Cnotes Sports Page For Saturday October 4th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

Mets-Nats doubleheader set for Saturday


October 2, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) Steven Matz's back injury could prevent the rookie from starting for the New York Mets against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.


New York said Matz woke Tuesday with a sore back. His start was pushed back at first by a day to Thursday and then he was scratched. Now the Mets are not counting on him to pitch this weekend against Washington in their final regular-season series.


''I think the concern level has certainly gone up. It hasn't seemed to get better,'' general manager Sandy Alderson said after Friday night's game was postponed by rain. ''I probably downplayed it a little too much at the outset based on hope rather than on information. But the fact that it hasn't responded particularly well is concern, but that doesn't mean it won't respond quickly over the next few days. These things are sort of hard to predict.''


Having clinched the NL East title last weekend for their first postseason berth since 2006, the Mets are trying to finish ahead of the Dodgers for home-field advantage. Both entered Friday at 89-70, and the Mets hold the tiebreaker because they won the season series.


The rainout was to be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Saturday, and the regular season is scheduled to end Sunday - which could be Matt Williams' final game as Nationals manager. Williams did not speak with the media after the postponement.


A 24-year-old left-hander, Matz made his big league debut in June and is 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA. He did not pitch for the Mets between July 5 and Sept. 6 because of a partial muscle tear on his left side. He has not appeared in a game since Sept. 24.


''Right now, I don't see how he's going to be ready to pitch this weekend,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''Then we've got to get him to the Instructional League and get him some work.''


Collins will not be evaluating Matz's results in the Instructional League but rather how the pitcher feels.


''There's going to be six people there. It's going to be hot. So nothing dictates, except the workload,'' the manager said. ''And if he goes down and gets through that and comes out OK, I'd probably have to say there's a good shot he'll be on.''


Matt Harvey, NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom and rookie Noah Syndergaard figure to be in the rotation against the Dodgers, and 42-year-old Bartolo Colon would be Matz's replacement. New York won't have to submit its Division Series roster until the morning of the opener on Oct. 9.


''If we decide that Steven is not in the rotation for whatever reason,'' Alderson said, ''he'll be considered for bullpen and either be put in it or not based on probably a whole different set of criteria.''


With rain forecast throughout the weekend, there is a chance home-field advantage could be decided with the Mets playing less than the full 162 games.


''We don't have clarity about that,'' Alderson said.


APPEAL


Mets reliever Hansel Robles is appealing the three-game suspension assessed by Major League Baseball for throwing near the head of Philadelphia's Cameron Rupp on Wednesday, delaying the start of any penalty.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Mets: Center fielder Yoenis Cespedes was in the posted lineup Friday, two days after two fingers in his left hand were bruised when hit by Justin De Fratus' pitch at Philadelphia. ... Infielder Juan Uribe, who hasn't played since Sept. 25 because of a chest cartilage injury, ''is not much better,'' according to Collins and Alderson. ... Infielder Wilmer Flores has strep throat.


WHAT'S NEXT


Noah Syndergaard (9-7) starts the 1:10 p.m. game for the Mets, and Gio Gonzalez (11-8) for Washington. Matt Harvey (13-7) goes for New York in the night game and Max Scherzer (13-12) for the Nationals.

 

[CNOTES]

Marlins, Phillies will play DH Saturday


October 2, 2015


PHILADELPHIA (AP) The game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins scheduled for Friday has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday.


The doubleheader will begin at 4:05 p.m., with the second game scheduled to start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.


Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang (6-15, 4.86) opposes Tom Koehler (11-14, 4.00) in the first game, with right-hander Alec Asher (0-5, 9.00) facing Miami lefty Justin Nicolino (4-4, 4.16) in the nightcap.

 

[CNOTES]

Yankees-Orioles will play 2 on Saturday


October 2, 2015


BALTIMORE (AP) The New York Yankees might have a busy weekend before getting a one-day break ahead of the playoffs.


After clinching an AL wild-card berth on Thursday night with a 4-1 win over Boston, the Yankees had their game Friday against the Orioles postponed by rain.


The makeup will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. The starting times at 12:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.


The teams then conclude the regular season with a matchup on Sunday afternoon.


Ivan Nova (6-10, 4.89 ERA) is scheduled to start the first game Saturday, followed by Luis Severino (5-3, 2.77). But that could change if Houston loses on Friday night, assuring New York home-field advantage in Tuesday's winner-take-all, wild-card matchup.


''Nova would still be the first, but Sevi, we might do something different,'' manager Joe Girardi said.


If New York clinches that home game, then Girardi will likely rest his regulars.


''The most important thing going through this weekend is to clinch the home field for us,'' he said. ''And in saying that, I don't really have plans of playing any one person two games tomorrow. To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense, that you would do that physically to the guys and risk injury (or) fatigue.''


Baltimore was eliminated from contention earlier this week. The Orioles need a three-game sweep to avoid a losing season.


Wei-Yin Chen (10-8, 3.35 ERA) will pitch the opener, followed by Ubaldo Jimenez (12-10, 4.10 ERA).


Chen is a pending free agent, meaning this could be the left-hander's final appearance with Baltimore. In four years with the Orioles, Chen is 45-32 with a 3.73 ERA.


Manager Buck Showalter believes it should be more of the same on Saturday.


''I expect him to pitch the way he has most of his time here,'' he said. ''He's been very solid all year. Very proud of his health and the things he's been able to maintain. Every time he's take the mound for us, I like our chances.


''Very good evaluation, very good signing. Hopefully it will continue.''


Earlier Friday, Chris Davis was named Most Valuable Oriole in balloting by members of the media who cover the team. Davis leads the majors with 45 home runs and has 112 RBIs.


He also was named Most Valuable Oriole in 2013. Davis slipped dramatically last year, batting only .197, but has come up with a season that should make him a hot commodity during the offseason, when he too becomes a free agent.


''We couldn't have been as competitive as we've been this year without him,'' Showalter said. ''I think he was very disappointed at the right things that happened last year. He wanted to be there for the club all year and be somebody we could count on, and he was.''

