Cnotes Sports Page For Saturday August 15th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (977) TAMPA BAY@ (978) TEXAS | 2015-08-15 20:05:00 - 2015-08-15 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 34 Wins and 19 Losses for the this season (+26.67 units)


MLB > (951) PITTSBURGH@ (952) NY METS | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play ON NY METS using the money line in All games in home games
The record is 42 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (+21.75 units)

MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA@ (956) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play AGAINST MILWAUKEE using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 17 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.4 units)

MLB > (969) OAKLAND@ (970) BALTIMORE | 2015-08-15 19:05:00 - 2015-08-15 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE using the money line in Home games in night games
The record is 67 Wins and 31 Losses for the last two seasons (+31.8 units)

MLB > (975) CLEVELAND@ (976) MINNESOTA | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play AGAINST CLEVELAND using the money line in All games against division opponents
The record is 17 Wins and 29 Losses for the this season (-17.6 units)


MLB > (973) LA ANGELS@ (974) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the money line in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 67 Wins and 43 Losses for the this season (+21.45 units)

MLB > (967) SEATTLE@ (968) BOSTON | 2015-08-15 13:35:00 - 2015-08-15 13:35:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the money line in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 43 Wins and 58 Losses for the this season (-23.2 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (973) LA ANGELS@ (974) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the in Home games when playing with a day off
The record is 7 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+11.05 units)


MLB > (965) NY YANKEES@ (966) TORONTO | 2015-08-15 13:05:00 - 2015-08-15 13:05:00
Play ON TORONTO using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 13 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+12.05 units)


MLB > (977) TAMPA BAY@ (978) TEXAS | 2015-08-15 20:05:00 - 2015-08-15 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 38 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (+18.5 units)


MLB > (971) DETROIT@ (972) HOUSTON | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play ON HOUSTON using the in All games in home games
The record is 33 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (+17.1 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB TOTALS


MLB > (963) WASHINGTON@ (964) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-08-15 22:05:00 - 2015-08-15 22:05:00
Play UNDER SAN FRANCISCO on the total in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 2 Overs and 17 Unders for the this season (+14.8 units)


MLB > (957) MIAMI@ (958) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-15 19:15:00 - 2015-08-15 19:15:00
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in All games in home games
The record is 17 Overs and 39 Unders for the this season (+18.8 units)


MLB > (961) CINCINNATI@ (962) LA DODGERS | 2015-08-15 21:10:00 - 2015-08-15 21:10:00
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total in All games in home games
The record is 85 Overs and 51 Unders for the last two seasons (+33.6 units)


MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA@ (956) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 53 Overs and 33 Unders for the this season (+19.35 units)


MLB > (979) CHICAGO CUBS@ (980) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play UNDER CHI WHITE SOX on the total in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Overs and 26 Unders for the this season (+13.6 units)


MLB > (973) LA ANGELS@ (974) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Play OVER LA ANGELS on the total in Road games against right-handed starters
The record is 26 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+13 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB TOP POWERLINES


MLB > (965) NY YANKEES @ (966) TORONTO | 2015-08-15 13:05:00 - 2015-08-15 13:05:00
Line: NY YANKEES BTB PowerLine: NY YANKEES-108
Edge On: NY YANKEES (20)


MLB > (967) SEATTLE @ (968) BOSTON | 2015-08-15 13:35:00 - 2015-08-15 13:35:00
Line: BOSTON+131 BTB PowerLine: BOSTON123
Edge On: BOSTON (8)


MLB > (969) OAKLAND @ (970) BALTIMORE | 2015-08-15 19:05:00 - 2015-08-15 19:05:00
Line: OAKLAND BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND103
Edge On: OAKLAND (32)


MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA @ (956) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-157
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (16)


MLB > (973) LA ANGELS @ (974) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: LA ANGELS BTB PowerLine: LA ANGELS-163
Edge On: LA ANGELS (9)


MLB > (979) CHICAGO CUBS @ (980) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS132
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (15)


MLB > (953) ARIZONA @ (954) ATLANTA | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: ATLANTA+125 BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA111
Edge On: ATLANTA (14)


MLB > (971) DETROIT @ (972) HOUSTON | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: HOUSTON-148 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON-160
Edge On: HOUSTON (12)


MLB > (975) CLEVELAND @ (976) MINNESOTA | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: CLEVELAND BTB PowerLine: CLEVELAND101
Edge On: CLEVELAND (12)


MLB > (951) PITTSBURGH @ (952) NY METS | 2015-08-15 19:10:00 - 2015-08-15 19:10:00
Line: NY METS-117 BTB PowerLine: NY METS-123
Edge On: NY METS (6)


MLB > (977) TAMPA BAY @ (978) TEXAS | 2015-08-15 20:05:00 - 2015-08-15 20:05:00
Line: TAMPA BAY BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY135
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (15)


MLB > (961) CINCINNATI @ (962) LA DODGERS | 2015-08-15 21:10:00 - 2015-08-15 21:10:00
Line: LA DODGERS-185 BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS-194
Edge On: LA DODGERS (9)


MLB > (963) WASHINGTON @ (964) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-08-15 22:05:00 - 2015-08-15 22:05:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO-105 BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO-114
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (9)

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Yankees (62-51) at Blue Jays (64-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 15, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

Punch and counterpunch.


It seems destined that's how the AL East will be decided by the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays the rest of the season, and the two teams continue to vie for the division lead Saturday.


It may be a stretch to call Carlos Beltran's three-run, go-ahead pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning Friday season-defining for the Yankees (63-51), but there's no doubt Friday night's 4-3 victory to open this three-game set was needed. They snapped Toronto's club record-tying 11-game win streak and regained a one-half game advantage in the East.


"I was thinking about trying to get one in with a runner on third and a runner on second and one out," Beltran said. "I have to put the ball in play and I got myself a good pitch to hit and put it out of the ballpark."


The blast capped a four-run eighth for New York, which had been shut out the previous 33 innings by Blue Jays pitchers and failed to score despite getting eight hits in the first seven innings off David Price.


"We've played them last weekend and we lost 2-0, 2-1 and played tough games," manager Joe Girardi said. "We weren't able to string a lot together. We were able to do it in the eighth and that was the difference. Hopefully it gives us confidence."


