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DDLohaus’ Saratoga analysis

Monday’s picks

“I didn’t lose” to quote my favorite movie Let it Ride.* Hit a nice exacta right away ($52.00) but couldn’t make a large dent with a win in the Adirondack…bad start did us in right from the get-go but I’m not sure our selection could have beaten the top two anyway.
Weather a bit unknown so we will not have any plays in the bankroll today but one selection.

Race #8
Tiger Ride

Total Bets: 0
Meet Total: – $448.00

Mohawk: Tuesday 8/23 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 4,7,8,10/2,5,6,8/1,2,6,7,8/5/3,7 = $32

EARLY PICK 4: 5/3,7/5,6/1,7,8,10 = $16

LATE PICK 4: 1,7,8,10/3,4,5,9,10/3/3,8 = $40

MEET STATS: 294 - 853 / $1536.50 BEST BETS: 50 - 79 / $161.50

SPOT PLAYS: 17 - 79 / $86.60

Best Bet: BET ON BRETT (4th)

Spot Play: LOOKIN ATA WINNER (2nd)


Race 1

(4) A DOOZY exits the Pure Ivory series where she raced decently and now faces easier here; slight nod. (10) JILONA looked like a winner last week after making two moves, only to be nailed late by the big chalk that broke then made a big recovery. She is a contender here despite the post. (8) HILARIOUS HONEY showed significant improvement last time and is one to consider for exotic bets. (7) A WHOLE LOT OF SUGAR has faced some decent competition in Grassroots races so far and she could find these easier.

Race 2

(2) LOOKIN ATA WINNER provided a stern challenge to a big favorite here on Friday night and didn’t stop badly despite not being able to clear to the front. If he goes here, he should prove tough. (5) NOTETOSELF HANOVER should show a lot more here back with non-winners of two company. (6) THE AVENGER tripped out to break his maiden and a similar journey isn’t out of the question here; using. (8) THINK AGAIN paced almost two seconds faster than his life’s mark in his August 19th qualifier; using.

Race 3

(6) CAMERON HILL raced well vs. her elders last week and now meets her own age group here again. She should be a big factor. (2) JANDERSON’s only loss came when she miscued early. She is an obvious major factor here. (7) MOUNTAIN OF LOVE has some of the continent’s rookie trotting leaders in his company lines from the Meadowlands; consider. (1) REACH THE PEAK comes off a solid 2nd in an OSS Gold dash and he should get another decent trip here.

Race 4

(5) BET ON BRETT has been facing the best 2-year-old pacers in the country and now meets a field that should be much more to his liking. Expect a more aggressive approach from this colt here. (1) BRAVE WORLD finished well last time and he may be figuring things out; using. (4) MR VARSITY is a 1/2 to four winners and he brought $80K at the Lexington sale; consider. (8) SOCCER HANOVER showed some late interest at Grand River last week and he can close for a piece of this, too.

Race 5

(7) STYLISH BEACHWARE got stacked up on too much cover last time and she couldn’t pass them all late. She should get a better trip here, and a better result. (3) DIXIE LULLABY has been solid in this class and her potent late kick is sure to come into play again here; using. (1) SEAWIND KERRY goes for trainer Brealey, who has been somewhat quiet at this meet, but keep in mind he has popped with this mare at a big price before. (8) JANETTES IMAGE can’t be ignored with her excellent record so far.

Race 6

(6) DOMEDOMEDOME may not have liked the wet track at Georgian Downs last time but she fits well here and should be prominent if that miscue was an anomaly. (5) MY REVENUER should get a better start here leaving from the middle of the gate; using. (8) FORK has seen better days, but if he is going to wake up, this will be the spot with the drop to the lowest conditioned level. (1) VICS ROYAL LADY has a shot to make some noise from close range here.

Race 7

(1) PRETTYNDANGEROUS was a sharp winner the last time she was in for a tag and she is likely to go to post as an overlay here; slight nod. (7) THREE PINK BOWS exploded with a new lifetime-best performance last week. She looks like the one to beat. (8) LADY JEN was sluggish at Grand River last week but if she comes close to reproducing her mile from two starts back, she will be very tough in here. (10) LEAVING A LEGACY brings good form back from Georgian and trainer Weller is always dangerous with these types; using.

Race 8

(9) TOY IS OURS showed some ability last year before being laid up due to gait issues. He can go forward now that he has a clean line on his card and may offer a big price. (4) SCOTTIES SPIRIT showed big improvement last time and is worth adding to Pick 4 tickets. (3) MOONLIGHT COCKTAIL couldn’t repel the winner in the third 1/4 last time, but her good early speed should play well here. (10) HONOR ABOVE ALL missed 17 days between starts last time and now returning to a 7-day cycle he should improve.