 

[CNOTES]

Tulowitzki back in Blue Jays lineup


October 2, 2015


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Troy Tulowitzki is back in the AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays' lineup after missing three weeks due to injuries.


Tulowitzki hasn't played since Sept. 12, when he cracked his scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back after colliding with teammate Kevin Pillar in a game against the New York Yankees. He is scheduled to bat seventh and play shortstop in Friday night's game at Tampa Bay.


''Excited to get back to playing,'' he said. ''Overall it's good enough to play. It's just like any time with an injury, probably that area is a little bit sore. To be able to swing felt good, so it tells me I'm ready.''


Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Tulowitzki will get Saturday off and then play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rays.


''The key is he feels fine,'' Gibbons said. ''Try to get some timing going now. It will definitely help him.''


Tulowitzki had a homer, two doubles and walked once in six plate appearances of a simulated game Friday against a pair of minor league pitchers.


David Price, scheduled to pitch Game 1 of the AL Division series Thursday, also took part in the simulated game and struck out Tulowitzki on a called third strike and got a fly ball to center.


''Obviously it was a bad call on the 0-2,'' Tulowitzki said with a laugh. ''We had fun with it.''


Toronto obtained Tulowitzki from Colorado on July 28 in a multi-player deal. He's is hitting .232 with the Blue Jays, but they're 30-8 with him in the starting lineup.


''Let's face it, we're a better team with him out there,'' Gibbons said.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Playoff chase out West, doubleheaders in East


October 2, 2015
e
A look at what's happening around the major leagues Saturday:


WILD, WILD WEST


Playoff positions are still up for grabs in the AL West with two days left in the season. Hector Santiago (9-9) and the Los Angeles Angels are on the road to face Colby Lewis (17-9) and the Rangers, who have clinched a trip to the postseason. Mike Trout and the Angels can't win the division, but they're still chasing a wild card. Also in the running for baseball's final playoff berth are Minnesota and Houston. Collin McHugh (8-7) starts for the Astros in an interleague game at Arizona.


TO THE SHOWERS


The Mets, Phillies and Orioles are scheduled to host doubleheaders, all caused by rainouts Friday. Wet weather is supposed to linger on the East Coast, though the threat from Hurricane Joaquin in the upcoming days appears to be fading. The NL East champion Mets host Washington in a split doubleheader at Citi Field, and are trying to beat out the Dodgers for home-field advantage in their Division Series matchup next week.


PLENTY TO PLAY FOR


While the surprising Twins are trying to nab the last wild card, the AL Central champion Royals are looking to beat out Toronto for home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Minnesota lefty Tommy Milone (9-5) faces Yordano Ventura (12-8) and the visiting Royals.


ONE LAST TRY


Shelby Miller makes his last start of the season for Atlanta, hoping to end one of the most puzzling streaks in recent years. An All-Star this season, Miller is winless in his last 24 starts - he's 0-16 despite a solid 3.77 ERA in that span. The Braves haven't scored much for him, a big reason he's neared the major league record of 28 straight winless starts shared by Jo-Jo Reyes, Matt Keough and Cliff Curtis. Miller's final chance this year comes at home against St. Louis, the team that traded him to Atlanta last November and now leads the big leagues in wins.


END OF THE ROAD


Indians right-hander Corey Kluber hopes to finish his rocky season on a high note when he pitches against the Red Sox. Kluber won the AL Cy Young Award last season with an 18-9 record and a 2.44 ERA, but his numbers have fallen off significantly. He takes an 8-16 mark and a 3.62 ERA into his last start of 2015. Kluber hasn't won since Aug. 14.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (909) WASHINGTON@ (910) NY METS | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play ON NY METS using money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150
The record is 16 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+14.75 units)

MLB > (925) LA ANGELS@ (926) TEXAS | 2015-10-03 20:05:00 - 2015-10-03 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in night games
The record is 65 Wins and 49 Losses for the this season (+28.62 units)


MLB > (919) BOSTON@ (920) CLEVELAND | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST CLEVELAND using money line against left-handed starters
The record is 9 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (-16.2 units)


MLB > (923) KANSAS CITY@ (924) MINNESOTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play ON MINNESOTA using money line in all games
The record is 83 Wins and 76 Losses for the this season (+23.7 units)


MLB > (927) OAKLAND@ (928) SEATTLE | 2015-10-03 21:10:00 - 2015-10-03 21:10:00
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using money line against left-handed starters
The record is 15 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (-18 units)


MLB > (907) ST LOUIS@ (908) ATLANTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using money line in October games
The record is 21 Wins and 33 Losses for the since 1992 (-30 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (919) BOSTON@ (920) CLEVELAND | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON when playing with a day off
The record is 8 Wins and 28 Losses for the last two seasons (-25.55 units)


MLB > (923) KANSAS CITY@ (924) MINNESOTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY when playing with a day off
The record is 29 Wins and 11 Losses for the last two seasons (+24.1 units)


MLB > (907) ST LOUIS@ (908) ATLANTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 11 Wins and 27 Losses for the this season (-20.2 units)


MLB > (901) COLORADO@ (902) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-10-03 16:05:00 - 2015-10-03 16:05:00
Play ON SAN FRANCISCO when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 25 Wins and 12 Losses for the last two seasons (+18 units)


MLB > (929) HOUSTON@ (930) ARIZONA | 2015-10-03 20:10:00 - 2015-10-03 20:10:00
Play AGAINST HOUSTON when playing against a team with a losing record
The record is 16 Wins and 30 Losses for the this season (-21 units)


MLB > (909) WASHINGTON@ (910) NY METS | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST WASHINGTON when the total is 7 or less
The record is 28 Wins and 54 Losses for the this season (-34.35 units)


MLB > (925) LA ANGELS@ (926) TEXAS | 2015-10-03 20:05:00 - 2015-10-03 20:05:00
Play ON LA ANGELS when playing with a day off
The record is 15 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+12.05 units)

 

[CNOTES]

B]MLB TOTALS[/B]


