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Preview: Yankees (26-21) at Angels (24-25)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 28, 2012 9:05 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees have both gone through well-documented offensive funks, but both have heated up just in time for their series in Southern California.

The Angels and Yankees each try to extend their longest winning streaks of the season in Monday night's opener.

Los Angeles (24-25) stumbled out of the gate by losing 14 of its first 20 games, dropping two of three at Yankee Stadium in mid-April, but is suddenly starting to look like the division contender most expected. The Angels have won six straight and are one victory away from getting back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 on April 9.

"We got off to a rough start but everyone stayed on an even keel,' said Mark Trumbo, who homered in Sunday's 4-2 win over Seattle. "We have confidence in what we're doing now. This is the style of play we knew we could do. I don't see any reason why we can't continue.'

The offense is steadily improving, averaging 4.3 runs during the winning streak after averaging 3.6 to start the year, and Albert Pujols is starting to look comfortable in his new environment.

Although he had a six-game hitting streak end Sunday, Pujols is still batting .308 with six homers and 14 RBIs in the last 13 contests.

The Yankees' offense is also built to score runs in bunches, though it wasn't doing that a week ago.

New York (26-21) averaged 2.1 runs in going 1-6 from May 15-21, but has averaged 5.6 in winning its five games since.

"You're going to have good stretches, you're going to have bad stretches,' Derek Jeter said after Sunday's 2-0 victory in Oakland.

Jeter singled Sunday for his 3,155th career hit, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer George Brett to move into sole possession of 14th place all-time, and is batting .400 during a seven-game hitting streak versus the Angels.

Mark Teixeira heads to Anaheim as one of the Yankees' hottest hitters after finishing the series against the Athletics 8 for 14 with three homers, three doubles and eight RBIs - raising his batting average 28 points to .254.

"I've been waiting for that hot streak and I found it the last few days,' Teixeira said. "Sometimes that's the name of the game, getting hot. As a team we're winning games, which is great.'

Teixeira and the rest of the Yankees, however, could have trouble generating much offense Monday against Jered Weaver (6-1, 2.61 ERA).

Weaver gave up a run, three hits and two walks over eight innings in Wednesday's 3-1, 11-inning win over Oakland. Excluding a disastrous outing against Texas on May 13, he has a 1.00 ERA in his other five since April 27.

Weaver, whose turn in the rotation didn't come up in the Angels' trip to the Bronx in April, was 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings in two starts against the Yankees last season.

Teixeira is hitting .188 in 16 at_bats against the right-hander since 2008, while Jeter is 2 for 20.

New York counters with Phil Hughes (4-5, 4.94), who gave up two runs and five hits in six innings in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Kansas City. He improved to 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA over his last four starts after opening 1-4 with a 7.48 ERA.

One of those shaky starts, however, came against Los Angeles - a team that has historically given the righty problems.

Hughes, who grew up near Anaheim, was knocked around by the Angels on April 14 for six runs and eight hits - including homers by Howie Kendrick and Chris Iannetta - in 3 1-3 innings of a 7-1 loss. Kendrick was 3 for 3, while Pujols was 2 for 2 with a double.

In four career starts against Los Angeles, Hughes is 1-2 with an 8.69 ERA and 1.98 WHIP.
 

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Preview: Cardinals (26-22) at Braves (26-23)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 28, 2012 1:10 PM EDT

A three-game sweep in St. Louis two weeks ago propelled Atlanta to the top of the NL East, but the Braves haven't enjoyed much success since.

The Cardinals' current struggles, meanwhile, originated with that sweep by Atlanta.

In a matchup of two slumping clubs, the Braves try to avoid losing their eighth in a row Monday afternoon against St. Louis at Turner Field.

Atlanta (26-23) was one-half game back of Washington in the East heading into its series in St. Louis from May 11-13, and after outscoring the Cardinals 23-13 the Braves emerged with a one-half game lead. Atlanta has since dropped to fourth place, four games back of the division-leading Nationals, having lost 10 of 14 and seven in a row.

"We just haven't, as a whole, been playing like we're capable of playing,' said Dan Uggla, who had one of the Braves' three hits in Sunday's 7-2 loss to Washington.

The offense has been awful during the franchise's longest losing streak since a nine-game skid in April 2010, scoring 18 runs while batting .180 to go with 66 strikeouts. Uggla is hitting .211 with two homers and three RBIs, while Jason Heyward is batting .150 with a home run and two RBIs.

Those two powered the offense at Busch Stadium earlier this month, with Heyward driving in five runs, while Uggla hit .385 with three doubles and three RBIs. Michael Bourn, second in the NL with 64 hits - but only three in his last five games - also had a big series, batting .471 with a homer and three RBIs.

The Cardinals (26-22) owned a 3 1/2-game lead atop the NL Central heading into their series with the Braves two weeks ago, but being swept by Atlanta initiated a 6-11 stretch that has dropped them 1 1/2 back of division-leading Cincinnati.

The Braves completed the sweep with a 7-4 victory on May 13, as Tommy Hanson (5-3, 3.12 ERA) outdueled Lance Lynn (7-1, 2.54), and those two will square off again Monday.

Despite Atlanta's struggles, Hanson has pitched well, yielding two runs or less in each of his last four starts. In St. Louis, the right-hander gave up a run and five hits while striking out a season-high nine in five innings to get the win.

He pitched well enough to get the victory Wednesday in Cincinnati, permitting a run and four hits in six innings, but didn't get much help from his offense and the Reds rallied for a 2-1 win.

Lynn's outing against the Braves earlier this month, in which he allowed three runs, four hits and three walks in six innings, began what has become a trend of shaky starts.

After posting a 1.40 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in winning his first six outings, the righty is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his last three. He gave up three runs, eight hits and three walks in six innings in Wednesday's 6-3 win over San Diego.

The Cardinals had lost three in a row following that victory before defeating Philadelphia 8-3 on Sunday.

"We needed this win," catcher Yadier Molina told the Cardinals' official website. "I'm proud for our team."

Molina hit a grand slam Sunday, while Carlos Beltran connected on a three-run homer for his NL-leading 15th and rookie Matt Adams added a solo shot. It was the first career homer for Adams, who is hitting .345 with four doubles in eight games filling in for injured first baseman Lance Berkman.

Molina, batting .563 with two homers and eight RBIs during a four-game hitting streak, left due to dehydration in the 90-degree heat Sunday and his status is uncertain.

Brian McCann, Atlanta's All-Star catcher, could return for the opener. He has not started since last Monday due to an illness.
 

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Preview: Nationals (29-18) at Marlins (26-22)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 28, 2012 1:10 PM EDT

One of the longest road trips of the season hasn't proven much of an obstacle so far for the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.

The Nationals will try to complete their three-city journey to the homes of division rivals in positive fashion when they pay their first visit to the Miami Marlins' new park for three games starting Monday afternoon.

After beginning its nine-game trek by taking two of three in Philadelphia, Washington (29-18) completed a three-game sweep of Atlanta with a 7-2 victory Sunday night. Jesus Flores went 3 for 4 with two RBIs in the series finale against the Braves, while Bryce Harper hit his second homer in as many games.

