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[CNOTES]

Baseball Capsules


September 23, 2015


TORONTO (AP) Greg Bird hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 Tuesday night to move closer in the AL East race.


Bird connected off reliever Mark Lowe (1-3) for the rookie's 10th home run in 34 games and third in the past three nights.


Brian McCann led off the 10th with a bunt single and was replaced by pinch-runner Rico Noel. Slade Heathcott reached on catcher's interference before Bird drove a 2-2 pitch into the right-field bullpen. Six of his 10 homers have given the Yankees a lead.


Andrew Miller (3-2) pitched two innings for the win and New York closed within 2 1/2 games of first-place Toronto. The teams meet for the final time this season Wednesday night.


CUBS 4, BREWERS 0


CHICAGO (AP) - Jake Arrieta threw a three-hitter to become the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach 20 wins, Kris Bryant set the Cubs rookie record for home runs and Chicago inched closer to a playoff berth with a victory over the Brewers.


Arietta (20-6) struck out 11 for Chicago, whose magic number for making its first postseason in seven years dropped to three.


The right-hander retired 14 in a row at one point in becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win 20 games since Jon Lieber in 2001.


Bryant, whose April 17 debut was one of the most anticipated in years, hit a two-run homer in the third off Tyler Cravy (0-8) to give Chicago a 2-0 lead. It was Bryant's 26th longball, besting Billy Williams' mark in 1961. Bryant added a run-scoring double in the eighth.


ORIOLES 4, NATIONALS 1


WASHINGTON (AP) - Ubaldo Jimenez pitched six gritty innings to earn his 100th career win and added an RBI single as the Orioles beat the Nationals in the rain-delayed opener of a series between teams fighting to remain in the playoff race.


The 31-year-old Jimenez (12-9) won his third straight decision for Baltimore, which began the night trailing three teams and six games back for the AL's second wild card.


The Nationals remained 6 1-2 games back of the Mets, who lost to Atlanta, in the NL East. But New York's magic number to clinch the division dropped to six.


Bryce Harper set the Nationals record for walks, getting three free passes that upped his season total to 118.


Jimenez walked five, but allowed just an unearned run on three hits while also striking out five.


Monday's opener was postponed by rain. The teams are scheduled to play a makeup game Thursday.


BRAVES 6, METS 2


NEW YORK (AP) - Rookie right-hander Matt Wisler stopped his nine-start winless drought and the Braves stalled the Mets' push toward the NL East title.


David Wright homered as the Mets lost for the fifth time in seven games. They held their 6 1/2-game lead over Washington, whose loss to Baltimore cut New York's magic number to six for clinching the division.


Down 4-1, the Mets loaded the bases with one out in the eighth. Edwin Jackson, Atlanta's fourth pitcher of the inning, gave up a sacrifice fly to pinch-hitter Michael Cuddyer and got Wilmer Flores on a grounder to protect the lead.


Pinch-hitter Adonis Garcia lined a two-out, two-run double in the ninth off Mets reliever Tyler Clippard.


TIGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1, 10 innings


DETROIT (AP) - Rajai Davis' two-out triple in the 10th gave Detroit a victory over the White Sox, one inning after the Tigers lost a combined no-hitter.


Anthony Gose drew a two-out walk from Zach Duke (3-6) in the 10th. Davis sliced a 3-1 fastball into the corner in right field and Gose easily beat Trayce Thompson's throw to the plate.


Blaine Hardy (5-3) got the win with a scoreless 10th.


The Tigers were two outs away from the first combined no-hitter in franchise history, but Neftali Feliz, making his debut as the Tigers' closer after Bruce Rondon was sent home earlier in the day, couldn't finish it.


With one out, Tyler Saladino tripled to break up the no-hitter and Adam Eaton, who had broken up Detroit's attempt at a perfect game by being hit with a pitch in the seventh, tied the game with a single.


RANGERS 8, ATHLETICS 6


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Delino DeShields hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the sixth four batters after Mitch Moreland connected for a tying two-run homer, and the Rangers beat the Athletics to increase their lead in the AL West.


Chi Chi Gonzalez (4-5) pitched two scoreless innings for the win in relief of starter Martin Perez as the Rangers moved two games ahead of Houston after the Astros lost 4-3 at home to the Angels.


DeShields hit another sacrifice fly in the eighth, while Shin-Soo Choo and Adrian Beltre hit consecutive sacrifice flies in the fifth to aid the Texas comeback.


Jake Smolinski and Marcus Semien hit back-to-back RBI triples in the second to give the A's 40 on the season, tying the Oakland record set in 1968.


GIANTS 4, PADRES 2


SAN DIEGO (AP) - Rookie Trevor Brown's RBI double was his first major league hit and Angel Pagan had a two-run home run for the Giants, who beat the Padres to pull within six games of first-place Los Angeles in the NL West.


Time's running out for the defending World Series champion Giants, who have only 12 games left. They trail the Chicago Cubs by 9 1-2 games for the second wild card spot. The Giants have beaten the Padres six straight times and eight of nine.


San Diego's Tyson Ross (10-11) struck out 11 to tie his career high. That gave him a career-high 205 for the season. His previous high was 195 last year.


Brown got the start after catcher Buster Posey was a late scratch.


RAYS 5, RED SOX 2


BOSTON (AP) - Mikie Mahtook hit a two-run homer and Matt Moore recovered from a difficult start to strike out seven as the Rays beat the Red Sox.


Moore (2-4) allowed two hits and walked two in the first inning as Boston took a 2-0 lead.


Boston rookie Henry Owens was perfect through four innings.


Logan Forsythe led off the fifth with a double for Tampa Bay's first hit and he scored on a sacrifice fly. Owens (3-3) unraveled in the sixth.


Owens walked Richie Shaffer to start the inning and hit Brandon Guyer with one out. Mahtook singled to load the bases. Evan Longoria hit a sacrifice fly to right and Tampa Bay got another run when Mookie Betts' throw home sailed high and ended up in the stands for a 3-2 lead.


Mahtook added two runs in the eighth with a homer that cleared the Green Monster in left field.


TWINS 3, INDIANS 1


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Ervin Santana pitched strong into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks and Brian Dozier each had two hits and an RBI from the top two spots in Minnesota's lineup, and the Twins beat the Indians to start a critical series for the American League wild card chasers.


Santana (6-4) turned in his fifth straight stellar start, surrendering five hits, one run and one walk while striking out seven. He gave up two singles to start the eighth, but Glen Perkins got three straight outs.


Kevin Jepsen struck out two in the ninth inning for his eighth save in nine tries since replacing Perkins as the closer.


Danny Salazar (13-9) struck out 21 batters over 13 innings in his first two turns against the Twins this season, beating them April 18 and May 10 with just seven hits and three runs allowed.


MARINERS 11, ROYALS 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Robinson Cano homered twice and drove in four runs and Hisashi Iwakuma struck out a season-high 10 as the Mariners romped past the slumping Royals.


The AL Central-leading Royals have dropped 12 of 17. Their magic number for clinching the division remained three.


Cano and Kyle Seager each hit solo homers in the first inning for Seattle, which has the league's best record in September at 13-6 but is still three games under .500 (74-77). It was Seager's 25th home run and his seventh in 23 games.


Cano hit a three-run shot in a seven-run third inning for his 15th career multihomer game. Cano's next hit will be the 2,000th of his career.


Iwakuma (9-4), who is 7-2 in his past nine starts, curbed the Royals on three singles over seven scoreless innings. He has allowed one run and 10 hits in 13 innings in his past two starts, while striking out 19 and walking one.


PHILLIES 6, MARLINS 2


MIAMI (AP) - Cody Asche hit two home runs to help Aaron Harang get his first victory in over a month as the Phillies beat the Marlins.


It was Harang's first win since July 30 against Atlanta, a span of eight starts. Harang (6-15) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and seven hits.


Darin Ruf homered and Freddy Galvis had three hits and drove in two runs for the Phillies, who announced before the game that Pete Mackanin would be their manager for the 2016 season, dropping the interim title he had since taking over for Ryne Sandberg on June 26.


Marlins starter Tom Koehler (10-14) allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings.


Miguel Rojas hit a two-run homer for the Marlins. Rojas is hitting .343 (12 for 35) over his last 11 games.


CARDINALS 3, REDS 1


ST. LOUIS (AP) - John Lackey pitched seven strong innings, rookie Tommy Pham continued his productive hitting and the Cardinals beat the Reds.


Lackey (13-9) allowed only a first-inning homer by Jay Bruce during his 16th quality start in 16 outings at Busch Stadium. The veteran right-hander struck out seven, walked none and lowered his home ERA to 1.97.


St. Louis improved to a major league-best 95-56 with its second straight low-scoring victory over Cincinnati. Steve Cishek worked the ninth to earn his first save for St. Louis.