MLB > (921) DETROIT@ (922) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play OVER DETROIT on the total on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 25 Overs and 8 Unders for the this season (+17.25 units)


MLB > (913) SAN DIEGO@ (914) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-03 21:10:00 - 2015-10-03 21:10:00
Play OVER SAN DIEGO on the total in games played on a grass field
The record is 92 Overs and 61 Unders for the this season (+29.45 units)

MLB > (923) KANSAS CITY@ (924) MINNESOTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Play UNDER KANSAS CITY on the total when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 15 Overs and 35 Unders for the this season (+17.65 units)


MLB > (927) OAKLAND@ (928) SEATTLE | 2015-10-03 21:10:00 - 2015-10-03 21:10:00
Play OVER SEATTLE on the total when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 20 Overs and 7 Unders for the this season (+12.7 units)

MLB > (917) NY YANKEES@ (918) BALTIMORE | 2015-10-03 19:05:00 - 2015-10-03 19:05:00
Play UNDER BALTIMORE on the total when playing on Saturday
The record is 4 Overs and 17 Unders for the this season (+12.5 units)


MLB > (915) TORONTO@ (916) TAMPA BAY | 2015-10-03 18:10:00 - 2015-10-03 18:10:00
Play OVER TORONTO on the total when the total is 7 or less
The record is 14 Overs and 2 Unders for the last three seasons (+12.15 units)


MLB > (905) MIAMI@ (906) PHILADELPHIA | 2015-10-03 19:05:00 - 2015-10-03 19:05:00
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in night games
The record is 59 Overs and 39 Unders for the this season (+18.95 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB TOP POWERLINE


MLB > (901) COLORADO @ (902) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-10-03 16:05:00 - 2015-10-03 16:05:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO-175 BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO-182
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (7)


MLB > (915) TORONTO @ (916) TAMPA BAY | 2015-10-03 18:10:00 - 2015-10-03 18:10:00
Line: TORONTO BTB PowerLine: TORONTO131
Edge On: TORONTO (26)


MLB > (907) ST LOUIS @ (908) ATLANTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Line: ST LOUIS BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS198
Edge On: ST LOUIS (48)


MLB > (909) WASHINGTON @ (910) NY METS | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON-111
Edge On: WASHINGTON (19)


MLB > (921) DETROIT @ (922) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Line: CHI WHITE SOX+102 BTB PowerLine: CHI WHITE SOX-105
Edge On: CHI WHITE SOX (7)


MLB > (923) KANSAS CITY @ (924) MINNESOTA | 2015-10-03 19:10:00 - 2015-10-03 19:10:00
Line: KANSAS CITY BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY103
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (3)


MLB > (929) HOUSTON @ (930) ARIZONA | 2015-10-03 20:10:00 - 2015-10-03 20:10:00
Line: HOUSTON BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON146
Edge On: HOUSTON (16)


MLB > (913) SAN DIEGO @ (914) LA DODGERS | 2015-10-03 21:10:00 - 2015-10-03 21:10:00
Line: LA DODGERS-260 BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS-272
Edge On: LA DODGERS (12)


MLB > (927) OAKLAND @ (928) SEATTLE | 2015-10-03 21:10:00 - 2015-10-03 21:10:00
Line: OAKLAND BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND-133
Edge On: OAKLAND (2)

 

[CNOTES]

RECAPPING FRIDAY'S ACTION:


MLB: 6 - 3 - 0


WNBA: 0 - 0 - 0


CFL: 1 - 1 - 0


CFB: 4 - 2 - 0


NFL: 0 - 0 - 0




WNBA RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER :


*****...............................35 - 28 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................69 - 56 - 1
TRIPLE PLAY......................39 - 32 - 0
SLAM DUNK.......................40 - 37 - 1


MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER :


*****.............................146 - 166 - 1 .....................,......- 16.85
double play......................253 - 261 - 4 ............................- 9.68
triple play........................133 - 133 - 2 ............................ - 62.87
grand slam......................127 - 120 - 4...................,.,........- 54.28
double grand slam.............40 - 30..................................... +51.13
underdog of the year.........0 - 1...........................................+ 9.36




CFL JUNE/JULY/ AUGUST/SEPTEMBER RECORD:


SINGLE PLAY.................................35 - 27
DOUBLE PLAY................................14 - 19
TRIPLE PLAY..................................20 - 10 - 1
BLOW OUT.....................................5 - 3

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Marlins (69-90) at Phillies (62-97)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: October 03, 2015 7:35 PM EDT

If the Philadelphia Phillies can keep their win streak going, they'll also avoid a dubious distinction.


Aaron Harang will try to help take away any possibility of the Phillies reaching 100 losses with another respectable performance against the Miami Marlins in Saturday's opener to a doubleheader.


Philadelphia (62-97) needs one more win to avoid its first 100-loss season since 1961. It didn't seem like the Phillies would have a chance to do that until their current four-game win streak, which included a three-game sweep of the NL East champion New York Mets.


Rookie Jerad Eickhoff fanned 10 over seven innings in Thursday's 3-0 win but rain washed away their chance at another victory Friday against Miami (69-90).


"It'll be nice if we can eliminate the 2015 team from that (100-loss) milestone," first baseman Darin Ruf said. "We're just trying to go out and play hard and win some games. The pitching staff did a great job this week, and if they can continue to do that, we'll keep under 100."


The Phillies have a 2.24 ERA in their last 12 games, with their starters posting a 2.21 mark, and Harang (6-15, 4.86 ERA) has contributed by going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last two.


The first of those outings was a 6-2 victory in Miami on Sept. 22 in which he allowed two runs in seven innings while ending an eight-game winless stretch. Harang is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his two matchups with the Marlins in 2015.


The veteran right-hander, though, also made those starts in Miami. He's 1-7 with a 6.75 ERA in his last 10 outings at Citizens Bank Park.


Harang will face a Marlins team that's dropped six straight on the road after enduring a three-game sweep to Tampa Bay this week. Miami was also swept in three games in its most recent visit to Philadelphia from July 17-19.


