Friday 7/14/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (52-39) at New York Mets (39-47)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The wildly inconsistent New York Mets turn to the steady hand of Jacob deGrom as they return from the All-Star break on Friday to begin a 10-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander entered the break with a career high-tying five straight victories and sports a 2-0 mark with an 0.95 ERA and 28 strikeouts in four career starts (28 1/3 innings) against the Rockies.

New York could benefit from deGrom's continued dominance as the team has been outscored 36-14 en route to losing five of six to drop to eight games under .500. While the Mets haven't provided much juice in that stretch, Jay Bruce has fared well by going 7-for-17 with three homers and four RBIs in his last four contests and went 10-for-30 with three blasts and eight RBIs last season versus Colorado. The Rockies are not shy about scoring runs as their potent offense has the team 13 games over .500, although it resides in third place in the top-heavy National League West. Charlie Blackmon is 13-for-33 during his eight-game hitting streak, but 0-for-11 in his career versus deGrom.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (2-0, 3.75 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (9-3, 3.65)

Gray has returned from a 2 1/2-month stint on the disabled list with a flourish, winning both starts after yielding four earned runs and striking out 15 versus two walks over 11 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old overcame eight hits on July 5 and tossed 108 pitches over 5 2/3 innings of a 5-3 victory versus Cincinnati. Gray helped his cause by launching a monstrous 467-foot homer in the second inning.

After yielding a single run in each of his previous four outings, deGrom surrendered a career-high four homers over seven innings in a 6-5 victory at St. Louis last Friday. The 29-year-old didn't walk a batter against the Cardinals and has issued just four free passes in his last three. DeGrom has kept several Rockies under wraps, including Mark Reynolds (0-for-12), Nolan Arenado (1-for-12) and DJ LeMahieu (2-for-11).

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado LF Gerardo Parra is 7-for-13 with three doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored since returning from the disabled list.

2. New York INF Asdrubal Cabrera has answered a sizzling stretch with a porous one, as he is 1-for-19 in his last six outings.

3. Rockies OF/1B Ian Desmond (right calf strain) is eligible to be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list on Friday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Mets 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (61-29) at Miami Marlins (41-46)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed one of the best first halves of any team in recent major-league history, largely by taking care of business at home. The Dodgers will try to replicate their recent success away from Los Angeles when they kick off a five-game road trip Friday with the opener of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins.

Los Angeles (61-29) became one of five teams in the last 40 years to reach 60 victories before the All-Star Game, winning 18 of its final 19 at Dodger Stadium to enter the break with a major league-best 39-11 home record. The Dodgers, who will be leaving California to play a game for the first time since June 18, went 1-4-3 (12-14 overall) in their first eight road series but have responded by going 4-0-1 (10-4) since. While Los Angeles opens the second half of the season on a league-high six-game winning streak, Miami entered the break nearly as hot, ending its 10-game road trip last weekend by capturing five of its final six contests. The Marlins lost three of four to the Dodgers from May 18-21, however, giving up at least six runs in each contest while scoring three or fewer three times.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (7-4, 3.31)

McCarthy came off the disabled list after being sidelined with right knee tendinitis and settled for his third no-decision in four outings Saturday, allowing two runs - one earned - while throwing 75 pitches over six innings. The 34-year-old had a stellar end to the first half of the season, yielding fewer than three earned runs in seven of his last eight turns. McCarthy began that stretch with a victory against the Marlins on May 21, when he gave up one run and three hits in six frames.

Straily won for the sixth time in seven decisions Friday at San Francisco, permitting a solo homer among the four hits he allowed across a career-high 8 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Marshall product has been particularly stingy during a three-game winning streak on which he has posted a 1.99 ERA while giving up no more than five hits in any of his five outings in the stretch. Straily began his recent string of success with a victory at Dodger Stadium on May 20, when he yielded three runs while striking out eight in 5 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers' plus-163 run differential was the best entering the All-Star break since at least 1933.

2. Miami OF Marcell Ozuna, who is tied for the major-league lead with 70 RBIs, drove in 16 runs during the team's pre-break trek - tying the club record for most on a road trip of 10 or more games.

3. Los Angeles All-Star 1B Cody Bellinger is batting .309 with 13 homers and 28 RBIs after the sixth inning.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Marlins 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Washington Nationals (52-36) at Cincinnati Reds (39-49)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Washington Nationals are in control of the National League East, holding a 9 1/2-game cushion as they prepare to kick off the second half of the season with a nine-game road trip. The Nationals enter the second half tied with Colorado for the most road wins in the NL (26) as they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the opener of a four-game set.