Pham hit a sacrifice fly to deep center in the seventh that scored Tony Cruz and broke a 1-all tie. Pham drove in the Cardinals' first run with a third-inning double that brought in Matt Carpenter, who doubled with one out. Since moving into the lineup eight games ago, Pham has nine RBIs, eight extra-base hits and is batting .407.


ANGELS 4, ASTROS 3


HOUSTON (AP) - Mike Trout and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back homers in the first inning and the Angels held on for an important victory over the Astros.


The victory moves the Angels 2 1-2 games behind Houston for the second American League wild-card spot.


There was one on in the first when Trout launched his 40th homer into left-center to make it 2-0. The 36th home run this season by Pujols extended the lead to 3-0.


Houston cut the lead to 1 when Marwin Gonzalez and Chris Carter hit consecutive solo shots in the second inning.


The Angels added an insurance run on an RBI single by Kole Calhoun in the eighth to help them snap a six-game losing streak in Houston.


Hector Santiago (9-9) allowed four hits and two runs in five-plus innings.


PIRATES 6, ROCKIES 3


DENVER (AP) - Starling Marte drove in two runs and the Pirates closed in on their third straight playoff berth by beating the Rockies.


The Pirates reduced their magic number to one for securing at least an NL wild card. A loss by San Francisco, which played later at San Diego, or a win Wednesday against the Rockies would clinch another trip to the postseason.


Pittsburgh also kept pace with NL Central leader St. Louis. The Cardinals beat Cincinnati to maintain a four-game lead over the second-place Pirates.


Pittsburgh scored in each of the first four innings against Chris Rusin to build a 6-3 lead.


DIAMONDBACKS 8, DODGERS 0


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Robbie Ray pitched six innings of three-hit ball, A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt hit back-to-back homers in the seventh, and the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers.


The Dodgers lost their fourth straight game, equaling their longest slide of the season, and their magic number for clinching their third straight NL West title remained at seven pending the outcome of San Francisco's game at San Diego.


The Diamondbacks have won the first two games of this four-game series after losing their previous nine at Dodger Stadium. But the Dodgers have aces for the next two - major league ERA leader Zack Greinke on Wednesday night and reigning NL MVP Clayton Kershaw on Thursday afternoon.


Ray (5-12) struck out seven, walked two and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning.

 

[CNOTES]

World Series Matchups


September 22, 2015


There is still plenty to be settled in both the American League and National League with the regular season wrapping up in less than two weeks. The Royals, Cardinals, Mets, and Dodgers are all in line to win their respective divisions, while the Pirates and Cubs will likely grab the two NL Wild Card spots. However, the AL East and AL West races are still up in the air.


The Blue Jays have rallied to take a lead over the Yankees in the AL East, but New York is still in good shape to capture a Wild Card spot if it can't overtake Toronto for the division title. In the AL West, the Astros have let their advantage slip through their fingers as their cross-state rivals currently sit in first place. Texas went from not making the playoffs at the All-Star break to possibly winning the division thanks to a great run and Houston's recent struggles.


Below are the latest World Series matchups as the Dodgers, Royals, Blue Jays, and Mets are the biggest favorites to play in the Fall Classic.


2015 World Series Matchup Odds according to Sportsbook.ag:


Dodgers vs. Royals 15/2
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays 8/1
Mets vs. Blue Jays 8/1
Mets vs. Royals 8/1
Cardinals vs. Blue Jays 9/1
Cardinals vs. Royals 9/1
Dodgers vs. Rangers 12/1
Mets vs. Rangers 13/1
Cardinals vs. Rangers 14/1
Pirates vs. Royals 16/1
Pirates vs. Blue Jays 17/1
Cubs vs. Royals 19/1
Cubs vs. Blue Jays 20/1
Mets vs. Yankees 20/1
Dodgers vs. Yankees 21/1
Cardinals vs. Yankees 25/1
Dodgers vs. Astros 25/1
Mets vs. Astros 25/1
Pirates vs. Rangers 25/1
Cardinals vs. Astros 30/1
Cubs vs. Rangers 30/1
Pirates vs. Yankees 40/1
Cubs vs. Yankees 50/1
Pirates vs. Astros 50/1
Cubs vs. Astros 60/1
Dodgers vs. Angels 65/1
Mets vs. Angels 70/1
Cardinals vs. Angels 75/1
Dodgers vs. Twins 80/1
Mets vs. Twins 90/1
Cardinals vs. Twins 100/1
Pirates vs. Angels 130/1
Pirates vs. Twins 150/1
Cubs vs. Angels 160/1
Dodgers vs. Indians 180/1
Mets vs. Indians 190/1
Cardinals vs. Indians 200/1
Cubs vs. Twins 200/1
Pirates vs. Indians 350/1
Cubs vs. Indians 400/1
Giants vs. Royals 400/1
Giants vs. Blue Jays 450/1
Giants vs. Rangers 600/1
Giants vs. Yankees 1100/1
Giants vs. Astros 1300/1
Giants vs. Angels 3000/1
Giants vs. Twins 4000/1
Giants vs. Indians 9000/1

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: White Sox (72-79) at Tigers (70-81)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: September 23, 2015 1:08 PM EDT

The disappointing side of the Detroit Tigers' win Tuesday was their failure to complete a no-hitter. Justin Verlander knows the feeling.


After his team barely missed out on the franchise's first combined no-hitter, Verlander tries to regroup from his own spoiled start Wednesday against the visiting Chicago White Sox.


Tyler Saladino tripled with one out in the ninth inning and scored on Adam Eaton's single to end Detroit's bid at a five-pitcher no-hitter. Rajai Davis, though, delivered a run-scoring triple in the 10th to give the Tigers a 2-1 win, their fourth extra-inning victory in the last week.


'It is nice just to be able to win,' Davis said. 'I wish we could have gotten the job done an inning earlier, but we still got it done in dramatic fashion.'


Detroit (70-81) dropped both ends of a doubleheader to start this four-game series on Monday, and is trying to catch Chicago (72-79) to jump out of the AL Central basement.


Verlander (3-8, 3.46 ERA) lost a no-hitter in the ninth inning on Aug. 26 and will try to wash away the bad taste of another unfortunate ending in his last start.


The right-hander was one out from his eighth career shutout on Friday against Kansas City but surrendered a single and was pulled with a 3-1 lead. A two-run homer then forced extras where the Tigers eventually won, 5-4 in 12 innings.


The former MVP, though, was denied a win for the third straight start, a stretch in which he is 0-2 with a 3.74 ERA. Verlander, who had a 0.76 ERA in his previous five outings, has eight quality starts without a victory in 17 starts this season.


Verlander seeks his 18th career win against the White Sox after going 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his final two starts versus them in 2014.


Jose Abreu (8 for 16, two home runs) and Eaton (5 for 15) have hit Verlander well, while Melky Cabrera (4 for 26) and Tyler Flowers (4 for 21) have struggled.


Generating offense has been a problem for both teams lately. The Tigers have scored seven runs and batted .180 in the past four games, while the White Sox have totaled 16 runs and hit .192 in their last seven.


The Tigers catch a break by missing Chicago ace Chris Sale, who is available on normal rest but won't go in the series finale. Instead, the White Sox give Frankie Montas (0-0, 1.13) his first big league start.


"More than likely, we are using some guys out of the 'pen," manager Robin Ventura told MLB's official website. "You feel comfortable you can cover that, even with him going three or four innings."


The 22-year-old Montas, who can touch 100 mph on the radar gun, has allowed one run over eight innings with 10 strikeouts in five relief appearances since his Sept. 1 promotion from Double-A Birmingham, where he made 23 starts.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
White Sox at Tigers
Mon, Sep 21 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
White Sox at Tigers
Tue, Sep 22 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
White Sox at Tigers
Wed, Sep 23 - 1:08PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Angels (77-74) at Astros (80-72)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 23, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels are clinging to the hope of catching the Houston Astros for the AL's final postseason spot - much like they held on to their latest win.


A tight victory over the Astros helped Tuesday, but a series win Wednesday would do wonders for the Angels' chances in the final two weeks of the season.


Los Angeles (77-74) snapped a two-game skid with a 4-3 victory in the middle game of the series at Minute Maid Park, clawing to within 2 1/2 games of Houston (80-72) for the second wild card with Minnesota (77-73) also in the mix.


'We know how important wins are now,' manager Mike Scioscia said. 'But right now if we keep playing well ... we can stay close enough, keep pressuring them.'


Meanwhile, the Astros have fallen two back of AL West-leading Texas. Houston had lost 12 of 16 to start September but steadied with three straight victories before Tuesday's loss.


"We're not a perfect team," manager A.J. Hinch told MLB's official website. "We still make mistakes. But we're a pretty good baseball team."


The Astros will try to get back to their winning ways with a pitcher who has dominated at home since arriving at the trade deadline.


Mike Fiers (2-1, 3.06 ERA) has allowed just 10 hits with an ERA of 0.89 in three starts at Minute Maid Park, the middle one a no-hitter last month against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander has secured a spot in Houston's rotation by allowing just 11 earned runs in his last seven starts.