Tom Koehler (11-14, 4.00) will try to set a different tone for this series by earning his fourth win in five starts. The right-hander gave up four runs in 6 2-3 innings Sunday against Atlanta but got enough support for a 9-5 victory.


Koehler has gotten a combined four runs of support while going 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this season.


Justin Nicolino (4-4, 4.16) will try to build on his strong performance in a 6-2 win over Atlanta last Saturday when he starts the finale for Miami. The rookie left-hander yielded one run and two hits in seven innings after going 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in his prior three starts.


"Just a tremendous effort by that young man to give us seven strong like he did. He made quality pitch after quality pitch," manager Dan Jennings told MLB's official website.


Nicolino gave up seven runs in 5 2-3 innings in his latest road outing, a 13-3 drubbing to Washington on Sept. 20. He fared better in his only start against Philadelphia on Aug. 22, giving up two runs in 7 2-3 innings in a 4-2 loss.


The Phillies' Alec Asher (0-5, 9.00) will get his last chance this season to earn his first win in his seventh career start. The right-hander didn't make it out of the first inning Wednesday against the New York Mets and was charged with five runs before the Phillies rallied 7-5 win.


Asher had his best showing Sept. 24 against the Marlins - allowing one run and three hits in seven innings - but took a 1-0 loss.


Miami's Dee Gordon, hitting .329, trails Washington's Bryce Harper by two points in the NL batting race. The outfielder is also two hits shy of becoming the first Marlins player with 200 in a season since Hanley Ramirez in 2007.


Gordon is batting .211 in his last five games against the Phillies after hitting .448 in his first seven this season. He's 2 for 13 lifetime against Harang and 0 for 3 versus Asher.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Marlins at Phillies
Fri, Oct 2 - 7:05PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 2
Marlins at Phillies
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:35PM EDT ( DH )


GAME 3
Marlins at Phillies
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rockies (67-93) at Giants (83-77)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: October 03, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Nolan Arenado enters Saturday as the NL's leader in homers, but that could change by the time the Colorado Rockies take the field.


Carlos Gonzalez also has an opportunity to alter the rankings.


Arenado and Gonzalez continue to vie for the league's home run crown as the Rockies face the San Francisco Giants.


Arenado's 42 homers are one more than Washington's Bryce Harper and two ahead of Gonzalez. The Rockies sluggers are trying to become the club's first home run champion since Dante Bichette, Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker went back-to-back-to-back from 1995-97.


Harper could impact the race before the Rockies (67-93) and Giants (83-77) take the field since the Nationals have a day-night doubleheader Saturday after being rained out Friday night.


Arenado hit a solo shot before adding a two-run double in Friday's 9-3 win at San Francisco.


He's hitting .338 with 10 homers and 24 RBIs in 17 season meetings with the Giants.


"He's killed us," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said of Arenado, who leads the majors with 130 RBIs. "Just look at his numbers and you know he kills a lot of people. For some reason, we make a lot of mistakes against him."


That's also true at AT&T Park, where Arenado has connected for six homers in seven games this year for his highest career total at any visiting venue.


"Whenever I come to San Fran I guess I get a little more pumped up to come knowing that they're the defending world champs," Arenado said. "The fans are always good, it's always packed. I love that atmosphere and I love being in it."


Gonzalez hasn't homered in nine straight games at San Francisco, batting .237 with two RBIs over that stretch.


San Francisco has dropped three of four games and turns to Jake Peavy (7-6, 3.66 ERA), who's 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA over his last seven starts. The right-hander is also 5-0 with a 2.86 ERA over his last seven home games.


He's been superb in his last four starts overall, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. Peavy reached the seventh for the third time over that stretch Monday, allowing one run and three hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win in 12 over the Los Angeles Dodgers.


He's 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in his last four starts against the Rockies, allowing three runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 7-3 win at Colorado on Sept. 5.


Peavy has had a tough time with Arenado, who is 4 for 9 with a homer off him. Gonzalez, though, is 0 for 5.


The Rockies will counter with Chris Rusin (6-9, 5.37), who is facing the Giants for the first time since tossing a six-hitter in an 11-3 home victory Sept. 3. He has no record in two starts at San Francisco, allowing five runs - two earned - in 13 1-3 innings.


The left-hander is 0-6 with a 6.61 ERA in nine road starts since winning at Philadelphia on May 31.


That doesn't bode well for Rusin, who has struggled greatly in four starts since beating the Giants, going 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA. He got that victory in Sunday's 12-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite surrendering four runs in 5 1-3 innings.


"It's been the best worst year of my life," Rusin told MLB's official website. "I have those really, really bad games and some really, really good games. I've just got to work on keeping consistent, not being a roller coaster."




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rockies at Giants
Fri, Oct 2 Final 9 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rockies at Giants
Sat, Oct 3 - 4:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rockies at Giants
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blue Jays (93-67) at Rays (78-82)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: October 03, 2015 6:10 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays will be facing some very good pitchers once the playoffs get underway.


They'll get an early start on that Saturday night when they oppose Tampa Bay Rays ace Chris Archer.


With home-field advantage still undetermined, the AL East champion Blue Jays look to take a step closer to that and get the best of Archer for the second time in a week.


Having already clinched their first division title since 1993, Toronto's focus this weekend will be on earning home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The Blue Jays (93-67) will open the division series Thursday at home and hope to start against the wild-card winner by finishing with the league's best record.


They are tied with Kansas City in that race but own the tiebreaker because of a better head-to-head record.


Faced with a three-run deficit in Friday's series opener, the Blue Jays did what they do best - pummel the opposition with offense.


They answered Tampa Bay's four-run fifth with four of their own in the sixth, and Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin homered an inning later as Toronto won 8-4 to avoid its first three-game skid since early July.


Troy Tulowitzki had a pair of hits and a run scored in his first action since Sept. 12 after missing three weeks with a cracked scapula and bruised muscles in his upper back. Toronto improved to 31-8 with him in the lineup.


'It's awesome,' Tulowitzki said. 'To be back out there on the field is always special.'


He is expected to get Saturday off and then play in Sunday's regular-season finale.