Race 9

(3) LINDY BEACH qualified faster on August 13th than most of these race, which gives him top billing here. (7) MAD MAD WORLD qualified well here on August 9th and this $30K Lexington purchase looks like he can be a threat right away. (6) SOUTHWIND SAVAGE closed okay last time and should be good for a piece of this. (4) CHALKY has been taking a lot of air at Grand River and sticking around for a share. He can take a smaller piece of the pie here.

Race 10

(8) GRANA PADANNO takes a big class plunge here and he should be fit enough with two tighteners under his belt now; top call. (3) NEILS GOLDEN GIRL put a big effort in from the worst post last time. She merits Pick 4 consideration off that effort and the move inside here. (6) DEWEYKEEPUMNWHY steps up off a win but he should be passing many of these down the lane. (5) TORTOLA SUNRISE rarely gets bet these days but he can threaten these from close range. (10) HUBBY NUMBER ONE was victorious the last time he was in this class but this post will likely limit him to a minor share here.

Yonkers: Tuesday 8/23 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF

MEET STATS: 196 - 847 / $1,239.00

BEST BETS: 25 - 81 / $129.70

Best Bet: TECH TITAN (9th)

Spot Play: PROMISE DELIVERED (11th)


Race 1

(1) IN COMMANDO takes a big drop in class and moves to the fence; ready for action. (3) SIR MACHALOT was sent down the road last out for all the glory in his Pocono finale. (2) HELLO HOT SHOT will be closing in the final strides.

Race 2

(2) KEYSTONE SAPPHIRE showed good speed before tiring in the stretch run recently at Tioga. She is seeking her first score of the year and could get it done against these. (3) CASSAS IMAGE has a closing kick and could make some noise in deep stretch. (1) FERRISWHEEL JUNKIE posted a tough break in his last try but could rebound from the fence.

Race 3

(2) WOODY was sharp for third money at Monticello last time around and has every right to move forward in here. (3) FOUR STARZ CREDIT is knocking at the door based on his last two trips to the post. (4) WALLTOCOUSINS was quite game in his last start and is not out of this by far.

Race 4

(1) ELIAS JOY scored in down the road fashion last out and retains the rail; two-peat is well within the cards. (3) ASHLAKE returns to Yonkers where she has done her best racing; threat. (6) AMALFI COAST put in a mild rally for fourth money last out.

Race 5

(4) FORT KNOX showed fine speed at Pocono and this 5-year-old can boss these wire to window. (3) BORDER CONTROL A just missed glory by only a neck last time out; main danger. (5) SIR ZIGGYS Z TAM could have a say in the exotics.

Race 6

Clearly (3) FOR YOU ALMOSTFREE is knocking at the door and with a favorable trip he can break through it and greet the cameraman for pictures. (1) BINGO QUEEN scored at this same level and now draws the fence; dangerous. (2) LAZURUS needs to return to his sharp victory at the Meadowlands to contend in here; maybe.

Race 7

(3) LORENZO DREAM did not fire against tougher last out but seems to be in a perfect spot to get the job done over this group. (4) TACS DELIGHT took charge turning for home but could not hold off the top two last out; big threat. (2) HERE COME NUMBERS raced evenly in his last trip and could make some noise.

Race 8

(3) SOMETHING FOR DOC gets serious post relief and that should help this pacer's cause and the good news is Bartlett signs on to drive; the pick. (1) P L HELLCAT should fare much better from the rail. (5) CLASSIESISTAR N finally leaves the 8-hole and fits with these; not out of this.

Race 9

(1) TECH TITAN scored an easy victory at Philly last time around and should find the half-mile oval to his liking; ready for the repeat. (4) ELLIES FUNKY MUNKY tired in the stretch run and held on for the show spot recently; main danger. (2) WINDSONG LUXURY stays in the 2-hole and could have a say in the outcome.

Race 10

(3) HEAL THE WORLD was sharp in victory in her Pocono finale and she is clearly in fine form; gets the call. (2) GLEAMING MEMORY was on the engine and never looked back on his way to glory last out at Pocono; big player. (1) CAPRINIA AS gets a cozy post to work with and good to see Brennan with the assignment; watch out.

Race 11

(6) PROMISE DELIVERED was second best at this level last out and this trotting gelding appears to be heading in the right direction. (2) HILLOSOPHICAL rallied strongly to nail down the victory in her latest. (3) GONEINAPUFFOFSMOKE was late on the scene to grab the show spot in his last try; don't overlook.

Race 12

(3) DIABANDO's last two efforts were quite sharp and he seems to be ready to move forward; the pick. (5) WESTERN BAYAMA got the job done last out via the pocket route; main danger. (1) VILLAGE BEAT could have a say from the fence.

SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday

TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Finger Lakes (3rd) Zapper Girl, 7-2
(4th) Rock Star Charlie, 5-1


Fort Erie (3rd) Pugnacity, 7-2
(8th) Philm Noir, 8-1


Indiana Grand (4th) English Flower, 7-2
(7th) Ralla's Rally, 8-1


Mountaineer (1st) B L's Light, 5-1
(9th) Bill Nack, 3-1


Presque Isle Downs (1st) Spring Forward, 7-2
(4th) Marchwood, 10-1

August Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

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

Take a look below.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of August.