"The big thing in division play is that you try to win series," second baseman Danny Espinosa told the Nationals' official website. "You are not always going to sweep, especially in this division. It's a tough division. You always want to go out there and win series, especially on the road."

Washington will try to win its first game at Marlins Park with help from Jordan Zimmermann (3-4, 2.47 ERA), who is 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA - best among major league qualifiers - in four road starts this season. He gave up one run over six innings to defeat the Phillies on Tuesday.

Zimmermann is 0-2 with a 4.55 ERA in five career starts against the Marlins, but has no decisions and a 2.00 ERA in three outings in Miami. He'll be opposed by Carlos Zambrano (2-3, 2.85), who endured his worst outing of the season Wednesday at Marlins Park.

The right-hander was tagged for seven runs in five innings - a major step back after he'd gone 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his first four May starts.

Zambrano limited the Nationals to one run on a solo homer by Rick Ankiel and two total hits over seven innings April 20 in the nation's capital, but got outpitched by Ross Detwiler and charged with the Marlins' 2-0 defeat.

The Nationals earned a 3-2 victory the following day to complete a two-game sweep and improve to 5-1 in their last six games against Miami (26-22). They won two of three last Sept. 26-28 in the final series at Sun Life Stadium.

While Washington is surging, the Marlins have been playing well all month with an 18-8 record in May.

"They're playing with confidence, and so are we,' Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Guillen's club is coming off a four-game split at home against San Francisco, concluding with a 3-2 loss Sunday. The Marlins had their opportunities, but went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position after hitting .356 in RBI situations over the first six contests of their season-high 10-game homestand.

Miami is still hoping Heath Bell can establish some consistency. The struggling closer was pulled in the ninth inning of Friday and Saturday's wins, has blown four of 11 save chances and sports an 8.47 ERA, but Guillen is maintaining his support.

"It's going to be very hard for us to win if Heath Bell is not our closer," Guillen said. "It's easier for everyone if this kid comes out and does what he has been doing in the past. We have to get him back on track, and we have to give him the confidence."

Bell has converted five consecutive save chances against Washington but gave up two runs in the ninth inning of a 2-0 defeat for San Diego on June 12, the last time he faced the Nationals.
 

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Preview: Phillies (25-24) at Mets (27-21)

Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 28, 2012 1:10 PM EDT

Cole Hamels has been unbeatable over the last six weeks. That run began with a victory against the New York Mets.

The left-hander looks to become the majors' first eight-game winner Monday when he tries to help the visiting Phillies end their struggles against the Mets this season.

Since giving up four runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-2 loss to Miami in his 2012 debut April 9, Hamels (7-1, 2.17 ERA) is 7-0 with a 1.89 ERA in eight starts.

"I feel the same as I've felt the last couple years," Hamels told the Phillies' official website. "Fortunately, things are just falling my way. I'm just trying to make sure it goes as long as it possibly can."

In his last start Wednesday, Hamels allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight scoreless innings of a 4-1 win over Washington.

His current run began April 15 at home versus New York. He allowed a two-run homer to Ike Davis and fanned a season-high 10 in seven innings of an 8-2 win to improve to 4-10 with a 4.33 ERA in 18 starts against the Mets.

That victory is Philadelphia's only one in six games this season versus New York (27-21) - all at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets swept the teams' last series May 7-9.

Philadelphia (25-24) looks to bounce back after its four-game winning streak ended with an 8-3 loss at St. Louis on Sunday. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay left after two innings with shoulder soreness.

New York, meanwhile, has won three in a row and five of six after beating San Diego 2-0 on Sunday. One day after Johan Santana tossed a four-hitter in a 9-0 win over the Padres, R.A. Dickey struck out 10 over 7 1-3 innings.

The Mets, who posted 26 straight scoreless innings in winning the final three of the four-game set against the lowly Padres, last shut out three straight opponents May 25-27, 2010 - against the Phillies at Citi Field.

"It's nice to be able to celebrate some good outings in a row and, hopefully, the next guy out feels an obligation to keep it's where it's at right now,' Dickey said

New York actually shut out the Phillies four straight home meetings in 2010, but since then Philadelphia has won nine of 14 in Queens.

"When you play these teams (like the Phillies) you raise your level,' Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We got to pick our game up, but if we continue to pitch, we'll be in some games.'

The pressure to continue the Mets' mound success falls on Jonathon Niese (3-2, 4.29), who is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts versus Philadelphia in 2012.

After giving up a season-high eight runs in three innings of a 14-5 loss at Toronto on May 18, the left-hander allowed a run and five hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 3-1 win at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is 5 for 14 versus Niese, and 9 for 17 in his last four games overall.

A lifetime .333 hitter with two homers off Hamels, Mets star David Wright is 10 for 22 (.455) with a home runs and five RBIs against the Phillies this season. However, he went 0 for 9 in his last three games to drop his average from .405 to .382.
 

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Preview: Tigers (23-24) at Red Sox (23-24)

Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: May 28, 2012 1:35 PM EDT

It's been nearly two months since the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox opened the season against each other.

They both still have identical records, although neither team is bragging.

The Tigers, who swept that opening series, are coming off another sweep heading into Monday's opener of a four-game set against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Boston was hoping for improvement in manager Bobby Valentine's first season after missing out on a playoff spot in 2011, due to a 7-20 collapse down the stretch. Detroit won 95 games a season ago, advanced to the AL championship series and - after adding slugger Prince Fielder in the offseason - entered 2012 as a clear favorite for another division crown.

These teams, however, are currently both below .500 at 23-24. The Red Sox are last in the powerful AL East and the Tigers occupy third place in the Central.

Detroit comes to Fenway with more momentum after sweeping three games in Minnesota. Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning lifted the Tigers to Sunday's 4-3 victory.

Cabrera was 5 for 12 with five RBIs and four runs scored in the series while Fielder went 9 for 12 with two walks.

"We're here to win games, not here for personal numbers," Cabrera said. "If you think about that, you put pressure on yourself.'

Cabrera was one of several Tigers who turned in big numbers in the season-opening, three-game sweep of Boston at Comerica Park. He went 5 for 11 with three homers and eight RBIs, Austin Jackson was 8 for 14 and Fielder and Alex Avila each went 5 for 12 with two homers.

Jackson is out with an abdominal strain, but could return next weekend.

The Red Sox, outhomered 7-1 in the season-opening series, will look to bounce back after closer Alfredo Aceves blew a save in the ninth inning by allowing Sean Rodriguez's two-run homer in Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Tampa Bay. Aceves also blew a save April 8 against the Tigers, when he allowed a three-run home run to Cabrera and did not retire a batter, but had converted 11 of 12 opportunities since.

Boston has spent the entire season at .500 or worse, and has squandered three opportunities to obtain a winning record in the past week alone.

"It's frustrating for now, but it will happen," slugger Adrian Gonzalez told the Red Sox's official website. "(We have to) keep playing hard, get over that hump and keep going from there."

The Red Sox expect to activate Ryan Sweeney, who has been on the seven-day disabled list for a concussion suffered May 19 against Philadelphia. He's one of four Boston hitters with at least 14 doubles.

