MLB Betting Info - Monday 4/25

Chicago White Sox (13-6) at Toronto Blue Jays (10-10)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 7:07 PM EST

WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario



The Chicago White Sox have leaned on pitching and defense while climbing into first place in the American League Central and lead the AL in runs allowed. That pitching staff will take on the most powerful offense in the league when the White Sox visit the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Chicago’s 47 runs allowed is the best in the AL, and the staff has been even stingier of late with a total of eight runs surrendered in winning five of the last six games. The White Sox yielded four runs in sweeping a three-game set at home against the Texas Rangers over the weekend and closer David Robertson bounced back from a blown save on Saturday by striking out the side in a perfect ninth in Sunday’s 4-1 triumph. The Rangers entered that series as one of the highest scoring teams in the league along with the Blue Jays, who pounded out 15 runs in two games over the weekend to earn a series win over Oakland. Jose Bautista slammed a two-run homer on Sunday after Troy Tulowitzki snapped out of a slump with a pair of blasts in Saturday’s 9-3 triumph.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, Sportsnet One (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (2015: 9-12, 4.91 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.13)

Gonzalez was released by the Baltimore Orioles toward the end of spring training and ended up with Chicago on a minor league deal. The Mexico native is coming up to give the rest of the rotation at least a one-day break after going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Triple-A Charlotte. Gonzalez is 7-3 with a 2.61 ERA in 13 career games – 12 starts – against the Blue Jays, including 1-1 with a 2.38 mark in two turns last season.

Stroman has turned in three quality starts in four chances and picked up a win at Baltimore on Tuesday while allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings. The Duke product surrendered a pair of home runs in that turn after keeping the ball in the yard in the two previous outings. Stroman is making his third career start against Chicago and looking for his first win after yielding a total of seven runs in 7 1/3 innings in the first two chances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays C Russell Martin (neck) was scratched from Sunday’s lineup and is day-to-day.

2. White Sox C Alex Avila (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday and C Kevan Smith was recalled from Charlotte.

3. Chicago LHP John Danks (0-3, 6.23 ERA in three starts) will not pitch in the series.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, White Sox 3

Baltimore Orioles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Rays (8-10)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida



Chris Archer tries to begin turning his season around Monday, when he takes the mound at home for the Tampa Bay Rays against the power-hitting Baltimore Orioles in the opener of their three-game series. The 2015 American League All-Star has dropped all four of his outings this year, including one at Baltimore in which he surrendered four solo homers as the Rays were being swept in a two-game set.

“I think the root of it is, I have to be in the strike zone more. … So it’s about getting ahead early,” Archer told the Tampa Bay Times. “And whenever I do get ahead, not trying to throw the most nasty pitch in the world because my normal is beyond average.” The Rays come home after a 3-3 road trip that ended with a five-homer performance in Sunday’s 8-1 victory over the New York Yankees to face Kevin Gausman, who is slated to come off the disabled list. The Orioles lost two of three at Kansas City over the weekend while Manny Machado saw his 16-game hitting streak end in Sunday's 6-1 defeat. Mark Trumbo has hit safely in nine straight contests and leads Baltimore with 16 RBIs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (2015: 4-7, 4.25 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (0-4, 7.32)

Gausman (shoulder) makes his season debut after posting a 3.27 ERA and striking out 19 over 11 innings during his minor-league rehabilitation stint. The 25-year-old LSU product is 2-3 with a 6.16 ERA in nine career games - seven starts - versus Tampa Bay. Logan Forsythe (4-for-5, home run), Brandon Guyer (3-for-5, three doubles) and Evan Longoria (6-for-18, homer) all have had success against Gausman.

Archer’s best two starts have come at home, allowing three runs - two earned - in each, but the North Carolina native has permitted 30 hits in 19 2/3 innings overall. The 27-year-old has registered 29 strikeouts but also has walked 11 and surrendered six home runs. Chris Davis has hit a pair of homers and Machado is 9-for-22 with a blast versus Archer, who is 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 10 games - nine starts - against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis has hit 23 homers in 81 career games against the Rays and went deep as the Orioles scored a total of 11 runs to beat them on April 8 and 10.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier has built a six-game hitting streak, going 8-for-22 with six extra-base hits.

3. Baltimore CF Adam Jones did not play in the first series against the Rays due to injury but has recorded 134 hits in as many career games against them.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Orioles 3

Boston Red Sox (9-9) at Atlanta Braves (4-14)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia



The Atlanta Braves are last in the major leagues with three home runs after 18 games and hope to end the long-ball drought when they open a four-game, home-and-home series against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Monday. Atlanta has gone 13 straight contests without belting a homer and enters the set with a five-game losing streak.

Nick Markakis has recorded nine (all doubles) of the Braves' 29 extra-base hits, and Sunday's 3-2 loss to the New York Mets consisted of 12 hits - all singles. Atlanta has failed to take care of a home-friendly schedule by going just 1-10 while owning the worst overall record (4-14) in the majors. Boston was scuffling with five losses in seven games before Jackie Bradley Jr. delivered a tiebreaking single in the 12th inning en route to a 7-5 victory over Houston on Sunday. Offseason acquisition Craig Kimbrel suffered his first blown save in six opportunities when he gave up a tying two-run homer to Colby Rasmus with two out in the bottom of the ninth.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (3-0, 4.66 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-2, 5.64)

Porcello has won each of his first three starts despite serving up five homers. He has a sensational strikeouts-to-walk ratio of 24-to-3 and fanned a season-best nine in seven innings while beating Tampa Bay in his last outing. Porcello is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta and has struggled with Markakis (11-of-27, one homer) and Jeff Francoeur (9-for-23, two blasts).