On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.

To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

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

I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers.

Until then, as legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 10-5 (6-3 A)

After being Clayton Kershaw-like for nearly 12 months, the Cubs starter has "regressed" back to just being among the best starters in baseball. Arrieta has a nearly 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and only allows a base hit 70 percent of the time in innings pitched this season, among the finest in the majors.

Duffy, Danny - 11-4 (6-1 H)

After starting the season as a reliever, the Kansas City left-hander was forced back into the rotation based on need and he has responded. Since June, after a pair of starts, Duffy has put up an ERA of just over 3.00 and opposing batters have just a .289 on-base percentage against him.

*Gallardo, Yovani - 9-4 (5-2 A)

Not close to the same pitcher he used to be with Milwaukee, with ERA so far this season approaching almost two runs higher than career average (5.37 vs. 3.73). The lost velocity is to blame and secondary pitches have less bite. For Baltimore to win AL East, Gallardo has to find some of his old magic.

Greinke, Zack - 10-5 (5-2 H)

After being on the shelf with oblique injury since late June, Greinke is close to returning for Arizona if no reoccurrence were to take place after a rehab start or two this month. After pathetic start to season, the D-Backs prized starter has cut ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is close to career norms in all major categories. Elite starter.

*Hamels, Cole - 12-6 (8-4 H)

Having typical Hamels season, with low numbers across the board. In bigger picture, underrated high level hurler who has not been getting acclaim after Phillies fall, but has been ace with Texas. As usual, left-handed batters have no chance with .176 batting average and .287 slugging percentage.

*Iwakuma, Hisashi - 12-5 (7-1 A)

Not having normal season for Seattle, with hits allowed much higher than usual for Iwakuma. However, has won four of five starts and the Mariners are 10-3 when the righty has toed the rubber since May 20. With Felix Hernandez back, this pair could lead Seattle charge to postseason.

Milone, Tom - 7-3 (4-1 A)

Milone starts for bad Minnesota club and is inconsistent as ever. Of his 74 hits allowed in only 59 2/3 innings, 11 have gone the yard. Maybe he can keep the ball down and spot his pitches better like previous August’s.

*Sanchez, Anibal - 9-3 (5-1 H)

With decreased velocity and no action on breaking pitches, Sanchez ERA has been six or higher almost all season. Not sure if he can respond this month, with opponents having BA over .300 and owning a WHIP of 1.64.

*Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (8-1 H)

Only July 21st, Strasburg suffered first loss of entire season after 13 consecutive wins. Though the fastball is no longer in upper 90's all the time, the breaking pitches disappear from batter's view and he's been exceptional. If Strasburg has true to form month, he will have real shot at 20 wins in 2016.

Teheran, Julio - 11-5 (7-2 H)

Suffered lat strain in late July and has been a victim of no run support from bad Braves club with 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and opposing batters at only .205 batting average. Note: Teheran’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

Weaver, Jered - 12-5 (7-3 A)

Shell of his former self at 33. Never a hard thrower, Weaver's fastball only occasionally makes the upper 80's these days and his once dominating changeup is a pitch batter's wait on now with lack of variance of speed of pitches. Will blend good and really awful performances these days.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-6 (8-3 H)

On July 24th had excellent rehab start and will be rejoining Detroit this month. After sensational start with Tigers, Zimmermann was tagged for at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Detroit needs the Zimmermann they had early in the season to have chance to catch Cleveland in AL Central.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Gray, Sonny - 5-11 (0-7 A)

Given Gray's troubles this month, his woes of all season are very likely to continue. Gray simply has been more hittable the entire season, permitting those with bats to hit almost 50 points higher than normal batting average permitted of .233. Note: Gray’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-11 (2-9 A)

Back of the rotation starter, Hellickson has largely performed better than expected for Philadelphia and as this article went live, he was rumored to be traded. His KW ratio is significantly higher at 4 to 1 compared to 3 to 1 for his career. Will he be able to maintain the rest of season?

Kazmir, Scott - 5-11 (1-7 A)

The Dodgers port-sider has 9-4 record, but his 4.41 ERA is still above career average of 3.98. Durability has been issue all season, with too many starts around five innings for what is supposed to be Los Angeles No. 2 or 3 starter.

Koehler, Tom - 4-13 (0-10 A)

Above average arm but always up or down and unless he pulls a Rich Hill, at 30 is not likely to change. An 8-8 record, 4.18 ERA and WHIP of 1.46, is about what we have come to expect from Mr. Koehler. Note: Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Miley, Wade - 5-11 (1-6 A)

Overrated lefty who does not miss many bats and fails to come anywhere close to averaging punch-out an inning. Strictly an innings-eater and provides nothing more than 50-50 chance to win.