Beltran has hit .345 with three homers and two doubles during a nine-game hitting streak. He's 4 for 17 with two homers against Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada (10-6, 3.21 ERA), who looks to get Toronto back on track, win his fourth straight start and outpitch Masahiro Tanaka (8-5, 3.79) for the second time in six days.


Estrada was effective in Sunday's 2-0 victory, yielding three hits and three walks in 6 1-3 innings while holding the top three hitters in the Yankees lineup - Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez - hitless in nine at-bats. It was a stark contrast to his May 5 outing at the Rogers Centre, where he yielded five runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 6-3 defeat.


The right-hander has a 1.45 ERA during his winning streak while limiting opponents to a .131 average.


The Blue Jays (64-53) seem unfazed by the loss, nearly rallying in the ninth as Troy Tulowitzki struck out against closer Andrew Miller in a 12-pitch at-bat to end the game with runners on second and third. That may prevent Miller, who wound up throwing 28 pitches after tossing 18 on Thursday at Cleveland, from pitching a third consecutive day.


Beltran's homer also ended a 25-inning scoreless streak by Toronto relievers dating back to an Aug. 2 win over Kansas City.


"I don't think it will have any effect at all because it was a good game that went down to the wire," manager John Gibbons said. "We don't have young guys so there's no emotional rollercoaster. These guys have been through it so I don't think it'll be a problem."


Toronto had some problems with Tanaka - it had one other hit besides solo homers by Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista. Friday's loss marked the first time the Blue Jays failed to homer in 13 games, and they haven't gone back-to-back games without going deep since a three-game stretch from July 8-10.


Tanaka, though, has given up eight homers in five starts since the All-Star break, but seven of them have been solo shots. While Bautista (2 for 13) and Donaldson (1 for 8) had rare success last weekend, Edwin Encarnacion is 5 for 10 with a homer and a double against the right-hander.


Rodriguez, who will get either Saturday or Sunday off according to Girardi, is 3 for 30 in his last seven games.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Blue Jays
Fri, Aug 14 - 4 TO 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Blue Jays
Sat, Aug 15 - 1:07PM EDT


GAME 3
Yankees at Blue Jays
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:07PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Mariners (54-61) at Red Sox (50-64)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 15, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Though the postseason doesn't seem like much of a reality for the Boston Red Sox, they have more than enough incentive to finish strong down the stretch.


A day after learning manager John Farrell will miss the rest of the season to undergo cancer treatment, the Red Sox look to keep Felix Hernandez from becoming the majors' first 15-game winner for the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday.


Hours before Boston (51-64) rolled to a 15-1 victory Friday, Farrell fought back tears while announcing he has a 'highly curable' form of cancer and will take a medical leave to deal with his lymphoma. Bench coach Torey Lovullo is guiding the club for the remainder of the season.


'I can honestly tell you I'm extremely fortunate that it was found," the 53-year-old Farrell said. "Treatment will begin in the coming days."


Though Farrell's illness is another blow to a beleaguered ballclub, the Red Sox are determined to rally around their manager and put forth the type of effort he expects from them while keeping things in perspective.


'We have a big family around here and definitely when it comes down to health issues, you want to be sure that everything goes OK," said slugger David Ortiz, who is batting .522 with nine RBIs in the last six games. "The organization is taking a lot of responsibility on that to make sure that John gets through it the way it's supposed to be."


The Red Sox will try to secure a winning series by getting the best of Hernandez (14-6, 3.11 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in his last four starts at Fenway Park. However, the right-hander can match his win total from last season by recording a third straight victory after he yielded two runs in seven innings of Sunday's 4-2 triumph over Texas.


"I believe Felix has a run in him," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "He may run the table, you never know."


Batting .395 with two home runs in 38 at-bats against Hernandez, Ortiz had two hits Friday as Boston set season highs for runs and hits (21). Rookie Travis Shaw homered twice and Rusney Castillo hit a two-run shot before leaving with a foot injury.


'We hit just about every emotion that you possibly can, that was topped off with a lot of excitement in the dugout," Lovullo said. "The guys did that for John. They fought hard and played hard for John.'


Boston has lost the last six starts by Wade Miley (8-9, 4.68), who is 0-2 in his last seven and tries to bounce back after he allowed five runs and nine hits while not factoring in the decision of a 7-6 loss at Detroit last Saturday.


The left-hander's only other appearance against the Mariners (54-62) came in 2012.


Kyle Seager, who is 2 for 3 against Miley and homered Friday, is batting .434 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in his last 21 games against the Red Sox.


While Castillo's status for this contest is unknown, the same goes for teammate Hanley Ramirez after he missed a fifth consecutive game - also with a sore foot.


"He's been able to go through some pregame work," Farrell said prior to Friday's contest.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mariners at Red Sox
Fri, Aug 14 - 1 TO 15
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Mariners at Red Sox
Sat, Aug 15 - 1:35PM EDT


GAME 3
Mariners at Red Sox
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Athletics (51-65) at Orioles (57-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 15, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Chris Davis is on quite a tear over the past three weeks. Now, if he can just get his teammates to follow suit.


Davis tries to continue his torrid pace Saturday night when the Baltimore Orioles continue their four-game series against the struggling Oakland Athletics.


Returning home after getting no-hit by Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma on Wednesday, the Orioles (58-56) erased a 4-0 deficit and blew a two-run lead in the ninth before Manny Machado won Friday's series opener in the 13th inning with a two-run homer.


'We needed this win to get us going,' Machado said. 'We're just glad we got it over with, however it was.'


Adam Jones began the comeback with his third home run in four games - a three-run shot in the fifth - before Davis capped the seventh with a two-run homer, his 32nd of the season and eighth career onto Eutaw Street at Camden Yards.


Davis matched a season high with three hits and is batting .333 with 13 home runs, 32 RBIs and a 1.290 OPS in 22 games since July 22. He leads the AL in home runs and RBIs during that span and is tied with Toronto's Josh Donaldson for the major league lead with 85 RBIs.


Machado's second career walk-off homer gave Baltimore (58-56) its sixth win in eight home games and pulled it within 1 1/2 games of the Los Angeles Angels for the second AL wild card.


