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[CNOTES]

Baseball Capsules


August 29, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Blake Swihart hit an inside-the-park home run in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox stopped the New York Mets' seven-game winning streak, holding on for a 6-4 victory Friday night.


The Red Sox, visiting the Mets for the first time since 2001, scored three times in the 10th. Swihart led off with a drive that appeared to clear the center field wall and bounce back into play, but the ball was ruled in play.


The NL East-leading Mets rallied in the bottom half when reliever Junichi Tazawa walked four straight batters with two outs to force home a run. Craig Breslow replaced Tazawa and retired Yoenis Cespedes on a fly ball with the bases loaded for his first save.


Tommy Layne (1-1) got the win. Carlos Torres (5-6) took the loss.


MARLINS 4, NATIONALS 3


WASHINGTON (AP) - Martin Prado and Marcell Ozuna homered off Max Scherzer, and Miami beat Washington.


The Nationals remained 6 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East.


Scherzer (11-11) went seven innings, allowing four runs and six hits. He has lost three straight starts for the first time since May 2010.


Adam Conley (2-1), in his fifth major league start, gave up three runs and six hits over five-plus innings.


A.J. Ramos pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth for his 23rd save.


GIANTS 5, CARDINALS 4


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Rookie Kelby Tomlinson lined a bases-loaded single up the middle with one out in the ninth against previously unbeaten Kevin Siegrist, and San Francisco snapped St. Louis' five-game winning streak.


Left fielder Brandon Moss grabbed another glove from the dugout and moved in to make a five-man infield, then Tomlinson found a hole against Siegrist (5-1).


Marlon Byrd hit a grand slam off 15-game winner Michael Wacha in the third inning for the Giants, who kept pace 2 1/2 games behind NL West-leading Los Angeles.


Javier Lopez (1-0) got Moss to line out to second in the ninth and Tomlinson quickly fired to first to double up Stephen Piscotty, who was off the bag.


Byrd's eighth career grand slam gave the Giants eight for the season, a franchise record.


DODGERS 4, CUBS 1


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Clayton Kershaw struck out a season high-tying 14 to win for the first time in three outings and NL West-leading Los Angeles beat Chicago.


Kershaw (11-6) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings. He walked one in the Dodgers' first home game in two weeks.


Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to earn his 26th save in 28 chances.


Jason Hammel (7-6) gave up three runs and four hits in five-plus innings.


BLUE JAYS 5, TIGERS 3


TORONTO (AP) - Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki hit back-to-back homers, Jose Bautista also connected and Toronto won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating Detroit.


Ian Kinsler and Anthony Gose homered for the slumping Tigers, who have lost seven of eight.


R.A. Dickey (9-10) pitched 6 2/3 innings to win his sixth straight decision for the AL East leaders. Roberto Osuna struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save.


All three Blue Jays homers came off rookie Matt Boyd (1-5), one of the three lefty pitchers acquired by Detroit in the July 30 trade that sent David Price to Toronto.


YANKEES 15, BRAVES 4


ATLANTA (AP) - Didi Gregorius drove in a career-high six runs, Brian McCann hit a three-run homer in his return to Atlanta and the New York Yankees shook off a scoring slump.


The Yankees scored a total of seven runs in losing three of their last four games to fall 1 1/2 games behind first-place Toronto in the AL East.


Gregorius had four hits, including a three-run homer in the first inning and a two-run single in the second. McCann, the former longtime Braves catcher, homered in the eighth.


Masahiro Tanaka (10-6) went seven innings. Williams Perez (4-5) left in the second inning.


Braves outfielder Jonny Gomes, making his first career appearance as a pitcher, gave up two runs in the ninth.


RANGERS 4, ORIOLES 1


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Cole Hamels delivered his best performance yet for the Texas Rangers, striking out 10 in eight innings to beat Baltimore.


Star outfielder Adam Jones started for the Orioles, a day after he ran into a wall and was forced to leave, but Baltimore lost for the eighth time in nine games.


Hamels (2-1) gave up one run and two hits. Acquired from Philadelphia shortly before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the three-time All-Star won for the first time at home after a pair of no-decisions.


Shawn Tolleson pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 27th save in 29 chances. Texas held its lead for the second AL wild-card spot.


Kevin Gausman (2-6) has made 11 starts this season, beginning in late June, with one win.


TWINS 3, ASTROS 0

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Eduardo Nunez homered and Kyle Gibson pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings to help Minnesota top AL West-leading Houston.


Gibson (9-9) gave up four hits, struck out four and walked three. Kevin Jepsen picked up his ninth save, giving the Twins their seventh win in their last eight games to surge back into wild card contention.


Astros star Jose Altuve flied out with the bases loaded to end the game.


Scott Kazmir (2-4) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six in seven innings.


ROYALS 3, RAYS 2


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Kendrys Morales hit his 15th homer, Edinson Volquez pitched into the seventh inning and AL Central-leading Kansas City beat Tampa Bay.


Morales put the Royals up 3-1 with a two-run shot in the third off Erasmo Ramirez (10-5) that struck an overhanging catwalk. He has 89 RBIs this season, including a majors-best 46 with two outs.


Volquez (12-7) allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. Greg Holland, the third Kansas City reliever, got three outs for his 29th save.


PIRATES 5, ROCKIES 3


PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pinch-hitter Josh Harrison singled home Francisco Cervelli with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Pittsburgh bullpen continued its hot streak in a win over Colorado.


Tony Watson (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless inning. Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth for his major league-leading 42nd save. Pittsburgh relievers haven't lost a decision since June 25, strengthening their grip on the top NL wild-card spot.


Scott Oberg (3-3) took the loss.


INDIANS 3, ANGELS 1


CLEVELAND (AP) - Trevor Bauer, starting in place of an ill Danny Salazar, allowed one run in eight innings and Cleveland defeated the Los Angeles Angels.


Bauer (10-10) won for the second time in nine starts. He replaced Salazar, who was scratched because of a virus. Bauer allowed five hits and struck out seven.


Cody Allen worked a perfect ninth for his 27th save.


Jason Kipnis, the American League's leading hitter (.324), drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh-inning single to cap a three-run rally. Kipnis, who had struck out twice and hit into a double play in his first three at-bats, delivered off Trevor Gott (2-2).


MARINERS 2, WHITE SOX 0


CHICAGO (AP) - Kyle Seager and Franklin Gutierrez both had three hits and a homer and Taijuan Walker allowed three hits before leaving with an injury in the seventh inning as Seattle beat the Chicago White Sox.


Walker (10-7) suffered a cramp in his right hip flexor after working 6 1/3 innings.


Tom Wilhelmsen pitched the ninth to earn his fifth save in as many opportunities.


John Danks (6-12) took the loss.


BREWERS 5, REDS 0


MILWAUKEE (AP) - Taylor Jungmann pitched six strong innings and fellow rookie Domingo Santana homered to lead Milwaukee over Cincinnati.


Jungmann (8-5) limited the Reds to three hits and three walks while striking out five.


Rookie Raisel Iglesias (3-6) turned in a strong performance of his own by retiring 16 straight during one stretch.


PHILLIES 7, PADRES 1


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Rookie Aaron Nola pitched seven strong innings and Cameron Rupp homered and drove in four runs, leading Philadelphia past San Diego.


Rookie Aaron Altherr had an RBI triple as the Phillies ended their four-game losing streak. He has seven hits in the majors, all for extra bases.


Nola (5-1) allowed one run and two hits, striking out six.


Jerome Williams pitched two perfect innings to earn his first save. He was moved to the bullpen prior to the game to make way for righty Alec Asher.