Felix Doubront (4-2, 3.96 ERA) will take the mound for the Red Sox after he yielded two runs over six innings Tuesday in a 4-1 loss at Baltimore as his three-start winning streak ended.

The left-hander, who ranks among baseball's leaders with a 7.02 run-support average, has never faced Detroit.

Doug Fister (0-2, 1.84) will start for the Tigers. He won his final six decisions of 2011, but is still in search of his first win this season after allowing two runs over 6 2-3 innings Wednesday and not getting a decision in a 4-2 defeat at Cleveland.

Fister lasted 3 2-3 innings April 7 in a 10-0 win over Boston before leaving a muscle strain in his left side that forced him to miss a month. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 2.89 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox.
 

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Preview: Reds (27-20) at Pirates (23-24)

Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 28, 2012 1:35 PM EDT

After hitting plenty of homers on a homestand, the Cincinnati Reds could find it difficult to go deep against a pitcher who has been keeping the ball in the stadium of late.

Pittsburgh Pirates starter James McDonald hasn't allowed a homer over his last 33 2-3 innings heading into Monday's opener of a three-game set against the first-place Reds.

Cincinnati (27-20) has won eight of nine, completing a 6-1 homestand in which it homered 17 times with Sunday's 7-5 victory over Colorado. Four Reds homered Sunday in a game that featured a record nine longballs at Great American Ball Park.

"The ball was flying out today," manager Dusty Baker told the Reds' official website. "That's too many home runs for them. I'll take all of ours."

McDonald (3-2, 2.51 ERA), however, figures to be stingy since he has yielded one run in five of his last seven outings. That includes a May 5 effort in which he limited the Reds to one run over 6 1-3 innings while striking out seven to earn a 3-2 victory, improving to 2-0 with a 1.90 ERA in four career home starts against them.

McDonald has struck out at least seven in six straight starts to tie Bob Veale's 1965 club record.

Several key Reds hitters have good numbers against the right-hander, with Brandon Phillips 6 for 15, Jay Bruce 5 for 13 with a homer and Joey Votto 6 for 19 with one home run.

All three of those hitters homered Sunday along with Todd Frazier for Cincinnati. Phillips went 9 for 23 with three homers and eight RBIs during the homestand while Votto was 11 for 24 with four walks and four runs scored.

Bruce, who sat out Friday's 6-3 loss after striking out 16 times during a 1-for-29 slump, has extra-base hits in consecutive games since returning to the lineup.

"To get momentum like that at home is always good," Bruce said. "Winning the series is key. That's what you hope for."

Drew Stubbs was the hitting star for the Reds when they took two of three in Pittsburgh (23-24) earlier this month, going 6 for 12 with two homers. The Pirates were outhomered 5-2 in that series.

Pittsburgh had not hit a three-run homer until Pedro Alvarez had one in the first inning Sunday in a 10-4 win over the Cubs. Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones also went deep for the Pirates, seeking their first four-game win streak of 2012.

"I was well aware of the fact we didn't have (a three-run homer)," manager Clint Hurdle said. "They make the offensive game pick up dramatically when you can get three runs in one swipe."

Several Pirates could face a challenge Monday against Bronson Arroyo (2-2, 3.22). McCutchen is 1 for 16 against him, Rod Barajas is 0 for 11 and Jones is 4 for 16.

The right-hander went 0-2 with a 8.18 ERA in two 2011 starts against Pittsburgh, although he is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last four outings at PNC Park.

Arroyo yielded one run over 6 2-3 innings Wednesday and did not get a decision in a 2-1 win over Atlanta.
 

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Preview: Athletics (22-26) at Twins (15-32)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 28, 2012 2:10 PM EDT

The Oakland Athletics are once again struggling to score runs while the Minnesota Twins are once again having difficulty keeping them off the scoreboard. It comes as perhaps no surprise then that both teams are in the midst of lengthy losing streaks.

The Athletics have dropped a season-high five in a row heading into Monday's opener of a three-game series against the Twins, who are on the verge of matching their longest skid of the campaign.

Oakland (22-26) is hitting a major league-worst .209 this season and its 158 runs scored are 22 fewer than any other AL team. The A's, though, have fared worse than usual during their losing streak, batting .145 while being outscored 25-6.

They produced five singles in their latest defeat, 2-0 to the visiting New York Yankees on Sunday.

"We're beyond pressing at this point," manager Bob Melvin said. "We have to try to relax. We're trying too hard. We're going to try a little easier."

Minnesota, meanwhile, has the worst ERA in the majors at 5.47 and has given up a combined 36 runs over its five straight losses. The Twins, though, had one of their better efforts Sunday against visiting Detroit but closer Matt Capps gave up a two-run homer to Miguel Cabrera in the ninth inning of a 4-3 defeat, his first blown save in 10 chances.

"We're a good enough team. We score enough runs. We've got to do a better job of preventing them," reliever Glen Perkins said.

The Twins (15-32) might have a better chance of limiting their next opponent with Scott Diamond (3-1, 1.78 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has not allowed a run in his 14 innings at Target Field this season but could use some more support in this outing.

Minnesota tied a season high with three errors during a 6-0 defeat to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, and Diamond was charged with three unearned runs - five total - over six innings.

"He threw the ball well. Unfortunately, we didn't make some plays behind him," manager Ron Gardenhire told the team's website. "We made him throw a few extra pitches, and made him work a little bit harder."

After sending a struggling Graham Godfrey back to the minors, the A's are expected to give Travis Blackley (0-0, 0.00) his first major league start since Sept. 29, 2007. The left-hander, acquired off waivers from San Francisco on May 15, has made three relief appearances for Oakland, including one of 3 2-3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.

Blackley is 1-3 with a 9.35 ERA in eight major league starts with six of those taking place in 2004 for Seattle. He will face Minnesota for the first time Monday.

Diamond is also making his first start against Oakland, and Brandon Inge, expected to be activated from the disabled list Monday, is the only A's player to have faced him, going 2 for 4.

Inge had four homers and 16 RBIs in his last six games before going on the DL.

Minnesota last dropped six in a row from April 21-27. Oakland's most recent skid of six or longer was 10 games from May 30-June 9.
 

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Preview: Padres (17-32) at Cubs (15-32)

Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 28, 2012 2:20 PM EDT

Monday's matchup at Wrigley Field features one team enduring its longest losing streak in 15 seasons and one that hasn't scored in 26 innings.

The owners of the worst records in the NL open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on a 12-game losing streak and the San Diego Padres also searching for offense.

Chicago (15-32) is on its longest slide since the 1997 team began 0-14. The Cubs were swept over the weekend in Pittsburgh, with six defeats during their skid coming by one run before a 10-4 loss Sunday.

"Not only to not get results, but to feel like you are getting embarrassed, it is frustrating," catcher Koyie Hill said.

San Diego (17-32) hasn't been much better lately, dropping six of seven and going without a run since Jesus Guzman's first-inning sacrifice fly in a 6-1 loss to the New York Mets on Friday. The Padres were shut out Saturday and Sunday to close that four-game set.

If there's hope for the Cubs on Monday, it's their success over the years against San Diego's Jeff Suppan (2-3, 4.21 ERA), whose 11 losses to Chicago are his most against any team.