Teheran is winless in four starts, allowing two runs in both of his no-decisions and 11 - 10 earned - in his two losses. He wasn't involved in the decision in his last outing, when he gave up two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Teheran was roughed up in his lone career start versus Boston as he allowed six runs and 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings while both Mookie Betts and Brock Holt (homer) went 3-for-4 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts (wrist) returned after a one-game absence Sunday and went 1-for-5 with a walk.

2. Braves SS Daniel Castro recorded three hits on Sunday and is 10-for-28 during his six-game hitting streak.

3. Kimbrel pitched for the Braves from 2010-14 and went 4-for-4 in save opportunities against Atlanta last season while with San Diego.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Braves 3

Oakland Athletics (10-9) at Detroit Tigers (8-9)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan



The Detroit Tigers have a lineup capable of inflicting damage on opposing pitching staffs but have had a hard time pushing runs across the plate lately. The Tigers will try to snap a four-game slide and get back to .500 when they host the opener of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Monday.

Detroit managed a total of five runs in the last four games and sat slumping sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton at the start of Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians. Both appeared as pinch hitters and both failed to reach base, dropping Cabrera to 0-for-11 in the last four games and a .206 batting average while Upton fell to .214. The Tigers could bust out of their collective slump against the Athletics pitching staff, which surrendered a total of 15 runs in losses to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday and Sunday. Oakland had allowed a total of 17 runs during a six-game winning streak prior to the two losses and will try to turn things around behind Kendall Graveman on Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (1-1, 2.04 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (3-0, 0.00)

Graveman was impressive enough in 21 starts last season to lock up a rotation spot in 2016 and has only improved over the course of three starts. The 25-year-old struck out eight and scattered three hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings while allowing one run in a win at the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Graveman started at Detroit on June 2 last season and allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings to pick up the win.

While Upton is having some early trouble living up to the contract he signed with the Tigers in the offseason, Zimmermann is having no such issues. The former Washington National signed a five-year, $110 million deal in the offseason and has yet to allow a run in three starts for his new team. Zimmermann struck out a season-high eight in 6 1/3 innings at Kansas City on Wednesday and won his lone interleague start against Oakland with seven scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Tigers placed RHP Francisco Rodriguez on the family medical emergency list.

2. Oakland 1B Mark Canha went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Sunday and recorded at least one strikeout in each of the eight games he has played.

3. Detroit INF/OF Mike Aviles is 1-for-12.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Athletics 1

Cincinnati Reds (9-10) at New York Mets (10-7)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 7:10 PM EST

WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York



After limping out of the gate with five losses in their first seven games, the New York Mets have righted the ship by winning eight of their last 10 contests. The Mets hope their good fortune travels with them back to Queens on Monday when they open a nine-game homestand with the first of three contests versus the Cincinnati Reds.

New York launched 23 homers through the initial eight outings of its nine-game road trip before manufacturing its offense in Sunday's 3-2 victory to complete a sweep of Atlanta. Michael Conforto drove in a pair of runs in the finale to cap a strong series (4-for-11) for the Mets, who batted .293 with 25 doubles during their nine-game road trip. While New York is ascending, Cincinnati has cooled off considerably from its hot start by dropping nine of its last 13 - including three of four to the Chicago Cubs. Eugenio Suarez had one of the Reds' three hits in a 9-0 shellacking on Sunday to improve to 5-for-12 in the last three games, but is just 1-for-6 in his career versus Monday starter Noah Syndergaard.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Raisel Iglesias (1-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 0.90)

Iglesias authored arguably his best start in 2016 on Wednesday, when he allowed two runs and recorded season highs in both strikeouts (eight) and innings (6 2/3) before seeing the bullpen fail to close the door in a no-decision versus Colorado. The 26-year-old Cuban has kept the ball in the park in two of his four starts this season. Iglesias, who got the call on opening day, will be make his 21st start overall and first in his career versus New York.

Syndergaard has bolted out of the blocks to start the season, allowing just two runs on 15 hits while striking out 29 in 20 innings. The 23-year-old dominated Philadelphia last Monday, permitting just one run on five hits in seven frames and earned two extra days' rest as a reward. Syndergaard has handcuffed Cincinnati in both career outings, striking out 11 over 7 2/3 innings in his last meeting to improve to 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA while limiting the Reds to a .179 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York RF Curtis Granderson is 9-for-21 with three homers, seven RBIs and as many runs scored during his five-game hitting streak, but is just 2-for-23 (.087) at home this season.

2. Cincinnati SS Zack Cozart has hit safely in 12 of his 13 contests this season.

3. New York SS Asdrubal Cabrera is 6-for-17 with a homer, three RBIs and as many runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Reds 1

Cleveland Indians (9-7) at Minnesota Twins (5-14)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 8:10 PM EST

WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota



The Cleveland Indians are making themselves at home on the road while the Minnesota Twins couldn't be happier that another difficult trek is in their rear-view mirror. The Indians vie for their sixth consecutive win away from home on Monday when they open a three-game series versus the American League Central cellar-dwelling Twins.

Francisco Lindor collected five hits and scored four runs as Cleveland began the first leg of a nine-game trek by completing its first sweep in Detroit since 2008. The 22-year-old has reached base in eight straight contests to raise his batting average to .323 heading into a series with Minnesota, against which he went 21-for-50 (.420) in 13 games last season. The Twins nearly played two games on Sunday as they dropped a 6-5 marathon to Washington in 16 innings for their fifth loss in six outings to fall to 1-10 on the road. Brian Dozier belted a three-run homer in Sunday's setback and is 9-for-18 with two blasts in his career versus Monday starter Danny Salazar.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (2-1, 1.47 ERA) vs. Twins LH Tommy Milone (0-1, 5.87)

Salazar scattered three hits for the second straight outing on Wednesday, but his penchant for walks and a lack of offensive support led to his undoing in a 2-1 setback to Seattle. The 26-year-old Dominican has issued three free passes in each of his three outings to mar an otherwise strong start to the season. The Indians have enjoyed success versus Minnesota when Salazar takes the mound, posting a 5-2 mark.