Miller, Shelby - 5-11 (2-8 H)

Demoted to Triple-A in July after disastrous campaign. Miller hopes to regain confidence and repair mechanics that are really out of whack and return to Arizona yet this season.

Samardzija, Jeff - 5-13 (3-8 H)

After appearing as the No.3 starter San Francisco wanted for two months, Smards has returned to same old serviceable pitcher of the past and seen his ERA climb from 2.84 to present 4.30 heading into this month.

MLB roundup: Dodgers' Gonzalez hits 3 homers
By The Sports Xchange

CINCINNATI -- Adrian Gonzalez hit three home runs, and Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin became the first players in Dodgers history to hit their first career homers in consecutive at-bats, lifting Los Angeles to an 18-9 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
Gonzalez had a career-high eight RBIs. The Dodgers' seven home runs were their most since Sept. 18, 2006, against the San Diego Padres. and their 21 hits were a season high. The 18 runs were the most for the Dodgers since Sept. 28, 2006, at Colorado.
Corey Seager and Yasmani Grandal also went deep for Los Angeles. Seager finished with four hits and three RBIs, while Chase Utley and Howie Kendrick each added three hits.
Cincinnati's Jose Peraza had a career-high four hits, including two doubles, while Joey Votto fell a home run shy of the cycle and drove in four runs.

Red Sox 6, Rays 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Red Sox starter David Price threw eight innings of shutout baseball, getting his first win as a visitor at Tropicana Field and leading Boston past his old team, Tampa Bay.
Price (12-8) took a one-hitter into the eighth inning, then got a huge save from left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who made a leaping grab over the wall in the corner to rob Steven Souza of what would have been a two-run home run. The former Rays ace was 0-3 in three previous starts against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.
Evan Longoria spoiled the shutout with a two-run home run, his 29th this season, off reliever Matt Barnes in the ninth inning. The Rays had more hits in the ninth (three) than in eight innings against Price.

Astros 3, Pirates 1
PITTSBURGH -- Doug Fister pitched three-hit ball for seven scoreless innings, and Teoscar Hernandez and Alex Bregman hit home runs as Houston beat Pittsburgh.
Houston has won four games in a row after a four-game losing streak. Pittsburgh lost its fourth straight.
Fister (12-8) allowed only one baserunner though the first 4 2/3 innings, a second-inning walk, before Gregory Polanco doubled with two outs in the fourth. He finished with six strikeouts and one walk.

Orioles 4, Nationals 3
BALTIMORE -- Mark Trumbo hit a two-run homer, Dylan Bundy pitched six innings, and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 Monday night.
Jonathan Schoop added a solo home for Baltimore, which had lost three straight. Bundy (7-4) allowed two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out four. He permitted at least one baserunner in five of his six innings.
Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendon homered for Washington.

Brewers 4, Rockies 2
MILWAUKEE -- Jimmy Nelson snapped a six-game losing streak with six solid innings, and Chris Carter hit his 30th home run of the season as Milwaukee opened a 10-game homestand with a win over Colorado.
Nelson (7-13) shook off a shaky opening inning and held the Rockies to two runs and seven hits. He didn't walk a batter in his longest start since July 16. He hadn't won since then.
Tyler Thornburg worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Indians 1, Athletics 0
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Carlos Santana ended a scoreless tie with a solo home run with one out in the eighth inning, leading Cleveland to a victory over Oakland in the opener of a three-game series.
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just four hits, for the Indians, who won for the ninth time in their last 12 games.
The loss was the 17th in the last 23 games for the A's, who were dealing with the aftermath of a clubhouse fight between Danny Valencia and Billy Butler on Friday night in Texas.

Diamondbacks 9, Braves 8
PHOENIX -- Paul Goldschmidt homered to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Arizona a walk-off victory over Atlanta at Chase Field.
Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman tied the game with a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth, his second homer of the game, before Goldschmidt hit the second pitch he saw from John Gant (1-3) for his 19th homer of the season.
Welington Castillo hit a three-run double to cap a four-run seventh inning as Arizona overcame a 5-0 deficit to take an 8-7 lead. Yasmany Tomas hit his 26th homer for the Diamondbacks.

Mariners 7, Yankees 5
SEATTLE -- Three-run homers from Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino were enough to overcome another big night from Yankees rookie Gary Sanchez as Seattle came back twice to beat New York.
Seager's fourth-inning shot gave Seattle its first lead, at 3-2, while Zunino delivered a three-run homer of his own to put the Mariners ahead 6-5 in the sixth. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz added an eighth-inning solo shot, his 32nd home run of the season.
Sanchez and Yankees teammate Starlin Castro each homered twice, but it wasn't enough as New York dropped its second game in a row to fall seven games back in the American League East. Sanchez, who was named American League player of the week earlier in the day, had hits in each of his first three at-bats. He went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs to bring his batting average up to .385 in the 17 games he's played since getting recalled on Aug. 3.