He's faced the Angels just once in his five-year career, but they are still fresh in his memory from Sept. 13. Fiers held the Angels to three solo homers in seven innings of a 5-3 victory.


Mike Trout hit one of those, the start of a 10-game stretch in which he's gone deep six times. The latest was his 40th of the season in Tuesday's win, making him the second player in Angels history to reach that mark. Troy Glaus hit 47 homers in 2000 and 41 in 2001.


'It's obviously special to reach 40,' Trout said. 'Coming into this season, thinking it would be pretty special and pretty cool and it happened.'


Albert Pujols added his 36th home run, his first since Sept. 2. The first-inning solo shot was Pujols' fifth this season and 50th of his career against the Astros, the most by any player.


Nick Tropeano will make just his second career start at Minute Maid despite pitching with the Astros during his 2014 rookie season. Tropeano (2-2, 5.06) went 1-3 in four starts for the Astros last year, including a loss in his only home outing.


A 21-inning doubleheader Saturday and short outings from Matt Shoemaker, Jered Weaver and Hector Santiago in the next three games opened the door for Tropeano to pitch the finale.


He will make his sixth start of the season and third this month since his promotion from Triple-A Salt Lake. The right-hander picked up his first win since April while filling in for an injured Shoemaker on Sept. 15, allowing two runs in five innings of a 4-3 victory against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Angels at Astros
Mon, Sep 21 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Angels at Astros
Tue, Sep 22 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Angels at Astros
Wed, Sep 23 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Yankees (83-67) at Blue Jays (86-65)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 23, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The New York Yankees had their rotation all lined up to have their top starter on the mound for the finale of what could be their most important series of the regular season.


Instead, Masahiro Tanaka will watch from the dugout as Ivan Nova tries to get the Yankees within 1 1/2 games of the AL East-leading Blue Jays Wednesday night in Toronto.


New York (83-67) evened the series with Tuesday's 6-4 win after Greg Bird hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning, leaving the yard for the fifth time on a seven-game hitting streak. The first baseman is the eighth Yankees rookie to homer in three straight games dating to 1914, and none of the previous seven made it to four.


"We're still definitely in it," Bird said. "Now it's off to tomorrow."


His timing couldn't be better while filling in for the injured Mark Teixeira and providing an offensive boost at a crucial time.


"It was probably as emotional and loud as I've seen it this year, which is understandable," manager Joe Girardi said of the dugout's reaction.


The Blue Jays (86-65) have still won 12 of 18 in the season series, though they've dropped five of nine overall dating to a loss in the series finale at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 13. Josh Donaldson is batting .147 in that span, but Dioner Navarro has homered in consecutive games after hitting three in his first 49 and is batting .400 in his last six.


Nova (6-8, 5.11 ERA), who was banished to the bullpen last Wednesday, will fill in as Tanaka deals with a strained hamstring. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the start that acted as the last straw for the right-hander also came against Toronto.


Nova gave up six runs and seven hits in 1 2-3 innings of a 10-7 home loss on Sept. 12 and hasn't pitched in any capacity since. The starting staff has posted a 1.98 ERA over a 6-3 span without him.


"I think it's all in the mind," Nova told MLB's official website. "It's my mindset. I've got to be ready to go - command my pitches and execute every pitch."


He's given up at least three runs in seven straight starts while going 2-5 with a 7.46 ERA. Three of those starts have come against the Blue Jays, which has dropped Nova to 2-3 with a 7.59 ERA and .323 opponent batting average in his last seven in the series. Jose Bautista has a .538 on-base percentage in 19 at-bats against Nova.


Nova's up against Marcus Stroman (2-0, 3.00), whose confidence level is likely the higher of the two despite appearing twice in the majors since spring training.


Stroman's return from a torn ACL has been everything the Blue Jays had hoped. After debuting by beating the Yankees in New York on Sept. 12, he gave up a run and six hits in seven innings of a 6-1 home victory over Boston on Friday.


The right-hander improved to 8-2 with a 1.92 ERA in 12 career home starts, and he's made it at least seven innings in six of the last seven.


"I love pitching here," Stroman said. "I love pitching at the Rogers Centre. I feel great when I'm out there."


Against the Yankees, he's 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and .218 opponent batting average in four starts. Jacoby Ellsbury (0 for 8) and Brian McCann (1 for 10) have struggled most, but Brett Gardner is 3 for 10 with two home runs and a double.


Both clubs have relatively easy schedules after this series, but the Yankees are 21-13 against remaining competition of the Chicago White Sox, Boston and Baltimore, while Toronto is 14-14 against Tampa Bay and the Orioles.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Yankees at Blue Jays
Mon, Sep 21 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Yankees at Blue Jays
Tue, Sep 22 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Blue Jays
Wed, Sep 23 - 7:07PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Orioles (74-76) at Nationals (78-72)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: September 23, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

There's been a too-little, too-late feel to the Washington Nationals' recent wins, and the same can be applied to their ace's latest work.


Max Scherzer can pitch the Nationals to an eighth win in 10 games Wednesday night against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, and in doing so he can further distance himself from a month of personal struggles.


Washington's three-game winning streak came to an end in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to open the three-game series, and with the New York Mets' loss, it missed out on a chance to get within 5 1/2 games of the NL East leaders.


Even so, a five-game losing streak preceding the recent success was likely the end of the Nationals' postseason hopes.


The Orioles (74-76) have won three straight in Washington and seven of nine in the interleague rivalry.


Baltimore is 9-4 since falling a season-worst seven games under .500 on Sept. 7 and finds itself five games out of the second wild card with four teams to pass after Houston lost.


Scherzer (12-11, 2.90 ERA), like Washington (78-72), has gotten it together recently, going 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA and .196 opponent batting average in his last two starts after going 0-3 with 6.35 and .324 marks in his previous six. The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings of Friday's 5-4 home win over Miami in 10 innings.


He clearly hasn't given up on the season, as was evident as he raised his voice to manager Matt Williams to remain in the game for the final out of the seventh.


"You have to have the belief in yourself when those situations arise," Scherzer told MLB's official website. "I know I still have my best bolt left. I'm good to go. I'm ready to face anybody in the league in that situation. I'm not going to get everybody out. I have the attitude I can succeed in those situations."


Williams didn't allow his ace to get the final out in a 3-2 win in Baltimore on July 12 as Scherzer yielded two runs and four hits in 8 2-3 innings to improve to 4-1 with a 3.59 ERA in seven starts against the Orioles.


He's dominated Manny Machado (0 for 11 with five strikeouts) and J.J. Hardy (4 for 26), but Adam Jones is 11 for 22 with three home runs.


Jones has been out of the lineup the last two days with back spasms, and manager Buck Showalter wasn't sure if he'd return Wednesday.


"He's better. That's encouraging," Showalter said. "Hopefully he'll continue down that path. He can do some things that he couldn't do yesterday."


Scherzer is up against Chris Tillman (9-11, 5.19), who's been awful since early August.


Tillman's second half got off to a glowing start with a run allowed over 23 2-3 innings of his final three starts of July. He missed a turn in the rotation because of an ankle injury and has never been the same, going 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA in eight starts.


The right-hander at least kept the Orioles in Thursday's 4-3 win in Tampa Bay, surrendering three runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings before the lineup saved him with a four-run eighth, but it was also his sixth straight start allowing at least three runs.


He faced Washington for the fourth time on July 10, giving up two runs in six innings, and remains without a decision while sporting a 4.37 ERA.


Ryan Zimmerman has done the most damage with three home runs in six at-bats, but the first baseman hasn't played since Sept. 7 due to an oblique injury and is considered day to day.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Orioles at Nationals
Mon, Sep 21 - 7:05PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps


GAME 2
Orioles at Nationals
Tue, Sep 22 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Orioles at Nationals
Wed, Sep 23 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 4
Orioles at Nationals
Thu, Sep 24 - 4:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rays (73-78) at Red Sox (72-78)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 23, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Despite growing closer to being officially eliminated from postseason contention, the Tampa Bay Rays are getting a lift from Mikie Mahtook and Drew Smyly.




Mahtook looks to continue his offensive surge while Smyly goes for his longest winning streak as a starter Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.


Tampa Bay (73-78) is 6 1/2 games back of Houston for the AL's second wild-card spot with 11 to play, having likely blown its playoff hopes with a 7-12 record since Sept. 2.


The Rays are already looking ahead to next year, shutting down right-hander Nathan Karns for the rest of the season because of tightness in his forearm.


Mahtook and Smyly, however, are proving they can contribute in 2016.


Mahtook is hitting .391 in 18 games since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 1, and the rookie outfielder has a .500 average in the past seven.


He connected for a two-run homer in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 5-2 win at Boston (72-78), moving the Rays one-half game ahead of the Red Sox in the race to avoid finishing last in the AL East.


"He's making the most of an opportunity right now," manager Kevin Cash said. "He's even making more of those opportunities. He's done a tremendous job since he's been back up here in September."