Milone walked away with his second straight no-decision on Wednesday despite yielding four runs for the third outing of the season. The 29-year-old kept the ball in the park for the first time in 2016, but an elevated pitch count led to his departure after just 4 2/3 innings versus Milwaukee. Milone, who matched his season total in strikeouts with six against the Brewers, won both outings versus Cleveland last season to improve to 3-1 against the club in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley could be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Monday as he works his way back from right shoulder surgery.

2. Minnesota is expected to activate OF Danny Santana (hamstring) from the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

3. Twins LF Eddie Rosario is 0-for-11 with five strikeouts in his last two contests after collecting eight hits and four RBIs in his previous five games.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 2

Pittsburgh Pirates (10-9) at Colorado Rockies (9-9)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 8:40 PM EST

WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado



The Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies found themselves on opposite ends of identical eye-popping scores on Sunday, with the former scoring four runs in extra innings to pull out a wild victory and the latter being on the wrong end of an explosive ninth-inning rally. With both offenses appearing to be locked in, the Rockies eye only their second win in six tries Monday as they welcome the Pirates to Coors Field for the opener of a four-game series.

Colorado held a three-run lead going into the top of the ninth Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers but watched closer Jake McGee implode for the first time this season as he surrendered five runs in a 12-10 setback. The defeat was even more heartbreaking considering the Rockies battled back from an early 7-1 deficit with nine unanswered runs to put themselves in position to take a series from their National League West rivals. Pittsburgh saw its four-run lead evaporate after giving up two in both the eighth and ninth frames before countering with two-run outbursts in the 12th and 13th to upend Arizona 12-10. The Pirates figure to have their work cut out from them in the opener, however, as Jeff Locke is coming off a dreadful outing, while Chad Bettis has been the Rockies' most consistent starter thus far.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (0-2, 7.24 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (2-0, 3.33)
Locke is coming off the worst start of his career, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and four walks over only three innings at San Diego on Wednesday en route to his second loss in as many tries. The New Hampshire native has an unsightly 2.63 WHIP through three outings, averaging nearly a walk per inning (13 in 13 2/3 frames) while giving up close to two hits per frame (23 total). Locke hasn't been much better in Coors Field over his career, going 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in three visits.
With scheduled starter Jorge De La Rosa getting pushed back due to the stomach flu, Bettis will work on regular rest and attempt to remain undefeated after settling for a no-decision last time out. The Texas Tech product allowed three runs and three hits - including a pair of homers - in six frames Wednesday but was dominant in his lone home outing, holding San Diego to two runs (one earned) over seven innings on April 10. Bettis is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in four appearances (two starts) versus Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS
1. The Pirates have won seven of the last eight meetings between the clubs, including each of the last five at Coors Field.
2. Pittsburgh CF Andrew McCutchen is 3-for-23 with 11 strikeouts over his last six contests. All four strikeouts Sunday were swinging, marking only the second time that happened in his career.
3. Sunday's loss marked the first time since June 20, 2014 that Colorado lost a game in which it scored 10 or more runs.

PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Pirates 4

St. Louis Cardinals (10-8) at Arizona Diamondbacks (10-10)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 9:40 PM EST

WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona



With second baseman Kolten Wong struggling offensively and shortstop Jhonny Peralta out indefinitely, the middle of the St. Louis Cardinals' infield should be a weakness but instead has been a strength for most of the first month of the season. Aledmys Diaz and Jedd Gyorko look to continue their unlikely offensive surges Monday as the Cardinals visit Arizona for the first of four games against the Diamondbacks.

Peralta wasn't being counted on after he was lost to a torn thumb ligament before the start of the season, but Wong's woes (.208 average) were not expected after he often hit at the top the order last year. Diaz has produced at a Peralta-like clip and essentially forced his way into the everyday lineup at shortstop by hitting .480 with three homers and 11 RBIs, while Gyorko has played all over the infield and is tied for the team lead with four home runs. Diaz and Gyorko each went deep during three-hit performances in Sunday's 8-5 victory at San Diego - combining to go 15-for-22 in the three-game set - and hope to lead St. Louis to a ninth straight win over Arizona in the opener. The Diamondbacks have won six of their last eight and look for a long outing from ace Zack Greinke after they used eight pitchers during their 12-10, 13-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest Plus (St. Louis), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (1-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (1-2, 5.25)
Garcia was unable to provide an encore to his one-hit shutout against Milwaukee on April 14, yielding two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Mexican endured his worst outing of the season in his lone road turn on April 8, giving up four runs in six frames of a no-decision at Atlanta. Garcia has been brilliant in five career starts against Arizona, winning each time while posting a 2.51 ERA (3-0, 1.62 at Chase Field).
After going 0-2 with a 9.90 ERA in two turns at home to begin his Diamondbacks career, Greinke has seen much better results on the road, getting his first win with Arizona on Wednesday after allowing one run in 6 2/3 frames at San Francisco. The early struggles are relatively rare for the three-time All-Star, who entered this season with a 22-8 record and 2.26 ERA in 43 April outings. Greinke has made 15 appearances - 13 starts - in his career against the Cardinals, going 9-4 with a 3.03 ERA.

WALK-OFFS
1. Diamondbacks C Welington Castillo is 6-for-14 with four home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored over his last three games.
2. St. Louis swept the season series in 2015, allowing three or fewer runs in six of the seven meetings.
3. Arizona LF Yasmany Tomas is on a 10-game hitting streak and has hit four homers in 17 contests (and 68 at-bats) this season after belting nine in 118 games (and 406 at-bats) in 2015.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Diamondbacks 3

Kansas City Royals (12-6) at Los Angeles Angels (8-11)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 10:05 PM EST

WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California



As part of their recent domination of the American League, the Kansas City Royals have enjoyed their meetings with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The visiting Royals hope to continue their run of success against the Angels when the teams begin a three-game series on Monday.