Cubs 5, Padres 1
SAN DIEGO -- Left-handed starter Jon Lester took a shutout into the seventh inning and Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Jason Heyward supplied the power as Chicago rebounded from a series loss in Colorado to defeat San Diego in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park.
The win was the Cubs' 20th in their last 25 games and improved their major-league-best record to 79-45.
Lester improved to 14-4 with his second win over the Padres this season. He held the Padres scoreless on three hits over six innings before giving up two straight hits opening the seventh that resulted in the Padres' run. Lester's official line was one run allowed on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six-plus innings.

Preview: Angels (52-72) at Blue Jays (70-54)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 23, 2016 7:07 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to have center fielder Kevin Pillar back in the lineup on Tuesday when they open a three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.

Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (8-13, 4.51 ERA) will start for the Blue Jays in their first meeting this season with the Angels, who will turn to left-hander Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 5.19 ERA).

Pillar injured his left thumb on a slide into second base on Aug. 7 in Kansas City. He likely will be reinstated from the disabled list after going 6-for-7 with a double and two RBIs in two games for Class A Dunedin on a rehabilitation assignment.

The move will give the Blue Jays more flexibility in the outfield. Melvin Upton Jr. has been playing center field in Pillar's place and recently has started to find himself at the plate.

Upton has batted .333 (6-for-18) with three home runs and six RBIs in his last five games. When Pillar returns to play center, it means Upton can move to one of the corners, probably right field with Michael Saunders returning to his regular spot in left field.

Ezequiel Carrera would resume his role as the team's fourth outfielder.

It is not certain when Jose Bautista will return from a sprained left knee. He is eligible to return from the disabled list on Thursday for the final game of the series.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson returned to the lineup Sunday following a two-game absence because of a jammed thumb, sustained in an at-bat on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

The Blue Jays' lineup is beginning to return to normal, and they hope it will mean more offensive production. They lost two of three to the Indians in Cleveland with each game decided by one run.

The Angels, meanwhile, are dealing with injuries to their bullpen with Huston Street and Cam Bedrosian on the disabled list.

Deolis Guerra, J.C. Ramirez and Fernando Salas did the job from the bullpen on Sunday in a 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees. Salas picked up the save.

Both Guerra and Ramirez have a chance to prove that they belong in the Angels' plans for next season.

"They are part of the bullpen answers right now," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Anytime someone gets an opportunity and they are throwing the ball well, obviously they make their own role, especially in the bullpen. Both those guys are doing a great job, and hopefully we'll get some more leads to hold and see how they continue to do."

The Blue Jays have added a left-hander to their bullpen for the Angels' series after Aaron Loup was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to replace starter Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez was sent to Class A Dunedin in a move that will limit his innings, which are at a career-high 156 1/3. He is 12-2 with a 2.99 ERA and will return to pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 31.

He allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings in a no decision Saturday against the Indians, a game won 6-5 by the Blue Jays.

Manager John Gibbons said that Sanchez has showed no signs of fatigue.

"I haven't seen anything to indicate that," Gibbons said. "He looks the same and the results look the same."

The Blue Jays are trying to protect the 24-year-old's arm but his performance has complicated the issue.

"It's not easy," Gibbons said. "Nobody wants to do it. We hope we're doing the right thing. We think we are and he's on board with it."

Dickey is 6-3 with a 4.51 ERA in 26 games, including 10 starts, in his career against the Angels.

Skaggs will be making his sixth start of the season for the Angels. He is 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays, both in 2014.

Skaggs won his only start at Rogers Center when he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and no walks in eight-plus innings.

Preview: Astros (65-60) at Pirates (62-60)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- Those who primarily follow the National League -- say, for instance, Pittsburgh Pirates fans -- might not have heard much about right-hander Joe Musgrove.

Musgrove (1-1, 4.18 ERA) began the season with Double-A Corpus Christi and has had arguably a meteoric start to his career with Houston. He will be on the mound Tuesday when the Astros play the second of three games at PNC Park.

At 6 feet 5, 265 pounds, Musgrove, 23, can look imposing, and he has pitched accordingly -- thanks to his performance and a couple of opportunities.

He was recalled from Triple-A Fresno Aug. 1 because Doug Fister was going on paternity leave. He came on in relief Aug. 2, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings against Toronto and setting a major league record for strikeouts by a reliever making his major league debut with eight.

The starter that day, Lance McCullers, then went on the DL, so the Astros kept Musgrove around and gave him his first start, Aug. 7 against Texas, then another and another. The statistic that jumps out: He has 23 strikeouts and three walks in 23 2/3 innings.

In his first start, which turned out to be a 5-3, 11-inning Astros loss to the Rangers, Musgrove retired the first 10 batters he faced before giving up three hits in the fifth. Then he settled back down and retired seven of the last eight batters he faced as he pitched through the seventh.