The Orioles have homered 14 times in the past eight games, scoring 22 of their 36 runs in that stretch via the longball.


Steven Vogt hit a two-run homer and Coco Crisp tied a career high with four hits for Oakland (51-66), which has surrendered 26 runs in losing the first four on a seven-game trip.


'Anytime you have a 4-0 lead, you feel you're in a pretty good position to win the game,' A's manager Bob Melvin said. 'Just a three-run homer - and that's what they do is hit home runs - got them right back in it.'


Crisp is 7 for 14 against the Orioles this season and 4 for 65 against everyone else.


Chris Bassitt's lone win this year came against Baltimore earlier this month, and he'll look for a repeat performance Saturday.


Bassitt (1-4, 2.48 ERA) has a 2.27 ERA in seven starts, allowing two or fewer runs six times while completing at least six innings in five straight appearances.


He had perhaps the best performance of his career Aug. 4, allowing five hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out seven in a 5-0 victory over the Orioles.


Miguel Gonzalez (9-8, 4.45) was the losing pitcher in that game, yielding three runs and five hits over 5 1-3 innings. That's part of a dismal stretch for Gonzalez, who is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in his last three starts.


The right-hander has been even worse at home lately, going 0-3 with a 12.08 ERA while yielding five homers over 12 2-3 innings in as many outings.


Baltimore could use some innings out of Gonzalez after its relievers pitched six innings or more three times in five games.


Brett Lawrie and Billy Butler have both struggled against Gonzalez, combining to go 5 for 30 (.167). Crisp, however, is 3 for 5 with two doubles.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Athletics at Orioles
Fri, Aug 14 - 6 TO 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Athletics at Orioles
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Athletics at Orioles
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT


GAME 4
Athletics at Orioles
Mon, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cubs (65-48) at White Sox (54-58)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

While the NL MVP has been linked to superstar Bryce Harper for months, the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo is making it clear his name belongs in the conversation.


Cubs' starting pitcher Jake Arrieta isn't the most familiar name in baseball but he's also showing he should be considered for the league's Cy Young.


Rizzo looks to continue his torrid stretch and Arrieta tries to extend his scoreless streak as the Cubs go for a ninth straight win Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.


After completing a 7-0 homestand, the Cubs (66-48) pushed their winning streak to eight with Friday's 6-5 victory for their 14th win in 15 games. This is the first time the team has won eight in a row since a nine-game run May 26-June 3, 2008, and it's best stretch since going 15-1 from May 19-June 7, 2001.


'I think right now, we feel like we're gonna win every game,' Chris Coghlan said. 'I think that's the reason why we're winning a lot of them. You can say, 'I hope we win a game.' But to actually believe it and be (convinced) in it is totally different than just saying, 'I hope we go win today.''


Coghlan hit a three-run homer in the top of the third and then tied the score with a solo shot in the fifth. Rizzo followed with his 23rd homer to give the Cubs 10 home runs in their last three games.


"They're playing great baseball right now," Friday's loser Jeff Samardzija said. "They play every out and they don't make any mistakes."


Rizzo has been the driving force behind the team's surge, batting .412 with seven homers, 16 RBIs and a 1.394 OPS in the last 15 games. He is also 15 for 30 with five homers and four doubles during a 7-1 stretch on the road.


One of the biggest improvements in his game is his ability to hit left-handed pitching.


After batting .226 against southpaws in his first four seasons, he is hitting .343 against lefties this year - the majors' second-best mark by a left-handed batter.


He was 1 for 3 against the left-handed Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.59 ERA) last month while Dexter Fowler went 3 for 4. Fowler is 5 for 11 in his last three games.


Quintana pitched well against the Cubs on July 12, permitting three runs while striking out nine over 7 1-3 innings, but was outdueled by Arrieta in the Cubs' 3-1 win. Arrieta struck out nine in a two-hitter and carries a 17 2-3 scoreless innings streak into this one.


Arrieta (13-6, 2.38) has the majors' third-best ERA since June 21 at 1.23, yielding two runs or fewer in nine of 10 starts. He also has baseball's best road ERA since June 4 at 1.29, going 6-0 in eight starts.


On the season, he is limiting left-handed hitters to a .178 average - the third-lowest among right-handed starting pitchers. Given his dominance of left-handers plus Adam LaRoche being 1 for 13 in their matchups and mired in an 0-for-13 slump, the White Sox first baseman/designated hitter could get the day off.


The left-handed-hitting Adam Eaton, who homered Friday, was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts against Arrieta last month.


The White Sox (54-59) lost their fifth straight home game to an NL team and Quintana has been plagued by some terrible luck at U.S. Cellular Field, recording one win in 10 starts despite a 3.58 ERA. His 2.34 run-support average at home is the third-lowest in the majors.


He gave up four runs and eight hits over 6 2-3 innings in Sunday's 5-4 loss at Kansas City after going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his previous three starts.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at White Sox
Fri, Aug 14 - 6 - 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cubs at White Sox
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Cubs at White Sox
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Angels (60-54) at Royals (68-46)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Albert Pujols remains among baseball's leaders with 30 homers, though he's gone a season-high 14 games without going deep.


It's unlikely that run will end Saturday night against a pitcher he has never taken out of the ballpark.


Johnny Cueto was sensational in his home debut for the Kansas City Royals in his last outing, and will look to continue his success against Pujols in this matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.


Pujols' resurgence has been a major story as he has reached 30 homers for the first time in three seasons. The slugger is hitting .203 since he last connected with one extra-base hit and three walks in 59 at-bats.


He committed his fifth error with a miscue that preceded Eric Hosmer's go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning in Friday's 4-1 defeat.


'A tough hop, nothing I could do,' Pujols said.


He's 7 for 29 with a double as the lone extra-base hit versus Cueto (1-1, 2.05 ERA), who notched his second shutout and first with Kansas City (69-46) as he struck out eight in a four-hitter in Monday's 4-0 victory over Detroit. It was Cueto's first home game at Kauffman Stadium, where he received a loud ovation with Royals mascot Sluggerrr wearing a Cueto-esque mane of dreadlocks.