Ian Kennedy (8-12) gave up two runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings.


DIAMONDBACKS 6, ATHLETICS 4


PHOENIX (AP) - Pinch hitter Aaron Hill doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, Paul Goldschmidt homered and Arizona downed Oakland.


The A's lost their third straight and are 4-12 over their last 16 games.


Randall Delgado (5-3) won and Brad Ziegler got his 24th save in 26 chances.


Sonny Gray (12-6) took the loss.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Fiers to make 1st start since no-hitter


August 29, 2015


A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:


NO-NO ENCORE


Houston righty Mike Fiers takes the mound for the first time since throwing a no-hitter against the Dodgers on Aug. 21. After needing 134 pitches to get through that game, Fiers got a full week off going into this start at Target Field vs. the Twins.


LANCE LOOKS


St. Louis righty Lance Lynn faces the Giants at AT&T Park, trying again to beat them for the first time in his career. He is 0-5 in seven starts against San Francisco in the regular season and playoffs. That drought includes a 2-0 loss at Busch Stadium last week.


NICE NEWCOMERS


Rookie pitchers will match up when the Yankees and Braves meet at Turner Field. Luis Severino goes for New York, coming off his first career victory. Matt Wisler has lost his last three decisions for Atlanta.


HEALING


Rookie slugger Miguel Sano could return to the starting lineup when the Twins host Houston. He was scratched Friday night because of a nagging right hamstring. Manager Paul Molitor hopes Sano, who has been a designated hitter, third baseman and first baseman for Minnesota, can return as the DH.


HE'S BACK


Drew Hutchison, with a 12-2 record despite a 5.06 ERA, returns from the minors to make his first start for Toronto since Aug. 16. The Blue Jays recently sent him to Triple-A when three off-days on their trip let them go to a four-man rotation. He'll face the visiting Tigers.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Tigers (60-68) at Blue Jays (72-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 29, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

Odd doesn't begin to describe Drew Hutchison's season.


The Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander has career highs in wins and ERA, but that and the second-highest winning percentage in the major leagues couldn't keep him from a recent demotion to Triple-A Buffalo.


Hutchison, though, has been at his best at home, and he'll try to win a fourth straight start there Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.


Hutchison (12-2, 5.06 ERA) was sent to the minors last week despite allowing one run and three hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 3-1 win over the New York Yankees, improving to 10-1 with a 2.57 ERA at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays (72-56) briefly went with a four-man rotation due to a trio of off days during an eight-game road trip.


Hutchison returns for a nine-game homestand that started with a 5-3 victory over the Tigers on Friday, keeping the Blue Jays' AL East lead at 1 1/2 games over the Yankees.


Toronto has a 17-7 record in Hutchison's starts, due in large part to his major league-best run support average of 7.72. The Blue Jays have averaged 8.0 runs in their last nine games - winning seven - and are 22-5 in the past 27.


'That place was rocking,' said Donaldson, tops in the majors with the majors with 102 RBIs. 'That's the loudest I've heard it. It's exciting to be a part of this team right now.'


Jose Bautista has batted .476 in his last six games and hit a solo home run Friday. Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson added solo homers and Edwin Encarnacion extended his hitting streak to 23 games with an RBI double.


'They're excited in Toronto,' Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. 'They should be.'


Tulowitzki and Donaldson went back-to-back with their homers in the third inning, the eighth time this season the Blue Jays have hit consecutive home runs.


"That's what we expect coming in here every day," Donaldson told MLB's official website. "Not necessarily hitting home runs, but coming in and having competitive at-bats."


Hutchison will be making his sixth straight start in Toronto. One of his numerous poor road outings came July 3, when he gave up seven runs - five earned - and 10 runs in 4 2-3 innings of an 8-6 loss to Detroit.


Victor Martinez went 3 for 4 in that game and Miguel Cabrera had two hits before exiting with a strained left calf that put him on the shelf for more than a month.


The Tigers (60-68) are trying to avoid their third straight loss and eighth in nine, and they'll try to get Buck Farmer his first big-league win.


Farmer (0-2, 7.80) receives his second straight start with Anibal Sanchez and Daniel Norris on the disabled list. All four of the right-hander's starts have come on the road, where's he 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA.


Farmer appeared primed to earn a victory Monday, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning and a shutout into the sixth against Cincinnati. However, he was chased in that inning as the Reds scored 10 runs and went on to a 12-5 win.


He was charged with three runs and pitched 5 1-3 innings, matching his career high.


"I think he hit a little bit of wall when the inning started," Ausmus said. "And then everything blew up."



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Tigers at Blue Jays
Fri, Aug 28 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Tigers at Blue Jays
Sat, Aug 29 - 1:07PM EDT


GAME 3
Tigers at Blue Jays
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:07PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Red Sox (59-69) at Mets (71-57)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 29, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Coming off the worst performance of his career, Jacob deGrom should be thrilled to be back home.


DeGrom looks to continue his dominance at Citi Field as the NL East-leading New York Mets try to end their longest home losing streak of the season Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.


DeGrom (12-6, 2.29) had gone 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his previous seven starts, but the right-hander was hammered for a career-high seven runs and three homers in 2 2-3 innings of Monday's 16-7 win at Philadelphia. He didn't get the decision.


"I don't think I located one pitch," deGrom told MLB's official website. "Everything was down the middle and they were hitting it hard."


That hasn't been the case for deGrom at home, where he's 6-2 with a 1.46 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 80 innings in 12 starts this season. He's gone 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 20 2-3 innings in his last three outings at Citi Field.


The Mets (71-57), though, are on the brink of their first five-game slide in Queens since Aug. 3-14, 2014. They failed to win their eighth straight overall Friday, with Yoenis Cespedes flying out to center with the bases loaded in the 10th inning of a 6-4 loss to Boston (59-69).


New York is expected to have Daniel Murphy back in the lineup after he lined out to second as a pinch-hitter Friday. He's batting .352 with 20 RBIs over the last 21 games.


Manager Terry Collins said there was a "good shot" that David Wright will be the next to get a day off Saturday. The Mets captain had two hits Friday after being greeted with a standing ovation in his first home game since April 14.


Joe Kelly (7-6, 5.18) looks to become the first Red Sox pitcher to go 6-0 in August since Roger Clemens in 1990. The last Boston hurler to do it in any month was Pedro Martinez in May 1999.


The right-hander has posted a 3.03 ERA in his last five starts and a 1.40 mark in the past three.


Kelly's turnaround has been a major surprise after he was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket in June. He credits the improvement to catcher Ryan Hanigan, who has started every game of Kelly's winning streak.


"Just the comfort level," Kelly said. "I typically can throw (the secondary stuff) for strikes. Getting on the same page as Hanigan, him making me throw those offspeed pitches ... It's a good mix.


"We have a good thing going right now. We're on the same page. It's fun to see him think back there. I'm throwing whatever he calls."


Kelly is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in three games - one start - against the Mets.


With Hanigan expected to be behind the plate, rookie Blake Swihart would head to the bench after hitting a solo inside-the-park homer in the 10th on Friday. He's batted .500 with eight RBIs in his last seven games.


Jackie Bradley Jr. had a two-run shot among his two hits, giving him six hits in 14 at-bats in the past five games.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Mets
Fri, Aug 28 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Red Sox at Mets
Sat, Aug 29 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Mets
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cardinals (82-46) at Giants (69-59)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 29, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Red hot at home, the San Francisco Giants are getting unexpected production from rookie Kelby Tomlinson.


After coming through in the clutch, Tomlinson looks to continue his offensive surge as the Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.