Smyly (3-2, 3.64 ERA) has rotated good performances with bad ones since coming back from a torn labrum that sidelined him for more than three months.


The left-hander is 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA in seven starts since returning. He didn't give up a run in three of them, including a 2-0, 13-inning loss to Boston on Sept. 13. He left after equaling his career high with 11 strikeouts in six innings.


Smyly followed with another rough outing five days later, matching a season high with five runs allowed and giving up two homers in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-6 victory over Baltimore. Still, he was credited with the win, his third in a row.


"I think we're thrilled. The hurdle with proving to himself that he's past the injury was probably the greatest hurdle to overcome," Cash said. "I think his pitches have shown more finish, especially his off-speed pitches. The fastball life has been there. Just continue to go out and have good outings."


Smyly has a 1.52 ERA over his last four starts against the Red Sox, allowing one run and six hits in 12 innings this year.


Boston turns to Rick Porcello (8-13, 5.16), who is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA over his last four starts against the Rays. He allowed three runs with eight strikeouts in seven innings of a 10-4 win at Tampa Bay on Sept. 12.


The right-hander wasn't as sharp six days later in a 6-1 loss at Toronto, giving up six runs in six innings while having a tough time controlling his curveball.


"I just couldn't get comfortable with it," Porcello said.


Travis Shaw is 9 for 14 with five RBIs in his last four games, and the rookie first baseman has a .500 average in seven against the Rays with three homers, three doubles and nine RBIs.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rays at Red Sox
Mon, Sep 21 Final 7 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rays at Red Sox
Tue, Sep 22 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Red Sox
Wed, Sep 23 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Rays at Red Sox
Thu, Sep 24 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Phillies (57-94) at Marlins (64-87)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 23, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

With another losing season winding down for the Miami Marlins, Adam Conley is one of a couple rookies looking to state his case for a job in next year's rotation.


After shutting down the NL's highest-scoring club since July, he'll try to take another step forward against the light-hitting Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night at Marlins Park.


The Marlins (64-87) are assured of their sixth straight losing season, so Conley (4-1, 4.22 ERA) and Justin Nicolino are getting long looks as the team begins to think about the 2016 rotation.


Although Nicolino has slumped after a strong start, Conley appears to be gaining some confidence while winning his last three decisions and posting a 2.96 ERA in his last five starts.


The 25-year-old will try to build on his performance last Wednesday when he allowed three hits over seven innings in a 6-0 road win over the New York Mets. The NL East leaders had averaged 7.0 runs over their previous 25 games and scored an NL-high 5.07 per game since July 1.


"Young guys come up here, and they give too much credit to hitters in the big leagues," said manager Dan Jennings, who likely won't be back in that role next year. "And they forget to do what got them here. That's trust their stuff. I think (this start), hopefully, is a step in that direction."


Conley limited the damage in his only meeting with Philadelphia (57-94) on Aug. 23. He allowed one run and three hits while overcoming a season-high four walks in six innings of a 2-0 home defeat.


The Phillies rank 28th in the majors at 3.8 runs per game, but they've averaged 5.4 while winning eight of the last nine matchups with the Marlins. Cody Asche went 3 for 4 with two home runs and Freddy Galvis went 3 for 5 with two RBIs in Tuesday's 6-2 victory that snapped a six-game skid.


Philadelphia's David Buchanan (2-9, 8.49) showed promise last year, going 6-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 20 starts. But he's looking to snap a four-start losing streak and a six-game road skid dating to 2014.


After going 0-3 with a 22.00 ERA in three starts bridging a month stay at Triple-A Lehigh, the right-hander allowed a season-low two runs over six innings in a 4-0 home loss to Washington on Sept. 15.


"That's what we wanted to see," said Pete Mackanin, who was named the team's manager for 2016 prior to Tuesday's game after serving in an interim role since June 26.


Buchanan went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three meetings with the Marlins last season.


The Marlins rank 29th in the majors with 3.7 runs per game and they've totaled 11 while going 2 for 27 with runners in scoring position during a four-game losing streak.


Miguel Rojas accounted for the only runs in the opener with a two-run homer. The shortstop has batted .435 over a seven-game hitting streak, but starter Adeiny Hechavarria could return after missing 17 because of a left hamstring injury.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Phillies at Marlins
Tue, Sep 22 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Phillies at Marlins
Wed, Sep 23 - 7:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Phillies at Marlins
Thu, Sep 24 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Braves (61-91) at Mets (85-66)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: September 23, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Recent struggles haven't cost the New York Mets much in the NL East race, and having Bartolo Colon face the Atlanta Braves could get them untracked.


Colon attempts to become the first Mets pitcher to win all five starts against an opponent in a single season in 30 years Wednesday night.


New York (85-66) has dropped five of seven, equaling its loss total from its previous 24 games. Still, the Mets are atop the East by 6 1/2 games on second-place Washington with 11 to go.


They fell 6-2 on Tuesday, ending their five-game winning streak against the Braves (61-91).


"All of a sudden, we've hit a wall," manager Terry Collins said.


Collins now turns to Colon (14-12, 4.15 ERA), who is 8-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 career starts versus Atlanta.


The right-hander has won all four this year behind a 3.51 ERA. He can become the first Met to go 5-0 in five starts against an opponent since Dwight Gooden did it against the Chicago Cubs in 1985.


He'd also be the first to accomplish the feat against the Braves since Orel Hershiser in 1988.


Colon, though, is looking to bounce back from Wednesday's 6-0 loss to Miami. The right-hander gave up three runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings after going 4-0 with a 0.57 ERA over his previous five games - four starts - in a stretch that included a career-high 31 consecutive scoreless innings.


Colon served up two homers Wednesday after not allowing one since Aug. 26. The 24 he's allowed are a team high and the most he's given up since he was hit for 26 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2005.


"He's going to make you swing the bat," Collins told MLB's official website. "He's around the plate so much that sometimes they barrel up and he's had some issues of giving up the long ball."


The only home run he's allowed to Atlanta this year was to Jonny Gomes, who is now with Kansas City. Nick Swisher and A.J. Pierzynski are the only current Braves to have homered off Colon with two apiece.


Colon has been given four runs of support in every outing against Atlanta in 2015, but the Mets are averaging 2.3 runs while batting .210 over the past seven games. That includes a .115 average with runners in scoring position after going 0 for 8 on Tuesday.


Yoenis Cespedes is a major culprit, batting .154 without an RBI in that stretch after compiling a .382 average with nine homers and 19 RBIs over his previous 13 games. Additionally, Lucas Duda is in a 3-for-26 slump.


Those issues may continue since Atlanta's 4-1 stretch has been keyed by a 1.84 ERA. Rookie Matt Wisler provided the latest gem Tuesday, allowing two runs with eight strikeouts in seven innings.


Williams Perez (6-6, 5.16) kicked off the team's recent surge with a solid outing Friday, yielding one run in 5 2-3 innings of a 2-1 win over Philadelphia. He's 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA over his last three starts.


The rookie right-hander hasn't been sharp in two starts - both at home - against the Mets, going 1-0 despite allowing seven runs in 12 innings with 13 hits and five walks.


Curtis Granderson, Travis d'Arnaud and Daniel Murphy are a combined 9 for 15 with two homers and two doubles off Perez.


Murphy is hitting .407 with six doubles and 10 RBIs in his last seven games against Atlanta, doubling on three of his four hits in this series.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Braves at Mets
Mon, Sep 21 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Braves at Mets
Tue, Sep 22 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Braves at Mets
Wed, Sep 23 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Brewers (63-88) at Cubs (89-62)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 23, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

As the Chicago Cubs move closer to securing their first postseason berth since 2008, they continue to enjoy everything about the experience.


They'll look to keep the good times coming by completing a series sweep with their 10th straight victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.


Hours after manager Joe Maddon set up a small petting zoo in the Wrigley Field outfield for his players and their families to enjoy, Jake Arrieta struck out 11 while tossing a three-hitter to become the majors' first 20-game winner in Tuesday's 4-0 victory.


Winners in seven of the last eight, the Cubs (89-62) trimmed their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to three. While it seems likely Chicago will open the postseason with a one-game wild-card contest, it's poised to build more momentum, enjoy itself and see what happens.


"I think it's just preparing us for the postseason," said Arrieta, the first Cub to win 20 since 2001. "It's getting better as the season goes on. ... It's been a lot of fun. We need to keep moving forward."


Kris Bryant set a Cubs rookie record with his 26th home run and raised his RBI total to 98 with three more. He's batting .481 in the last seven games, and .391 in the last six against Milwaukee (63-88).


"He's going to hit a lot of home runs," said Hall of Famer Billy Williams, who previously held that club record since 1961. "He's got a home run swing that's perfect for Wrigley Field."


While Arrieta is likely to start that expected wild-card game, and Jon Lester would then take the ball should the Cubs advance, the rest of a potential division series rotation gets a bit murky with Jason Hammel, Dan Haren and Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 4.22 ERA) all struggling of late.