Suppan has gone 0-6 with a 6.23 ERA in his last nine starts against the Cubs, and he's 1-9 with a 5.38 ERA in his last 15 road starts overall.

The right-hander has gone 0-3 with a 6.32 ERA in his last three outings. Suppan gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 6-3 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday.

The Cubs, however, have scored four runs over 37 2-3 innings against starting pitchers in their last six games. Erik Bedard threw six scoreless innings against them Sunday.

"We didn't score, again, off the starter, so that magnifies everything,' manager Dale Sveum said.

The Padres hope Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin are both in the lineup Monday. Quentin, out since right knee surgery in mid-March, could join the team in Chicago for his San Diego debut. The outfielder has completed two rehab stints.

"There's a chance you could see him in the field," manager Bud Black told the Padres' official website.

Maybin has struggled with a .216 average, but the injury-plagued Padres would welcome his return. He sat out a 2-0 loss Sunday with a right wrist sprain.

"It feels better," Maybin said. "It was a little more swollen (Saturday). I think it could have been from swinging."

San Diego, 3-15 against left-handed starters, will face Travis Wood (0-1, 3.86) in his third start for Chicago. Wood yielded two runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 2-1 loss at Houston on Tuesday as he took the place of the demoted Chris Volstad in the rotation.

Wood has gone 0-0 with a 2.63 ERA in two career starts against the Padres.

Only the Pirates have scored fewer runs among NL teams than the Cubs (161) and Padres (151). San Diego is last in the majors with 18 homers.

These teams split six 2011 matchups.
 

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Preview: Astros (22-25) at Rockies (17-29)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: May 28, 2012 8:10 PM EDT

After one of their best stretches of the season, the Houston Astros once again hit a stumbling block on the road. A matchup with the Colorado Rockies might help end the Astros' woes away from home.

The Astros will try to avoid a third straight loss and send the Rockies to their 18th in 23 games Monday in the opener of a rare, scheduled day-night doubleheader.

Houston (22-25) is 16-10 at Minute Maid Park, but only 6-15 on the road. After wrapping up a 6-2 homestand last week and winning Friday's series opener in Los Angeles, the Astros dropped their final two games to the major league-best Dodgers including a 5-1 loss Sunday.

Houston gave up 12 hits - including five to Jerry Hairston Jr. - in the series finale and produced only two, Jose Altuve's triple to lead off the game and a sixth-inning single by Jed Lowrie. The final seven spots in the lineup went a combined 0 for 20.

"It's frustrating. We came up just a little short," Astros starting pitcher J.A. Happ told the team's official website. "That's a heck of a ballclub, and we had a chance to take a series from them."

Although Coors Field is traditionally hitter-friendly, Houston's pitching staff may be able to right itself against a Colorado lineup that's batting .239 during a 5-17 stretch. The Rockies (17-29) have also dropped seven of eight at home.

They had only five hits Sunday in Cincinnati but all five were solo homers, including two from Carlos Gonzalez. Still, Colorado fell 7-5 as the Reds hit four home runs of their own to set a record for most combined long balls (nine) in Great American Ball Park history.

"In defeat, I can't tell you how proud I am of this ballclub the way they stayed after it (Sunday)," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "There is nothing we could do about the first four innings of the game. Six of their seven runs cross the plate via the home run. You can't catch those."

Tracy's starter for Monday's opener, Juan Nicasio (2-2, 4.83 ERA), kept the ball in the yard Tuesday but gave up six runs and nine hits over five innings of a 7-6 loss at Miami. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA over his last four starts.

Nicasio gave up one run over seven innings against Houston on April 8, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't hold a one-run lead in a 3-2 defeat.

The Astros will counter with Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 2.14), who earned his first win since May 2 on Wednesday. The left-hander gave up one run on a solo homer over seven innings of a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.18 ERA in his last four starts against Colorado, but allowed only three unearned runs over six innings against the Rockies in the clubs' April 6 season opener at Minute Maid. He did not get a decision in that 5-3 defeat, the only loss of that series for the Astros.

Houston was swept in a three-game series at Coors last Aug. 22-24 after winning seven of its previous nine there.

The Astros are expected to take advantage of a new rule that allows a 26-player roster for doubleheaders and call up Jordan Lyles (0-1, 5.29) from Triple-A Oklahoma City to pitch the nightcap. The right-hander, who made three starts in the majors before being sent down May 20, has never started against Colorado.

Alex White (1-3, 5.32) will start opposite Lyles for the Rockies and try to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his career. The right-hander gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings Wednesday in Miami but got credit for an 8-4 victory.

White is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in two career starts against Houston.
 

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Preview: White Sox (26-22) at Rays (29-19)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 28, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

An offensive surge has propelled the Chicago White Sox to their longest winning streak of the season.

A solid start from Chris Sale helped the club begin its run.

Looking for a sixth consecutive victory, Sale and the White Sox face a stiff challenge Monday in the opener of a three-game road set against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Chicago (26-12) has totaled 52 runs and 64 hits during its five-game winning streak. The White Sox have scored at least 10 runs in three of their last four games, including a 12-6 victory over Cleveland on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. Paul Konerko hit his 400th homer in a White Sox uniform to help them move within one-half game of the Indians for the AL Central lead.

The White Sox have homered in 13 straight games for the first time since 2006, and are batting .309 with 23 home runs during a 9-1 stretch.

"Its a nice roll," Konerko told the team's official website. "We've got to try to roll this out as best we can."

Konerko has been remarkable all season, batting a major league-leading .399 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs. He's batting .565 (26 for 46) with five homers and 15 RBIs during a 13-game hitting streak that was interrupted when he missed two games after being hit in the face with a pitch against the Cubs on May 18.

"He's figured something out,' teammate Gordon Beckham said. "It's fun to run out on the field every day with him, that's for sure.'

Konerko is batting .432 with two homers and seven RBIs in his last 10 games versus Tampa Bay.

Sale (5-2. 2.50 ERA) has allowed one run and seven hits while striking out 13 over 12 1-3 innings to win his last two starts. The left-hander gave up two hits in seven innings of a 6-0 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday to begin Chicago's current winning streak.

"Part of pitching is finding a groove and rolling with it,' said Sale, who will be making his first start against the Rays. He's made two relief appearances against them, allowing one run in 2 1-3 innings.

Tampa Bay (29-19) has won three of four and moved into a tie with Baltimore atop the AL East after rallying for a 4-3 victory at Boston on Sunday. One day after Jarrod Saltalamacchia's two-run homer in the ninth inning sent the Rays to a 3-2 loss, Sean Rodriguez did the same in the ninth to beat the Red Sox.

Rodriguez and Matt Joyce each had two hits for Tampa Bay. Joyce is 5 for 10 in the his three games after going 1 for 14 over his previous six. He's also batting .471 (8 for 17) in his last five games against the White Sox.

Making his first appearance against Chicago, Matt Moore (1-4, 5.07), is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts since beating Seattle on May 1. The left-hander allowed four runs - two earned - and walked four in 4 2-3 innings of Tuesday's 8-5 victory over Toronto.

"His stuff was really, really good again," manager Joe Maddon told the Rays' official website. "I just think he started to speed up a little bit after we got the big lead. As opposed to just going out and attacking the strike zone. He will. He will be able to eventually do that.