San Francisco (69-59) has won 16 of 19 at AT&T Park, a big reason why they're 2 1/2 games back of NL West-leading Los Angeles.


Tomlinson is another.


The second baseman is batting .364 with 12 RBIs in 21 games since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento. He's started 14 of those contests at second base in place of Joe Panik, who's on the disabled list with a back injury.


"He just seems comfortable here," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's hit everywhere he's gone, Double-A, Triple-A and he's continuing to do that."


Tomlinson wasn't fazed in a big spot Friday, delivering a walkoff single in a 5-4 win over St. Louis (82-46). That came a day after he hit a grand slam for his first career home run in a 9-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.


Marlon Byrd has also homered in the last two games, hitting a grand slam of his own Friday to give San Francisco a franchise-record eight on the season.


'This one's a lot bigger,' Byrd said. 'It's a pennant race and the Dodgers already won. We needed this win tonight to stay on pace.'


Ryan Vogelsong (9-9, 4.05 ERA) starts against the Cardinals for the second time in less than two weeks. The right-hander held them to two hits in six innings of a 2-0 win at St. Louis on Aug. 18.


Control issues, however, led to one of his shortest outings of the season Sunday. Vogelsong threw 77 pitches in 3 1-3 innings, giving up three runs and seven hits with four walks in a 5-2 loss at Pittsburgh.


He's 3-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 home games - eight starts. However, Vogelsong has gone 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA in his last three home starts against the Cardinals, including playoffs.


St. Louis has a hot-hitting rookie of its own in Stephen Piscotty, who's batting .322 with 22 RBIs in 34 games since being called up from Triple-A Memphis. He's 6 for 16 with three extra-base hits and as many RBIs in four games against the Giants after hitting a two-run double and a single Friday.


The Cardinals, who lead the NL Central by 3 1/2 games over Pittsburgh, are turning to Lance Lynn (10-8, 2.94). The right-hander has gone 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18 innings over his last three road starts.


Lynn battled through six innings Monday, yielding two runs and nine hits while inducing a career-best four double plays - two with the bases loaded.


"He made great pitches in tough situations," manager Mike Matheny said. "He had that extra movement when he needed it."


Lynn is 0-5 with a 5.50 ERA in seven career starts against the Giants, including postseason.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cardinals at Giants
Fri, Aug 28 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cardinals at Giants
Sat, Aug 29 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Cardinals at Giants
Sun, Aug 30 - 4:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Royals (79-49) at Rays (63-65)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 29, 2015 6:10 PM EDT

Kris Medlen is grateful Kansas City was willing to help his comeback from a second elbow surgery. In return, the Royals hope the right-hander can provide some quality innings now that he's part of their rotation.


Looking to further progress from his first start in two years, Medlen tries to pitch the visiting Royals to a seventh consecutive victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night.


After seven appearances out of the bullpen since returning to the majors July 20, Medlen (2-0, 3.10 ERA) allowed three runs, struck out six without a walk while throwing 69 pitches in six innings of Monday's 8-3 win over Baltimore in his first regular-season start since Sept. 27, 2013.


'I said from the get-go, I don't want this to be a, `Yay, you made it, kind of thing,'" Medlen said. "I wanted to come out and produce.'


For the time being, Kansas City (79-49) believes Medlen is the best option to replace the ineffective Jeremy Guthrie in the rotation.


"I've said it every interview I've done, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this team," he said. "Right now, it's a different role than it was early on, but (I'm) going to keep working and improving."


Facing the Rays (63-65) for the first time, Medlen tries to help Kansas City record its 17th win in the last 22 games. Kendrys Morales hit a two-run homer and Ben Zobrist had two hits against his former team as the Royals beat Tampa Bay for the 15th time in the last 18 meetings, 3-2 on Friday.


Morales is 6 for 12 with two home runs and four RBIs in the last four games. He's recorded a major league-leading 46 of his total 89 RBIs with two outs.


'He's been consistent all year,' manager Ned Yost said. 'Got a lot of big hits, picked up a lot of big RBIs. An anchor in the middle of our lineup.'


Zobrist, who played his first nine seasons in Tampa before being traded to Oakland in January then to Kansas City on July 28, is hitting .390 in his last 15 contests.


"I could have easily walked into the other clubhouse and started getting dressed in my old uniform," he said before playing his first game against the Rays on Friday.


Zobrist should square off against a familiar face in Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 3.02), who has not earned a decision in his last five starts to tie the club mark set in 2000 by current Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland.


The right-hander posted a 1.40 ERA while going 3-2 in his first eight home starts before giving up six runs and nine hits in six-plus innings of a 9-6 victory there over Atlanta on Aug. 12. Since, he's allowed three runs in 12-plus innings of his last two that came on the road.


Odorizzi is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against the Royals.


Eric Hosmer is 4 for 7 with a home run against Odorizzi, but 0 for 11 in four games since hitting .383 with six homers and 33 RBIs in his previous 42 contests.


Tampa Bay's Daniel Nava is 6 for 12 in the last three games after going 0 for 12 in his previous six.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Royals at Rays
Fri, Aug 28 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Royals at Rays
Sat, Aug 29 - 6:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Royals at Rays
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Marlins (52-77) at Nationals (64-63)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Despite having stumbled into Martin Prado at the wrong time, the Washington Nationals are staying positive with time running short in their bid to win the NL East.


Jordan Zimmermann will try to cool off Prado on Saturday night when the host Nationals look to avoid dropping the first two of a three-game series with the Miami Marlins.


Washington (64-63) had won four of five before taking on lowly Miami, but trailed first-place New York by 6 1/2 games with the Mets winning seven in a row.


The Nationals missed a chance to cut into that lead Friday, falling 4-3 in the opener before New York lost to Boston in 10 innings. Prado hit a go-ahead two-run home run off Max Scherzer in the third inning and Marcell Ozuna added a solo shot in the fourth.


"(August losses) don't feel good," shortstop Ian Desmond told MLB's official website. "But we've got a pretty good attitude in here. We believe. That's the first step."


Prado is batting .370 with two home runs in a seven-game hitting streak and .400 in a 10-game streak at Nationals Park. He's 4 for 9 against Zimmermann (10-8, 3.54 ERA) this season and has batted .426 in his career in the matchup.


"We're going to play a lot of teams who are in the race," Prado said. "We're going to go out there and make it difficult for them."


Since going 7-5 with a 3.04 ERA with six home runs allowed over his first 17 starts, Zimmermann has posted a 4.56 mark while surrendering 11 homers in his past nine.


The right-hander has allowed eight earned runs and 17 hits - five homers - over 11 2-3 innings in his last two starts, yet won both thanks to his offense, which outscored Colorado and Milwaukee 24-11.


The home run might not be much of a problem against a Miami team that has hit by far the fewest since July 4 with 24.


Zimmermann has gone 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his last six home starts against the Marlins. He has a 2.84 ERA in three meetings this season after allowing three runs over six innings of a 4-1 road loss July 28.


Dee Gordon is 4 for 9 off him this year, but J.T. Realmuto is 1 for 8. Christian Yelich is 7 for 21 lifetime in the matchup, though he's likely to miss the rest of the series with a bruised right knee.


Tom Koehler (8-12, 3.98) has posted a 6.68 mark while dropping a club-record six starts in a row. He allowed two runs over six innings Monday but didn't get any run support in a 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh.


Koehler gave up six hits over 7 1-3 innings in an 8-0 home win over Washington on April 25, but he's gone 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA while yielding four homers in the past two matchups.


Bryce Harper has certainly given the right-hander trouble, going 5 for 8 with four home runs. The slugger is batting .404 in a 15-game hitting streak at Nationals Park.