Hendricks will have at least two more chances to prove his worth for any playoff role after going 3-2 with a 5.29 ERA in 12 second-half starts. He gave up four runs on three homers in a season-low three innings of Thursday's 9-6 win at Pittsburgh.


The right-hander's best outing since the All-Star break came Aug. 1 when he allowed his only run in two starts this season against the Brewers, lasting seven innings of a 4-2 victory.


Khris Davis is 4 for 9 against Hendricks and batting .355 in the last nine games. Teammate Ryan Braun took batting practice Tuesday but could miss a fifth straight game with a back problem.


Losers in 12 of the last 14, Milwaukee has totaled 20 runs, hit .195 and struck out 87 times during its nine-game skid to the Cubs, who get their first look at Zach Davies (1-2, 6.00).


The right-hander didn't walk a batter while lasting seven innings to earn his first win in his second career start at Miami on Sept. 7. Since, he's walked nine while giving up nine runs and 11 hits in 9 2-3 innings to lose two in a row.


"Just losing a bit of the command," Davies said after allowing four of those walks in six innings of Friday's 5-3 loss to Cincinnati.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Brewers at Cubs
Mon, Sep 21 Final 5 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Brewers at Cubs
Tue, Sep 22 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Brewers at Cubs
Wed, Sep 23 - 8:05PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Mariners (74-77) at Royals (87-63)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 23, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals have made a notable shake-up as they try to get back on track before the postseason.


Getting untracked halfway through the season has put Robinson Cano on the verge of a major milestone.


One hit shy of 2,000, Cano looks to help the visiting Seattle Mariners extend the Royals' current struggles on Wednesday night.


Kansas City's magic number to clinch its first division title since 1985 remained at three Tuesday after an 11-2 loss to Seattle (74-77). It was the Royals' 12th defeat in 17 games.


"Right now, you have supreme confidence in your club, but you don't feel good about what's going on," manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "There's no major concern, though."


Still owners of the best record in the AL, the Royals (87-63) won't make too much of this rough stretch, especially since they split the final 20 games prior to last season's memorable playoff run.


However, Yost did announce Tuesday that set-up man Wade Davis will replace Greg Holland as the Royals closer. Nursing a sore elbow, Holland has blown five saves this season to match his total from the previous two.


Davis is 7-1 with an 0.88 ERA and has converted 13 of 14 save chances this year.


"You know what you've got with Wade," Yost said. "With Holly you don't know from one day to the next how his elbow is going to respond. If it's going to be tight or sore or stiff."


The Royals were far from a save situation Tuesday as Cano delivered a good chunk of the damage with two home runs.


About to become the 14th major leaguer to reach 2,000 hits in his first 11 seasons, Cano has three home runs and eight RBIs in the last two games. For a while it appeared he might not reach the milestone this year with a .249 average through 87 games, but he's regrouped to hit .335 in his last 58.


"I would say it means a lot, not only for me, but to anybody to get to 2,000," he said. "For me, it will be very special."


Cano is 1 for 4 and has walked twice in six plate appearances against Yordano Ventura (12-8, 4.40 ERA), who has won two straight starts but owns a 5.63 ERA in the last three. He hasn't completed six innings in any of those three and yielded eight hits in each while totaling 10 walks.


The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA in three career starts against the Mariners despite going 0-2, though he hasn't faced them since June 2014.


An AL-best 13-6 this month, Seattle counters with Roenis Elias (5-8, 4.06).


Since being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 23, the left-hander is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA in four starts. Due to an off day last Thursday, Elias is making his first start since Sept. 12 when he allowed two unearned runs, one hit and struck out eight in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-2 victory over Colorado. He did pitch in relief Friday at Texas, striking out the only batter he faced.


Elias now looks for a better effort than his last against Kansas City on June 24. He yielded seven runs and five hits in 3 2-3 innings of an 8-2 defeat.


Mike Moustakas hit a two-run homer off Elias in that game. Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar are a combined 6 for 13 against him.


Gordon, however, is 0 for 18 with 10 strikeouts in his last five games.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Mariners at Royals
Tue, Sep 22 Final 11 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Mariners at Royals
Wed, Sep 23 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Mariners at Royals
Thu, Sep 24 - 8:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Indians (74-75) at Twins (77-73)
Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 23, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The last time Corey Kluber saw the Minnesota Twins, he put the finishing touches on back-to-back complete games.


Kluber tries to continue his recent dominance of the Twins and help the Cleveland Indians possibly gain some ground in the postseason chase Wednesday night.


Kluber (8-14, 3.44 ERA) is 4-0 with a 1.70 ERA over his last five starts against the Twins, going the distance in the last two. He had a one-hitter in a 6-1 win at Minnesota on Aug. 14 after three-hitting the Twins in an 8-1 victory five days earlier.


The right-hander gets the ball this time after his shortest outing of the year. He tossed 61 pitches in four innings, giving up three runs with five strikeouts, in Thursday's 8-4 loss to Kansas City - his first outing in nearly three weeks due to a hamstring injury.


"I just think that after being down for (19 days), I just thought that he'll be better, and he'll be better suited now to start pitching like he can and not have to think about it," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website.


"I just think it's the right thing to do."


It's unclear if Francona will take the same approach again since Cleveland (74-75) enters Wednesday 4 1/2 games back of Houston - which hosts the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the day - for the league's second wild-card spot.


The Twins (77-73) trail the Astros by two after beating the Indians 3-1 on Tuesday to open this three-game series. They'll meet in Cleveland for four next week.


Minnesota has Phil Hughes (10-9, 4.58) back in the rotation after Tommy Milone was ruled out with a "tired shoulder," according to manager Paul Molitor.


Hughes has an 8.44 ERA while losing two of three starts against the Indians this year, and he turned in his worst performance of the season in an 8-1 loss at Cleveland on Aug. 9. The right-hander was hammered for seven runs and nine hits in three innings, then landed on the disabled list before his next scheduled start due to lower back inflammation.


He struggled again in his return Sept. 15, giving up three runs in three innings of a 5-4 loss to Detroit, and was moved to the bullpen.


Hughes allowed one run in two innings of relief Saturday against the Angels.


Aaron Hicks is 4 for 8 with three RBIs and as many runs in the last two games after getting an RBI triple and a double Tuesday. The center fielder, though, is 1 for 11 against Kluber.


The Indians are hoping to have Michael Brantley back after he suffered a right shoulder injury when he attempted a diving catch on Hicks' triple Tuesday.


"He jammed his shoulder and it was hard for him to get extended when he was hitting, so we got him in, got him iced," Francona said. "We'll see how he shows up."


Brantley, who went 0 for 2 Tuesday, is hitting .417 with 12 RBIs in his last 15 games against Minnesota.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Indians at Twins
Tue, Sep 22 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Indians at Twins
Wed, Sep 23 - 8:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Indians at Twins
Thu, Sep 24 - 8:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Reds (63-87) at Cardinals (95-56)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: September 23, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

While the St. Louis Cardinals hope he can be a key part of their postseason rotation, Lance Lynn can't shake the command issues that have plagued him down the stretch.


As St. Louis looks to tighten its grip on the NL Central lead, Lynn hopes to get on track while leading the club to a fourth straight win Wednesday night against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.


Lynn (11-10, 3.28 ERA) will fall short of a fourth straight 15-win season after going 0-2 with a 9.26 ERA in his first three September starts. He hasn't made it out of the fourth inning in three of his past seven and has 20 walks while striking out 18 over 31 1-3 in his last six.


The right-hander issued a career-high six free passes and gave up three runs over 3 1-3 innings Friday when he did not factor in an 8-3 loss at Wrigley Field. With the Cardinals (95-56) holding a four-game division lead with 11 left, he's hoping to resolve his problems before the playoffs.


Manager Mike Matheny insists there's nothing physically wrong with Lynn.


"He continues to measure up well with what the training staff sees, and he feels good," Matheny told MLB's official website. "It's not a real secret what his style is. He comes right at guys. But when you do that, you have to find your control and control the plate. ... With his style of pitching, he's going to have a tough time if he can't locate his fastball."


Lynn has struck out 28 and walked 11 while posting a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts versus Cincinnati (63-87). He's 1-1 with a 2.77 mark in two meetings this season.


Jay Bruce is batting .452 with three home runs in 31 at-bats against him and Joey Votto is hitting .450 in 20 at-bats. Todd Frazier, however, is 5 for 31 (.161) with 15 strikeouts.


Bruce's 456-foot homer in Tuesday's 3-1 loss was the longest by a left-handed hitter at 10-year-old Busch Stadium. Bruce has five home runs on a nine-game trip that concludes Wednesday.


The Reds, who have totaled two runs and 18 strikeouts in this series, hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat.


Brandon Finnegan, acquired from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto trade, allowed one run over five innings Friday in his first career start - a 5-3 win at Milwaukee. He had made 30 relief appearances, including seven during the Royals' run to the World Series last season.