Including a three-game sweep in the 2014 AL Division Series, Kansas City has won 11 of its last 13 encounters with Los Angeles - claiming five straight on the road during that stretch. The Royals begin the set after taking two of three from Baltimore to finish a 4-2 homestand. Eric Hosmer belted a solo homer to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and stretch his AL-leading on-base run to 26 consecutive contests in Sunday's 6-1 win. The Angels have produced four runs or fewer in nine of their last 10 games, dropping seven of those affairs after a 9-4 setback against Seattle on Sunday.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, KCOP (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (2-1, 1.35 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (0-3, 3.00)

After a hamstring issue pushed back his first start of the season, Kennedy has hit the ground running with three straight solid outings - striking out seven in each. He limited Detroit to two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a tough loss on Wednesday. Opponents are hitting .188 against the 31-year-old, who is 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus the Angels - including a complete-game loss opposite Richards at Angel Stadium in 2012.

Los Angeles has scored a total of six runs in Richards' four starts, the last three of which have been of the quality variety for the former first-round selection. He allowed one earned run in 6 1/3 innings while striking out six and walking a season-high four in a loss at the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Richards owns a 4.26 ERA in nine career encounters (three starts) with the Royals and will be wary of Lorenzo Cain, who is 5-for-11 with a home run and three doubles against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is batting .362 in 26 career games against Kansas City.

2. Hosmer is a .189 hitter in 18 contests at Angel Stadium.

3. Angels 3B Yunel Escobar has four errors in 19 games after committing seven in 134 contests with Washington last year.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Angels 3

Miami Marlins (6-11) at Los Angeles Dodgers (12-7)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 10:10 PM EST

WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California



Don Mattingly returns to his old stomping grounds as he leads the Miami Marlins into Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on Monday in the opener of a four-game series. Mattingly guided the Dodgers to a 446-363 record over five seasons and was the only manager in franchise history to take the club to the postseason in three consecutive years before parting ways in October and seizing the job with the Marlins.

Miami, which is in the midst of a 10-game road trip, is coming off a 5-4 triumph in San Francisco on Sunday in which J.T. Realmuto went 4-for-4 with a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning that salvaged the finale of the three-game set. Los Angeles posted its fourth win in five games Sunday, rallying for five runs in the ninth inning to register a 12-10 victory in the rubber match of its three-game series at Colorado. Corey Seager looks to continue swinging a hot bat as the 21-year-old went 5-for-12 with a homer and five RBIs at Coors Field. The Dodgers are kicking off a seven-game homestand after playing 13 of their first 19 contests on the road.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (0-1, 4.91 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (0-0, 2.65)

Chen remains in search of his first win in the National League after spending the first four years of his career with Baltimore. The 30-year-old native of Taiwan produced his second straight quality start Wednesday against Washington despite taking the loss, allowing three runs and striking out seven over seven innings. Chen was victorious in his lone career outing versus Los Angeles on April 20, 2013 as he gave up just one run on three hits and four walks over six frames.

Stripling also is seeking his first NL win as he makes the fourth start of his major-league career. The 26-year-old Pennsylvanian has yet to allow more than two earned runs in an outing, although he lasted only 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Atlanta on Wednesday. Stripling worked six frames in his first turn at Dodger Stadium on April 14, limiting Arizona to two runs and five hits while recording a career-high five strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton broke out of his slump in a big way Sunday, going 3-for-4 with a homer after recording only three hits in 22 at-bats over his previous six games.

2. Los Angeles OF Carl Crawford (back) may be activated from the disabled list Monday while RHP Louis Coleman could return from the bereavement list.

3. Miami LF Christian Yelich has gone 8-for-18 during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Marlins 1

Houston Astros (6-13) at Seattle Mariners (9-9)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 10:10 PM EST

WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington



Doug Fister seeks to continue his success against his former team when the Houston Astros visit the Seattle Mariners in the opener of their three-game series on Monday. Fister, who pitched for the Mariners for parts of three seasons from 2009-11, is 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA in three career starts versus Seattle.

Fister was traded to Detroit during the 2011 season and later spent two campaigns with Washington before joining the Astros this year, and returning to the American League West means more opportunities to pitch at Safeco Field. "It's always almost like a welcoming home for me, just growing up there," Fister told reporters. "I really enjoy that park. It's a good park to pitch in. It always seems to be one of those that you try to get a lot of ground balls. I'm looking forward to being there." The Mariners are opening a six-game homestand against Houston and Kansas City, and hope to fare better than they did in their first one, when they went 1-5 while scoring a total of 11 runs. "I'm looking forward to getting our fan base fired up and get them on board," Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters after Sunday's 9-4 road victory over the Los Angeles Angels. "It'll be a good series at home, obviously tough teams coming in, but that's what I'm anxious for. We've played well everywhere on the road. We just need to do the same thing at Safeco."

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston, Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Doug Fister (1-2, 5.94 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (1-0, 1.50)

Fister has lost consecutive starts as he was torched for six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings by the Royals in the first of the defeats. Despite his fondness for pitching at Safeco Park, his record is just 10-16 in 37 appearances (36 starts), but he does have a tidy 3.30 ERA. Fister has struggled against Nelson Cruz (8-for-23, one homer) while enjoying success versus Adam Lind (2-for-12).

Walker recorded his first victory of the season in his last turn as he allowed one unearned run and three hits in six innings against Cleveland. He has made eight of his 40 career starts against Houston and has recorded a 4-1 record despite a 4.40 ERA. Colby Rasmus (5-for-10) and Jose Altuve (6-for-19, one homer) have handled Walker, while Jason Castro is 1-for-13 with nine strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros, who are just 2-7 on the road this year, have gone 17-11 in Seattle over the past three seasons.

2. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager and RF Seth Smith each hit his 99th career home run on Sunday.

3. Rasmus has recorded four homers and 10 RBIs over his last four games, including a two-run tying blast with two out in the ninth inning against Boston on Sunday - a game Houston eventually lost 7-5 in 12 frames.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 3

San Diego Padres (7-12) at San Francisco Giants (9-11)

DATE/TIME: Monday, April 25 - 10:15 PM EST

WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California



The best the San Francisco Giants can do is break even on their 10-game homestand, which concludes with a three-game series against the San Diego Padres that begins on Monday. San Francisco began the lengthy stretch at AT&T Park by losing all four meetings with Arizona but outscored Miami 15-3 in back-to-back victories before dropping a 5-4 decision on Sunday.

Hunter Pence hopes to remain hot as he registered five hits - including a home run - over 12 at-bats in the three-game set against the Marlins. San Diego is kicking off a six-game road trip after suffering an 8-5 loss to St. Louis on Sunday that concluded a 4-5 homestand. Wil Myers enters the series with a nine-game hitting streak that has featured four multi-hit performances, including a 2-for-3 effort in Sunday's setback. Matt Kemp has recorded four hits in his last two contests, with three of them being doubles - his first three of the season.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 2.04 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (1-2, 3.91)

Pomeranz is coming off a superb outing against Pittsburgh on Wednesday in which he allowed just an unearned run and four hits over 6 2/3 innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts en route to victory. The 27-year-old native of Tennessee has yielded two runs or fewer in each of his first three turns while holding opponents to a .180 batting average. Pomeranz has not fared well against San Francisco in his career, going 1-2 with a 6.04 ERA in six games - four starts.

Bumgarner deserved a better fate last time out as he suffered the loss against Arizona on Wednesday despite allowing just two runs and five hits in seven innings. The 26-year-old North Carolina native has maintained his control since issuing five walks in his season debut, handing out only one free pass in each of his last three outings. Bumgarner is 8-5 with one shutout and a 3.29 ERA in 23 career meetings - 22 starts - versus San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants RHP George Kontos (elbow) played catch on Sunday but will not be activated from the disabled list until May 4 at the earliest.

2. Kemp struggled at AT&T Park last season, going just 4-for-36 (.111) with 11 strikeouts.

3. San Francisco did well against Miami with runners in scoring position, going 13-for-39 in the three-game series.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Padres 2

StatFox Super Situations


MLB | NY YANKEES at TEXAS
Play On - Road teams (NY YANKEES) with an excellent bullpen whose WHIP is 1.150 or better on the season, excellent speed team - averaging 1 or more SB's/game on the season
146-94 since 1997. ( 60.8% | 55.9 units )
1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | 0.0 units )




StatFox Situational Power Trends


MLB | NY YANKEES at TEXAS
TEXAS is 72-54 (+33.7 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.8) , OPPONENT (4.6)

Preview: White Sox (13-6) at Blue Jays (10-10)


Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 25, 2016 7:07 PM EDT


Exceptional pitching has keyed a strong start by the Chicago White Sox.


Miguel Gonzalez looks to continue that trend in his White Sox debut Monday night against the host Toronto Blue Jays, who flaunted their offensive potency over the weekend.


The surprise early leader of the AL Central, Chicago tops the AL in ERA (2.28), WHIP (1.02), opponents' batting average (.204) and fewest home runs allowed (nine). That staff yielded seven earned runs over 56 innings while winning five of six.


Mat Latos continued his revival by allowing a run in six innings to help the White Sox (13-6) complete a three-game sweep of Texas with Sunday's 4-1 victory.


"Our guys are pitching at a high level right now," manager Robin Ventura said.


Trying for their best 20-game start since going 14-6 in 2006, the White Sox shuffled things to open this three-game set. Ace Chris Sale was pushed back to Tuesday and John Danks, 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA, won't pitch until the weekend at Baltimore.


That opened the door for Gonzalez to be called up from Triple-A Charlotte for his first major league appearance since Chicago signed him April 3 after the Orioles released him. The right-hander, 39-34 with a 3.80 ERA in 97 regular-season and playoff starts in four seasons with Baltimore, endured his first losing campaign at 9-12 with a 4.91 ERA in 2015.


Gonzalez, 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Charlotte, is 7-3 with a 2.60 ERA in 12 starts against Toronto (10-10).


The White Sox won seven of their first eight road games before dropping two in a row. The Blue Jays have scored 31 runs and recorded 25 extra-base hits while batting .303 to win four of five at home.


Toronto totaled 15 runs and 24 hits, including five homers, to win the last two of a three-game set with Oakland at Rogers Centre over the weekend.


'The middle of that order is probably the best in baseball,' Athletics left-hander Eric Surkamp said.


Part of that offensive wrecking crew, Jose Bautista is 1 for 13 in four games but that hit was a two-run homer off Surkamp in Sunday's 6-3 victory. Bautista's hit all but one of his four homers and recorded 12 of 16 RBIs in nine games at Rogers Centre this season.


He's gone deep once in 14 games there against Chicago, but is batting .364 with 12 RBIs in those contests.


Teammate Josh Donaldson went 12 for 25 with six homers and 11 RBIs against Chicago last season.


Looking to win a third straight start, Toronto's Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.13 ERA) is 7-0 with a 2.93 ERA in eight regular-season starts since returning from a knee injury in September. The right-hander gave up three runs on two homers in seven innings of Tuesday's 4-3 win at Baltimore.


The only time Stroman faced the White Sox was in 2014, when he went 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA in two starts.


Jose Abreu went 2 for 4 against Stroman that season. Abreu is batting .183 this season, but .362 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 14 games against Toronto.