"He tired at the end but still gutted through his performance," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told the Houston Chronicle. "That's a big step for a young kid to come up here, get his first start and finish his outing. It's really easy to nitpick at the end when you're tired, not make a pitch, and end up having me go out and get you at 6 2/3, as opposed to seven.

"So there was a good growth day for him. He's got a lot of charisma, he knows what he's doing, and he's going to attack the zone. I really like what I see from his first two outings."

Musgrove has gone 1-1 since that no-decision.

Tuesday, he will oppose right-hander Ivan Nova (9-6, 4.83 ERA), meaning it could be a strikeout contest.

Nova is 2-0 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts since Pittsburgh acquired him from the Yankees. In his most recent start, a no-decision Wednesday in a 6-5 Pirates win in San Francisco, Nova gave up four runs on six hits over four innings, with five strikeouts and no walks.

Houston and the Pirates are in similar battles to try to climb into a wild-card spot, but they are moving in different directions lately.

The Astros' 3-1 win Monday in the series opener was their fourth win in a row and kept them 3 1/2 games behind Baltimore, which holds the second American League wild-card spot.

Since falling to 11 games under .500 on May 22 at 17-28, Houston is 48-32.

"Winning is contagious and playing good baseball is contagious," said Monday's winning pitcher, Doug Fister. "We've been playing pretty well the last few days, the best we've played in a while."

The game Monday was Pittsburgh's fourth loss in a row, leaving the Pirates two games behind Miami and four behind St. Louis, which holds the second National League wild-card spot.

Manager Clint Hurdle often cites an even keel as critical, and he's emphasizing it even more now.

"We're very consistent in what we do, and one thing I remind them of is to think with reason, not to think with emotion; make decisions with reason, don't make decisions with emotion," Hurdle said. "Many of them have been there in that situation before. I've been in that situation before. It's not for lack of effort or attitude. You're getting attitude, you're getting effort, the game can swing back and forth sometimes.

"You've got to play through it. You hold fast. These are the times when the coaching staff and myself need to show up. Somebody's got to hold the wheel, keep them positive, keep them playing forward and keep them optimistic. I believe we'll do that because that's the way we're built, the way we're wired."

Preview: Nationals (73-51) at Orioles (68-56)

Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE -- Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Reynaldo Lopez will try to duplicate his last outing and square the series when the Nationals face the Orioles on Tuesday night in Baltimore.

Lopez (2-1, 4.37 ERA) shut down the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 18, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits in seven innings as he beat Atlanta for the second time in five days.

The 22-year-old's task will be tougher on Tuesday night when he makes his first career start against Mark Trumbo and the Orioles, who lead the majors with 194 home runs.

Trumbo smacked his 38th homer of the season, a two-run shot, and Jonathan Schoop added a solo shot in Baltimore's 4-3 win on Monday before 31,660 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

"It was an energy that was needed," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the crowd after his team snapped a three-game losing streak. "It's a pick me up. We're having to make a lot of adjustments with batting practice and work schedules trying to keep our legs under us. That's why an atmosphere like this is nice."

Trumbo leads the majors in home runs and is already four beyond his previous season high with over a month left in the season.

"I wanted to drive the ball in the air a little bit more this year. That was kind of the mindset going into it, and all the offseason work was kind of geared towards that," Trumbo said. "You don't know if it's going to materialize or not, but you hope it does and so far so good."

Baltimore's Dylan Bundy outpitched A.J. Cole, but Cole's effort could be felt throughout the remainder of the home-and-home series.

Pitching in place of Stephen Strasburg, who went on the disabled list Monday with a sore right elbow, Cole went seven innings and provided some much-needed rest for a Washington bullpen that has been overworked during the team's road trip.

"He did more than save our bullpen he threw a heckuva game," manager Dusty Baker said. "Great poise and great command against a very good offense."

Cole joined Lopez and Trea Turner among the prospects who have been thrust into the spotlight for Washington this season.

"Our young guys have come through in all departments -- offensively, defensively, pitching wise -- and their future's bright and so is ours," Baker said.

Anthony Rendon homered for Washington and is hitting .333 with 12 doubles, seven homers, 21 runs scored and 25 RBIs in his last 31 games.

Danny Espinosa had a home run as well, snapping a 38-game stretch without one. Bryce Harper went 0-for-3 with a walk and is hitting .175 (10-for-57) lifetime against the Orioles.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-10, 4.11 ERA) starts for Baltimore on Tuesday. He allowed five runs -- four earned -- in 6 2/3 innings last time out against the Astros, but picked up his second win this month.

In his last four starts Gausman has allowed 10 earned runs in 23 2/3 innings (3.80 ERA). At home this season, he is 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA. Gausman is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two career starts versus Washington, the last being in 2014.

Wilson Ramos is 2-for-3 against Gausman with a home run.