Washington entered the All-Star break with a commanding lead in the division despite a disastrous bullpen that owns a major league-worst 5.20 ERA along with 14 blown saves. All-Star right fielder Bryce Harper is making a bid for his second MVP award in three years, sparking an offense that leads the NL in a number of categories, including batting average (.277) and runs scored (486). Cincinnati is parked in the basement of the NL Central, tumbling out of contention following a 1-13 slide last month. The Reds, who won their last two in Arizona before the break, will send Tim Adleman to the mound to face Washington's Gio Gonzalez in the series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-4, 2.86 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tim Adleman (5-6, 4.71)

Gonzalez has come away with the loss in each of his last three outings despite allowing a combined five runs and stretching his streak of quality starts to eight. He allowed three runs on seven hits in a loss to Atlanta last time out after yielding one run on only two hits in each of his previous two turns. The 31-year-old Gonzalez has made eight career starts against the Reds, posting a 3-2 record and 2.98 ERA.

Adleman fell to 1-4 over his last five starts after giving up four runs (three earned) and six hits over five innings in a loss at Arizona. The 29-year-old has failed to pitch beyond five innings in five of the last six outings and he continues to be victimized by the long ball, surrendering 12 homers during a span in which he allowed at least one in eight straight starts. Adleman will be facing the Nationals for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy (.342), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.330) and Harper (.325) are 1-2-3 in the NL in batting average.

2. Reds RHP Raisel Iglesias has converted 16 of 17 save opportunities.

3. The Nationals sent LHP Sammy Solis to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Reds 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (41-47) at Detroit Tigers (39-48)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Toronto Blue Jays are buried in the cellar of the American League East and the Detroit Tigers are struggling to stay out of last place in the AL Central, yet both teams remain in striking distance of a playoff spot. Both teams will look to put disappointing first halves behind them as they open a three-game series in Detroit on Friday night.

The Blue Jays are five games out of the second wild card but face a daunting 10-game road trip that will be followed by stops at division leaders Boston and Cleveland. All-Star Justin Smoak had 23 homers and 56 RBIs in the first half but shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and third baseman Josh Donaldson missed a combined 76 games due to injury. While Toronto lost nine of its first 10 to open the season, Detroit was hovering around the .500 mark in mid-June before an eight-game skid started a spiral that has the team 6 1/2 games out of a wild card and fueled speculation that the Tigers will be major sellers at the trade deadline. Slugger Miguel Cabrera, who labored through a pedestrian first half, recently groused about the swirling trade rumors and made headlines at the break concerning the crisis in his native Venezuela, saying "they'll kill me" if he returns to his country while adding that he's "tired of paying protection money so they don't kidnap my mother"

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (0-2, 4.85 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (5-6, 4.73)

Sanchez returned from an absence of nearly two months due to blister issues and was hammered by Houston, lasting 1 2/3 innings and allowing a career-high eight runs on seven hits. It was the first appearance since May 19 and only the sixth of the season for Sanchez, who went 15-2 in 2016. He has a 2.00 in five appearances against Detroit and has held Cabrera and Victor Martinez to a combined 0-for-16.

Verlander closed the first half with back-to-back starts versus Cleveland, getting shelled for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings on July 2 before rebounding with 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball six days later in a hard-luck loss. The 34-year-old, who has won only once in his last nine outings (versus Kansas City on June 27), is 3-1 with a 3.61 ERA in eight starts at home. Jose Bautista is 6-for-19 with two homers off Verlander.

WALK-OFFS

1. Donaldson is 6-for-10 with a homer and six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Cabrera has one extra-base hit over the last 10 games.

3. Smoak is batting .305 on the road - 20 points higher than at home.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Blue Jays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (53-36) at Atlanta Braves (42-45)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Arizona Diamondbacks surprised most observers with their strong start to the season, but enter the post All-Star break looking to snap a 3-8 skid when they open a three-game series Friday at the Atlanta Braves. The Diamondbacks hold a two-game lead over Colorado for the top National League wild-card spot, but have hit just .209 as a team during their past 11 games while scoring more than three runs only three times.

The firepower is present for Arizona to snap its offensive funk, as All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb enter the second half tied for fourth in the NL in RBIs (67) and Goldschmidt leads all NL position player with a 4.2 WAR. The surprising Braves remain on the edge of the NL playoff chase, Atlanta opening play Friday just eight games behind Colorado for the final wild-card slot. Freddie Freeman, who has moved to third base upon returning from a wrist injury, is batting .385 since rejoining the lineup with at least one hit in all six games and four multi-hit performances. Ender Inciarte, a former Arizona player who was the Braves’ lone All-Star, ranks second in the NL in hits (112).