"For a young guy that a lot came quickly for last year, this still was a big steppingstone for Brandon," manager Bryan Price said. "He did transition into the rotation for us in Triple-A and wasn't spot on as far as having immediate success as a starter. This was his best start since he's been in our organization."


Finnegan (1-0, 1.17) didn't allow a hit over 2 2-3 scoreless innings in two relief appearances against the Cardinals earlier this month. Brandon Moss took him deep in April when both played in the AL.


Tommy Pham knocked in two runs Tuesday for St. Louis, which has won 13 of 17 at home against Cincinnati. Pham is batting .407 with three homers, three triples, two doubles and 10 RBIs over his last seven games.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Reds at Cardinals
Mon, Sep 21 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Reds at Cardinals
Tue, Sep 22 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Reds at Cardinals
Wed, Sep 23 - 8:15PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Pirates (91-60) at Rockies (63-88)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 23, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

Charlie Morton's first attempt at matching a career high in wins fell flat during his team's rut last week. The Pittsburgh Pirates hope his second try helps them continue a hot streak and punch a ticket to the postseason.


Morton looks to help the Pirates grab their fifth straight victory and clinch a playoff berth for the third consecutive year Wednesday night as they visit the last-place Colorado Rockies.


The Pirates (91-60) have sliced their magic number to one after taking the first two of this four-game series by a combined score of 15-6, making it four wins in five games against the Rockies this season and eight of 11 since the beginning of 2014.


Pittsburgh holds a two-game lead over the Chicago Cubs for the NL's top wild card and 9 1/2 over its next closest pursuer - San Francisco - while sitting four back of NL Central-leading St. Louis.


"We're not looking at yesterday, we're not looking at the team behind us," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We're not looking at tomorrow or the team in front of us. We need to take care of our game."


Before eyeing October, the Pirates would like to see Morton (9-8, 4.26 ERA) get back on track and reach double digits in victories for the first time since he won 10 games in 2011.


The eight-year veteran has lost four of his last five starts, allowing 20 runs and 30 hits in 27 1-3 innings. The wheels really came off in his last outing - the third of four straight losses for Pittsburgh - as the right-hander was pummeled Thursday by the Cubs for nine hits and six runs in four innings. It was his shortest outing since June 21.


The second loss during Morton's current slump came against the Rockies (63-88), who scored five runs - three earned - off him in six innings of a 5-0 win Aug. 30. That game came in Pittsburgh, but he's been no better at Coors Field with a 5.51 ERA in three career starts.


Carlos Gonzalez is 1 for 8 in this series, but he's 6 for 18 against Morton with a double and a home run.


Morton's struggles this season start in the first inning, where he has allowed at least one run in 10 of his 21 starts. Opponents are hitting .376 against him in the opening frame with 13 extra-base hits and four home runs.


He might catch a break if Colorado slugger Nolan Arenado is unavailable. The third baseman left Tuesday's game in the ninth inning after hitting his head on the ground while diving for a ball. He passed a concussion test and will be evaluated Wednesday.


"He'll be fine," manager Walt Weiss told MLB's official website. "At that point, there was no sense keeping him out there."


Pittsburgh's Aramis Ramirez also left Tuesday's game with tightness in his left groin. Ramirez has hit .344 with seven RBIs in his last nine games.


His potential absence would be good news for Colorado's Christian Bergman because Ramirez is 3 for 3 with two doubles off the right-hander.


Bergman (3-0, 3.81) is getting a spot start with Jorge De La Rosa (Achilles) on the mend. He's made 10 starts for Colorado in his first two MLB seasons, though nine came in 2014 and the other came April 14 when he threw four scoreless innings at San Francisco.


He has a 0.90 ERA in his last five relief appearances, allowing just a solo home run while pitching 3 1-3 innings to earn the win in Saturday's 10-2 victory over San Diego.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Pirates at Rockies
Mon, Sep 21 Final 9 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Pirates at Rockies
Tue, Sep 22 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 3
Pirates at Rockies
Wed, Sep 23 - 8:40PM EDT


GAME 4
Pirates at Rockies
Thu, Sep 24 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rangers (81-69) at Athletics (64-87)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: September 23, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Colby Lewis struggled while losing his last two road starts, but he should have a good chance to turn things around as he attempts to again get the best of the Oakland Athletics.


Less than two weeks from nearly tossing a perfect game against the A's, the Texas Rangers right-hander looks for another strong effort opposite the Athletics on Wednesday night at the Coliseum.


In perhaps the most dominating performance of his career, Lewis (16-8, 4.41 ERA) retired the first 21 batters he faced before Danny Valencia doubled to lead off the eighth inning during a 4-0 win on Sept. 11. The 36-year-old Lewis would yield one more hit and not walk a batter en route to his career-high 15th victory.


'When you are witnessing great things happening, there's a mutual respect,' Valencia said.


Lewis, whose 10 career wins against the A's are his most off any opponent, is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts opposite them in 2015.


He followed that gem against Oakland by giving up two runs in six innings of Thursday's 8-2 win over Houston. He'll try to become Texas' first 17-game winner since Scott Feldman in 2009.


Lewis has allowed 13 runs and 17 hits over 10 2-3 innings in his last two starts away from home, but is 7-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 13 career starts at Oakland.


Texas (81-69) rallied from an early 4-1 deficit to win 8-6 on Tuesday, beating the A's for only the third time in the last nine meetings.


'It was just one of those games we continued to fight and kept rolling the lineup over trying to create some opportunities, and we were able to put some runs on the board,' first baseman Mitch Moreland said.


With that victory and Houston's loss to the Los Angeles Angels, the Rangers increased their AL West lead to two games.


"It's just about winning," slugger Adrian Beltre told MLB's official website. "Baseball is not easy."


Moreland delivered a tying two-run homer in the sixth, his career high-matching 23rd. His 81 RBIs are already a personal best.


Beltre is 7 for 11 and Moreland 3 for 6 against Felix Doubront (3-2, 4.95), who is 0-5 with an 11.51 ERA as a starter against Texas. He allowed seven runs and homers to Shin-soo Choo and two to Beltre in 4 1-3 innings of a 12-4 loss Sept. 13.


That's the only one of Doubront's last six starts that Oakland has lost. The left-hander is 2-1 despite a 7.25 ERA in his last four starts, but his best of that stretch came Friday when he allowed three runs in six innings while not factoring in the decision of 4-3 win at Houston.


Marcus Semien and Jake Smolinski each tripled Tuesday for the A's, whose 40 this season tied the club record set in 1968 while dropping their third consecutive contest.


'At times we had good at-bats, at times we didn't," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "At times we made some good defensive plays, other times we didn't. So it was not a real consistent game.'


Semien is 0 for 10 with four strikeouts against Lewis.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Rangers at Athletics
Tue, Sep 22 Final 8 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Rangers at Athletics
Wed, Sep 23 - 10:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Rangers at Athletics
Thu, Sep 24 - 3:35PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Diamondbacks (73-78) at Dodgers (85-65)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: September 23, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

While they still own a comfortable lead in the NL West, the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers are in danger of losing their hold on home-field advantage in the playoffs.


They're also on the verge of their longest losing streak at Dodger Stadium in two years, though they haven't lost when Zack Greinke has started there since early June.


The All-Star right-hander will try to help Los Angeles get back on track while continuing his historic season Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.


Los Angeles (85-65) had its division lead cut to six games after Tuesday's 8-0 loss and San Francisco's win. However, the club remains in the driver's seat to win a third straight title with 12 games remaining.


The Dodgers, however, are clinging to a half-game edge on the East-leading New York Mets in the race for home-field advantage in a potential division series matchup. Now they're looking to avoid matching their longest skid of the season and longest home slide since May 1-10, 2013.


'We haven't won anything yet. This is time for us to buckle down and play better than we did in the last four games,' catcher A.J. Ellis said.


They should be in good hands with Greinke (18-3, 1.65 ERA), who will try to win a career high-tying sixth consecutive start. He's also gone 9-1 with a league-best 1.48 ERA in 16 home outings.


Greinke has a chance to become only the fifth Dodger since 1914 to win eight straight home starts in a single season. Sandy Koufax (10, 1964), Burleigh Grimes (8, 1918), Dazzy Vance (8, 1927) and teammate Clayton Kershaw (8, 2011) are the others.


"I pitch good at home," he told MLB's official website. "I'm just more comfortable."


Greinke has an 18-inning scoreless streak versus the Diamondbacks after winning a pair of starts against them this season. He's 7-0 with a 1.19 ERA in nine meetings since joining Los Angeles in 2013.


Paul Goldschmidt is 4 for 23 with 12 strikeouts lifetime when facing Greinke, while Ender Inciarte, Chris Owings and David Peralta are a combined 0 for 27.


Goldschmidt, though, homered for the second straight night Tuesday when Arizona won for only the third time in 16 games at Chavez Ravine. He's batting .388 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs in his last 22 meetings.