"I felt really proud the fans were just feeding me that last little boost of energy I needed," Cueto said with catching coach Pedro Grifol acting as his interpreter.


The right-hander's only start against Los Angeles (60-55) came with Cincinnati in the 2013 opener. It marked his lone time facing Mike Trout, who went 1 for 3 against him.


Shane Victorino is 5 for 10 off Cueto.


The Royals evened this four-game set behind Danny Duffy, who pitched six effective innings despite hitting three batters. Angels starter Jered Weaver hit two.


Hosmer is hitting .333 with 11 RBIs in his last 11 games while Lorenzo Cain is batting .455 over an eight-game hitting streak.


"The good thing for us is we've got Hos and Cain going through real hot stretches right now," manager Ned Yost said. "That's a lot of offense that both of those guys are producing."


Pujols is 0 for 9 in this series for the Angels, who have dropped 10 of their last 11 road games.


Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez will likely miss his fourth straight game with soreness in his left wrist. Drew Butera is starting in his absence.


Angels shortstop Erick Aybar may return after missing the first two games of this series with tightness in his lower back. Taylor Featherston has started each of the last two nights.


Los Angeles starter Matt Shoemaker (5-8, 4.36) seeks to bounce back after getting pounded for seven runs over 5 2-3 innings in Monday's 8-2 defeat at the Chicago White Sox. He entered with a run of 19 scoreless innings.


The Angels have failed to score for the right-hander in his last three starts.


Shoemaker went 0-1 with a 6.60 ERA in three starts against the Royals last year, including one in the postseason. Hosmer was 5 for 8 against him in those games and Cain 4 for 9.


Kansas City's Ben Zobrist is 6 for 9 with a homer and three doubles off Shoemaker. Zobrist is 4 for 6 with two walks in this series.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Angels at Royals
Thu, Aug 13 Final 7 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Angels at Royals
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 1 - 4
Boxscores

GAME 3
Angels at Royals
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Angels at Royals
Sun, Aug 16 - 8:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Phillies (46-69) at Brewers (48-68)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Cole Hamels is gone and Chase Utley is about to follow.


With trade rumors swirling, Utley could be making his final appearance for the Philadelphia Phillies as they face the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.


The major league-worst Phillies (46-70) are looking to the future and have already sent Hamels to Texas prior to last month's trade deadline.


Utley's impending exit is coming despite a career-low .208 average. The six-time All-Star, who has spent his entire 13-year career with Philadelphia, cleared waivers and is being pursued by San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels, according to MLB's official website.


He's 11 for 22 with four doubles and as many RBIs in the last six games.


"He looks as good as I've seen him," interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's showing his bat speed. The bat speed is there."


It surely was Friday when Utley had a season-high four hits with a double and one RBI, but Philadelphia opened this three-game series with a 3-1 loss.


The last-place Brewers (49-68) are also looking toward 2016 and Jimmy Nelson (9-9, 3.65 ERA) could very well play a big role in that season.


The right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA in his last nine starts, including 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA in five at home.


Nelson allowed one run over the first six innings Sunday against St. Louis but surrendered Matt Carpenter's three-run homer in the seventh and left without a decision in a 5-4 win.


"It's a process," pitching coach Rick Kranitz told MLB's official website. "When you're going to the next level, (Nelson) has to do that. He's that guy for us. He's going to be the guy we probably lean on to be able to pitch big games."


Nelson was credited with a 7-4 win in his only appearance against Philadelphia on June 29, allowing four runs and six hits in five innings.


The Phillies would like to see Jerome Williams (4-8. 5.73) continue his improved pitching. He's allowed two runs over 12 innings in his last two starts after going 0-4 with an 8.44 ERA in his previous six.


The right-hander limited San Diego to one run and five hits over a season-best seven innings Sunday in a 5-3 victory.


"I just kept the ball down in the zone," Williams said. "If I consciously keep the ball down I get my ground balls. Then if I do throw one up in the zone I have them so conscious of looking down they miss the pitch."


Williams is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five starts against the Brewers, the first coming in 2004.


Philadelphia's Cody Asche is hitting .370 with one homer and five doubles in his last seven games after going 2 for 12 over his previous six. He's a .341 hitter in 12 meetings with the Brewers, including 7 for 20 in five at Miller Park.


The Brewers have won all five meetings this year against the Phillies, batting .333 and averaging 6.2 runs. Ryan Braun is hitting .409 with 14 RBIs in 10 games versus Philadelphia since the start of last season even after Friday's 0-for-3 performance.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Phillies at Brewers
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 1 - 3
Boxscores


GAME 2
Phillies at Brewers
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Phillies at Brewers
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Indians (53-60) at Twins (57-57)
Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Cleveland Indians starter Josh Tomlin will ironically make his long-awaited season debut in the same place he made his last major-league appearance - Target Field.


Although he is rusty, the Indians have to like their chances of winning because the Minnesota Twins are starting a rookie who was knocked around in his big-league debut and hasn't pitched in over a week.


Tomlin figures to have the edge against unheralded Tyler Duffey on Saturday night when the Indians look to defeat the Twins for the fourth straight meeting.


After missing nearly the entire 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery, Tomlin went 6-9 with a 4.76 ERA last year before undergoing shoulder surgery prior to this season. Cleveland (54-60) wants to see how he will perform, and the veteran right-hander is eager to get back on the mound.


"It feels good," Tomlin told MLB's official website. "It's kind of been another injury-stricken year for me. In that aspect, it's been pretty disappointing. But, to be able to get my way back here and to be able to help contribute to this team, it's a good feeling."


He closed out 2014 by failing to retire the only batter he faced Sept. 19 when Trevor Plouffe delivered a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning of the Twins' 5-4 victory. Tomlin is 2-3 with a 6.43 ERA in six starts versus Minnesota, allowing 12 runs over 10 innings in two on the road.


Joe Mauer is 6 for 13 versus Tomlin and Plouffe is 3 for 8 with a homer.


Minnesota (57-58) gave Trevor May a spot start in Friday's 6-1 loss to open this series, with the right-hander logging three innings. That puts pressure on Duffey (0-1, 27.00 ERA) to help rest the bullpen, and it's unlikely the 24-year-old right-hander will deliver.