'He looked good to me,' manager John Gibbons said.


The Blue Jays set a franchise record with their 48th victory since the All-Star break.


Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.15 ERA) aims to push that number to 49 in his final tune-up before the postseason.


Estrada, who didn't even begin the season in the rotation, has likely secured a start in the playoffs after he was one of the team's most consistent pitchers down the stretch. He is 6-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in his last 12 starts, allowing three runs or fewer 11 times.


The right-hander was very good again Monday at Baltimore, yielding three runs and four hits over 7 1-3 innings before Toronto rallied for a 4-3 victory. He retired 18 of the next 19 after serving up a three-run homer in the second.


Estrada has dominated the Rays this season, tossing 21 scoreless innings in two starts and two relief appearances while allowing seven hits and one walk with 18 strikeouts.


Tampa Bay (78-82) will finish with a losing record for the second consecutive season after four straight years of at least 90 wins.


Archer (12-13, 3.26) needs a victory to avoid a losing record as he tries to erase the memory of a very disappointing birthday.


The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.58 ERA in five starts since his last win Aug. 31. He has nowhere to go but up after he was roughed up for a career high-tying nine runs and 10 hits over 3 2-3 innings in a 10-8 loss at Toronto last Saturday on his 27th birthday.


'It wasn't my day by any means,' said Archer, who walked five for the second straight start.


Before Saturday's performance, Archer had gone 3-1 with a 0.93 ERA in his first four starts this season against the Blue Jays.


He's limited Encarnacion to 4 for 34 lifetime though three of those hits left the park.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Blue Jays at Rays
Fri, Oct 2 Final 8 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Blue Jays at Rays
Sat, Oct 3 - 6:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Blue Jays at Rays
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Yankees (87-72) at Orioles (78-81)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: October 03, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

(AP) - The New York Yankees might have a busy weekend before getting a one-day break ahead of the playoffs.


After clinching an AL wild-card berth on Thursday night with a 4-1 win over Boston, the Yankees had their game Friday against the Orioles postponed by rain.


The makeup will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. The starting times at 12:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.


The teams then conclude the regular season with a matchup on Sunday afternoon.


Ivan Nova (6-10, 4.89 ERA) is scheduled to start the first game Saturday, followed by Luis Severino (5-3, 2.77). But that could change if Houston loses on Friday night, assuring New York home-field advantage in Tuesday's winner-take-all, wild-card matchup.


'Nova would still be the first, but Sevi, we might do something different,' manager Joe Girardi said.


If New York (87-72) clinches that home game, then Girardi will likely rest his regulars.


'The most important thing going through this weekend is to clinch the home field for us,' he said. 'And in saying that, I don't really have plans of playing any one person two games tomorrow. To me, that doesn't make a lot of sense, that you would do that physically to the guys and risk injury (or) fatigue.'


Severino, who eagerly declared himself available to pitch the wild-card game before the rainout, has pitched well down the stretch. He's allowed two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts, going 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA over his last three.


The 21-year-old tossed six scoreless innings in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.


"He can pitch," catcher Brian McCann said. "Everyone around here already knew that. He's very impressive. He's a professional. He works hard. He does a lot of things right. He's lights-out."


New York will need that since it has a 5.60 ERA while losing 10 of its last 13 games at Camden Yards.


Nova, meanwhile, looks to avoid losing a fourth straight start after being reached for four runs - all scoring on a pair of homers - in seven innings of a 5-1 loss to Boston on Monday. He did beat Baltimore on July 22, yielding two runs and three hits in six innings of a 4-3 victory.


Baltimore (78-81) was eliminated from contention earlier this week and needs a three-game sweep to avoid a losing season.


Wei-Yin Chen (10-8, 3.35 ERA) will pitch the opener, followed by Ubaldo Jimenez (12-10, 4.10 ERA).


Chen is a pending free agent, meaning this could be the left-hander's final appearance with Baltimore. In four years with the Orioles, Chen is 45-32 with a 3.73 ERA.


Manager Buck Showalter believes it should be more of the same on Saturday.


'I expect him to pitch the way he has most of his time here,' he said. 'He's been very solid all year. Very proud of his health and the things he's been able to maintain. Every time he's take the mound for us, I like our chances.


'Very good evaluation, very good signing. Hopefully it will continue.'


Jimenez has enjoyed a bounce-back season after winning just six games in 2014 but had a three-game winning streak end Sunday when the Red Sox scratched out two runs in seven innings of a 2-0 win. He's gone 2-1 in three starts against the Yankees despite an 8.16 ERA, though that came about mainly by getting tagged for seven runs in 2 1-3 innings of a 9-3 loss July 23.


The right-hander beat the Yankees on Sept. 9, giving up three runs in seven innings as the Orioles won 5-3. Jimenez has struggled against Carlos Beltran, who is 9 for 23 with three homers and two doubles lifetime against him.


Earlier Friday, Chris Davis was named Most Valuable Oriole in balloting by members of the media who cover the team. Davis leads the majors with 45 home runs and has 112 RBIs.


He also was named Most Valuable Oriole in 2013. Davis slipped dramatically last year, batting only .197, but has come up with a season that should make him a hot commodity during the offseason, when he too becomes a free agent.


'We couldn't have been as competitive as we've been this year without him,' Showalter said. 'I think he was very disappointed at the right things that happened last year. He wanted to be there for the club all year and be somebody we could count on, and he was.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Orioles
Fri, Oct 2 - 7:05PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Orioles
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:05PM EDT ( DH )


GAME 3
Yankees at Orioles
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Reds (63-97) at Pirates (97-63)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: October 03, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A.J. Burnett returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to cap his 17-year career by winning a World Series. He first gets a chance to assure his team of home-field advantage in next week's NL wild-card game.


Burnett takes the mound for the final time in the regular season Saturday night against the Cincinnati Reds, losers of 13 straight.


Burnett (9-6, 3.15 ERA) spent two seasons in Pittsburgh before making a free-agent move to Philadelphia last year, going 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA.