A.J. Pollock added his 18th home run and has a .400 average over an 11-game hitting streak. Rookie Brandon Drury has gone 5 for 9 with a home run, double and four RBIs in this series.


The Diamondbacks (73-78) are seeking their fifth win in the first six of this 10-game road trip.


Chase Anderson (6-6, 4.52) had been removed from the rotation after allowing five runs and two homers over two-plus innings in a 6-2 home loss to San Francisco on Sept. 8. The right-hander, though, has been working with pitching coach Mike Harkey over the past two weeks, and hopes to make the most of another opportunity after impressing in Friday's simulated game.


"Chase looked good," manager Chip Hale said. "He got better and better."


Anderson is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in five career starts against the Dodgers. He yielded two hits and struck out seven over six innings in a 1-0 win at Chavez Ravine on May 3. Adrian Gonzalez is 4 for 9 with a home run off him, while Yasmani Grandal has three homers in eight at-bats.


The Dodgers, however, have batted .176 and totaled nine runs during their losing streak after they managed only three singles off Robbie Ray and three relievers Tuesday.


Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed's status is uncertain after he left Tuesday's game because of a jammed lower back.



SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Mon, Sep 21 Final 8 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Tue, Sep 22 Final 8 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Wed, Sep 23 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Thu, Sep 24 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Giants (79-71) at Padres (70-81)
Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: September 23, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

In the last 20 seasons, 17 pitchers have lost more than 15 games while maintaining an ERA under 4.50.


Andrew Cashner could join that group Wednesday night at Petco Park. He's been more deserving of his defeats against the San Francisco Giants, who aren't yet conceding they have nothing to play for as Jake Peavy tries for his first win as a visitor in San Diego.


Though misfortunate, Cashner (6-15, 4.25 ERA) certainly hasn't had the year he or the Padres wanted. Yet he might feel like he has little room to complain compared to Shelby Miller, who is already there this season with 16 losses and a 3.00 ERA.


Cashner would be the second San Diego pitcher in as many seasons to join the group after Eric Stults went 8-17 with a 4.30 mark last year.


After limiting Arizona to three runs and seven hits in last Wednesday's 4-3 win, Cashner is coming off a rare victory, though he still has a 5.40 ERA and .409 opponent on-base percentage while going 1-3 in a five-start span.


His manager wants to see him simplify things and hopefully cut down on the 4.45 walks per nine innings he's posted in that time after having a 2.79 mark through 24 starts.


"Cashner was great; player of the game for me," Pat Murphy said. "He just attacked a very good offensive team ... with 75 percent (of his pitches) or more were fastballs. Hopefully, he learned something he can take with him going forward, that he doesn't need to go deep in counts. His fastball is that good."


The right-hander has lost both of his starts against San Francisco this season with nine earned runs allowed in 10 2-3 innings to fall to 2-3 with a 5.13 ERA in seven career starts in the series. Buster Posey (11 for 22 with two home runs) and Brandon Crawford (5 for 11 with a home run) have hit him best.


Cashner is up against Peavy, San Diego's former ace, who's again doing his part down the stretch. Peavy (7-6, 4.08) was 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA as the Giants won his last six regular-season starts last year.


The right-hander hasn't been quite as strong this time around, but after allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings of last Wednesday's 5-3 home win over Cincinnati, he's 4-0 with a 3.52 mark in his last five. He's also 7-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 12 September starts dating to 2013.


The 34-year-old has only faced the Padres (70-81) three times since leaving in 2009, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and the loss coming in his only return to Petco on April 12. Justin Upton is 9 for 17 with two homers and a triple against him, but Yangervis Solarte is 0 for 8.


With Tuesday's 4-2 series-opening win, San Francisco (79-71) has won 10 of 15 and six straight in the series with a 47-10 scoring advantage. More importantly, it gained a game on the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, who have dropped four in a row.


The Giants remain six back with 12 to play, though four come at home against the Dodgers next week. Their other two remaining series come at Oakland and at home against Colorado, two clubs toiling in last place.


'We're still alive,' manager Bruce Bochy said. 'I've talked about this so many times. You never know. You keep grinding, you keep fighting and see what happens. You've got to believe, and it's all up to us about winning games. That's where it starts. Of course, it's obvious we need a little help. There's a big series coming up.'


Posey (hip) was out of the lineup Tuesday but is expected back Wednesday.


Matt Kemp is batting .147 in his last nine games and .146 in his last 13 against the Giants.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Giants at Padres
Tue, Sep 22 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps


GAME 2
Giants at Padres
Wed, Sep 23 - 10:10PM EDT


GAME 3
Giants at Padres
Thu, Sep 24 - 9:10PM EDT

 

[CNOTES]

Hall of Famer Yogi Berra dies at 90


September 23, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) The lovable legend of Yogi Berra, that ain't ever gonna be over.


The Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his dizzying malapropisms as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees, died Tuesday. He was 90.


Berra, who filled baseball's record book as well as ''Bartlett's Familiar Quotations,'' died of natural causes at his home in New Jersey, according to Dave Kaplan, the director of the Yogi Berra Museum.


Berra played in more World Series games than any other major leaguer, and was a three-time American League Most Valuable Player.


For many, though, he was even better known for all those amusing ''Yogi-isms.''


''It ain't over `til it's over'' is among eight of them included in Bartlett's.


''When I'm sittin' down to dinner with the family, stuff just pops out. And they'll say, `Dad, you just said another one.' And I don't even know what the heck I said,'' Berra insisted.


Short, squat and with a homely mug, Berra was a Yankees great who helped the team reach 14 World Series during his 18 seasons in the Bronx.


''While we mourn the loss of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, we know he is at peace with Mom,'' Berra's family said in a statement released by the museum. ''We celebrate his remarkable life, and are thankful he meant so much to so many. He will truly be missed.''


Berra served on a gunboat supporting the D-Day invasion in 1944 and played for the Yankees from 1946-63. His teammates included fellow Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.


''No! Say it ain't so. He was a good man, my former manager and friend! RIP Yogi,'' former Yankees star Dave Winfield tweeted.


Lawrence Peter Berra, the son of Italian immigrants, got his nickname while growing up in St. Louis. Among his amateur baseball teammates was Jack McGuire, another future big leaguer.


''Some of us went to a movie with a yogi in it and afterwards Jack began calling me Yogi. It stuck,'' Berra told the Saturday Evening Post.


He was a fan favorite, especially with children, and the cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him.


Until recent years, he remained a fixture at Yankee Stadium and in the clubhouse, where the likes of Derek Jeter, Joe Torre and others in pinstripes looked up to the diminutive old-timer.


In 1956, Berra caught the only perfect game in World Series history and after the last out leaped into pitcher Don Larsen's arms. The famous moment is still often replayed on baseball broadcasts.


After his playing days, Berra coached or managed the Yankees, New York Mets and Houston Astros. He led both the Yankees and Mets to pennants.


In 1985, his firing as manager by the Yankees 16 games into the season sparked a feud with George Steinbrenner. Berra vowed never to return to Yankee Stadium as long as Steinbrenner owned the team.


But in 1999, Berra finally relented, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the Yankees' season-opener.


''We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Yankees legend and American hero, Yogi Berra,'' the Yankees posted on Twitter.


Berra, who played in 15 straight All-Star Games, never earned more than $65,000 a season. He died on the same date, Sept. 22, as his big league debut 69 years earlier.


Growing up, he was anything but a natural.


Chunky and slow, Berra was rejected by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals after a tryout in 1943. But a Yankees scout recognized his potential and signed him.


He reached the majors late in the 1946 season and homered in his first at-bat. The next year, he continued to hit well, but his throwing was so erratic he was shifted to the outfield, then benched.


His breakthrough season came in 1948, when he hit .315 with 14 homers and 98 RBIs while improving his fielding. In 1949, he compiled a .989 fielding percentage and did not make an error in the All-Star Game or World Series.


''I don't care who the hitter is,'' Yankees Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel told the New York Journal-American, ''(Berra) knows just how he should be pitched to.''


Berra was the AL MVP in 1951, 1954 and 1955. He holds World Series records for most hits (71) and games (75).


He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.


''You never think of that when you're a kid,'' Berra said. ''But egads, you gotta be somethin' to get in.''


Among his boyhood friends was Joe Garagiola, who went on to a career as a major league player and broadcaster. In rejecting Berra at the 1943 tryout, the Cardinals signed Garagiola, another catcher, instead.


Berra was born in St. Louis on May 12, 1925, the son of Pietro, a laborer in a brickyard, and Pauline Berra. He grew up in ''The Hill,'' or Italian district, with three older brothers and a younger sister.


Berra was forced to drop out of school in the eighth grade and go to work to help support his family. He took jobs in a coal yard, as a truck driver and in a shoe factory.


He continued to play amateur baseball, which brought him to the attention of major league scouts.


In 1943, his first professional season with the Yankees' farm team in Norfolk, Virginia, was interrupted by World War II.