He was pounded for six runs over two innings in his debut, a 9-7 loss at Toronto on Aug. 5. This will be his last start before he will be sent down Sunday when Tommy Milone is activated from the disabled list.


Duffey realizes his days are numbered.


"I figured I'd just be hanging out there for a while so I'm just glad to be here. Hopefully I'll put a good one together," Duffey said.


He'll catch a break since Cleveland All-Star Michael Brantley is expected to miss a second straight game with a sore left shoulder. Brantley is second on the club with a .312 average.


Outfielder Ryan Raburn is expected to return from a six-game absence on the bereavement list.


Cleveland cruised Friday behind Corey Kluber, who fired a one-hitter - conceding Mauer's homer in the fourth. Francisco Lindor, Lonnie Chisenhall and Mike Aviles each had three hits and Giovanny Urshela had a two-run homer in the Indians' fifth win in six games - a stretch that includes their current run over Minnesota.


Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario has an outfield assist in three straight games and 10 overall to lead all rookies.


"He's making people aware that if you're going to run on him, you're at a little bit of peril there," manager Paul Molitor said.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Indians at Twins
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Indians at Twins
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Indians at Twins
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Diamondbacks (56-57) at Braves (51-63)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks were surging offensively before being buttoned up by Julio Teheran and the Atlanta bullpen in their series opener with the Braves.


Saturday night's matchup with rookie Mike Foltynewicz at Turner Field figures to be a little easier.


The Diamondbacks (56-58) were averaging 5.9 runs and batting .308 while winning nine of 15 entering this series, including 36 runs and 63 hits in their last four. Teheran limited them to one run while striking out seven in six innings, and David Aardsma and Arodys Vizcaino helped preserve a 3-2 victory for the Braves (52-63).


"I knew they've been doing really good," Teheran said. "I was trying to pitch like I've been doing my last three starts and not worrying about they've been doing the games before."


David Peralta, who came in batting .471 with 17 RBIs in his previous 14 games, was 0 for 3 after not starting Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia due to a tight quadriceps. Nos. 5 and 6 hitters Welington Castillo and Jake Lamb accounted for three strikeouts apiece of Arizona's 10.


Foltynewicz (4-3, 5.23 ERA) gave up two runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 7-2 victory over Miami on Saturday. But even in his first win since May 24, he matched a career high with four walks, including three in a row during the third inning. He's managed a 4-1 record in seven home starts despite a 5.58 ERA, and opponents own a .364 on-base percentage overall.


While Teheran lowered his career ERA against the Diamondbacks to 2.17, Foltynewicz lost a 9-8 result at Arizona on June 3 when he allowed five runs in 5 2-3 innings. A.J. Pollock, hitting .414 over his last seven games, homered against the right-hander.


Arizona should also be boosted by third baseman Yasmany Tomas' expected return. He's hitting .471 in his last six games but missed the club's last two due to a strained calf.


The Braves (51-63) have won 12 of 14 in the series at home and improved to 31-23 at Turner Field this season. Cameron Maybin is hitting .400 in his last 21 meetings with the Diamondbacks after going 2 for 3 with a triple Friday.


Arizona's Patrick Corbin (2-3, 4.08) has logged quality starts in three of his past four outings. He yielded three runs over six innings in a 4-3, 10-inning win against Cincinnati on Sunday, throwing 88 pitches. He still hasn't tossed more than 89 in his seven games since returning from Tommy John surgery.


Corbin yielded three hits and five walks over seven innings in a 2-0 home victory against Atlanta on May 14, 2013, his only previous start against the Braves. Maybin is 3 for 6 with two doubles against him.


Atlanta signed right-hander Edwin Jackson Friday through the rest of the season. He's expected to work out of the bullpen after going 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in 23 relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs before being released July 29. This marks the ninth big league team for Jackson, who went 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA in 21 starts for the Diamondbacks in 2010.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Braves
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Braves
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Braves
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pirates (66-46) at Mets (63-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Pitching is a major reason why the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates appear headed for the postseason.


It's also why the Pirates are dominating the Mets.


Pittsburgh looks for Charlie Morton to solve his early struggles as they go for their longest winning streak over New York in 23 years Saturday night.


The Pirates (67-46) are third in the majors with a 3.24 ERA, while the NL East-leading Mets (63-53) are second at 3.17.


The success on the mound has Pittsburgh on top of the wild-card race, 1 1-2 games ahead of the red-hot Chicago Cubs.


Should the Pirates and Mets meet in the playoffs, that would figure to be a very favorable matchup for Pittsburgh. The Pirates have posted a 1.22 ERA in winning all four meetings this season, improving to 13-4 in the last 17.


They have won five straight against the Mets dating to last season. Extending the streak would give them their longest in the all-time series since taking seven in a row in 1992.


J.A. Happ and four relievers held New York to 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position in Friday's 3-2, 10-inning victory.


"I enjoy it," said Gregory Polanco, who had two hits including an RBI single and a run in the 10th. "Everybody enjoys it when you have a big hit, the RBI, and go-ahead run."


Morton (7-4, 4.48 ERA) hasn't enjoyed any of that success against the Mets, going 0-3 with a 5.01 ERA in his last four meetings. The right-hander, though, is facing a club that's hitting .226 in the season series and is 1 for 25 with runners in scoring position.


A bigger concern for Morton is his 11.20 ERA in the first inning, the highest by any pitcher with at least 10 starts.


He surrendered two runs in the first before giving up three more and leaving after the fifth without a decision in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.


New York counters with Jonathon Niese (7-9, 3.46), who is 1-2 with a 7.40 ERA in his past four starts against the Pirates. The left-hander gave up four runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 9-1 loss May 24 as the Mets were swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh.


Niese, though, is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last three starts overall. That's part of an 11-game stretch during which he's gone 4-3 with a 2.61 ERA.


Niese allowed two runs in seven innings of Monday's 4-2 win over Colorado.


"I've sort of figured it out now," Niese told MLB's official website. "I know now that my stuff is good enough to get outs. Not every out has to come on a strikeout. And the way we're hitting now, I don't have to think about taking chances to get outs. It's easier this way."


Niese has had a tough time with Andrew McCutchen, who is 7 for 15 with a homer and three doubles off him.