Preview: Red Sox (70-54) at Rays (52-71)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox finish the season with 22 of their remaining 38 games on the road, but nights like Monday's 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays -- giving the Red Sox the second-best road record in the American League at 32-27 -- provides them with confidence down the stretch.

"We've embraced it," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "So much has been made that we're going to have such a tough road, and don't get me wrong, we have a tough road ahead of us, regardless of where we're playing. But the fact that our guys have let it roll off their back. They've bonded even closer together as we get deeper into the season."

Tuesday night's game at Tropicana Field pits two starting pitchers at opposite ends of the spectrum. Boston's Clay Buchholz has a career 2.63 ERA in 20 starts against the Rays, second best of any pitcher with 10 or more starts.

For all that success, he's just 8-7 during his career against the Rays, and hasn't faced them since May 2015, when he gave up nine hits and five earned runs in 6 1/3 innings. He has struggled this season with a 4-9 record and a 5.42 ERA.

That's stellar compared with Rays starter Chris Archer, who has a major-league leading 16 losses this year and is facing a historic stretch of losing against the Red Sox.

Archer is 1-9 in his career with a 5.82 ERA against Boston, having lost nine straight decisions, the longest stretch for any pitcher since Mike Moore lost 10 straight from 1987 to 1992. Archer is worse this season, with an 0-3 record and an 8.10 ERA in three starts.

The Rays will need him to last deeper into the game than Monday starter Blake Snell, who survived only 3 2/3 innings, setting up a bullpen that gave up four runs and five hits, tasked with getting five-plus innings against a tough Boston lineup.

"We fell behind early," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Blake just struggled to find the zone and it drove his pitch count up. He did some good things getting ahead of hitters, but it seemed like there were too many bullets wasted, leading to too many walks (five). When you walk this team eight (total) times, you're going to make it difficult to win a ballgame because they're so deep offensively."

Farrell said Boston's strong play, especially on the road, has started with excellent pitching, like David Price's eight shutout innings on Monday and what he hopes is a solid outing now from Buchholz against a team he has a history of strong pitching for a full decade.

"More importantly, it's the way we've pitched, bar none," Farrell said. "We've been in a good run for a solid month, and that's what's allowed us to extend any kind of streaks."

Preview: Rangers (73-52) at Reds (53-71)

Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- Derek Holland is expected to be reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday and start for the Texas Rangers that night when they begin a two-game interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Holland has been on the disabled list since June 22 with left shoulder inflammation and hasn't pitched for the Rangers since June 20. He made three rehab starts for Triple-A Round Rock and had a bullpen session on Saturday.

"We're hopeful he'll be ready to go, but when a guy has worked his way back from the disabled list you don't know what's going to happen until you get through it," said manager Jeff Banister. "It's a much different pace pitching back in a major league game."

Holland will be facing the Reds for the first time in his career. With Holland going on Tuesday, Yu Darvish will start Wednesday's series finale for Texas on six days' rest.

The American League West-leading Rangers lost two of three at Tampa Bay over the weekend but remain in control of the division.

Cincinnati split a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that concluded on Monday afternoon.

Texas is below .500 this season against teams with a losing record. Cincinnati (53-71) isn't the typical losing team, at least not at the moment.

Since the All-Star break the Reds are 21-14 and have won eight of 11 series.

"I just think that part of it is one of those stats you can look at and scratch your head at," said Banister of the poor mark against losing clubs. "But I don't think there is any merit to saying we don't play as hard or we let down, we're not focused. No that's not the case."

The Rangers will be facing one of Cincinnati's most consistent starting pitchers in right-hander Dan Straily, who was a member of three teams during spring training before finally sticking with the Reds.

Straily is no stranger to facing the Rangers, having made 11 career appearances against them, including 10 starts.

In seven starts since the All-Star break, Straily is 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Opponents are batting .217 against him and he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his starts since the break.

Control has been the key for Straily, who hasn't walked a batter in 22 2/3 innings. He leads the Reds' pitching staff in wins, innings, strikeouts and quality starts.

This after being traded, waived and eventually claimed by the Reds prior to Opening Day.

"I didn't know where I was going to be," Straily said. "I just wanted to keep that carrot out there."

Texas and Cincinnati enter this week's series tied 7-7 and one series apiece in their interleague matchups. The teams split a two-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington in June.

Cincinnati will try to rebound from a rough 18-9 loss to the Dodgers on Monday.

"It's a loss," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "It was uglier and took a lot longer than 1-0 or 4-3. We just didn't have an answer for their offense. We had a lot of hits and scored some runs. That's what you take out of it. You move on. It's one ballgame. You start fresh tomorrow."

Preview: Royals (64-60) at Marlins (65-59)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins may have a closer controversy brewing ... or maybe it is just a good problem to have.

The Marlins, fresh off a road sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, open a three-game series against the 2015 World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals, on Tuesday.