The 38-year-old right-hander declined a $12.75 million option to stay with the Phillies and instead returned to the Pirates for $8.5, saying that's where he belonged and that he wanted to "win a ring."


He has a chance at it with Pittsburgh (97-63) already headed to the postseason, and he can make sure the Pirates host a third straight wild-card game Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh needs a win or a Cubs loss at Milwaukee.


Starling Marte put the Pirates on the brink of that achievement with a walkoff homer in the 12th inning of a 6-4 win over Cincinnati on Friday. It was their 11th walkoff of the season, second in the league behind Chicago's 13.


"It's exciting, especially in this game where we're trying to play at home," Marte said after the Pirates rallied from a 4-0 deficit. "We play good baseball at home. We want to make our fans happy. We want to play here."


Burnett surely shares that sentiment, especially against the Reds (63-97). He's 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in six starts in this matchup at PNC Park. He last faced them at Cincinnati on July 30, surrendering eight runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 15-5 loss before he spent nearly six weeks on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.


Burnett is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in four starts since returning, allowing two runs in six innings of a 4-0 road loss to the Cubs on Sunday.


The Reds hope to taste victory again before this season ends, having lost 13 straight since their last win Sept. 19. The 13-game skid is Cincinnati's longest since 1945 and it hasn't had a longer slide in a single season since dropping 14 in a row to end 1937.


"I'm kind of at a loss for words right now," manager Bryan Price said.


Joey Votto continues to be a bright spot, reaching base safely in 48 consecutive games to tie the franchise record set by Pete Rose in 1978. He's hitting .357 with 55 walks over that stretch.


Votto, 10 for 31 with a homer off Burnett, has also reached base 316 times this season, equaling the club record he set in 2013.


The Reds hand the ball to Brandon Finnegan (1-2, 5.09), who is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts - all on the road - since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville last month.


The 22-year-old left-hander, acquired from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto trade in July, gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings of a 5-1 loss at Washington on Monday.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Pirates
Fri, Oct 2 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Reds at Pirates
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Reds at Pirates
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Tigers (73-86) at White Sox (75-85)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: October 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Justin Verlander's abbreviated season began with a prolonged rough stretch, but could end on a successful run.


The Detroit Tigers right-hander tries for a season-high third consecutive winning start Saturday night against the host Chicago White Sox.


After missing the first two months with a strained triceps, Verlander went 0-3 with a 5.57 ERA in his first seven starts before winning at Tampa Bay on July 29. Since July 24, however, Verlander has a 2.22 ERA in 13 starts.


'I can't say I expected to come back in midseason form,' said Verlander (5-8, 3.39 ERA), who allowed a solo homer in six innings of Monday's 7-4 victory at Texas. 'That's kind of a naive way of looking at things. I had my ups and down the first couple of starts, then settled down and pitched the way I expected to.'


Verlander, who last won three straight starts since April 12-22 of last season, gave up three runs and struck out eight in seven innings of a 7-4 win over Chicago (75-85) on Sept. 23.


One week after Detroit's front office announced manager Brad Ausmus would return in 2016, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Robin Ventura has done enough to remain in the dugout on the South Side despite a third consecutive losing season.


'If I didn't feel, if we didn't feel as an organization, that Robin had the ability to be a championship-caliber manager, he wouldn't be here,' Hahn said. 'And it's important at the end that we put ourselves in the best position possible going forward, and as we sit here today, we feel like we are in that position.'


Erik Johnson (3-1, 3.45) is doing all he can to find a place for himself in Chicago's starting rotation next season. Despite allowing seven hits and walking four in 5 2-3 innings Sunday, he yielded two earned runs during a 6-1 loss at Yankee Stadium.


"It was another one of those days where runners are going to be on base. That's how it's going to be," the right-hander said. "You just have to grind 'em out and keep throwing up zeros as best you can."


Johnson gave up two runs and matched a career high with nine strikeouts in six innings of a 3-2 win at Detroit (73-86) on Sept. 21.


Miguel Cabrera is 1 for 6 with two strikeouts against Johnson, but could be in the lineup after sitting the last two contests. Hitting .334, Cabrera is on the verge of winning his fourth AL batting title in five years but is 3 for 21 in six games at Chicago this season.


Though Cabrera has another personal milestone in reach, it's bittersweet amid the Tigers' disappointing season. Detroit is in danger of finishing last in the AL Central after winning it the previous four years.


"It's hard when you're losing games," he told MLB's official website.


Jose Abreu could be back in the White Sox lineup after he was rested in Friday's 2-1 victory. A night earlier, he became the second player in major league history to record at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first two seasons.


Abreu has hit .121 with 15 strikeouts in his last nine games against Detroit, but is batting .444 with two home runs in 18 at-bats when facing Verlander.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Tigers at White Sox
Fri, Oct 2 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Tigers at White Sox
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Tigers at White Sox
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Red Sox (78-82) at Indians (79-80)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: October 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Corey Kluber has followed last year's Cy Young Award-winning season with an uneven campaign that has been both good and bad at times.


He's been a lot more of the latter recently for the Cleveland Indians, but will try to end his year on a strong note Saturday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox.


Kluber (8-16, 3.62 ERA) is among 16 pitchers with at least 200 strikeouts, though he's the only one with fewer than 10 wins. Nine of them have won at least 13. His ERA is also the fourth-worst among those players.


He's baseball's first pitcher to lose 16 games with at least 230 strikeouts since Nolan Ryan went 8-16 for Houston in 1987 despite fanning a major league-best 270. Gaylord Perry is the only other Indians player to reach those thresholds, doing so in 1972 and 1973.


The right-hander seems to be running on fumes down the stretch and was limited to three starts in September while being bothered by a hamstring issue. He gave up four runs and seven hits over six innings in a 4-2 loss to Minnesota on Monday, falling to 0-4 with a 5.13 ERA in his last six outings.


He's given up nine home runs over 33 1-3 innings in that span, the same number he allowed over 136 innings his previous 18 starts.


"I'll take him at 80 percent compared to a lot of guys at 100 percent," teammate Jason Kipnis said. "Corey is out there giving his best because he wants to help this team any way he can."