Michael Taylor (bruised right knee) and Yunel Escobar (hand) are day-to-day after sitting Friday.


Miami (52-77) seeks its fourth win in five road games.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Marlins at Nationals
Fri, Aug 28 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Marlins at Nationals
Sat, Aug 29 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Marlins at Nationals
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Angels (65-63) at Indians (61-66)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Struggling to keep up in the playoff race, the Los Angeles Angels are looking to begin a reversal with another win against Corey Kluber.


Doing it away from home, however, could prove to be considerably more difficult.


The Angels attempt to solve their road issues Saturday night against the Cleveland Indians.


Los Angeles (65-63) has lost six of eight to fall 1 1/2 games behind Texas for the second wild-card spot. The Angels' futility away from Anaheim has been a major problem, as they've dropped 14 of 17 such games following a 3-1 loss to open the three-game series Friday.


Stopping that trend should be a challenge against Kluber (8-13, 3.43 ERA), who is 0-2 while allowing nine runs and 18 hits in 10 1-3 innings in two starts - both on the road - against Los Angeles. The right-hander was staked to a three-run lead before taking the mound against the Angels on Aug. 3, but gave up five runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-4 defeat.


Kluber, though, has allowed one run in three of his last four starts - two of them complete-game wins. Plus, his last two home outings were complete-game victories and he's gone 3-2 with a 2.27 ERA in his last five at Progressive Field.


He was terrific away from Cleveland on Monday, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning before yielding one run and leaving after 7 2-3 in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He didn't get the decision.


"There was absolutely zero wiggle room, and he just went toe to toe and pitched about as good as you can," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "He executed pitches all day."


The Indians' Garrett Richards (12-10, 3.80) will try for the second time to match his career high in wins, set last year. The right-hander was pounded for nine runs and 10 hits - two homers - in five-plus innings of a 12-5 loss to Toronto on Sunday.


He had completed at least six innings in his seven previous outings and his 154 lead the team. That total is 14 2-3 shy of his career high from last season, which ended after 26 starts due to left knee surgery.


"I haven't really had any time off, but I'm doing my best to maintain what I have now and try to hopefully have that last bit to get through the end," Richards said. "This offseason will obviously be nice to be able to relax a little bit, but we're right in the middle of it. You don't play this whole season to not make the playoffs."


Richards allowed four runs with 11 strikeouts in 7 1-3 innings opposite Kluber in his only career meeting with the Indians on Aug. 3.


Mike Trout is hitting .200 over 13 games after going 0 for 2 with two walks Friday. He's 1 for 13 in four matchups with Cleveland this year, going 1 for 3 against Kluber.


Trout hasn't homered in 20 games, the longest drought of his career.


The Indians' Jason Kipnis, the league leader with a .324 average, has gone 6 for 13 with one homer, three doubles and six RBIs in the past three games. His RBI single capped a three-run seventh Friday.


He's batted .189 in 25 meetings with the Angels. Kipnis has never faced Richards.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Angels at Indians
Fri, Aug 28 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Angels at Indians
Sat, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Angels at Indians
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Reds (52-75) at Brewers (54-74)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Although his struggles are part of why the Milwaukee Brewers are in the midst of a lost season, Matt Garza believes he still can get something out of the experience.


Perhaps a matchup with a team that has gone 19 innings without scoring can help his cause.


The right-hander hopes to avoid an MLB-high 15th defeat Saturday night when the host Brewers try to put some space between themselves and the NL Central-worst Cincinnati Reds.


After posting an ERA under four in eight straight seasons, Garza has reached a career high in losses to go along with his highest ERA since his 2006 rookie season. He's allowing a career-high 1.41 homers per nine innings while his 1.92 strikeout-to-walk ratio is his worst since '06.


Since posting a 2.56 ERA over a five-start stretch after coming off the disabled list, Garza (6-14, 5.26 ERA) has given up 12 runs and 16 hits over 9 2-3 innings while losing his last two outings.


"I just have to keep going, keep grinding," he told MLB's official website. "Like I've said before, this is not a year I'm going to brag about. But it's going to be the year I'll learn the most from."


Garza has pitched well against the Reds since joining Milwaukee, going 3-0 with a 1.26 ERA in four starts. He allowed two solo home runs over 6 2-3 innings in an 8-3 road win April 29.


Todd Frazier went deep off Garza in that contest, and he's 5 for 17 with three home runs lifetime in the matchup. Frazier, though, is in the midst of a 12-game homer drought.


The Reds (52-75), 1 1/2 games behind the Brewers (54-74), hope to avoid getting shut out for a third straight game as well as a fifth straight defeat. Brandon Phillips had two of the team's five hits in Friday's 5-0 defeat that dropped Cincinnati to 1-13 since Aug. 14.


Jay Bruce went 0 for 4, leaving him with a .103 average and 23 strikeouts in his last 23 games. However, he's 9 for 27 with two home runs and three doubles lifetime when facing Garza.


'We have to create more opportunities,' manager Bryan Price said. 'It's been a challenge not just for this stretch, but for most of this season and much of last season.'


After allowing nine runs and 18 hits over 7 1-3 innings in his last two starts at home, Keyvius Sampson (2-2, 5.55) will get a chance to rebound where he's seemed to feel most comfortable. The rookie right-hander has posted a 2.45 ERA in winning both his outings on the road.


He'll get his first look at a Milwaukee team seeking a franchise-best sixth straight win in the all-time series and seventh in nine home games overall. Domingo Santana homered and Adam Lind and Jonathan Lucroy had two hits apiece Friday to help the Brewers end a four-game losing streak.


Lind is batting .452 with four home runs and 10 RBIs over his last eight games versus the Reds, while Santana has three homers in six since getting called up Aug. 21.


'It's always good to give a good first impression,' said Santana, who came over from Houston in the Carlos Gomez trade. "But, I just try to keep everything simple."




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Brewers
Fri, Aug 28 Final 0 to 5
Boxscores

GAME 2
Reds at Brewers
Sat, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Reds at Brewers
Sun, Aug 30 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Astros (71-58) at Twins (66-62)
Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Mike Fiers got a much-deserved week off after becoming the first Houston pitcher in almost 22 years to throw a no-hitter.


After allowing no earned runs in his previous two starts, Fiers returns to the hill looking to help the visiting Astros keep the Minnesota Twins from continuing their surge Saturday night.


Until his career-high 134-pitch, no-hit performance last Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fiers (6-9, 3.63 ERA) had never recorded a complete game in 58 starts over five seasons. Though six Astros combined for a no-hitter in June 2003, Fiers is the first individual in club history to accomplish that feat since the late Darryl Kile on Sept. 8, 1993.


Acquired from Milwaukee along with All-Star Carlos Gomez on July 30, Fiers also is the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter after switching teams in the same season since Jim Bibby in 1973.


'I have always thought of myself as a big league pitcher, and I thought of myself as being one to this point,' Fiers said. 'It's a dream to throw a no-hitter."


More importantly for the AL West-leading Astros (71-58), Fiers is 1-0 with an 0.43 ERA in three starts since he allowed six runs, seven hits and walked three over five innings in relief at Texas in his Houston debut Aug. 3.


"He might be unheralded and he might be under the radar or he might not be a household name, but you talk around the league and he's got plenty of double-digit punchout games," manager A.J. Hinch told MLB's official website. "He's been very, very effective the last couple of years."


Fiers certainly has been while going 1-1 with a 1.96 ERA in three starts against Minnesota (66-62), two of which have come this season.


It's uncertain if he will face rookie third baseman Miguel Sano, who sat Friday with a sore hamstring.


