: New York is 0-5 in its past five after an off day. It is 0-4 in Tanaka's past four starts. The Jays are 4-1 in Sanchez's past five at home. The under is 6-0 in Tanaka's past six vs. Toronto.
Early lean: Blue Jays and under.
Marlins at Mets (-127, 6)
Easily the pitching matchup of the day on paper and has the lowest total by far. It's Jose Fernandez for the Marlins, and he comes off the first home loss of his career (had been an MLB-record 17-0 there) last week against the Tigers, allowing five runs but striking out 13 in 5.2 innings. The whiffs were one shy of a career high. Away from Miami, Fernandez is 5-9 with a 3.78 ERA in his career. He didn't face the Mets last year. David Wright is 0-for-8 off him career. Lucas Duda is 2-for-7 with three walks. Noah Syndergaard was my pick for the NL Cy Young this season and he looked the part in his debut, shutting out the Royals on three hits over six innings, striking out nine. He was baffling the Kansas City batters with his new 93 mph slider. Syndergaard somehow managed to avoid facing the division rival Marlins as a rookie.
Key trends: The Marlins are 1-5 in Fernandez's past six road starts. The Mets are 9-2 in Syndergaard's past 11 at home. The under is 10-4 in his past 14 there.
Early lean: Mets and under.
Royals at Astros (-134, 8.5)
Rematch of last season's ALDS, won by the Royals in five games. Kansas City goes with No. 5 starter Kris Medlen, who before injuries looked like a rising star with the Atlanta Braves. He missed all of the 2014 season following Tommy John surgery and pitched just 58.1 innings for the Royals last year, going 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA. Not many Astros have faced him. Jose Altuve is 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Luis Valbuena is 1-for-4 with a double. Houston goes with Mike Fiers. He was knocked around a bit in his first start, allowing five runs and nine hits over five innings at the Yankees. Fiers pitched one inning against the Royals in the ALDS last year and allowed a run. Kendrys Morales is 2-for-3 career off him in the regular season with an RBI. Lorenzo Cain has a triple and RBI off him in two at-bats.
Key trends: The Royals are 4-0 in Medlen's past four road starts. Houston is 0-4 in Fiers' past four overall. The over is 6-2 in Medlen's past eight starts.
Early lean: Astros and over.
Giants at Rockies (+111, 11)
Story looks to continue his Babe Ruth impression against San Francisco's Jeff Samardzija He allowed three runs and eight hits over 5.1 innings in Milwaukee in his Giants debut last week. So basically he looked like the Samardzija of last season while with the White Sox. That's not a good thing. He didn't face the Rockies in 2015. Gerardo Parra is 6-for-15 off him with a homer and two RBIs. Carlos Gonzalez has a dinger off him in 12 at-bats. It's Tyler Chatwood for Colorado. In his first since April 29, 2014, off Tommy John surgery, he beat the Diamondbacks last Wednesday, allowing one earned run over 6.1 innings. The Giants ' Hunter Pence is just 1-for-16 off him. Buster Posey is 2-for-11 with three walks.
Key trends: The Rockies are 5-0 in Chatwood's past five series openers. The over is 5-1 in his past six starts.
Early lean: Rockies and over.
MLB
Tuesday's games
National League games
Diamondbacks @ Dodgers
Corbin is 0-2, 7.02 in his last three starts; six of his last eight starts stayed under.
Maeda shut San Diego out for six innings in his MLB debut.
Arizona lost four of its last five games. Dodgers lost three of last four games. LA was 13-6 against the Diamondbacks last year.
Padres @ Phillies
Erlin is 1-3, 9.18 in his last four road starts (over 3-1).
Morton is 0-3, 14.79 in his last four starts; his last five starts went over.
Phillies are 2-5, outscored 32-21; San Diego won three of last four games- three of their last four games went over. Padres lost five of seven games against the Phillies.
Braves @ Nationals
Chacin is making his 2016 debut; he is 1-0, 3.12 in his last three starts (over 3-1-1 in his last five).
Gonzalez is 1-1, 2.89 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. .