Kluber fell to 0-2 in five career games against Boston on Aug. 19 when he gave up a career-worst four homers along with six runs over six innings in a 6-4 defeat. Jackie Bradley Jr., David Ortiz, Ryan Hanigan and Travis Shaw all took Kluber deep.


The Indians (79-80) won Friday's opener 8-2 despite being without Kipnis, who has been dealing with shoulder and neck injuries. Carlos Santana was 2 for 3 with three RBIs after batting .122 in his previous 11 games, though he has 12 RBIs in his last 10 contests.


The Red Sox (78-82) ensured themselves a losing record for the second straight year for the first time since finishing below .500 from 1992-94. Ortiz, who had sat out three of the previous six games, returned to hit his 37th home run. Mookie Betts reached base for the 35th consecutive game and is batting .367 during that streak.


Craig Breslow (0-3, 4.22) makes his second career start after his first came in his 523rd career appearance last Saturday against Baltimore. He limited the Orioles to two hits over four innings in Boston's 8-0 victory.


"Now that it's done and it went pretty well, it was a lot of fun," he told MLB's official website. "I don't know how many guys make 500-some odd career relief appearances and then get a chance to start their first big league game."


Breslow, who's expected to be limited to 50-60 pitches, hasn't allowed an earned run over 3 2-3 innings of relief against the Indians this year.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Indians
Fri, Oct 2 Final 2 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Red Sox at Indians
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Indians
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cubs (95-65) at Brewers (68-92)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: October 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Chicago's Kyle Hendricks is hitting his stride at the perfect time and although it has yet to be confirmed by manager Joe Maddon, seems to have locked down a spot in the postseason rotation should the Cubs win next week's wild-card game.


It's looking more likely like that winner-take-all game will be taking place in Pittsburgh.


Hendricks looks to build on a solid performance and help Chicago to a seventh straight win Saturday night against the Milwaukee Brewers in front of what is expected to be another large Cubs crowd at Miller Park.


Jake Arrieta made his final case for the NL Cy Young Award on Friday by striking out seven in six scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.77 as Chicago (95-65) won 6-1. However, the Pirates moved to the cusp of securing the league's top wild card by rallying for a 12-inning win over slumping Cincinnati.


Pittsburgh's magic number to host Wednesday's wild-card game is one.


Hendricks (7-7, 4.09 ERA) has had an up-and-down season - his ERA was at 5.15 in mid-May - but in five September starts, he had a 3.71 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 26 2-3 innings. The right-hander was sharp early against the Brewers (68-92) on Sept. 23, allowing one run and two hits while striking out eight through six innings. He gave up two runs and two hits without recording an out in the seventh, though, and took a 4-1 loss.


Five days later, he shut down AL Central-champion Kansas City, permitting two hits and walking two while striking out nine over six innings in a 1-0, 11-inning win. It was his major league-leading 17th start without a decision.


"I'm just trying to focus on going out there every time (Maddon) gives me the ball and make good pitches," he told MLB's official website said. "Come playoff time, you have to be ready to do whatever Skip asks you to do, whether it's a start or come out of the 'pen. I just hope I get some innings. Whatever the team needs me for, that's the bottom line."


Hendricks has a 7.58 ERA in his last four road starts but has been stellar at Miller Park this season, posting a 0.73 ERA in two outings there.


Anthony Rizzo has also excelled in Milwaukee, batting .424 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in eight games this year. He hit his 31st homer and drove in three runs to move into a tie with Kris Bryant for the team lead with 99 RBIs.


The last time the Cubs had two players with at least 100 RBIs in a single season was in 2004, when Moises Alou had 106 and Aramis Ramirez had 103.


Chicago has plated 21 runs in its last three games and looks to stay hot against Tyler Wagner (0-1, 11.74), who had a Southern League-best 2.25 ERA in 25 starts for Double-A Biloxi but has struggled mightily in two big-league starts.


The 24-year-old right-hander made his major league debut May 31 against Arizona, yielding five runs in 3 2-3 innings. He was sent back to the minors before being recalled last week and permitted five runs, six hits and four walks in four innings of last Saturday's 5-1 loss at St. Louis.


"You fall behind big league hitters and you limit yourself in your pitch choices, it's trouble for anybody,' manager Craig Counsell said.


He is limiting left-handed hitters to a .154 average in 13 at-bats but righties are 13 for 21 (.619) with six extra-base hits.


Scooter Gennett had one of Milwaukee's two hits off Arrieta on Friday and is 7 for 16 in his last four games, but 3 for 15 lifetime against Hendricks.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Brewers
Fri, Oct 2 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cubs at Brewers
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Cubs at Brewers
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Cardinals (100-60) at Braves (65-95)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: October 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Shelby Miller's final attempt to end his lengthy winless streak in 2015 will come against a team that's resting up for the playoffs.


The St. Louis Cardinals also happen to be the Atlanta Braves right-hander's former club, and that would likely make a long-awaited victory a little sweeter should it come Saturday night.


Miller (5-17, 3.15 ERA) hasn't earned a win since coming within one out of a no-hitter May 17 in Miami. He's 0-16 with a 3.83 ERA in his last 24 starts while receiving a combined 25 runs of support.


Miller hasn't aided his own cause lately with a 5.56 ERA in an eight-start losing streak and matched a career high by allowing seven runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 9-5 loss in Miami on Sunday.


No matter what happens Saturday, Miller's streak will mark the longest for a starter in a single season since Jack Nabors' 27 for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1916. A 25th consecutive outing without a victory would put him just shy of tying Joe Oeschger's 26-start streak for the Boston Braves from 1922-23.


Another loss would leave Miller tied for the second-longest streak in one season with the New York Mets' Roger Craig (1963). Nabors lost his final 19 decisions.


Miller, who pitched his first three seasons in St. Louis and won 15 games in 2013, was acquired in November in a four-player deal that sent Jason Heyward to St. Louis.