"I think it's been a gradual thing as far as I know," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Sano, who he hopes will be available to DH on Saturday. "I hope it's day to day."


Sano is batting .289 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs in 47 games.


Without Sano, Minnesota managed three hits Friday but still won for the seventh time in eight games, 3-0. Eduardo Nunez clubbed a two-run homer for the Twins, who are one-half game behind Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot.


Houston also could be without its own impressive rookie if shortstop Carlos Correa misses a third consecutive game with his own hamstring issue. With a four-game lead in the West, however, the Astros have somewhat of a luxury to rest one of their top players.


"At this juncture of the season, he's too important, these games are too important," Hinch said. "There's no reason to risk furthering a little bit of soreness."


Jose Altuve is in the Astros' lineup, and batting .352 in 25 games this month. He's a lifetime .365 hitter in 12 games against the Twins, who hand the ball to Mike Pelfrey (6-7, 3.69).


Facing Houston for the first time since 2013, the right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA in his last six starts. However, he lasted 4 2-3 innings while yielding three runs and nine hits during Sunday's 4-3, 12-inning victory at Baltimore.


Pelfrey is 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 11 home starts.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Astros at Twins
Fri, Aug 28 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores


GAME 2
Astros at Twins
Sat, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Astros at Twins
Sun, Aug 30 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Yankees (70-57) at Braves (54-74)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Luis Severino's four solid starts to begin his major league career have confirmed what the New York Yankees saw from their top pitching prospect prior to the season.


How many more he'll get down the stretch - and possibly into the playoffs - remains to be seen.


The Yankees hope to provide Severino with plenty of support after snapping their offensive slump in the series opener when they face the host Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.


Manager Joe Girardi was impressed with Severino (1-2, 2.74 ERA) in spring training, and the 21-year-old got his chance to pitch in the majors when Michael Pineda went on the disabled list in late July.


Severino picked up his win last Saturday after allowing one run in six innings against Cleveland. The Yankees lost the right-hander's first three starts after he made his debut Aug. 5, providing him two runs of support over 17 innings.


"For the first time, I feel like I belong here," Severino said.


It's unclear how long Severino will stay in the majors, though. Pineda was activated from the DL and pitched Wednesday, and Girardi hasn't decided if Severino will remain with the Yankees for the rest of the season and potentially into the postseason.


'I think that's a little early to put that type of pressure on him,' Girardi said. 'But I will say everything we've seen from him we like. I think he will even get better.'


The Yankees (70-57) are atop the wild-card standings and remained 1 1/2 games back of Toronto for the AL East lead after crushing Atlanta 15-4 on Friday. They had lost five of their previous seven and scored four times over their previous three.


'You play so many games in a long season, everybody goes through slumps," said Brian McCann, who hit a two-run homer in his first game in Atlanta since signing with the Yankees prior to last season after nine years with the Braves. "Over the long haul, I really like this lineup.'


Didi Gregorius also hit a two-run homer among his four hits and drove in six runs, and Chris Young added a solo shot. The Yankees did all their damage without Mark Teixeira, who sat out with a bruised right shin, and Alex Rodriguez.


The Yankees started eight position players who either bat lefty or are switch hitters, something that could be trouble for Matt Wisler should they do so again.


Lefties are hitting .357 with nine homers off Wisler (5-4, 5.43) compared to .265 with 29 of Wisler's 41 strikeouts for righties. The right-hander is coming off his toughest of 12 outings since making his major league debut June 19, as he allowed seven runs and four homers over 2 2-3 innings of Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.


Wisler is 0-3 with a 9.13 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in August.


'The ball is getting up a little bit instead of working down,' Wisler said. "I have to figure out how to pitch to lefties up here.'


The Braves (54-74) have dropped three straight and 14 of 17. Freddie Freeman hit a solo homer and was the only Brave to finish with two hits Friday.


Williams Perez gave up eight runs in 1 2-3 innings, increasing Atlanta's rotation ERA over the last eight games to 8.77.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Braves
Fri, Aug 28 Final 15 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Braves
Sat, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Yankees at Braves
Sun, Aug 30 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Orioles (63-65) at Rangers (66-61)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 29, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers are apparently very serious about reaching the playoffs. The opposite is true for the Baltimore Orioles.


Surging Texas seeks to strengthen its grip on the second wild card Saturday night when it continues a three-game series against the plummeting Orioles.


While Baltimore, Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels have struggled, Texas (66-61) has taken advantage and surged into the second wild-card spot by winning 11 of 15 since Aug. 13, tied with Kansas City for the most wins in the AL during that span.


Cole Hamels struck out 10 in eight dominant innings and Shin-soo Choo and Chris Gimenez homered to lead the Rangers to a series-opening 4-1 victory Friday.


'This is the part of the season where everything is and everything's focused on. This is where you have to be at your best,' Hamels said.


Adrian Beltre continued to torment Orioles pitchers with two more hits. He's batting .422 with nine homers and 20 RBIs in his last 21 games against them.


Choo also seems to enjoy this matchup, hitting four of his 16 homers this season against Baltimore. He's reached base in 32 straight starts since the All-Star break.


The Orioles (63-65) held a wild card before losing eight of nine, and now find themselves 3 1/2 games behind Texas and struggling to inject some life into a sagging offense.


Friday marked the eighth time in that span that Baltimore scored three runs or fewer, batting .223 and averaging 9.6 strikeouts in those games. The Orioles are two under .500 for the first time since July 25.


'We just, offensively, haven't been putting much together,' manager Buck Showalter said. '(Hamels) was good, and we weren't very good. So, that's a bad combination.'


Adam Jones and Chris Davis - the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters - are a combined 8 for 52 (.154) with 21 strikeouts in the past seven games.


They are a combined 1 for 11 against Martin Perez (1-3, 5.30 ERA), who will make his first start in nine days for Texas.


Because he's coming back from Tommy John surgery, the Rangers skipped Perez's last start to give him extra rest.


The left-hander had recorded three consecutive quality starts before allowing three runs and six hits over five innings in a 4-0 loss at Detroit on Aug. 20.


Since allowing eight runs and failing to get an out in the second inning Aug. 2 in a 21-5 home loss to the Yankees, Perez has a 2.84 ERA in four starts. He has yet to allow a home run in 37 1-3 innings this season.


Perez is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in two starts against the Orioles, both coming in 2013.


Baltimore pins its hopes on struggling Ubaldo Jimenez (9-8, 4.26). After entering the All-Star break with a 2.81 ERA, he has gone 2-4 with a 7.65 ERA in eight second-half starts. Jimenez has failed to complete six innings in six of those outings, including each of the past three.


The right-hander started well at Kansas City on Monday, allowing one run over the first five innings before he gave up six runs and six hits in the sixth en route to an 8-3 loss.


'He just started elevating some fastballs and they made him pay for it,' Showalter said. 'He was really commanding the ball well and just didn't that inning.'


Jimenez hasn't faced the Rangers this season but is 3-0 with an 0.68 ERA in his last four starts against them.


Beltre is 9 for 23 with two homers and three doubles against Jimenez.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Orioles at Rangers
Fri, Aug 28 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Orioles at Rangers
Sat, Aug 29 - 8:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Orioles at Rangers
Sun, Aug 30 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Athletics (55-74) at Diamondbacks (63-65)
Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 29, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Within striking distance less than a week ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping to climb back into the NL West race now that their offense is back on track.


After beating the AL's ERA leader, the Diamondbacks face a less intimidating challenge as they try to wrap up their fourth home series win in five tries Saturday night against the Oakland Athletics.