"But again, I have a lot of patience for young left-handers with that kind of arm."
 

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Preview: Royals (19-27) at Indians (26-21)

Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 28, 2012 4:05 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians are the AL Central leaders, but they haven't been playing like a first-place team.

Perhaps a return to Progressive Field will help the Indians get back to their winning ways.

Cleveland tries to win a season-best fourth in a row at home Monday when it renews its division rivalry with the Kansas City Royals.

Entering a three-game weekend set with a 3 1/2-game cushion over the second-place White Sox, the Indians (26-21) left Chicago on Sunday with a half-game lead after losing 12-6.

Cleveland was outscored 35-16 in the series.

The Indians, though, have a chance to win four straight at home for the first time since Sept. 22-24 as they open a six-game stretch at Progressive Field that ends against the AL-worst Minnesota Twins.

Josh Tomlin (1-2, 4.67 ERA) is expected to be removed from the disabled list and get the ball Monday. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May 7 due to right wrist soreness, but he didn't report any problems after a simulated game Thursday.

"I'm looking forward to (coming back)," Tomlin told the Indians' official website.

He might not be looking forward to facing the Royals (19-27). Tomlin has an 8.64 ERA in two appearances - one start - against Kansas City in 2012.

He'll face a Royals team that's continuing its nine-game trip after taking two of three from Baltimore. Kansas City had dropped seven of nine before visiting Camden Yards.

"I think we knew it was time to kind of get going here,' right fielder Jeff Francoeur said after Sunday's 4-2 victory.

Francoeur will try to keep it going after extending his hitting streak to seven with a 2-for-4 effort, including his fourth homer in six games. He's batting .517 (15 for 29) during his streak.

"I hope he can sustain it,' said designated hitter Billy Butler, who has homered in five of the last nine games.

Continued production from those two could benefit Monday's scheduled starter Nate Adcock (0-2, 2.33), who takes the mound for the first time in eight days.

In place of the injured Everett Teaford (lower abdominal strain), Adcock - pitching on three days' rest - threw five innings of one-run ball in his first start of the season, a 2-0 loss to Arizona on May 20.

Adcock makes his first start against the Indians after posting a 1.93 ERA in two relief appearances against them in 2011.

He should be careful pitching to Jason Kipnis, who was 6 for 12 with two homers and four RBIs over the weekend. However, the Indians second baseman is hitting .202 at home with two homers and eight RBIs compared to .365 with six homers and 20 RBIs away from Progressive Field.

"My splits at home are terrible," Kipnis told the Indians' official website.

Kipnis was 3 for 9 as Cleveland dropped two of three in the Royals' visit April 24-26.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera said he doesn't expect to return to the Indians' lineup Monday after missing the last two games with a tight left hamstring. Cleveland is also expected to be without DH Travis Hafner (right knee) for a fifth consecutive game.

Butler is batting .395 (17 for 43) with two homers and eight RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak versus Cleveland.

Francoeur is 5 for 28 with no extra-base hits as Kansas City has lost four of six in this series in 2012.
 

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Preview: Diamondbacks (22-26) at Giants (25-23)

Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 28, 2012 5:05 PM EDT

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy doesn't want to think about where his team would be without Melky Cabrera.

The Arizona Diamondbacks would probably like to find out.

Arguably the hottest hitter in baseball, Cabrera will look to continue his roll Monday when the Giants open a seven-game homestand against the Diamondbacks.

San Francisco (25-23) has shown recent signs it may be capable of challenging the major league-leading Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The Giants have won seven of 11 and defeated Miami 3-2 on Sunday to complete a 4-3 road trip.

"We'll take it," Bochy told the team's official website. "This has been a tough place for us. We got the series in Milwaukee and this was a huge game, I thought. It has been a pretty good road trip."

No player had a bigger role in Sunday's win than Cabrera, who went 4 for 4 with a solo homer, three runs scored and two steals. It was the third four-hit game this season for Cabrera, the major league leader with 73 hits - the most by a Giants player through 48 games since Willie Mays in 1958.

"I didn't know that I was up there in the ranks of Willie Mays, but I'm honored to be mentioned in the same sentence," Cabrera said through a translator.

Cabrera, whose .369 average ranks second in the NL, went 9 for 18 in the four-game series against the Marlins. He's batting .426 with 17 RBIs this month.

"I can't think where we would be without him," Bochy said.

Bochy's team had lost nine straight to the Diamondbacks (22-26) before Cabrera went 7 for 10 and helped the Giants take the final two of a three-game set at Arizona earlier this month. He is 13 for 28 (.464) with two homers, three doubles and six RBIs in six games this season versus the Diamondbacks, and is a lifetime .381 hitter against them.

The Giants may need Cabrera to continue his hot hitting with struggling Barry Zito (3-2, 3.53 ERA) on the mound.

Zito is 2-2 with a 6.20 ERA in his last four starts and lasted a season-low three innings in Wednesday's 8-5 loss at Milwaukee. He allowed the first six batters to reach base in a 40-pitch first inning and wound up allowing eight runs - four earned - five hits and four walks.

The left-hander beat the Diamondbacks with six strong innings on May 13, but is 4-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 16 career starts against them.

Arizona begins a six-game trip after rallying past the Brewers 4-3 on Sunday for its third win in four games. Aaron Hill went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles as the Diamondbacks won a series at home for the first time since a season-opening sweep of the Giants.

"I hate to keep reverting back to last year. I think everybody's kind of sick of that,' shortstop Willie Bloomquist said, "but that was kind of the recipe we used last year an awful lot - kind of lackluster for the first five innings and then wake up for an inning and take the lead and shut them down seven-eight-nine.'

The season-opening sweep was part of a season-best four-game winning streak for Arizona, which hopes another effective start from Trevor Cahill (2-4, 3.74) can help the club win three in a row for the first time since April 29-May 1.

After allowing four runs in consecutive outings, the right-hander limited the Dodgers to one run over six innings Tuesday but his bullpen failed to hold the lead in an 8-7 loss.

Cahill had yielded one run in each of his first four career starts against the Giants before he was reached for four over 5 2-3 innings of a 5-2 loss May 12.
 

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Preview: Orioles (29-19) at Blue Jays (24-24)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 28, 2012 7:07 PM EDT

The Baltimore Orioles have hit a bit of a rough patch.

Facing the struggling Toronto Blue Jays might help them get back on track.

The visiting Orioles look to avoid matching a season high with their third straight loss Monday night by handing the Blue Jays a sixth consecutive defeat.

Baltimore (29-19) held a two-game lead atop the AL East on May 19 while riding a five-game winning streak. Since then, the Orioles have dropped five of seven to fall into a tie for first with Tampa Bay. They stranded 19 runners while scoring five runs in losing the last two against Kansas City to conclude a 2-4 homestand.

"We have to prove to the fans that we're for real,' said center fielder Adam Jones, who extended his career-high hitting streak to 18 games the same day his six-year, $85.5 million contract extension was officially announced. "There's a bigger goal here, I believe, and that's winning games.'

The Orioles have done that versus Toronto (24-24), winning five of six in 2012. Though Baltimore has seven wins in its last 37 games at Rogers Centre, two of them came during a three-game set April 13-15 for its first winning series in Toronto since 2008.