Atlanta is 0-6 so far, outscored 44-21- their last four games went over. Washington won four of its first five games. Nationals won 17 of last 22 against the Braves.
Marlins @ Mets
Fernandez is 1-2, 6.04 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven starts.
Syndergaard is 3-0, 2.04 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four at home.
Miami lost three of its last five games; four of the five went over. New York is 2-4 in its first six games- they scored eight runs in three losses. Mets are 11-9 in their last 20 against Miami.
Giants @ Rockies
Samardzija is 2-0, 2.11 in his last three starts; his last three starts stayed under
Chatwood is 3-0, 3.86 in his last six starts (over 5-1).
Giants won five of their first seven games. Colorado is 2-3 in its last five games; four of their last six games went over the total. Rockies were 11-8 LY against the Giants.
American League games
Bronx @ Blue Jays
Tanaka is 0-2, 4.15 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six.
Sanchez allowed one run in seven IP in his '16 debut in Tampa. He started 11 games LY, made 30 relief appearances, was 7-6, 3.22.
Bronx won three of its last four games; four of its last five went over. Toronto lost four of its last five games. Blue Jays were 13-6 against New York LY.
Indians @ Rays
Kluber is 1-4, 5.00 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts stayed under.
Moore is 2-0, 2.55 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts stayed under.
Cleveland lost four of its last six games (under 3-0-1 in last four). Tampa Bay won five of its last seven games (over 3-0-1 in last four). Tribe was 5-2 vs Tampa LY.
Orioles @ Red Sox
Wright is 0-5, 10.88 in his last six starts; three of his last four went over the total. .
Buchholz is 4-1, 3.05 in his last six starts; four of his last five stayed under.
Baltimore is 6-0, allowing 17 runs in six games. Boston is 3-3; five of its six games went over the total. Orioles are 12-8 in their last 20 games against the Red Sox.
Royals @ Astros
Medlen is 3-1, 4.71 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts went over.
Fiers is 0-0, 5.04 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1).
Royals won four of their first six games (under 5-1). Astros lost four of their last six games (over 5-1 last six). Houston is 7-5 in its last 12 games vs Kansas City.
Angels @ A's
Santiago is 0-0, 6.89 in his last three starts (under 4-2-1 in his last seven).
Graveman is 0-1, 4.50 in his last six starts (under 6-4 in his last ten).
Angels are 3-4 in their first seven games (under 5-1 last six). Oakland won four of its last six games (under 6-0). A's are 8-12 in their last 20 games against the Angels.
Rangers @ Mariners
Holland is 1-3, 8.41 in his last seven starts; four of his last six starts went over.
Miley is 0-1, 5.23 in his last five starts; seven of his last eight starts went over.
Texas lost three of its last five games. Seattle lost its last four games, scoring total of eight runs. Mariners are 14-9 in last 23 games aganst Texas.
Interleague
Pirates @ Tigers
Nicasio allowed one run on two hits in six IP in his '16 debut.
Sanchez is 1-3, 6.46 in his last six starts (over 3-1 in last four).
Pirates won five of their first seven games (under 3-2 last five). Detroit won three of its first five games.
Umpires
-- Atl-Wsh-- Underdogs are 13-7 in last 20 Iassogna games.
-- SD-Phil-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Hernandez games.
-- Mia-NY-- Five of last seven Timmons games stayed under.
-- Balt-Bos-- Four of last five Bucknor games went over the total.
-- KC-Hst-- Nine of last 12 Cederstrom games went over the total.
-- LA-A's-- Four of last five Marquez games went over the total.
-- Tex-Sea-- Last three Eddings games stayed under the total
-- Pitt-Det-- 12 of last 16 Morales games went over the total
Tuesday's games
National League games
Diamondbacks @ Dodgers
Corbin is 0-2, 7.02 in his last three starts; six of his last eight starts stayed under.
Maeda shut San Diego out for six innings in his MLB debut.
Arizona lost four of its last five games. Dodgers lost three of last four games. LA was 13-6 against the Diamondbacks last year.
Padres @ Phillies
Erlin is 1-3, 9.18 in his last four road starts (over 3-1).