Arizona (63-65) moved within five games of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday after batting .297 with 16 home runs while averaging 6.1 runs during a 9-5 stretch.


The Diamondbacks, however, fell 8 1/2 back after totaling eight runs while getting swept in a four-game home series against a St. Louis team that has the best ERA in the majors.


They then managed just two hits through the first five innings Friday against Oakland ace Sonny Gray before breaking through with two runs in the sixth and four in the seventh of a 6-4 win.


"He's got nasty stuff," manager Chip Hale told MLB's official website. "The ball was moving all over the place. Guys were scratching their heads how we were going to get to him."


David Peralta and Aaron Hill delivered RBI doubles, A.J. Pollock added a run-scoring single and Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run home run as Arizona snapped a five-game home losing streak that was its longest since an eight-game skid from April 2-16, 2014.


Peralta is batting .564 with 12 RBIs over a 12-game home hitting streak, while Goldschmidt is hitting .429 with two homers, four doubles and eight RBIs in his last nine at Chase Field.


The Diamondbacks, who failed to gain ground after the Dodgers' win, will try to keep swinging the bats well against Aaron Brooks (1-1, 6.20 ERA). The right-hander was called up to give Felix Doubront an extra few days of rest after he was hit on the foot with a line drive in Monday's 11-5 win at Seattle.


Brooks is in his second stint with the A's (55-74) after he was acquired from Kansas City in the Ben Zobrist trade. He went 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his first two starts before getting removed from the rotation when he allowed eight runs over 1 2-3 innings in a 10-3 loss at Toronto on Aug. 12.


He may have to be cautious with Welington Castillo, who had a double and a sacrifice fly Friday. The catcher has three home runs and eight RBIs over his last eight home games.


Once a top prospect with Colorado, Jhoulys Chacin (0-1, 2.84) hopes to make the most of another shot in the big leagues after Jeremy Hellickson suffered a hamstring injury. He allowed two earned runs over 6 1-3 innings in Monday's 5-3 loss to St. Louis in his first start since June 28, 2014.


The right-hander will get his first look at an Oakland team that went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and had just five hits over the first eight innings Friday.


Brett Lawrie hit his second home run in as many days - an estimated 470-foot shot in the ninth - and is batting .452 with three homers and seven RBIs in his last eight games.


"His month's been phenomenal," manager Bob Melvin said. "That's hit a long way. You don't see too many balls hit that far in this park. It gives us a fighting chance."


The A's have dropped six straight at Arizona dating to June 2008.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Athletics at Diamondbacks
Fri, Aug 28 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Athletics at Diamondbacks
Sat, Aug 29 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Athletics at Diamondbacks
Sun, Aug 30 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cubs (73-54) at Dodgers (71-56)
Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 29, 2015 9:10 PM EDT

It wasn't long ago that the Chicago Cubs followed a three-game skid with six straight victories.


With Jon Lester on the mound, the visiting Cubs look to end a similar slide and perhaps begin another positive run Saturday night while keeping the Los Angeles Dodgers from a fifth consecutive victory.


Chicago (73-54) had its nine-game winning streak end with a 3-1 loss to the White Sox on Aug. 16, then yielded 25 runs in dropping the next two against Detroit. The Cubs rebounded with a six-game winning streak, but have totaled four runs to lose the next three.


After they struck out 12 times over six innings against Madison Bumgarner in Thursday's 9-1 loss at San Francisco, Clayton Kershaw fanned 14 and yielded only Anthony Rizzo's homer over eight of their 4-1 defeat Friday.


"We were schooled a little bit (Friday) again," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, whose team averaged 6.0 runs in the 20 games prior to their current losing stretch. "But that needs to happen for us to get better.'


Leading the Giants by 4 1/2 games for the NL's second wild-card spot, the Cubs hope Lester (8-9, 3.44 ERA) can build on his latest effort.


The left-hander allowed a season-high seven runs in 2 2-3 innings of a 15-8 loss to Detroit on Aug. 19, then pitched into the ninth before yielding the tying run with two outs in Monday's 2-1 victory over Cleveland. Though he didn't get the win, Lester is 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break.


"You've got to try to keep your team in the game the best you can," he told MLB's official website.


Lester, who last pitched on the road July 18 when he took a no-hitter into the eighth at Atlanta, has given up one run in his last three starts away from Wrigley Field and none in the last 18 2-3 innings.


He was hardly that effective June 25 while allowing four runs, four hits and walking four in four innings of a 4-0 loss to the West-leading Dodgers (71-56), who bring Mat Latos (4-9, 4.81) back into the rotation to help them try for a 16th win in their last 21 at home.


The right-hander allowed a run in six innings of a 5-3 win over the Angels in his Dodger debut Aug. 2, then yielded 11 in 8 2-3 innings to lose the next two.


'I'm healthy,' he said. 'The ball is coming out of my hand good. It's just a matter of stringing innings and pitches together. It is like spring training again trying to get used to a new team and catcher.'


With three off days over an eight-day span following Latos' most recent start Aug. 13, Latos wasn't needed for that stretch. He returns after throwing a five-inning simulated game at the Dodgers' complex in Arizona earlier this week.


Latos has fared well against the Cubs, going 7-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 12 starts. He gave up a run, one hit and struck out seven in seven innings but suffered a 2-0 loss at Wrigley on July 5 with Miami.


Rizzo is 2 for 15 against Latos.


Chase Utley is batting .208 in seven games since coming over from Philadelphia, but recorded his first RBI with Los Angeles in his home debut Friday.


He's 2 for 12 against Lester.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Dodgers
Fri, Aug 28 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cubs at Dodgers
Sat, Aug 29 - 9:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Cubs at Dodgers
Sun, Aug 30 - 8:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up


Saturday, August 29


National League
Marlins @ Nationals
Koehler is 0-6, 6.95 in his last six starts (over 4-2).


Zimmerman is 2-3, 4.82 in his last six starts (over 4-1 last five).


Miami lost three of last five games with Washington; over is 5-3-1 in its last eight games. Marlins lost six of last eight games- under is 5-1-1 in last seven. Washington won four of its last six (over 4-1-2 in last seven).


Rockies @ Pirates
Rusin allowed 11 runs in 2+ IP in his last start, after going 1-1, 1.80 in previous three starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight starts.


Happ is 2-0, 0.52 in his last three starts (under 4-0 last four).


Colorado lost five of last seven games with Pittsburgh; home side won ten of last 11 series games. Rockies lost seven of last ten games-- five of their last seven went over total. Pirates won nine of last 11 games; four of their last six stayed under.


Padres @ Phillies
Rea is 2-1, 6.14 in his first three MLB starts (over 3-0).


Morgan is 2-2, 5.20 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1 last five home starts)..


Padres lost five of last six games with Philly; over is 5-1-1 in last seven series games. San Diego lost four of last five games; under is 5-1-1 in its last seven. Phillies lost four of last five games; over is 8-2-1 in their last eleven.


Reds @ Brewers
Sampson is 1-1, 8.03 in his last three starts (under 3-2 in MLB starts).


Garza is 0-2, 7.56 in his last three starts.


Reds lost last five games with Milwaukee (over 3-2); Cincy lost 12 of last 13 games (over 5-3 in last eight) overall. Brewers lost four of last five games, over is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.


Cubs @ Dodgers
Lester is 4-1, 3.09 in his last seven starts (over 3-1 last four); his last start on road was July 18-- his last six were all at Wrigley.


Latos is 0-3, 6.53 in his last four starts; his last three went over.