Most Mets pitchers have struggled against McCutchen, who is hitting .415 with 11 walks in the last 12 matchups. He went 0 for 2 with three walks Friday.


Polanco is batting .441 in his past seven games but is 0 for 4 with two strikeouts against Niese. He has a .197 average against left-handers.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Pirates at Mets
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Pirates at Mets
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Pirates at Mets
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Tigers (55-59) at Astros (62-53)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Miguel Cabrera is back for the Detroit Tigers, but it remains to be seen if the star can help them make a run in the positive direction.


Looking to rebound from another defeat, the Tigers try to keep Collin McHugh from winning a sixth straight home start for the Houston Astros on Saturday night.


Detroit (55-60) went 15-20 while Cabrera endured his first stint on the disabled list with a strained left calf. Though he's batting .346, Cabrera went 0 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts during Friday's 5-1 defeat.


'His timing is obviously not perfect,' manager Brad Ausmus said. "But that's to be expected.'


Sitting five games out of the AL's final wild-card spot with four teams ahead of them, the Tigers have little room for error and likely need Cabrera to spark a club that's totaled four runs in their four losses over the last five contests. Detroit managed six hits and struck out 11 times against Houston ace Dallas Keuchel and two relievers Friday.


Ex-Astro J.D. Martinez clubbed a three-run homer and the Tigers recorded eight other hits off McHugh (13-6, 4.22 ERA) in seven innings of a 6-2 home victory May 22. The right-hander, however, has a 2.73 ERA and allowed one home run while winning his last five at Minute Maid Park, where he's 9-2 despite a 4.81 ERA in 11 starts.


McHugh dropped a third straight road start after he allowed both runs and two of his three walks in the first of six innings in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Oakland.


"He did a good job of grinding through his outing," manager A.J. Hinch said.


The West-leading Astros (63-53) have won 15 of the last 17 at Minute Maid, where they are 39-18, but 24-35 away from.


'It's just one of those things where we play better at home right now," Keuchel said "We're going to have to figure it out before too long, but it's nice to be back home with the support of the fans and the city.'


Justin Verlander (1-5, 4.57) is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last two starts at Houston, and 1-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his last three on the road overall. The righty will look to avoid losing a third straight start even though he allowed two unearned runs in six innings of Sunday's 7-2 home loss to Boston.


'In probably four of my last six starts, I've pitched better than I did at any time last season,' said Verlander, who has received six runs of support in his last five starts. "I'm seeing reactions from hitters that I haven't seen in a while, but we still need to win the games.'


Carlos Gomez is 1 for 11 against Verlander, and 2 for 20 in the last six games. He showed some frustration by cracking his bat over his thigh after a second strikeout Friday.


'It's just one of those things that you get frustrated when you have the pitch and you miss it,' Gomez said. 'So it's something that you have to stop.'


Jose Altuve, meanwhile, went 2 for 3 with a double off Verlander last season, and is batting .556 with seven stolen bases in his last six home games against the Tigers.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Tigers at Astros
Fri, Aug 14 - Final 1 to 5
Boxscores


GAME 2
Tigers at Astros
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Tigers at Astros
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Marlins (46-68) at Cardinals (73-41)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 15, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

The lowly Miami Marlins are already winless in four meetings with the St. Louis Cardinals, and now they have to face John Lackey at Busch Stadium.


Lackey, who owns one of the NL's best home ERAs, will try to get his first victory in four starts Saturday night in the middle game of this series.


St. Louis (74-41) has outscored Miami 18-6 this season after Jaime Garcia took a shutout into the ninth inning of Friday's 3-1 victory. The Marlins (46-69) are batting .214 in the season series with five extra-base hits after failing to produce one Friday.


It may be a daunting task to get to Lackey (9-7, 2.91 ERA), whose 1.89 ERA at home ranks fifth in the NL. He threw a season-low 66 pitches before being lifted for a pinch-hitter Sunday when he gave up three runs in six innings and did not get a decision in a 5-4 loss at Milwaukee.


The Cardinals have dropped the last three starts by the right-hander, who has gone 11 straight in which he has surrendered three runs or fewer.


Lackey's lone start against the Marlins came in 2005. He may get a chance to face the batter he has seen the most in Ichiro Suzuki, a .296 hitter in 115 at-bats in this matchup.


Suzuki went 1 for 4 on Friday to give him 4,191 as a professional to match Ty Cobb, whose hit total is second in the majors to Pete Rose's 4,256. Suzuki had 1,278 hits in Japan.


Matt Carpenter is batting .368 during a 10-game hitting streak after he went 2 for 4 on Friday with a solo homer that came after his RBI bunt single gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning.


"That's just good fundamental baseball, doing the little things right in those close games when we're having trouble stacking hits on top of each other," manager Mike Matheny said.


Brad Hand (2-2, 4.29) makes his sixth start and third in a row for Miami. He moved into the rotation Aug. 4 after Dan Haren was dealt to the Chicago Cubs. Hand is 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA as a starter, allowing one run in 11 innings in his last two after giving up a run and two hits in seven to earn Sunday's 4-1 victory at Atlanta.


"He got a lot of early contact, executed pitches and I thought he utilized all his pitches," manager Dan Jennings said. "He got his fastball over, he used his slider very well and his changeup."


The left-hander's lone appearance against the Cardinals came June 24 when he gave up hits to all three batters he faced in a 6-1 loss.


Miami outfielder Christian Yelich, a .412 hitter versus St. Louis for his highest mark versus any NL club, has missed three straight games with a bruised knee and may miss the entire series.


Cole Gillespie has posted five straight multihit efforts, going 11 for 21.


Relievers Steve Cishek of St. Louis and Kyle Barraclough of Miami did not appear Friday.


Cishek was acquired from the Marlins on July 24 for fellow right-hander Barraclough, who never pitched for St. Louis and made his big-league debut with Miami on Aug. 7. Cishek had spent his entire career with the Marlins since it began in 2010.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Marlins at Cardinals
Fri, Aug 14 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores


GAME 2
Marlins at Cardinals
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:15PM EDT


GAME 3
Marlins at Cardinals
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:15PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Padres (55-61) at Rockies (47-67)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 15, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Jon Gray is eager to get his feet wet in the majors, but he also understands the Colorado Rockies are banking on him for the future.