Chicago announced catcher Alex Avila was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.


Toronto catcher Russell Martin, meanwhile, is day to day with neck spasms that forced him to sit Sunday.

Preview: Reds (9-10) at Mets (10-7)


Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: April 25, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


David Wright offered an interesting description of one of the New York Mets' young arms.


To him, Noah Syndergaard is all but equivalent to a video-game creation.


Strong starting pitching has the Mets rolling as Syndergaard tries to lift them to their ninth straight win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.


Syndergaard (2-0, 0.90 ERA) has surrendered two runs in 20 innings over his first three starts. He's allowed 15 hits while walking four and striking out 29.


After his latest outing last Monday in which Syndergaard allowed one run while striking out eight in seven innings of a 5-2 win over Philadelphia, Wright drew a curious but perhaps apt comparison.


"When you used to play video games as a kid, if you build the player that you want to build, put all the abilities up to like max 10, he's that guy," New York's third baseman told MLB's official website.


Syndergaard, who according to FanGraphs tops the major leagues in average fastball velocity at 98.4 mph, had a pitch leave an imprint of catcher Kevin Plawecki's cross necklace on his chest where it struck him last Monday.


It will be a full week between starts for Syndergaard due to Thursday's off day and Jacob deGrom's return to the rotation Sunday. The right-hander has hardly been thrown off by that change in routine, though, posting a 2.62 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings over 10 starts with six or more days' rest.


He'll open a nine-game homestand for the Mets (10-7), who are looking to improve on their 2-4 record in Queens.


While Sunday's 3-2 victory at Atlanta was New York's third straight and eighth in 10 games, Cincinnati (9-10) dropped three of four at home to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend in lopsided fashion.


The Reds were outscored 33-1 in the defeats and no-hit by Jake Arrieta in Thursday's opener. They did manage a 13-5 win Saturday, getting 15 hits, but were held to three in Sunday's 9-0 loss.


The Reds are 1-5 away from home and begin a six-game trip looking to snap an eight-game skid in this series. They've lost 13 of 15 against the Mets, including five of six in New York.


Their two matchups with Syndergaard last season don't evoke much confidence for the next one. They lost both while totaling three runs and 10 hits in 15 2/3 innings, striking out 16 times without drawing a walk.


No current Reds player has an extra-base hit against Syndergaard. Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Eugenio Suarez are the only three with singles, combining to go 3 for 19, while Joey Votto, Tucker Barnhart, Adam Duvall and Billy Hamilton are 0 for 15 in the matchup.


A New York lineup that averaged 6 runs and 11 hits during a 7-2 trip will face Raisel Iglesias (1-1, 3.09). He pitched a season-high 6 2/3 innings during Wednesday's 6-5 win over Colorado, surrendering two runs and striking out eight.


"It's a really good feeling because ... I was working in spring training with the trainer, with the coaches, and I feel really good this season is starting that way," Iglesias said through an interpreter.


While Wright was given the day off Sunday, Yoenis Cespedes was unavailable for the second straight game due to a sore leg. Manager Terry Collins said it "could" linger into Monday.

Preview: Athletics (10-9) at Tigers (8-9)


Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 25, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


After their best road start in 26 years came to a halt in Toronto, the Oakland Athletics could find it hard to get back on track during the last stop on their trip.


Jordan Zimmermann stands in their way Monday night looking to extend the longest scoreless streak by a new Detroit Tigers starter while helping them avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in the opener of a four-game series.


Oakland had batted .276 while averaging 5.2 runs over the last six of a 7-0 road start that was the franchise's best since winning its first eight in 1990. The club was also getting outstanding pitching with a 1.91 ERA over that same stretch.


All that changed in the last two north of the border as the Blue Jays outscored the A's by a combined 15-6 to take the series. Josh Reddick, Khris Davis and Chris Coghlan each had solo home runs, but the A's managed just two other hits in Sunday's 6-3 defeat.


"Obviously we're frustrated but we're 4-2 on this (10-game) road trip and we're looking to finish it above .500 in Detroit," Stephen Vogt said.


Zimmermann, however, has had little trouble adjusting to the AL after signing with Detroit (8-9) following a seven-year stint with Washington. He's struck out 15 while limiting batters to a .211 average over 19 1-3 scoreless innings during a 3-0 start.


The right-hander scattered seven hits and fanned eight over 6 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Kansas City. He became the first pitcher in Detroit history to begin a season with three consecutive outings of six or more scoreless innings.


The two-time All-Star also has posted the most consecutive shutout innings to begin a Tigers tenure since Doug Bair threw 19 1-3 after a trade from St. Louis in 1983.


"It's just a number," Zimmermann told the league's official website of his streak. "I just try to go out there and put up zeros and keep the game close. I try to go with a bend-but-don't-break mentality, and I've been able to do that the last few games."


Zimmerman has never faced the A's, though Coghlan was 2 for 6 with a double off him last season. Yonder Alonso is 3 for 10 with a home run lifetime in the matchup.


The A's hope to get the offense going for Kendall Graveman (1-1, 2.04 ERA). The right-hander allowed two runs or less for a third straight start Wednesday, giving up one and striking out eight over 6 1-3 innings in a 5-2 win at Yankee Stadium.


In his only meeting with Detroit, Graveman surrendered three runs over six innings in a 5-3 win that began Oakland's three-game sweep at Comerica Park from June 2-4.


The Tigers are struggling offensively, totaling five runs with a .144 average over a four-game losing streak. Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez teamed for four of the seven hits Sunday when the Tigers lost for the seventh time in nine games, 6-3 to Cleveland.


Justin Upton is 1 for 12 during the skid and Miguel Cabrera has gone 0 for 11. Cabrera is also just 6 for 26 (.231) over his last seven games against the A's (10-9).


Oakland infielder Jed Lowrie hopes to return after missing Sunday's game with a calf injury.