Miller has faced the Cardinals (100-60) just one other time this year. He yielded one run and two hits in 7 1-3 innings July 25 in St. Louis but took a 1-0 loss.


"They're some of my best friends and I wish them the best of luck, but I'm going to try to beat them tomorrow," he said. "They're not going to get out of here easy, that's for sure."


Heyward is batting .292 with a team-leading 23 stolen bases and was given the night off in a 4-0 loss to the Braves (65-95) on Friday. It's unclear if he'll play his first game as an opposing player in Atlanta on Saturday.


"It'd be more of a homecoming if more of the teammates I played with were still here," he said. "I know this is the team I broke in with and I played a lot of games with, but it's a different team and a different vibe."


Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday and Jhonny Peralta were also among the regulars who were also given a night off in the series opener.


"It's nice to take advantage of an opportunity to get a little more rest, but we'll also get work and try to stay sharp," manager Mike Matheny told MLB's official website.


Stephen Piscotty hasn't played since an outfield collision Monday in Pittsburgh, and Matheny is hopeful he can play this weekend.


John Lackey (13-9, 2.69) makes his final start before potentially pitching in Game 1 of the NL division series against Pittsburgh or the Chicago Cubs on Friday.


The right-hander has proved a model of consistency with 20 consecutive starts of at least six innings, and he's 9-5 with a 2.13 ERA in that stretch. He's gone at least seven innings in each of his last five outings and is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in his past three.


He is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts versus Atlanta, the most recent in May 2014.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cardinals at Braves
Fri, Oct 2 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Cardinals at Braves
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Cardinals at Braves
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Nationals (81-78) at Mets (89-70)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: October 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A season-ending three-game series between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals was supposed to have the NL East title at stake.


Instead, the Mets are vying for home-field advantage in next week's NL division series while the Nationals play out the string in what has been a disappointing season.


The division-winning Mets look to extend their longest winning streak over the Washington franchise in 24 years Saturday in a day-night doubleheader.


New York (89-70) and Washington (81-78) switched spots as the division leader eight times this year. The Mets, however, moved ahead for good following a 12-1 win at Miami on Aug. 3, a day after pulling level by completing a three-game sweep of Washington.


They swept the Nationals again from Sept. 7-9, taking control of the East with a seven-game lead before clinching it last weekend.


The only remaining race left for New York involves home-field advantage in the NLDS, which starts next Friday against Los Angeles.


New York fell 3-0 at Philadelphia on Thursday to get swept in the three-game set, and their chance to bounce back was moved back a day after rain caused Friday's postponement.


"It's easy to say, 'Let's just gear up for the playoffs,'" third baseman David Wright told MLB's official website. "But home-field advantage would be nice, so I think that's something that we really need to bear down these last three games and try to attain. And it would be nice to go into the playoffs with some sort of momentum."


Facing the Nationals, losers of seven of their last 10, should be just what the Mets are looking for. They're aiming for their first seven-game winning streak against Washington since taking nine straight when the franchise was the Montreal Expos in 1991.


Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.34 ERA) takes the ball, and he's 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings over two starts against the Nationals.


The rookie right-hander was outstanding last Friday, striking out 11 and allowing two runs in 7 2-3 innings of a 12-5 win at Cincinnati. He helped himself with a pair of hits, including an RBI single.


That was enough for manager Terry Collins to declare Syndergaard will be in the postseason rotation.


"He's going to start the game, whatever game it may be. I'm very impressed," Collins said. "This kid's really gotten better."


Syndergaard will try to be better at Citi Field, where he's 0-1 while surrendering nine runs and three homers in 12 2-3 innings of his last two starts after going 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA through his first nine.


Yoenis Cespedes was included in the lineup Friday, so his fingers aren't an issue after being hit by a pitch in Wednesday's 7-5 loss at Philadelphia.


He's 7 for 18 with two homers, three doubles and seven RBIs in his last four meetings with Washington.


Matt Harvey (13-7, 2.80) will also be in the Mets' postseason rotation, and he takes the ball in the nightcap. He's 1-0 while allowing two runs with 13 strikeouts and one walk in 11 2-3 innings over his last two starts. The right-hander went 6 2-3 while yielding two runs in last Saturday's 10-2 win at Cincinnati that clinched the Mets' first division crown in nine years.


Harvey is 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA in nine career starts against Washington, going 2-1 with a 1.07 ERA in five at home.


The Nationals won 3-0 on Thursday to salvage a victory from a three-game set at Atlanta.


'Everybody in here is disappointed how the season turned out, but at the same time, it would be huge to go into New York and play our best baseball,' Thursday's starter Stephen Strasburg said. 'Hopefully we can get them into a little slump heading into the playoffs. That's all we can do.'


Max Scherzer (13-12, 2.91) gets the nod opposite Harvey to conclude his first season with Washington. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 29 2-3 innings over his last four starts. That came after he was roughed up for five runs and three homers in six innings in an 8-5 loss to the Mets on Sept. 7.


Scherzer yielded four runs - one earned - over 14 2-3 innings while striking out 18 in his first two starts against New York.


He came within five outs of his second no-hitter of the year Monday, allowing one run and two hits with 10 strikeouts in eight innings of a 5-1 win over Cincinnati.


"The obvious thing for me," Reds manager Bryan Price said, "is that he got stronger as the game went on."


The Nationals turn to Gio Gonzalez (11-8, 3.93) in the opener and he's looking for another sterling effort against the Mets. The left-hander is 6-1 with a 1.68 ERA and 9.23 strikeouts per nine innings over 10 starts in Queens.


He's 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 24 2-3 innings during his last four overall matchups with New York.


Gonzalez allowed two runs in five-plus innings while not getting a decision in Sunday's 12-5 loss to the Phillies. The effort was overshadowed by a dugout fight between Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper, highlighted by the closer choking the superstar right fielder.


Papelbon has been suspended for the rest of the season.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Nationals at Mets
Fri, Oct 2 - 7:10PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 2
Nationals at Mets
Sat, Oct 3 - 7:10PM EDT ( DH )


GAME 3
Nationals at Mets
Sun, Oct 4 - 3:10PM EDT