Continuing to gain trust from his coaching staff, the talented prospect tries to help the Rockies avoid a sixth consecutive defeat Saturday night against the visiting San Diego Padres.


The No. 3 overall pick in 2013, the hard-throwing Gray (0-0, 2.70 ERA) has allowed three earned runs over 10 innings in two starts since being promoted. Colorado, however, hasn't allowed the 6-foot-4, 235-pound right-hander to reach 80 pitches in either outing.


Though the club won't necessarily saddle Gray with a specific pitch limit, it will be smart after he logged 238 2-3 innings between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Albuquerque since the start of last season.


"We're just going to be intelligent," Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told MLB's official website. "The process started prior to him getting to the big league level. We're just going to continue to manage his workload."


Gray worked a fastball that reached 98 mph and a slider in the high 80s on Monday, allowing only a solo homer in six innings of a 4-2 loss to the New York Mets.


'I understand the point of it,' Gray said of the team's cautious approach. 'You want to go back out, especially in a game like that, close game. So part of me wanted to, but I saw the bigger picture.'


He'll try to help Colorado avoid a seventh straight loss to San Diego (55-61) and Matt Kemp, who became the first Padre to hit for the cycle Friday when he recorded four RBIs during the 9-5 victory. Kemp completed the feat with a ninth-inning triple as the Padres won for the third time in four games.


"I was like, `Wow.' It's hard to believe, all the great hitters that have been here," Kemp said of recording the personal and team milestone. "Tony Gwynn and all those guys haven't been able to hit for the cycle. I'm just glad to be able to do it.'


Kemp, who has two homers and seven RBIs in two games, is batting .328 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in his last 31 contests. He's hit .385 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 10 games against the Rockies (47-67) this season.


'He showed (Friday) why he is the player he is,' manager Pat Murphy said. 'That was special, special to be part of.'


Teammate Andrew Cashner (4-12, 4.09), trying to avoid becoming the NL's third 13-game loser, is 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA in his last three starts and has received one run of support in each outing.


Facing the Rockies for the first time this season, the right-hander is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts against them but has allowed three runs over seven innings in each of his two at Coors.


DJ LeMahieu is 5 for 10 against Cashner and batting .421 with three doubles in the last six games.


Colorado, however, has scored 10 runs and batted .185 during its five-game slide. Carlos Gonzalez is 2 for 19 during that skid, and 2 for his last 12 against Cashner.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Padres at Rockies
Fri, Aug 14 Final 9 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Padres at Rockies
Sat, Aug 15 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Padres at Rockies
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Reds (51-63) at Dodgers (65-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 15, 2015 9:10 PM EDT

A stint on the disabled list hasn't slowed down Justin Turner, while another move to the DL has allowed Kike Hernandez to provide the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers with added offense.


Turner and Hernandez look to continue hitting the Cincinnati Reds' young pitchers on Saturday night.


Turner was hitting .459 with two homers and five doubles in a 10-game span before missing 14 with a skin infection in his right thigh. He's shown no adverse effects in two games since his return, going 3 for 6 and knocking in two runs in Friday's 5-3 victory over the Reds.


He's a .455 hitter in his last seven meetings with Cincinnati.


Hernandez matched his career high with three hits in Thursday's 10-3 loss in the opener of this four-game series. He followed that up Friday with another three hits and scoring with Turner on Adrian Gonzalez's three-run homer in the fifth.


Hernandez has been used at five positions this year but has started the last two games at second base with Howie Kendrick on the DL with a strained left hamstring.


The Dodgers (65-51) have won seven of nine at home and are 8-3 in the past 11 matchups there with the Reds (51-63).


Brett Anderson (6-7, 3.43 ERA) is facing them for the first time as he tries to bounce back from Monday's 8-3 loss to Washington. He gave up two runs in the first five innings before yielding five and getting pulled with no outs in the sixth.


"I wasn't able to get anybody out," said Anderson, who was 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA over his previous eight starts. "I pride myself on giving us a chance to win, and I felt like I did that through five. But the stuff was bad. I fell behind and I made a bunch of mistakes."


While much of the damage came against the Nationals, the left-hander is 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in his last four home starts. He's received virtually no support from his teammates in those games, with the Dodgers scoring two total runs with him on the mound.


After John Lamb made his major league debut Friday, fellow rookie David Holmberg (1-1, 3.06) takes the mound for his first meeting with the Dodgers.


This will be the 17th straight game Cincinnati has started a rookie, the longest such streak since the first year of the rookie designation in 1958.


Holmberg has been effective in each of his three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville. The left-hander lasted a career-best 6 2-3 innings in Monday's 2-1 loss at San Diego, making his only mistake on Justin Upton's two-run homer.


Holmberg has been a pleasant surprise after posting a 4.40 ERA in 19 games - 17 starts - at Louisville.


"I think it's just executing pitches better, just staying focused through the game and just making pitches when I need to and getting quick outs on ground balls and popups and stuff like that," Holmberg told MLB's official website.


Joey Votto is 6 for 12 with two homers and six RBIs in the last three games. He had a two-run homer and an RBI double Friday, giving him a .433 average over his past nine meetings with the Dodgers.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Dodgers
Thu, Aug 13 Final 10 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Reds at Dodgers
Fri, Aug 14 Final 3 to 5
Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Dodgers
Sat, Aug 15 - 9:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Reds at Dodgers
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rays (58-57) at Rangers (57-57)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 15, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Josh Hamilton is proving he's still a valuable offensive weapon.


Now he'll get to see where he's at against one of the AL's top pitchers.


Hamilton and the Texas Rangers dig in Saturday night against Chris Archer and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.


The former AL MVP is still being bothered by soreness in his left knee, but an MRI earlier Friday cleared him to rejoin Texas' lineup for the series opener after missing two games.


"Definitely positive, and helped me understand that I can go there and run around and play," Hamilton said.


Hamilton's .732 OPS is the lowest of his nine-year career, but he launched his sixth homer and hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning of Friday's 5-3 victory against Tampa Bay. He's batting .288 with 13 RBIs in his last 13 contests.