Kansas City (64-60) is even hotter than Miami, having won eight consecutive games -- the majors' longest active streak. Miami (65-59) has won three in a row. Still, neither team would be in the playoffs as the race currently stands.

The Marlins have been coping with a power void caused by injuries to right fielder Giancarlo Stanton and first baseman Justin Bour, who have combined to hit 40 homers in 171 games this season.

It is dubious whether either slugger will return this year.

In the meantime, both of Miami's left-handed starting pitchers -- Adam Conley and Wei-Yin Chen -- are on the disabled list.

The bullpen issue surfaced Sunday, when All-Star closer A.J. Ramos returned from the disabled list -- but not in his former role.

Fernando Rodney, who also made the All-Star Game this year on the strength of his work with the San Diego Padres, closed all three games in the Pirates series.

Ramos pitched the eighth inning Sunday, which left Marlins manager Don Mattingly to do some explaining.

"A.J. and I have talked," Mattingly said. "We're going to do what is best for the team."

The Marlins, trying to chase down the St. Louis Cardinals for the second and final NL wild-card berth, are just hoping that either Rodney or Ramos is in position to save Tuesday's game.

Miami will send right-hander Andrew Cashner (4-9, 4.92 ERA) to the mound for the series opener. Since being acquired from the Padres on July 31 in a package that included Miami's top hitting prospect, Josh Naylor, being sent to San Diego, Cashner has gone 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA in four starts.

His numbers are even worse in his past three starts: a 7.04 ERA. Cashner also has nine walks and just six strikeouts in his past two starts.

To get his first win with the Marlins, Cashner will have to cool off a red-hot Kansas City team and defeat right-hander Yordano Ventura (8-9, 4.46 ERA). The Royals have won each of Ventura's past four starts, and he has a 2.52 ERA during that span.

Royals left-hander Danny Duffy expects another quality outing from Ventura.

"Our rotation has been unbelievable," Duffy said Sunday. "Our bullpen is back, doing what we're known to do. The team's been doing great. We just have to keep that up."

Indeed, Kansas City has won five straight series and 13 out of 15 games. And after the series at Marlins Park, 20 of the Royals' final 35 games are at home.

Other story lines to watch:

--Marlins executive Michael Hill said Chen (left elbow) may not be back until late September. Hill said Conley (left hand) could be back sooner.

--The Marlins are rotating three players at first base -- Derek Dietrich, Xavier Scruggs and Chris Johnson. The team is also reportedly looking to make a trade to acquire outfielder Jeff Francoeur from the Atlanta Braves. Francoeur would be used as a backup and a pinch hitter.

--This will be the first series between Miami and Kansas City since the Marlins took two out of three from the Royals three years ago.

Preview: Rockies (60-65) at Brewers (54-70)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell hasn't yet found a way to predict when Chris Carter would go into one of his home-run hitting binges but he did reveal one factor that seems to come into play.

"He's playing at home," Counsell quipped Monday.

Counsell had good reason to smile as Carter cracked his 30th home run of the season in Milwaukee's 4-2 victory over the Rockies in the opener of a three-game set at Miller Park.

"I can't (see it coming)," Counsell said. "He was in a really good place in Seattle I thought. You hope coming back home that it kind of continues."

It marked the second time in Carter's career that he's hit 30 home runs and with approximately six weeks left in the season, Carter is hoping to keep it going.

"All the fives and zeroes are big numbers, and big positives from probably 20 on," Carter said. "For us to be here already in late August is pretty good."

He'll get a crack at padding that team-leading number Tuesday when Milwaukee takes on right-hander Jon Gray in game two of the series.

Gray has never before faced Carter or the Brewers but has struggled away from Coors Field, posing a 3-5 record and 4.29 ERA in 11 road starts this season.

He'll be looking to get back on track after three short outings and lasted just four frames his last time out, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk in the Rockies' 12-10 victory over the Nationals.

"I have thrown worse than I did today and gotten better results," Gray said after that outing. "I just ran into some trouble, and I didn't get quick outs. They were more patient with me, so I probably have to fill up the zone more early."

Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Chase Anderson, who's looking to regain some stability after a fluke week.

He started the second game of Milwaukee's double-header against the Cubs last Tuesday, but was pulled after just two-thirds of an inning when he was hit in the left knee by a Kris Bryant line drive.

He limped off the field and was diagnosed with a left quadriceps contusion but felt well enough to return to action Friday when he allowed two runs on three hits in two innings of relief in a 7-6 loss at Seattle.

Before that, Anderson had been in a bit of a groove, going 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA in his previous four starts.

"It feels good to be consistent, going three or four starts and being able to do the same thing each time," Anderson said after holding the Braves to two runs on six hits and a walk on Aug 10. "Two runs or less, that's the goal each and every time out. It's good to actually produce that, and give the team a chance to win."

Prior to Monday, Colorado had won six of the last seven meetings with the Brewers including four in a row at Miller Park.