Cubs are 3-6 in last eight games with LA; last five series games went under total. Chicago won six of last nine games (over 6-4 in last ten). Dodgers won last four games, allowing six runs; six of their last seven stayed under.


Cardinals @ Giants
Lynn is 1-2, 7.43 in his last three starts; under is 5-2- in his last eight


Vogelsong is 2-1, 2.51 in his last three starts (under 2-0-1).


Cardinals lost five of their last seven games with Giants (under 2-1-1 last four); St Louis won five of last six games; over is 5-1-2 in last eight. Giants are 4-5 in last nine games; over is 7-3-2 in their last twelve.


St Louis closer Rosenthal is not in SF this weekend; his wife had a baby and Rosenthal is in St Louis with her.


American League
Tigers @ Blue Jays
Farmer is 0-2, 8.55 in his four starts this year (over 4-0).


Hutchison is 2-0, 1.98 in his last two starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.


Tigers lost seven of last eight games; seven of their last nine stayed under; Tigers lost seven of last ten games with Toronto (over 7-2 in last nine). Blue Jays won eight of last ten (seven of last nine went over).


Angels @ Indians
Richards is 2-3, 6.21 in his last six starts (over 5-1).


Kluber is 2-1, 2.56 in his last four starts (over 4-2).


Angels won seven of last 11 games with Cleveland; under is 6-3 in last nine series games. Halos lost six of last eight games (over 5-3). Indians won six of last eight games; seven of their last 11 went over the total.


Royals @ Rays
Medlen allowed three runs in six IP (69 PT) in his first '15 start.


Odorizzi is 0-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven starts.


Royals won their last six games with Tampa Bay (over 5-1); KC won six of last seven games- over is 4-2-2 in its last eight. Tampa Bay lost four of its of last five games; five of Rays' last six games all went over.


Orioles @ Rangers
Jimenez is 0-1, 8.04 in his last three starts (over 6-2 in last eight).


Perez is 0-1, 4.76 in his last three starts (under 3-1 in last four).


Rangers won four of last five games with Baltimore; under is 4-1-1 in last six series games. Texas won 10 of last 14 games (under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games). Orioles lost eight of last nine games (under 5-2-1 in last eight).


Mariners @ White Sox
Iwakuma is 3-1, 3.90 in his last four starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine.


Samardzija is 0-5, 9.00 in his last five starts (over 6-1 in last seven).


White Sox won three of last five games with Seattle (over 3-2); Chicago lost four of last six games overall-- seven of their last 11 went over. Mariners won four of last six games- five of their last seven games went over total.


Astros @ Twins
Fiers threw a no-hitter in last start eight days ago; he is 1-0, 1.29 in three starts for Houston (over 2-1).


Pelfrey is 1-0, 2.65 in his last three starts (over 3-1 in last four).


Houston is 4-7 in last 11 games with Minnesota (over 6-4 in last ten); Astros won seven of last ten games (over 7-3). Twins won seven of last eight games-- three of their last four went over.


Interleague
Red Sox @ Mets
Boston won last five Kelly starts (3-0, 1.86 in last three; over 5-0-1 in last six).


Mets won last eight deGrom starts (2-0, 2.89 in last six- over 3-1 in last four)


Mets won seven of last eight games, scoring 78 runs; 11 of their last 12 games went over total. NY lost five of last seven games with Boston- six of last ten series games stayed under total. Boston won five of last seven games (over 8-2-1 in last 11). If Ortiz is in lineup (NL park, no DH), Red Sox have a pathetic defensive infield.


Bronx @ Braves
Severino is 1-2, 3.13 in his first four MLB starts (over 2-2).


Wisler is 0-3, 9.13 in his last five starts (over 5-0).


Bronx won six of last eight games with Atlanta; three of last five series tilts stayed under total. NY lost five of last eight games overall; five of last seven went over total. Braves lost ten of last eleven games; five of their last six went over.


A's @ Diamondbacks
Brooks is 1-1, 6.19 in his three starts this year (over 2-1).


Chacin allowed three runs in 6.1 IP (96 PT) in his first '15 start.


Oakland lost five of last six games with Arizona; four of last five went over total. A's lost five of last seven games; their last six went over total. Diamondbacks lost four of last five games; over is 5-2-2 in their last nine.


Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Mia-Wsh-- Koehler 10-14 (0-6 last 6); Zimmerman 15-11
Col-Pitt-- Rusin 4-10; Happ 10-14/3-1
SD-Phil-- Rea Morgan 6-5
Cin-Mil-- Sampson 2-2; Garza 8-15 (1-5 last 6)
Chi-LA-- Lester 14-11; Latos 7-12/1-2
StL-SF-- Lynn 14-10; Vogelsong 2-1


Det-Tor-- Farmer 0-4; Hutchison 17-7 (6-0 last 6)
LA-Clev-- Richards 12-13 (1-6 last 7); Kluber 9-18
KC-TB-- Medlen 1-0; Odorizzi 10-11
Balt-Tex-- Jimenez 13-12; Perez 4-3
Hst-Min-- Fiers 13-11/2-1; Pelfrey 13-11
Sea-Chi-- Iwakuma 7-6; Samardzija 11-15 (0-5 last 5)


Bos-NY-- Kelly 10-11 (5-0 last 5); deGrom 17-7 (8-0 last 8)
NY-Atl-- Severino 1-3; Wisler 6-6 (1-4 last 5)
A's-Az-- Brooks 1-2; Chacin 0-1


Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Mia-Wsh-- Koehler 5-24; Zimmerman 9-26
Col-Pitt-- Rusin 4-14; Happ 9-24
SD-Phil-- Rea Morgan 1-11
Cin-Mil-- Sampson 2-4; Garza 7-23
Chi-LA-- Lester 7-26; Latos 7-19
StL-SF-- Lynn 8-24; Vogelsong 1-3


Det-Tor-- Farmer 1-4; Hutchison 11-24
LA-Clev-- Richards 8-25; Kluber 10-27
KC-TB-- Medlen 1-1; Odorizzi 5-21
Balt-Tex-- Jimenez 7-25; Perez 1-7
Hst-Min-- Fiers 2-24; Pelfrey 3-24
Sea-Chi-- Iwakuma 4-13; Samardzija 12-26


Bos-NY-- Kelly 10-21; deGrom 7-24
NY-Atl-- Severino 2-4; Wisler 6-12
A's-Az-- Brooks 2-3; Chacin 0-1


Umpires
StL-SF-- Seven of last nine Morales games went over.
Mia-Wsh-- Underdogs won 11 of last 14 Iassogna games.
Col-Pitt-- Home side won seven of last nine Blaser games.
SD-Phil-- Three of last four Fletcher games went over.
Cin-Mil-- Favorites won last five Bellino games.
Chi-LA-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Fairchild games.


Det-Tor-- Home side won 10 of last 13 Gonzalez games.
KC-TB-- Home side won last five O'Nora games; last three stayed under
Hst-Min-- Five of last six Eddings games went over.
Sea-Chi-- Favorites won eight of last nine Timmons games.
LA-Clev-- Five of last six Vanover games went over.
Balt-Tex-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten Rackley games.