Toronto, which has been outscored 47-25 during its five-game skid, allowed 34 runs in three games at Texas. The Blue Jays have not dropped six straight since a nine-game losing streak May 19-27, 2009.

"Those games are over, we can't go back in time and change them," slugger Jose Bautista told the Blue Jays' official website. "We just have to win (Monday) night."

Jones, batting .338 during his major league season-high hitting streak, is 9 for 21 with three homers and five RBIs versus Toronto this season.

The Orioles hope scheduled starter Tommy Hunter (2-2, 5.07 ERA) can regroup after he allowed five runs in six innings while not factoring in an 8-6 loss to Boston last Monday.

Hunter is 0-1 with a 5.34 ERA in five starts since he yielded a homer to Eric Thames and two other hits in six innings of a 2-1 home win over the Blue Jays on April 24. However, the right-hander gave up five runs and a season-high four homers in six innings at Toronto on April 13.

He is 0-2 with a 6.98 ERA in three starts at Rogers Centre.

Toronto's J.P. Arencibia is 1 for 12 versus Hunter, but he homered twice in Sunday's 12-6 loss to the Rangers. Colby Rasmus also homered and had three hits.

Rasmus is 7 for 20 with two homers and four RBIs in the last four games, but 0 for 13 in his last four versus Baltimore.

Toronto starting pitchers have posted a 13.50 ERA during the losing streak that began when scheduled starter Drew Hutchison (3-2, 5.73) gave up six runs and two homers in a season-low four innings of an 8-5 loss at Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

In his second career start, the right-hander allowed two runs in five innings while not factoring in a 5-2 loss at Baltimore on April 26.

The Blue Jays could be without shortstop Yunel Escobar, who left Sunday's game with tightness in his left groin. He's batting .333 during the last 10 games.
 

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Preview: Mariners (21-29) at Rangers (30-18)

Game: 1
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: May 28, 2012 8:05 PM EDT

Very little has shut down Texas' prolific offense, but the Seattle Mariners' Kevin Millwood, of all people, is one of the pitchers to have given the team problems.

The AL West-leading Rangers look to carry some momentum from an amazing weekend into Monday night's series opener with the Mariners and Millwood, who shut down Texas for a second time last week.

The Rangers (30-18) lead the majors with 276 runs, 73 homers, a .289 average and an .824 OPS, and they flexed their muscles in sweeping a weekend series from Toronto, combining for 34 runs, 10 homers and 44 hits while producing a 1.091 OPS. Nelson Cruz finished the series with two homers, two doubles and 10 RBIs, Adrian Beltre drove in five runs and Ian Kinsler had three doubles, four RBIs and five runs.

"We have All-Stars,' Ron Washington said after Sunday's 12-6 win. "The guys who hit behind (Josh) Hamilton are guys who can drive in runs.'

Despite boasting one of baseball's most potent lineups, the Rangers totaled seven runs and 16 hits in dropping two of three last Monday-Wednesday in Seattle, and Millwood (3-4, 4.72 ERA) was one of the pitchers to silence their bats.

In the Mariners' 5-3 victory Wednesday, the 37-year-old gave up three hits - singles to Kinsler and Hamilton and a double to Beltre - and a walk over six shutout innings. This was the second time this season Texas struggled against Millwood, who held the Rangers to a run and four hits over six innings in a 4-3 comeback win April 11.

"He's not much to figure out - he's always been fastball, curve, slider and changeup. But he's a veteran who knows how to pitch and has been doing it for a long time," left fielder David Murphy told the Mariners' official website. "He's had our number and he's in our division, so we're going to face him a lot and we have to make an adjustment."

The Rangers aren't the only team having trouble against the 16-year veteran, who pitched for Texas from 2006-09.

Prior to shutting down the Rangers, Millwood threw a two-hitter in a 4-0 win over Colorado on May 18. He has gone 17 straight innings without allowing a run - which trails only an 18-inning scoreless streak from Aug. 23-Sept. 3, 1999, for the longest of his career - and has given up just one run in his last 25 innings.

"Confidence goes a long ways in this game and that's kind of what I'm working on right now,' Millwood said.

While the Rangers could have some problems scoring, runs could also be at a premium for Seattle (21-29), which has little offense to speak of and has historically had virtually no success against scheduled starter Matt Harrison (5-3, 4.72).

At Safeco Field on Tuesday, the left-hander allowed a run and eight hits while matching a season best with six strikeouts in seven-plus innings of a 3-1 win. The victory marked Harrison's sixth in as many starts against the Mariners dating to May 1, 2010, and he is 7-0 with a 1.95 ERA in eight starts against them since 2009.

None of this bodes well for a Seattle offense that ranks 10th in the AL in runs (185) and 13th in batting (.226). Since facing Texas last week, the Mariners combined for nine runs and 18 hits in being swept in a four-game series by the Los Angeles Angels.

"We've got to do more offensively,' manager Eric Wedge said. "It's hard to win up here if you have to be perfect out there on the mound.'

Ichiro Suzuki was 2 for 16 in the series, while leadoff hitter Dustin Ackley was 2 for 12. Ackley was hitless in four at_bats last week against Harrison, falling to 0 for 15 lifetime in their matchups.
 

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Preview: Astros (22-25) at Rockies (17-29)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: May 28, 2012 8:10 PM EDT

After one of their best stretches of the season, the Houston Astros once again hit a stumbling block on the road. A matchup with the Colorado Rockies might help end the Astros' woes away from home.

The Astros will try to avoid a third straight loss and send the Rockies to their 18th in 23 games Monday in the opener of a rare, scheduled day-night doubleheader.

Houston (22-25) is 16-10 at Minute Maid Park, but only 6-15 on the road. After wrapping up a 6-2 homestand last week and winning Friday's series opener in Los Angeles, the Astros dropped their final two games to the major league-best Dodgers including a 5-1 loss Sunday.

Houston gave up 12 hits - including five to Jerry Hairston Jr. - in the series finale and produced only two, Jose Altuve's triple to lead off the game and a sixth-inning single by Jed Lowrie. The final seven spots in the lineup went a combined 0 for 20.

"It's frustrating. We came up just a little short," Astros starting pitcher J.A. Happ told the team's official website. "That's a heck of a ballclub, and we had a chance to take a series from them."

Although Coors Field is traditionally hitter-friendly, Houston's pitching staff may be able to right itself against a Colorado lineup that's batting .239 during a 5-17 stretch. The Rockies (17-29) have also dropped seven of eight at home.

They had only five hits Sunday in Cincinnati but all five were solo homers, including two from Carlos Gonzalez. Still, Colorado fell 7-5 as the Reds hit four home runs of their own to set a record for most combined long balls (nine) in Great American Ball Park history.

"In defeat, I can't tell you how proud I am of this ballclub the way they stayed after it (Sunday)," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "There is nothing we could do about the first four innings of the game. Six of their seven runs cross the plate via the home run. You can't catch those."

Tracy's starter for Monday's opener, Juan Nicasio (2-2, 4.83 ERA), kept the ball in the yard Tuesday but gave up six runs and nine hits over five innings of a 7-6 loss at Miami. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA over his last four starts.