Preview: Orioles (11-6) at Rays (8-10)


Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 25, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


It's hard to fathom that Chris Archer was the first pitcher in the majors to four losses.


Unless he's much better against the Baltimore Orioles than he was earlier this month, an 0-5 start is very much a possibility.


Archer looks to avoid that fate and help the Tampa Bay Rays to a third straight home win Monday night in the opener of this three-game series.


Any success Tampa Bay expected this season surely included a big contribution from Archer (0-4, 7.32 ERA), the team leader in wins last season who finished second in the AL in strikeouts (252), fourth in opponent batting average (.220) and sixth in ERA (3.23).


The right-hander, though, struggled late last season and hasn't found any kind of rhythm thus far in 2016. Archer is 0-7 with a 6.39 ERA in 10 starts since beating Baltimore on Aug. 31, and hasn't won at home since June 23.


"I'm not happy by any means," Archer told the Rays' official website, "but nobody said this game was going to be easy. I'm going to continue to work hard, get better every single day, and I really trust and believe that I'll get past this."


He was roughed up again Wednesday at Fenway Park, allowing three runs before recording an out in a 7-3 loss. Archer surrendered six runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings while walking three and striking out six.


'The first inning put the team behind the 8-ball,' Archer said. 'I didn't execute pitches very well, and they made the most of it.'


Perhaps Archer's worst start of the season came at Camden Yards on April 8, when he surrendered a career-high four homers and six runs over five innings of a 6-1 loss.


Archer is 1-4 with a 5.86 ERA in his last eight starts against the Orioles.


Manny Machado has been a particular nemesis. The third baseman is 9 for 22 with a home run, while Chris Davis is 5 for 14 with two homers and Jonathan Schoop 4 for 7 with one longball. All three homered on April 8.


Machado failed to get a hit for the first time this season in Sunday's 6-1 loss at Kansas City, ending his career-high 16-game hitting streak. He still leads the AL with a .380 average and teammate Mark Trumbo is next at .373.


Baltimore (11-6) has lost six of 10 since a 7-0 start that included a pair of wins over Tampa Bay. The Rays (8-10) batted .203 in that series and had only two hits with runners in scoring position.


They were much better offensively Sunday at Yankee Stadium, scoring five first-inning runs en route to an 8-1 victory. Steven Souza Jr. hit two of his team's five homers on his 27th birthday and Logan Forsythe had three hits as Tampa Bay avoided the sweep and split its six-game trip.


The Rays scored three runs or fewer in 13 of their first 17 games.


'We've been a little bit quiet here and there, but these guys can hit,' manager Kevin Cash said. 'Evident today.'


They'll try to continue that offense against Kevin Gausman (4-7, 4.25 in 2015), who makes his season debut after sitting out the first three weeks with tendinitis in his right shoulder. The right-hander made his first eight appearances last season as a reliever before moving into the rotation full-time in mid-June. He went 3-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 17 starts.


Gausman posted a 3.27 ERA in three minor league starts this month, striking out 19 in 11 innings.


He's 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.


Forsythe is 4 for 5 with a home run and two doubles against Gausman.

Preview: Yankees (7-10) at Rangers (10-9)


Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: April 25, 2016 8:05 PM EDT


After being swept in a series for the first time since July, the Texas Rangers were hoping Cole Hamels would stop the slide in their return home.


He's instead been scratched.


The Rangers will now look to pound the New York Yankees' struggling rotation and extend their home winning streak to five games Monday night.


Texas (10-9) hit .198 and was outscored 13-4 in losing three straight to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, falling 4-1 Sunday.


The Rangers were scheduled to send Hamels to the mound, but he's being skipped in the rotation due to a strained left groin - an injury that cost him a start in August.


"It is something he has had to battle through," manager Jeff Banister told MLB's official website. "Let's be smart and conservative and make sure it doesn't affect anything else. We'd rather give him extra time now and not create a bigger situation."


Fortunately for the Rangers, they're averaging 7.0 runs and batting .301 with 11 homers during a 6-3 stretch against the Yankees (7-10).


Texas enters this three-game set batting .346 while outscoring opponents 24-14 during a four-game home winning streak.


That doesn't bode well for a Yankees rotation that ranks among the worst in baseball with a 5.14 ERA while opponents have hit .290 with 16 home runs.


Michael Pineda was the latest to get hit hard, surrendering seven runs and four homers in five innings of Sunday's 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay.


The Yankees, losers of eight of 11, will now hand the ball to Nathan Eovaldi (0-2, 6.11 ERA). The right-hander had his first quality start of the season Wednesday, allowing three runs and eight hits with seven strikeouts in six innings of a 5-2 loss to Oakland.


Eovaldi's only career start against the Rangers ended in a 5-4 loss with Miami on Aug. 20, 2014, giving up five runs and nine hits in five innings.


He's held Prince Fielder to one hit in five at-bats, but the Rangers slugger is a career .323 hitter with 26 RBIs in 26 meetings against the Yankees. He went 10 of 28 with three homers and 10 RBIs in seven matchups last year.


Cesar Ramos makes his 2016 debut in a spot start in place of Hamels. The journeyman left-hander has started 10 of 251 career games over seven years. He went 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA while all 65 of his appearances came in relief last year with the Los Angeles Angels.


Ramos was 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Round Rock. He has no record and a 5.57 ERA in 19 games - one start - against the Yankees.


He may not have to contend with Alex Rodriguez, who exited Sunday with stiffness in his left side. The MRI on his oblique was negative, and he's traveling with the team.


"Anytime someone leaves with an oblique, you're not really optimistic because they take a while depending on the severity of it," manager Joe Girardi said. "And I even think sometimes when players physically feel ready, I still don't think they have the strength that they had before."


Rodriguez is batting .145 with two homers and six RBIs, but he hit .321 in seven games against Texas last year.