Bos-NY-- Eight of last nine Tumpane games stayed under.
NY-Atl-- Six of last eight Estabrook games went over total.
A's-Az-- Six of last eight Barksdale games went over.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB


Saturday, August 29


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1:07 PM
DETROIT vs. TORONTO
Detroit is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games


4:05 PM
BOSTON vs. NY METS
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games on the road
Boston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games
NY Mets are 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston


4:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of St. Louis's last 9 games on the road
St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis


6:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. TAMPA BAY
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City


7:05 PM
MIAMI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games
Miami is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Washington is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Miami


7:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 11 of San Diego's last 15 games
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Diego
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home


7:05 PM
COLORADO vs. PITTSBURGH
Colorado is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games


7:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Houston's last 22 games on the road
Houston is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Minnesota is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Houston


7:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games


7:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games on the road
LA Angels are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Cleveland's last 25 games when playing at home against LA Angels


7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 7 games
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 2-7 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home


7:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati's last 11 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati


8:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TEXAS
Baltimore is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 8 games


8:10 PM
OAKLAND vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games on the road
Oakland is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing at home against Oakland


9:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. LA DODGERS
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Chi Cubs's last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
LA Dodgers are 16-6 SU in their last 22 games when playing Chi Cubs

 

[CNOTES]

MLB


Saturday, August 29




Pitcher change announced - Corey Kluber, Cleveland


Cleveland vs. LA Angels on August 29 at 7:10 PM. Previous Starter: Trevor Bauer.




Small chance of thunderstorms in Chicago Saturday


According to weather forecasts, there will be as much as a 48 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers in Chicago as the White Sox host the Seattle Mariners Saturday evening.


There is expected to be around a 30 percent possibility leading up to game time with that increasing to just under 50 percent as the game progresses.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB


Saturday, August 29


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MLB betting cheat sheet: The Wright Stuff
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The New York Mets are batting a major league-best .402 over the last seven days heading into Friday's action.


Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for the weekend major-league schedule:


The Wright Stuff


David Wright returned to the Mets lineup on Tuesday, and he hit a home run in his first at bat. The Mets have been tearing the cover off the ball, batting a major league best .402 over the last seven days. New York has won seven in a row heading into Friday's game versus Boston, and there may be no end in sight as their next nine games come against teams with a losing record.


Home of the Braves


Atlanta is not a popular team with the betting public, and more often than not they are an underdog even at home. The Braves have managed to win six of their last 10 home games, and they are 33-26 overall at home this season. They host the Yankees this weekend, and they will most certainly be an underdog in all three games.


Cruz Control


Seattle's Nelson Cruz has seized control of the home run race. His 39 homers so far are four more than Baltimore's Chris Davis who is second in the majors. Cruz is on a tear in the second half, batting .346 since the All Star Break. The Mariners are in Chicago this weekend, and John Danks will start Game 1, and Cruz is batting .304 with a home run and 4 RBIs lifetime versus Danks.


Hitting Notes


* Michael Cuddyer got off to a slow start with the Mets, but he's really picked up the pace since the All Star break. The 36 year old was 7-for-11 with a pair of home runs and six RBIs in a four game series at Philadelphia, and he's batting .350 in August.


* Mike Trout has only hit one home run in August, and that was three weeks ago. He's batting just .205 this month, and he may have fallen behind Josh Donaldson in the AL MVP race.


Pitching Notes


* Mike Fiers pitched a no-hitter against the Dodgers in his last start, and he's scheduled to go Saturday in Minnesota. He's faced the Twins twice already this year, pitching well in both games despite a record of 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA.


* Julio Teheran has become quite underrated this year, and his overall numbers (9-6, 4.29 ERA) don't exactly stand out. He has been dominant at home though, going 7-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 13 starts. He will start Sunday at home against the Yankees.


Totals Streak


* The Phillies have been getting crushed lately, losing six of their last seven home games. All seven of those games went over the total, and the Phillies have trended over at a rate of 27-6-4 in their last 37 home games.


Injury Notes


* It's a bit of good news vs. bad news for C.C. Sabathia, as the left-hander has been told he will not require surgery on his injured knee. The bad news is that he may be relegated to the bullpen after going 4-9 with a 5.27 ERA as a starter.


* Adam Jones is banged up after crashing into a wall in Kansas City on Thursday, and his status for Friday's game remains uncertain.


Weather Notes


* Wind will be blowing in from rightfield at around 12 miles per hour in Arlington when the Texas Rangers host the Baltimore Orioles Saturday.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Dunkel


Saturday, August 29




St. Louis @ San Francisco


Game 951-952
August 29, 2015 @ 4:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lynn) 16.897
San Francisco
(Vogelsong) 15.378
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-115
7
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-115); Over


Miami @ Washington

Game 953-954
August 29, 2015 @ 7:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Koehler) 13.685
Washington
(Zmmrmnn) 16.158
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-220
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-220); Over


Colorado @ Pittsburgh


Game 955-956
August 29, 2015 @ 7:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Rusin) 15.205
Pittsburgh
(Happ) 14.154
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-240
8
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+200); Over


San Diego @ Philadelphia


Game 957-958
August 29, 2015 @ 7:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Rea) 13.685
Philadelphia
(Morgan) 15.810
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+100); Over


Cincinnati @ Milwaukee

Game 959-960
August 29, 2015 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Sampson) 14.322
Milwaukee
(Garza) 13.243
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+120); Under


Chicago Cubs @ LA Dodgers


Game 961-962
August 29, 2015 @ 9:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 13.243
LA Dodgers
(Latos) 16.897
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 3 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-115
7
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-105); Over


Detroit @ Toronto


Game 963-964
August 29, 2015 @ 1:07 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Farmer) 11.220
Toronto
(Hutchson )18.053
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 7
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-230
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-230); Over


Kansas City @ Tampa Bay


Game 965-966
August 29, 2015 @ 6:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Medlen) 16.252
Tampa Bay
(Odorizzi) 18.446
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-115
7
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-115); Under


Houston @ Minnesota


Game 967-968
August 29, 2015 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Fiers) 16.446
Minnesota
(Pelfrey) 17.519
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-145
8
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+125); Under


Seattle @ Chicago White Sox


Game 969-970
August 29, 2015 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Iwakuma) 16.763
Chicago White Sox
(Samrdzja) 12.905
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 4
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago White Sox
-110
8
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-110); Over


LA Angels @ Cleveland


Game 971-972
August 29, 2015 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Richards) 14.050
Cleveland
(Kluber) 15.522
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
N/A


Baltimore @ Texas


Game 973-974
August 29, 2015 @ 8:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Jimenez) 14.299
Texas
(Perez) 16.747
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-110
9
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-110); Over


Boston @ NY Mets


Game 975-976
August 29, 2015 @ 4:05 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Kelly) 16.326
NY Mets
(deGrom) 15.208
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-210
7
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+180); Over


NY Yankees @ Atlanta

Game 977-978
August 29, 2015 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Sevrino) 13.199
Atlanta
(Wisler) 14.324
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-210
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+180); Under


Oakland @ Arizona


Game 979-980
August 29, 2015 @ 8:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Doubront) 12.905
Arizona
(Chacin) 15.579
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-140); Under

 

[CNOTES]

MLB


Saturday, August 29




Dodgers place OF Puig on 15-day DL


The Los Angeles Dodgers placed outfielder Yasiel Puig on the 15-day disabled list Friday and recalled infielder Jose Peraza from Triple-A Oklahoma City.


Puig has been out with a right hamstring strain since Aug. 19. Manager Don Mattingly had said the strain was "very mild" and Puig was not expected to go on the disabled list.


This is his second DL stint this season; he was out from April 26 to June 6 with a left hamstring strain.


Puig is hitting .256 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs this season.


Peraza, 21, has hit .293 with 33 stolen bases, four homers and 42 RBIs at the Triple-A level this season. That includes a .289 average with one homer and five RBIs in 22 games with the Oklahoma City Dodgers.


Peraza was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in an eight-player trade on July 30. He made his major-league debut on Aug. 10 and played in two games with the Dodgers before being sent back to Oklahoma City.