Nicasio gave up one run over seven innings against Houston on April 8, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't hold a one-run lead in a 3-2 defeat.

The Astros will counter with Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 2.14), who earned his first win since May 2 on Wednesday. The left-hander gave up one run on a solo homer over seven innings of a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 5.18 ERA in his last four starts against Colorado, but allowed only three unearned runs over six innings against the Rockies in the clubs' April 6 season opener at Minute Maid. He did not get a decision in that 5-3 defeat, the only loss of that series for the Astros.

Houston was swept in a three-game series at Coors last Aug. 22-24 after winning seven of its previous nine there.

The Astros are expected to take advantage of a new rule that allows a 26-player roster for doubleheaders and call up Jordan Lyles (0-1, 5.29) from Triple-A Oklahoma City to pitch the nightcap. The right-hander, who made three starts in the majors before being sent down May 20, has never started against Colorado.

Alex White (1-3, 5.32) will start opposite Lyles for the Rockies and try to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his career. The right-hander gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings Wednesday in Miami but got credit for an 8-4 victory.

White is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in two career starts against Houston.
 

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Preview: Brewers (19-28) at Dodgers (32-15)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 28, 2012 8:10 PM EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers have two things in their favor in the opener of their four-game series at Chavez Ravine, one of which is the absence of Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for perhaps the last time.

The other is sending Shaun Marcum to a mound that's far away from Miller Park.

Marcum looks to continue his solid work on the road Monday at Dodger Stadium, while Los Angeles aims for a 10th win in 14 games without its superstar on the likely eve of Kemp's return.

Kemp hasn't played since May 13 because of a strained right hamstring, but he's eligible to return from the disabled list Tuesday and will do so barring a setback during a two-game stint at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers (32-15) were a major league-best 23-11 - averaging 4.4 runs and hitting .262 - before Kemp went down, but they've been even better while he's been on the DL. Los Angeles has averaged 4.8 runs and won 9 of 13 without Kemp after Jerry Hairston Jr. had a career-high five hits in Sunday's 5-1 victory over Houston.

"Matt's arguably the best player in the game, and you hate to lose a guy like that because it can be pretty devastating for the team. But we feel we have a complete team,' Hairston said. "And even with Matt in the lineup, we're going to need everybody to contribute to be successful. Everybody's been doing that, and it's been fun.'

Even with some makeshift lineups - Sunday's featured Andre Ethier batting cleanup surrounded by eight hitters who'd hit a total of four homers in 2012 - the Dodgers have experienced no fall-off in their play.

They won't have it easy Monday, though, as Marcum (2-3, 3.93 ERA) looks to improve on his 2-0 record and 1.37 ERA in three starts against Los Angeles.

Only one of those came in the past five seasons - seven innings of one-run ball May 16, 2011, at Chavez Ravine - but there's ample evidence the right-hander can pitch well again. Marcum is 9-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 21 road starts since joining Milwaukee (19-28) last season, a far cry from his 6-5 record and 4.82 ERA at Miller Park.

Marcum, winless in his last four road outings despite a 2.88 ERA, gave up a season-high six runs and five hits - including a pair of two-run homers - in Tuesday's 6-4 home loss to San Francisco.

Marcum has given the Brewers a quality start in 16 of 21 road outings, and they could certainly use one considering the rotation has posted a 5.46 ERA as they've lost eight of 11. Armed with a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth Sunday in Arizona, Randy Wolf couldn't make it through the inning and Milwaukee lost 4-3.

"It is frustrating the way things have been going,' Wolf said. "Once we feel like we are playing better baseball and get some wins, but things just kind of happened. Obviously the frustration is going to be palpable.'

To make matters worse, injuries are starting to pile up. A day after placing shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring, the Brewers lost first baseman Travis Ishikawa to a right oblique strain.

He'll also head to the DL, while Brooks Conrad will come up from Triple-A Nashville.

Conrad, Ryan Braun and the rest of the Milwaukee lineup will face Aaron Harang (3-2, 4.36), who will try to bounce back after surrendering five runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings Tuesday at Arizona.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against the Brewers since the start of 2011. He gave up three runs over six innings April 19 in a 4-3 win at Miller Park.

Braun is 7 for 28 against Harang, but three of those hits were homers.
 

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Diamond Trends - Monday

May 28, 2012


SU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Twins are 0-19 since July 18, 2011 at home and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $1956 when playing against.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


The Pirates are 9-0-1 OU since August 12, 2011 after scoring 6+ runs in a win for a net profit of $900 when playing the over.


STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:


The Braves are 10-0 since April 12, 2011 when Tommy Hanson starts when the bullpen has allowed at least one run for two straight games for a net profit of $1035.


MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:


The Reds are 0-16 (-3.1 rpg) in database history between game 20 and 100 of the season with a total under 10 after a game where they left no more than two men on base as a team.


TODAY’S TRENDS:


The Phillies are 9-0 since April 17, 2011 when Cole Hamels starts vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $900.

The Cardinals are 7-0 since August 02, 2011 as a dog when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $1010.
 

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Monday's betting tips: Brew Crew blue behind Marcum

Weather to watch

San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs – A 24-mph wind will be blowing out to dead center for this afternoon tilt. Temperatures will be in the high 80s, with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Who’s hot

MLB: Texas is 13-3 in Matt Harrison’s last 16 starts vs. losing teams.

MLB: The over is 9-4 in San Diego’s last 13 games vs. a lefty starter.

NBA: Boston is 4-0 ATS in its last four meetings with Miami.

Who’s not

MLB: The Brewers are 0-6 in Shaun Marcum’s last six starts vs. winning teams.

MLB: Cleveland is 2-5 in Josh Tomlin’s last seven home starts.

NBA: The under is 5-16 in the last 21 Celtics-Heat games in Miami.

Key stat

9 – That’s the average number of turnovers the Celtics committed in their three wins over Miami this season, compared to 20 turnovers in the lone loss. Point guard Rajon Rondo is the key to Boston’s chances. He averaged 18.7 points, 13.7 assists and 7.7 rebounds against the Heat. But in that lone loss, Rondo had seven of Boston’s 20 giveaways.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

The light-hitting Padres, who were shut out Saturday and Sunday, could get a huge boost Monday with the possible activation from the DL of slugging OF Carlos Quentin, who is coming back from knee surgery. The 29-year-old went 4-for-7 with a homer and three RBIs in two rehab games at High-A Lake Elsinore. Last year, Quentin had 24 homers and 77 RBIs while playing for the White Sox. He hit 107 homers from 2008-11.

Game of the day

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-8, 180)

Notable quotable

"They're not going to ever quit. Last year, we beat them in five but it was a nine-game series, it felt like.'' -- Miami guard Dwyane Wade, on facing the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 is Monday night in Miami.

Notes and tips

Oklahoma City's backdoor cover Sunday night, on a meaningless James Harden 3-pointer at the buzzer, dropped favorites to 12-3 ATS in the last 15 NBA playoff games. Monday night, the Heat is favored by 8 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk leads the NHL in playoff points with 18, and he’ll be counted on for a lot more when New Jersey faces Los Angeles in the Cup finals starting Wednesday. Kovalchuk is obviously over a lower back injury that caused him to miss Game 2 of the second-round series with Philly. "I missed that game against Philly and the doctors took care of everything and I’ve been feeling good since then," Kovalchuk said.