Berra married his wife, Carmen, in 1949. The couple met in their native St. Louis. Carmen died in 2014. Yogi is survived by their three sons.


Dale Berra, a major league infielder, who briefly played for his father on the Yankees in 1985; Tim, who played one season for the NFL's Baltimore Colts, and Lawrence Jr.


Berra published three books: his autobiography in 1961, ''It Ain't Over ...'' in 1989 and ''The Yogi Book: I Really Didn't Say Everything I Said'' in 1998. The last made The New York Times' best seller list.


In 1996, Berra was awarded an honorary doctorate from the state university in Montclair, N.J., where he and his family lived. The university also named its baseball stadium for Berra. The adjoining Yogi Berra Museum opened in 1998.


The museum houses Berra memorabilia, including what he said was his most prized possession, the mitt he used to catch Larsen's perfect game.


He tickled TV viewers in recent years by bringing his malapropisms to a commercial with the AFLAC duck. (''They give you cash, which is just as good as money.'')


His wife once asked Berra where he wanted to be buried, in St. Louis, New York or Montclair.


''I don't know,'' he said. ''Why don't you surprise me?''

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday's Tip Sheet


September 23, 2015




Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals | 7:05 p.m. ET

If the Nationals are going to make any sort of last-minute run at the Mets for first in the NL East, they’re going to need their big free-agent signing, Max Scherzer (12-11, 2.90 ERA), to start pitching like the dominant hurler he was in the beginning of the year. After all, this is someone that legitimately jumped out in front in the NL Cy Young race for the first half of the year, as he was 10-7 with a 2.11 ERA and 0.78 WHIP entering the All-Star break. While his numbers have regressed considerably since then, Scherzer appears to be retaining his earlier-season form, as evident in the month he’s having. In four September starts, Scherzer has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP to go along with an outstanding 28/3 K/BB ratio over 27 total innings. He carries -135 ML odds for tonight’s assignment.

Meanwhile, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman (9-11, 5.19 ERA), who gets the ball this evening for the Birds, has been going in the opposite direction. At one point over the summer, Tillman looked like he could assume the role as ace of the Baltimore pitching staff once again, after posting a marvelous 1.31 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in five starts in July. Since then, however, the right-hander has struggled, registering a 5.73 ERA in four August starts, and thus far through September, his ERA for the month stands at a disastrous 9.64. Either way, the over/under is 7.

New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The saga over the AL East continues in the opening tilt of tonight’s ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball doubleheader. Last night, unsurprisingly also on ESPN, the Yankees pulled off a thrilling extra-innings victory at Rogers Centre to steal game two of this critical three-game set to cut Toronto’s first-place lead back to 2.5 games. If they want to inch further back to the top, they’re going to need an improved effort from Ivan Nova (6-8, 5.11 ERA), who originally wasn’t even slated to start this contest.


In fact, Nova was actually bumped from the rotation about a week ago because of recent struggles, but with Masahiro Tanaka experiencing a hamstring strain, the 28-year old Dominican gets another shot. Nova was faring well this year after coming back from Tommy John surgery in June, before running into a really rough four-start stretch that saw him surrender a whopping 19 runs across 17.2 combined innings pitched. That also includes his most recent assignment, when the Blue Jays knocked him out of the game in the second after plating six runs on seven hits with Nova on the hill. In turn, the linesmakers opened up the over/under at 9, but in most places, the line has already fallen to 8.5.

Toronto counters with sophomore sensation Marcus Stroman (2-0, 3.00 ERA), who, in a way, also wasn’t supposed to start this game. That’s because way back in March, Stroman was diagnosed with an alleged ‘season-ending’ torn ACL, yet here he is, making his third start of the year for the Blue Jays in helping spark their postseason push. The hard-throwing right-hander will be making his third start of the campaign, and in the first two, it didn’t look like there was much rust. Stroman was victorious in both, including a win over the Yankees on Sept. 12. With his potential to dominate any given time he takes the mound, the linesmakers have Stroman as a heavy -190 home favorite despite his tough competition on tap.

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics | 10:05 p.m. ET

With last night’s come-from-behind win over the Athletics coinciding with an Astros defeat at the hands of the Angels, the Rangers were able to extend their first-place lead in the AL West to two games. Now they get to hand the ball to someone who has surprisingly been one of their best pitchers this season, Colby Lewis (16-8, 4.41 ERA), who the club hopes can continue his mastery over tonight’s opponent. In four starts opposite the A’s in 2015, Lewis has been absolutely brilliant, going 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 0.70 WHIP, as Oakland has only been able to muster a .135 team batting average when facing the veteran right-hander. That string of starts also includes Lewis’ performance 12 days ago, when he nearly no-hit the Athletics and instead settled for a two-hit shutout. As a result, he’s a -130 road favorite.

On the other end of this pitching matchup is the inconsistent Felix Doubront (3-2, 4.95 ERA), making his seventh start since joining the A’s in the beginning of August. Up to this point, the 27-year-old southpaw has exhibited mixed results, sometimes looking like the above-average pitcher many thought he could be in Boston, as he’s posted three quality starts in six tries. Other times, he’s gotten hit, like when he faced the Rangers in Arlington two starts ago and couldn’t make it through the fifth inning. That’s because Texas drilled him for seven runs on seven hits, including three home runs. The linesmakers have the over/under set at 8.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers | 10:10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Dodgers may have the NL West all but officially wrapped up but there's still an intriguing storyline to monitor in the nightcap of tonight's ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball doubleheader.

Zack Greinke (18-3, 1.65 ERA), one of the top three candidates for this year's NL Cy Young honors, gets the ball tonight for LA, continuing to make his case. He has one tough act to follow, however, as Jake Arrieta, one of his main combatants for the award, tossed a three-hit shutout last night, en route to becoming the Majors' first 20-game winner. In the process, he also brought his ERA down to 1.88. How will Greinke respond? It's a good bet he counters with a quality start of his own, as the 31-year-old is typically at his best when pitching at Chavez Ravine. In 16 home starts this year, Greinke is 9-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. The linesmakers have tagged him as a chalky -250 home favorite, but perhaps understandably so, as Los Angeles is 13-2 in the last 15 games started by Greinke.

This won't be an easy win for the Dodger right-hander, though, especially since the rival Diamondbacks have taken the first two of this four-game set. Arizona also somewhat has something to play for, looking to finish at the .500 mark after owning baseball’s worst record a year ago; they’re currently five games under. The D-backs will have one of their better starting pitchers on the hill for this one as Chase Anderson (6-6, 4.52 ERA) looks to capture the series win for his club. While the second-year starter has regressed significantly since the All-Star break (2-3 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in eight starts), he has fared well against this division opponent. Anderson has faced the Dodgers twice this season, yielding just three runs in 11 total innings while racking up 13 strikeouts and maintaining a .189 opposing batting average. The over/under is currently 6.5 everywhere, but there is potential it rises to 7.

 

[CNOTES]

LEADING OFF: Yanks-Jays finale, Greinke goes for 19th win


September 23, 2015


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


FINALE IN TORONTO


The first-place Blue Jays host the Yankees in the rubber game of their AL East showdown. Struggling right-hander Ivan Nova (6-8), recently removed from the rotation, steps back in to start for New York in place of injured Masahiro Tanaka. On the mound for Toronto is Marcus Stroman, who has won both his outings this season since returning from a knee injury - including one at Yankee Stadium. Toronto holds a 2 1/2-game lead over New York.


ZACK ATTACK


As the Dodgers look to close in on the NL West title, Zack Greinke (18-3) tries to lower his major league-leading ERA of 1.65 when he pitches at home against the Diamondbacks. Greinke is in a remarkable race for the NL Cy Young Award with teammate Clayton Kershaw and Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, who improved to 20-6 with a 1.88 ERA by shutting out Milwaukee on Tuesday night.


SIDELINED STAR


Orioles manager Buck Showalter was unsure if center fielder Adam Jones will play against Washington. Jones sat out Tuesday night with a bad back and was not in the lineup Monday before that game was postponed because of rain. Showalter said Jones is improving but would not say when he might return.


CLOSING TIME


Two teams in the AL Central are testing new plans for the ninth inning. With closer Greg Holland nursing a sore elbow, the first-place Royals have switched to Wade Davis for the rest of the season and the playoffs. And in Detroit, struggling closer Bruce Rondon was sent home for the remainder of the year. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus gave very little explanation, saying only that Rondon had been jettisoned because of his ''effort level.'' Detroit turned to Neftali Feliz in the ninth inning Tuesday night, and he blew a save opportunity after giving up the first hit of the game by the White Sox.


SWEET 17


Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis (16-8), looking to extend his career high for wins, tries to become the first 17-game winner for Texas since Scott Feldman in 2009 when he faces his former team in Oakland. Lewis also looks to win his third straight start for the AL West leaders. Athletics lefty Felix Doubront (2-1) is 0-5 with a 12.68 ERA and .427 opponents' batting average vs. Texas - his most losses against any team.