Texas (57-57) won its season-best fifth straight at home and pulled with one half-game of the Rays, who are two games behind the Los Angeles Angels for the AL's second wild-card spot.


Archer (10-8, 2.62 ERA), who owns the AL's fifth-best ERA, is 1-4 in his last eight starts but he owns a 2.18 ERA in the last five while striking out 43 in 33 innings. He fanned 10 while allowing three runs over six innings in a 4-3 victory against the New York Mets on Sunday.


His seven double-digit strikeout performances in 2015 are one shy of his 59-start total before this year.


The right-hander was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his first three starts against Texas before giving up five runs in a season-low 3 1-3 innings of a 5-4 loss to the Rangers on May 7.


Adrian Beltre is 1 for 11 with five strikeouts against Archer, while Hamilton is 3 for 10 with a homer.


Outside of a 10-run backing in an 11-3 win against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 4, Tampa Bay's offense hasn't done Archer many favors lately - he received four total runs of support in his other four most recent outings.


The Rays (58-57) had their winning streak snapped at four, but were encouraged by Desmond Jennings' 3-for-4 night. Jennings, who led Tampa Bay with 167 runs from 2012-13, returned after missing 96 games due to knee bursitis.


"Very promising. He looked really good," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "His at-bats were good. Squared the ball up ... It's nice to see. He's going to help us a lot here over the next two months."


Texas' Colby Lewis (12-5, 4.61) has recorded a quality start in five of his last six games, though home runs continue to be his downfall. He has allowed nine homers in his last six outings spanning 42 innings. The right-hander gave up two while allowing three earned runs in his first complete game of the year in Sunday's 4-2 loss at Seattle, falling to 5-3 for his career when going the distance.


Lewis has given up two home runs in five career starts against Tampa Bay, going 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA.


Evan Longoria and Asdrubal Cabrera are a combined 3 for 18 against Lewis.


Cabrera is hitting .538 with nine runs in his last 10 games after going 3 for 4 Friday. He's batting .476 in his past five contests against Texas.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rays at Rangers
Fri, Aug 14 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores

GAME 2
Rays at Rangers
Sat, Aug 15 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rays at Rangers
Sun, Aug 16 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nationals (58-57) at Giants (62-53)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 15, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

A breakout performance against one of baseball's elite pitchers figures to be a boost for the previously slumping Giants.


San Francisco will look to ride the momentum to another win Saturday night against the visiting Washington Nationals and another quality pitcher in Gio Gonzalez.


The Giants (62-53) had been listless offensively, batting .216 and averaging 2.7 runs during a 2-5 stretch. Even Thursday's 3-1 series-opening victory wasn't overly impressive with more strikeouts (nine) than hits (eight). San Francisco had also been bottled up in recent meetings with Washington, scoring three runs or fewer 10 times while dropping 11 of 15.


However, the club touched up Max Scherzer for a season-high six runs and seven hits - including two homers - over three innings in an 8-5 victory Friday, the Washington ace's shortest outing since 2012. Matt Duffy finished a triple shy of the cycle, and Hunter Pence also went deep against Scherzer.


Washington's four-game losing streak is its second in two weeks, and the Nationals (58-57) are in danger of falling to .500 for the first time since they were 15-15 after May 8. Their worst slide of the season was a six-game skid April 22-27.


They're hitting .221 with 189 strikeouts while dropping 14 of 20 on the road. Ryan Zimmerman was 0 for 4 and struck out three times Friday, falling to 1 for 15 with 10 strikeouts in his last four contests.


'We're trying to have good at-bats and I think we did that,' said Bryce Harper, who Harper homered and drove in four runs. 'Hopefully we can take that into tomorrow, the next couple of days and keep having fun.'


Despite the recent struggles, Washington has a good shot of bouncing back behind Gonzalez (9-4, 3.50 ERA), who is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in his last eight games with a 6.10 run-support average. Opponents are batting .167 with runners in scoring position in that span compared to .289 previously.


Gonzalez tossed a season-best eight shutout innings in Monday's 8-3 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and though he threw a season-high 117 pitches, manager Matt Williams lauded his improved efficiency. Gonzalez had averaged 18.3 pitches per inning in his previous five outings compared to 14.6 Monday.


"The eight innings mean a lot. I told skip (Williams), 'Thank you for giving me a chance to finally go past the sixth and seventh inning," he told MLB's official website. "To be in the eighth inning, it's nice. Take it with a grain of salt. I will also move on and get ready for the next start."


Gonzalez hasn't lost to San Francisco since 2010, going 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in five meetings since. He held them to a Buster Posey homer and four other hits over seven innings in a 2-1 home victory July 3 while using only 82 pitches.


Pence was on the disabled list for that game and is 1 for 12 lifetime against the left-hander.


Gonzalez faces the same pitching counterpart with Jake Peavy (2-5, 3.75) on the mound for the Giants. Peavy gave up two runs on a Clint Robinson homer and lasted 6 1-3 innings in the loss, falling to 4-6 in 12 career regular-season games against Washington.


Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Yunel Escobar are a combined 8 for 49 against the right-hander with Zimmerman striking out nine times in 16 at-bats.


Peavy's five innings in Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs marked the first time in seven starts he failed to complete at least six innings.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Nationals at Giants
Thu, Aug 13 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores


GAME 2
Nationals at Giants
Fri, Aug 14 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Giants
Sat, Aug 15 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Nationals at Giants
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Diamond Trends - Saturday


August 15, 2015




SU TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Orioles are 12-0 since Sep 03, 2014 at home after a win in which they used 5+ pitchers.


PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Jake Arrieta starts the Cubs are 0-10 OU since Jul 06, 2014 after he threw more than 100 pitches and they won in his previous start.


OU TREND OF THE DAY:


-- The Pirates are 13-0 OU since May 15, 2012 on the road as a dog and after scoring 3 runs or less and winning.


CHOICE TREND:


-- The Astros are 11-0 since Apr 30, 2015 at home after a win in which their opponent scored first.


ACTIVE TRENDS:


-- The Diamondbacks are 0-10 since Aug 17, 2014 on the road after a loss in which they left fewer than 10 men on base.