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said before Sunday’s game that he’s sticking with Heath Bell as his closer, despite pulling him from a second straight save chance Saturday. Bell has an 8.47 ERA, a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 10:14, and has blown four of 11 save opportunities.

Rockies OF Dexter Fowler (ankle) did not start for the fourth straight game Sunday, but should be able to rejoin the lineup Monday. Fowler has five homers, 19 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .336 in 42 games.

The Nats are in first place, but they’re not resting on their laurels. Washington is actively seeking to trade for a veteran reliever, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. Washington’s bullpen is unsettled with Drew Storen (elbow) and Brad Lidge (hernia) sidelined and Henry Rodriguez struggling. Rodriguez blew three saves before being moved out of the closer’s role last week.
 

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Public opinion: Monday's top consensus plays

NBA:

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-8, 180)


It’s a quick turnaround for the aging Celtics, who were pushed to Game 7 on Saturday by No. 8-seeded Philly. Miami has been off since Thursday night. And this series is where Avery Bradley’s absence could really be felt. Boston has no one capable of guarding Dwyane Wade, who scored 99 points in Miami’s three consecutive wins over the Pacers. However, Boston is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings with Miami, winning three outright.

Consensus: Celtics 53 percent

MLB:

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates (-110, 7.5)


Bettors are backing the Reds, who belted 17 homers in their just-completed seven-game homestand. But they're facing a tough customer in Pittsburgh starter James McDonald. He has a 2.18 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP over his last three starts. Cincy starter Bronson Arroyo is 6-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 14 career starts against the Pirates.

Consensus: Reds 62 percent
 

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Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

We're going to go thru the over/under win totals for each NFL team in this space over the next week, division-by-division. Today, the NFC East:

-- Cowboys 8.5, over -$125-- Need a QB their stadium can be proud of.

-- Giants 9.5, under -$120-- SB champs went 9-7; what a country.....

-- Eagles 10, over -$135-- Had second-most turnovers in NFL LY.

-- Redskins 6.5, under -$130-- How good will RGIII be as a rookie?

Remember, what I've listed here are just odds, not any prediction.......


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Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Happy Memorial Day, everyone.........

13) The bandwagon is starting to fill up in Baltimore; they had a walk-up sale of almost 11,000 Friday night (including DDLohaus and family) and drew a total of 89,427 for three games with the Royals. Hopefully the O's can keep winning and people will keep coming out to the ballpark.

12) All five teams in the NL East are still over .500; big early series starts Monday when the Nationals visit Miami to play the Marlins.

11) Good God I feel old; I'm watching Pawn Stars, and a woman brings in a computerized horse racing analyst that Mattel sold back around 1980-- the woman wanted $150, she settled for $11. Rick laughed at her.

You entered all the info from the Racing Form into the Analyzer, and it was a tedious process, but it came up with selections. How do I know? Well, I may or may not have bought one way back when. Stupid is as stupid does.

By the way, I still have it, so if you'd like to try it out, let me know.

10) Saturday night, on American Pickers, the two guys bought a lunchbox that was shaped like an old Volkswagen bus; in the mid-60's, VW dealers gave them away when they opened a new dealership. How do I know? For three years in grade school, I brought that lunchbox to school every day.

They bought the damn thing on the TV show for $80, and said they could re-sell it for $150. Somehow, If I go downstairs, I'm guessing it won't be there anymore. Who knew I had such a valuable lunchbox?

9) Why didn't the Mariners start Dustin Ackley on his bobblehead night? Maybe because he's hitting .242. Just a guess.

8) San Diego pitcher Edinson Volquez is pretty good, but in six of his 11 starts, Padres haven't scored while he was in the game. Thats not good.

7) Clay Buchholz has started 10 games this season; he allowed 4+ runs in eight of ten, with Boston 5-3 in those games. The two games he allowed only two runs? The Red Sox lost both games. Go figure.

6) Tim Lincecum is 2-5, 6.41 so far this year; would you be worried?

5) Royals are now 0-6 when they had the previous day off.

4) Indians went to the south side of Chicago 3.5 games ahead of the White Sox, but gave up 35 runs in three games, and are now only a half-game ahead of the Pale Hose in AL Central, with favored Detroit three games back.

3) Last two times umpire Marty Foster worked the plate, the games went 14-13 innings; just a theory here, but I'm guessing Mr Foster will be calling a lot of strikes in his next game behind the dish, in order to facilitate a fast ballgame. Under, anyone?

2) Cubs have lost 12 games in a row, the Spurs have won 19 in a row; what is going to happen first, a Cub win or a San Antonio loss?

1) Friend of mine texted me tonight with this question: "Has there ever been a team as great as San Antonio and as boring at the same time?"

At what point do we begin to talk about the greatness of the Spurs, who are 9-0 this playoff season? So what they're not flashy? Dammit, we complain about showboats and me-first jackasses, so when we get a great team that is selfless, why not celebrate them?

Sunday's List of 13: In a perfect world, where I decide everything....
13) The drinking age would be 18; if you're old enough to go to war, you're damn sure old enough to have a beer.

12) That said, I'd raise the driving age to 17; 16 is too young to drive. Too many distractions. Of course, I'm 52 and always distracted. Go figure.

11) I'd get rid of the designated hitter, except for spring training and in the All-Star Game. If you can't play the field, then retire.

10) Speaking of the All-Star Game, I'd get rid of the National and American Leagues and go with geographic realignment, then whichever conference had the edge in interconference play would get home field edge in World Series.

Every third year, the All-Star Game would be US against the World.

9) No more Electoral College; the Presidential candidate who gets the most votes wins, regardless of what state anyone lives in.

8) I'd take the radios out of NFL players' helmets; coaches have six days to coach the players. On Sunday, just let the players play.

7) If I ran the Colorado Rockies, wouldn't have any 49-year old pitchers who can't get hitters out; we'd be releasing Jamie Moyer, maybe hire him as a coach or an announcer, but his playing days would be over. .

6) NBA playoff series would be best-of-3, the Finals best-of-5. You don't need seven games to determine which team is better, not in basketball. I'd also let kids jump right from high school to the NBA, and if they don't get on a roster the first year, they could enroll in a college for second semester, starting that January, and start playing ball the following fall.

5) Someone would put a Steak 'n Shake and In 'n Out burgers in Albany.

4) If I ran NBC, I'd tell Notre Dame to get in a conference for football, or no more TV money from us; they'd be scurrying to a league pretty quickly.

3) No more fighting in the NHL; I know lot of people within the game want to keep it. I think its a great game, with or without, but better without it.

2) If I were former used car salesman Alan R Selig, I'd use my vast power as Commissioner of Baseball to make the Wilpons sell the Mets. These people are either corrupt, stupid or both; why would you want them owning one of your most visible franchises?

1) I'd go along with Governor Christie in New Jersey and make gambling on sports legal in the whole country; legalize internet poker too. This could be happening soon; we'll see later this year.
 

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