Preview: Indians (9-7) at Twins (5-13)


Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: April 25, 2016 8:10 PM EDT


Just as the club's vaunted rotation appeared to be hitting its stride, the Cleveland Indians are bracing for the worst after one of their frontline starters went down.


While losing Carlos Carrasco for an extended period would certainly hurt, the Indians appear to be in good hands in the short term as they give the ball Danny Salazar on Monday night in the opener of a three-game road series against the Minnesota Twins.


Cleveland starters had a 3.25 ERA during a 13-game stretch and limited opponents to two runs or less in four of five before Sunday.


That's when Carrasco suffered a hamstring injury in the third inning of a 6-3 win that gave the Indians a three-game sweep at Detroit. The celebration was subdued, however, with the right-hander's prognosis looking grim after he had grabbed his leg in agony.


'It's going to be a DL situation, but we're just hoping it isn't terrible,' manager Terry Francona said. 'We sent him back to Cleveland, because without an MRI, we're not going to know anything. When you see a guy go down like that, it is deflating."


Salazar (2-1, 1.47 ERA) has been as good as anyone in the rotation. Now he'll try to give Cleveland (9-7) an emotional lift by leading the club to its first six-game road winning streak since a 10-game run from Aug. 8-Sept. 5, 2008.


The right-hander is coming off his first loss despite allowing two runs and three hits while striking out seven over seven innings in Wednesday's 2-1 home loss to Seattle.


The Indians had won five in a row versus Minnesota (5-14) in Salazar's starts before he surrendered three runs over six innings in a 3-1 loss at Target Field on Sept. 22.


Brian Dozier should be happy to see him again as he's 9 for 18 with two home runs and four doubles lifetime in the matchup. Dozier went 2 for 6 with a three-run homer but the Twins wrapped up a 1-4 trip with Sunday's 6-5, 16-inning loss at Washington.


'We have to regroup and put this game behind us," manager Paul Molitor said. "It is horrible stretch.'


Though they've averaged 3.1 runs and hit .226 while going 1-10 on the road, they've scored 5.2 and batted .305 in winning four of their last five at Target Field. Eduardo Nunez, who had four hits at Washington, has gone 9 for 21 in his six home games.


Tommy Milone (0-1, 5.87) looks to rebound after getting knocked around in three starts. The left-hander failed to escape the fifth inning for the second time Wednesday when he allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 10-5 loss at Milwaukee.


Milone, though, is 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA in his last five starts versus Cleveland. He won both his matchups last season, helping Minnesota take 12 of 19 in the season series.


Cleveland has come alive offensively with 16 runs and 26 hits in its last two games. Jason Kipnis has had four of those hits and is batting .364 in his past 11 versus the Twins.


Kipnis has gone 6 for 15 with a triple and a double when facing Milone.


Michael Brantley, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, could make his season debut in this series.

Preview: Pirates (9-9) at Rockies (9-8)


Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 25, 2016 8:40 PM EDT


Unlike Colorado, the Pittsburgh Pirates came out on top in a high-scoring game to close out this past weekend.


The Pirates have also earned plenty of victories in recent matchups with the Rockies and will try for a franchise-best sixth consecutive win in Denver on Monday night.


Pittsburgh (10-9) blew a four-run lead Sunday in Arizona before winning 12-10 in 13 innings. Sean Rodriguez delivered the tiebreaking double in the Pirates' third win in four games.


"We had some things that didn't go our way, had some bad luck, but we persevered at the end. That's what it's all about," reliever Kyle Lobstein said.


Pittsburgh will seek to wrap up its 10-game Western road trip by adding to a 7-1 record from its last eight matchups against Colorado. The Pirates have won their last five games at Coors Field - matching a streak from 1998-2000 - while batting .371 and outscoring the Rockies 40-22.


They are heading into this four-game set having batted .311 with 47 runs in their last seven contests.


Colorado (9-9) has lost four of five after blowing a three-run lead in a 12-10 defeat to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. The Rockies scored five in the eighth inning to take command but closer Jake McGee gave up five in the ninth in his first blown save in five chances.


"We battled back from 7-1 (after three innings), kept chipping away, put ourselves in position to win the game," manager Walt Weiss said. "Our guys have been playing like that all year. They're doing whatever it takes, but it was a tough one today."


Chad Bettis will try to help Colorado forget its latest result while improving to 3-0 for the first time. Bettis (2-0, 3.33 ERA) is starting Monday because the Rockies wanted to give Jorge De La Rosa an extra day to recover from an illness.


Bettis gave up three runs - on a pair of homers - in six innings Wednesday in Cincinnati. He allowed one other hit and walked none in a 6-5 loss.


The right-hander has no record and a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against the Pirates. He gave up two runs in six innings in his lone matchup last season, a 5-4 loss in Denver on Sept. 24.


Pittsburgh left-hander Jeff Locke (0-2, 7.24) will seek to rebound from one of the worst outings of his career. He matched career highs by allowing eight runs and 11 hits in three-plus innings Wednesday in an 8-2 loss in San Diego.


Locke, who had a 2.53 ERA in his first two starts, is 0-1 with a 4.88 ERA in four starts against Colorado. He gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings in his lone matchup last season, the 5-4 victory Sept. 24.


Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer, batting .455 in his last five games, is a career .377 hitter against Colorado for his best mark versus any NL team. Josh Harrison is batting .467 in his last eight matchups and Starling Marte has hit .654 in seven lifetime games in Denver.


Marte is also 3 for 3 in his career against Bettis. Nolan Arenado is 6 for 11 with two doubles and a home run versus Locke while Mark Reynolds (1 for 15) and D.J. LeMahieu (0 for 10) are at the other end of the spectrum.


The Rockies might activate catcher Nick Hundley from the seven-day concussion list Monday. He hasn't played since April 13.