Morton is 0-3, 14.79 in his last four starts; his last five starts went over.
Phillies are 2-5, outscored 32-21; San Diego won three of last four games- three of their last four games went over. Padres lost five of seven games against the Phillies.
Braves @ Nationals
Chacin is making his 2016 debut; he is 1-0, 3.12 in his last three starts (over 3-1-1 in his last five).
Gonzalez is 1-1, 2.89 in his last five starts; over is 7-3 in his last ten. .
Atlanta is 0-6 so far, outscored 44-21- their last four games went over. Washington won four of its first five games. Nationals won 17 of last 22 against the Braves.
Marlins @ Mets
Fernandez is 1-2, 6.04 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven starts.
Syndergaard is 3-0, 2.04 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four at home.
Miami lost three of its last five games; four of the five went over. New York is 2-4 in its first six games- they scored eight runs in three losses. Mets are 11-9 in their last 20 against Miami.
Giants @ Rockies
Samardzija is 2-0, 2.11 in his last three starts; his last three starts stayed under
Chatwood is 3-0, 3.86 in his last six starts (over 5-1).
Giants won five of their first seven games. Colorado is 2-3 in its last five games; four of their last six games went over the total. Rockies were 11-8 LY against the Giants.
American League games
Bronx @ Blue Jays
Tanaka is 0-2, 4.15 in his last four starts; under is 4-2 in his last six.
Sanchez allowed one run in seven IP in his '16 debut in Tampa. He started 11 games LY, made 30 relief appearances, was 7-6, 3.22.
Bronx won three of its last four games; four of its last five went over. Toronto lost four of its last five games. Blue Jays were 13-6 against New York LY.
Indians @ Rays
Kluber is 1-4, 5.00 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts stayed under.
Moore is 2-0, 2.55 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts stayed under.
Cleveland lost four of its last six games (under 3-0-1 in last four). Tampa Bay won five of its last seven games (over 3-0-1 in last four). Tribe was 5-2 vs Tampa LY.
Orioles @ Red Sox
Wright is 0-5, 10.88 in his last six starts; three of his last four went over the total. .
Buchholz is 4-1, 3.05 in his last six starts; four of his last five stayed under.
Baltimore is 6-0, allowing 17 runs in six games. Boston is 3-3; five of its six games went over the total. Orioles are 12-8 in their last 20 games against the Red Sox.
Royals @ Astros
Medlen is 3-1, 4.71 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts went over.
Fiers is 0-0, 5.04 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1).
Royals won four of their first six games (under 5-1). Astros lost four of their last six games (over 5-1 last six). Houston is 7-5 in its last 12 games vs Kansas City.
Angels @ A's
Santiago is 0-0, 6.89 in his last three starts (under 4-2-1 in his last seven).
Graveman is 0-1, 4.50 in his last six starts (under 6-4 in his last ten).
Angels are 3-4 in their first seven games (under 5-1 last six). Oakland won four of its last six games (under 6-0). A's are 8-12 in their last 20 games against the Angels.
Rangers @ Mariners
Holland is 1-3, 8.41 in his last seven starts; four of his last six starts went over.
Miley is 0-1, 5.23 in his last five starts; seven of his last eight starts went over.
Texas lost three of its last five games. Seattle lost its last four games, scoring total of eight runs. Mariners are 14-9 in last 23 games aganst Texas.
Interleague
Pirates @ Tigers
Nicasio allowed one run on two hits in six IP in his '16 debut.
Sanchez is 1-3, 6.46 in his last six starts (over 3-1 in last four).
Pirates won five of their first seven games (under 3-2 last five). Detroit won three of its first five games.
Umpires
-- Atl-Wsh-- Underdogs are 13-7 in last 20 Iassogna games.
-- SD-Phil-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Hernandez games.
-- Mia-NY-- Five of last seven Timmons games stayed under.
-- Balt-Bos-- Four of last five Bucknor games went over the total.
-- KC-Hst-- Nine of last 12 Cederstrom games went over the total.
-- LA-A's-- Four of last five Marquez games went over the total.
-- Tex-Sea-- Last three Eddings games stayed under the total
-- Pitt-Det-- 12 of last 16 Morales games went over the total
'Runs at a premium'
The game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees at Rogers Center Tuesday night has all the markings of a low-scoring affair. Last season, the two teams played nine games in Toronto, with the 'Under' being the right play seven times, along with two 'Over. For that reasons and the fact Aaron Sanchez and Masahiro Tanaka are on respective mounds makes the 'Under' call an easy play tonight.
Sanchez has shown that he can keep the score low tossing in front of the friendy crowd at Rogers Center. In his last six home starts the 'Under' has paid out five times (1-5 O/U). Another positive for 'Under' gambler's has been when Sanchez is off a quality start, as he did in his opener vs Rays. In that case, the 'Under' has been the right decision four straight times (0-4 O/U). Additionally, the Yankees have also been good 'Under' choices faing Jays with Tanaka on the mound. In the previous seven the 'Under' has hit six times (1-6 O/U).
Finally, when the Blue Jays have started a new series during a homestand, the 'Under' has cashed 17 times with 8 'Over'. The Yankees have also made their mark when starting out on a road trip. In the last five to began a road journey the 'Under' has cashed four times (1-4 O/U), as well as nine of the last thirteen opening as series on the road (4-9 O/U).
Factor all those numbers together and the arrow is clearly pointing toward taking the 'Under'. As always best of luck, but above all enjoy the game.
The game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees at Rogers Center Tuesday night has all the markings of a low-scoring affair. Last season, the two teams played nine games in Toronto, with the 'Under' being the right play seven times, along with two 'Over. For that reasons and the fact Aaron Sanchez and Masahiro Tanaka are on respective mounds makes the 'Under' call an easy play tonight.
Sanchez has shown that he can keep the score low tossing in front of the friendy crowd at Rogers Center. In his last six home starts the 'Under' has paid out five times (1-5 O/U). Another positive for 'Under' gambler's has been when Sanchez is off a quality start, as he did in his opener vs Rays. In that case, the 'Under' has been the right decision four straight times (0-4 O/U). Additionally, the Yankees have also been good 'Under' choices faing Jays with Tanaka on the mound. In the previous seven the 'Under' has hit six times (1-6 O/U).
Finally, when the Blue Jays have started a new series during a homestand, the 'Under' has cashed 17 times with 8 'Over'. The Yankees have also made their mark when starting out on a road trip. In the last five to began a road journey the 'Under' has cashed four times (1-4 O/U), as well as nine of the last thirteen opening as series on the road (4-9 O/U).
Factor all those numbers together and the arrow is clearly pointing toward taking the 'Under'. As always best of luck, but above all enjoy the game.
MLB
Tuesday, April 12
Trend Report
1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
4:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Arizona is 4-13 SU in their last 17 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home
LA Dodgers are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Arizona
7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
7:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. PHILADELPHIA
San Diego is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 13 of San Diego's last 17 games on the road
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Diego
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Diego
7:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of NY Yankees's last 14 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Toronto's last 14 games when playing NY Yankees
7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. NY METS
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. BOSTON
Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games at home
7:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
8:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON
Kansas City is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City's last 8 games on the road
Houston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Kansas City
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
8:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 11 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco
10:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. OAKLAND
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 14 of LA Angels's last 20 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
10:10 PM
TEXAS vs. SEATTLE
Texas is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Texas
Tuesday, April 12
Trend Report
1:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
4:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Arizona is 4-13 SU in their last 17 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home
LA Dodgers are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Arizona
7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
7:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. PHILADELPHIA
San Diego is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 13 of San Diego's last 17 games on the road
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Diego
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Diego
7:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of NY Yankees's last 14 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Toronto's last 14 games when playing NY Yankees
7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. NY METS
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. BOSTON
Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games at home
7:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
8:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON
Kansas City is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kansas City's last 8 games on the road
Houston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Kansas City
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
8:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 11 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco
10:05 PM
LA ANGELS vs. OAKLAND
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 14 of LA Angels's last 20 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
10:10 PM
TEXAS vs. SEATTLE
Texas is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Texas