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (6-4, 3.65 ERA) vs. Braves RH R.A. Dickey (6-5, 4.23)

Acquired in an offseason trade with Seattle, Walker has provided Arizona with stability in its rotation despite missing nearly a month with a blister on his right index finger. The 24-year-old is 2-1 in five starts since returning from the disabled list, giving up five runs on five hits in five innings of a loss Saturday against Cincinnati after surrendering three runs or less in his previous four outings. Walker has posted a 2.65 ERA while going 4-2 in seven road starts.

Dickey has been outstanding lately for the Braves, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning Friday at Washington only to see the bullpen blow what would have been the 42-year-old’s third victory in his past four starts. Dickey is 3-1 in his past six outings with a 2.77 ERA and a .200 opponents’ batting average, holding the opposition to one run or fewer five times while pitching seven innings on four occasions. Dickey is 5-1 at home with a 3.30 ERA, posting 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in 57 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona’s duo of All-Star starting pitchers – Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray – will not start until next week’s road series at Cincinnati.

2. Braves rookie INF Johan Camargo is hitting .386 in his past 14 games with eight doubles, one home run, six runs scored and a 1.074 OPS.

3. The Diamondbacks, who are 35-19 against teams under .500, play 19 of their next 22 games against teams with losing records.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Diamondbacks 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (29-58) at Milwaukee Brewers (50-41)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Milwaukee Brewers are one of baseball's feel-good stories this season while the Philadelphia Phillies have been a horrific read for the majority of 2017. Winners of nine of their last 11, the National League Central-leading Brewers aim to continue their surge as they return from the All-Star break on Friday to host the Phillies in the opener of a three-game series.

Stephen Vogt has added some punch since being acquired off waivers from Oakland, belting his fourth homer with Milwaukee in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees. "We like where we're at," Vogt told reporters. "I think we're all excited to have the break, but excited to come back and get it going again and make a push." While the Brewers are interested in fending off the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis, Philadelphia is doing its best to look at the rare positives despite being saddled with the majors' worst record at 29-58. "A lot of good things have come up in this first half," manager Pete Mackanin told reporters. "It's not all doom and gloom. These are things we've got to take hold of and run with and try to keep improving."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (2-4, 4.73 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (10-4, 4.90)

Pivetta continues to struggle with home runs as the 24-year-old British Columbia native was taken deep three times in a no-decision versus San Diego last Friday. Pivetta has surrendered seven homers in his last four outings and 12 in 11 trips to the mound. A positive was that he did not walk a batter during his seven-inning start against the Padres after issuing at least three free passes in six of his previous eight games.

Davies won his third straight start and improved to 5-1 in his last seven outings on July 6 after yielding two runs on five hits in six innings of an 11-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs. "Personally, (10 wins is) something that kind of makes you happy," the 24-year-old told reporters. "There are personal goals that you want to hit, but at the same time, we want to play in October." Davies struggled in his lone encounter versus Philadelphia, taking the loss after permitting four runs on nine hits in six innings of a 5-2 setback on April 22, 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee has homered in six consecutive contests and 24 of its last 26.

2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis has hit safely in seven of nine games this month, recording three homers and six RBIs in the process.

3. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw is batting .378 in the first inning this season with five homers and 20 RBIs.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Phillies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (45-43) at Houston Astros (60-29)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Houston Astros are enjoying one of the best seasons in American League history and seek to continue their dominance when they open a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Friday. Houston (60-29) is the fourth team in AL history to win 60 games prior to the All-Star break and holds an astounding 16 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.

The All-Star trio of Jose Altuve (major league-best .347 average), George Springer (27 home runs) and Carlos Correa (20 homers) fuel an offense that leads the majors in runs scored (527), homers (148) and batting average (.289). Altuve strung together five consecutive three-hit performances prior to the break, the longest streak since Hall-of-Famer George Brett's six-game run in 1976. Minnesota (45-43) surprisingly is in second place in the AL Central - 2 1/2 games behind Cleveland - in a stunning turnaround from last season's 59-103 record. All-Star Miguel Sano has turned into a force with 21 homers and 62 RBIs, belting 13 shots on the road to help the Twins compile a stellar 25-15 mark away from home.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), ROOT Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-2, 3.53 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (6-3, 3.82)

Berrios has won five of his last six decisions but has seen his performance slip over his past three starts. The 23-year-old has posted a 6.23 ERA during the span after compiling a 2.67 mark and .181 batting average against over his first eight turns. Berrios lost to the Astros on May 30, when he gave up four runs and five hits over five innings, and is 1-2 with an 8.03 ERA in three career starts against them.

Morton missed six-plus weeks with a lat strain but returned on July 7 to beat Toronto, allowing one run and four hits over six innings. The 33-year-old has struck out 68 batters in 63 2/3 frames and appears on his way to reaching 100 for the third time in his career. Morton allowed three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision in his only career turn against Minnesota in 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are 8-2 against the Twins since the beginning of the 2016 season and swept a three-game series at Minnesota by a cumulative 40-16 score in late May.

2. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer (back) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday.

3. Springer, who is 4-for-7 with a homer against Berrios, has hit a franchise-record nine leadoff shots this season.

PREDICTION: Astros 8, Twins 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (43-47) at Chicago White Sox (38-49)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Seattle Mariners felt this was the campaign in which they would end a 15-season playoff drought, but they are four games below .500 as they resume play on Friday against the host Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game series. Seattle (43-47) lost 10 of its last 14 contests prior to the All-Star break to fall four games behind in the American League wild-card race.

The Mariners haven't partcipated in the postseason since posting a franchise-best 116-46 record in 2001, and manager Scott Servais still feels ending the futile stretch is a reasonable possibility. "Unfortunately, we've had some swoons where we have not played well," Servais told reporters. "We haven't hit well, we haven't pitched well. It's just a combination of everything, but we still have a lot of games to play and our talent will come to the forefront. It always does." Chicago (38-49) has experienced even more troubles as it sits in last place in the AL Central while owning the worst record in the league. "We haven't been as good as we would like," star first baseman Jose Abreu told reporters through an interpreter. "But we have been doing our best, and I think the second half is going to be better for us."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), CSN Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (7-3, 3.21 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (2-1, 4.95)

Paxton has won consecutive starts, allowing just four hits in 13 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old is limiting opponents to a .220 batting average and has registered 91 strikeouts in 81 1/3 frames. Paxton owns a 3.18 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox, both of which were no-decisions.

Shields served up three homers in his last outing on July 4, when he gave up six runs and six hits over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Oakland. The 35-year-old has given up 10 blasts in just 36 1/3 frames and also has issued 19 walks. Shields is 5-6 with a 4.51 ERA in 17 career starts against the Mariners and has experienced extreme difficulties with Robinson Cano (.411, five homers, 17 RBIs in 90 at-bats).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners have lost 25 consecutive games when scoring three runs or fewer and are 3-32 in such contests.

2. Chicago DH/3B Matt Davidson has hit a team-best 18 homers but has struck out 106 times in just 241 at-bats.

3. Seattle is a disappointing 16-25 on the road.

PREDICTION: Mariners 8, White Sox 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Texas Rangers (43-45) at Kansas City Royals (44-43)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Kansas City Royals steadily dug themselves out of an early season hole and sit in a contending position for a playoff spot as they begin the second half with the opener of a 10-game homestand Friday against the Texas Rangers. Kansas City went into the break after three straight losses to the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers, but are only three games behind first-place Cleveland in the American League Central and 1 ½ out of the second wild card.

“We’re in good shape,” Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star. “We battled back after a tough April (7-16). We feel like we’ve got the firepower to compete.” Eric Hosmer enters the second half on a 15-game hitting streak and Salvador Perez has hit safely in eight in a row while Mike Moustakas boasts six homers in his last 10 games for the Royals, who are last in the AL in runs scored (362). Houston has all but wrapped up the AL West race, but Texas lies just 1 ½ games behind the Royals in the race for the second wild card after winning three of four before the All-Star break. The Rangers start the second half with a tough 10-game road trip and will have to improve in the bullpen if they are going to make a playoff run after blowing 17 of 30 save opportunities in the first 88 contests.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (4-6, 4.60 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (4-8, 5.04)

Perez is 2-0 in his last four starts despite allowing 15 runs and 30 hits over 22 innings in that stretch, and posted just one loss in his past nine outings after going 1-5 out of the gate. The 26-year-old Venezuelan gave up just one homer in his last four games, but matched a season high with four walks against Boston in a no-decision July 3. Perez, who recorded all four of his wins at home in 2017, is 0-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.

Hammel is winless in his last three starts - all losses for the Royals, including July 7 when he permitted three runs over six innings versus the Dodgers. The 34-year-old South Carolina native had gone 3-0 over his previous six outings, giving up two or fewer runs in four of them with four quality starts during the stretch. Elvis Andrus is 5-for-11 with a triple and three RBIs against Hammel, who gave up three runs over three innings in a loss to Texas on April 23.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 1B Mike Napoli and INF Joey Gallo have combined for 39 homers, but are each batting just .194.

2. Kansas City will need more in the second half from LF Alex Gordon, who is batting .195 overall and .169 at home.

3. Rangers OF Nomar Mazara is 4-for-11 with a pair of doubles and a homer in his last three contests.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Rangers 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (47-40) at Oakland Athletics (39-50)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



The Cleveland Indians hope to expand their lead in the American League Central when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Cleveland begins the second half of the season 2 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota in the division as it kicks off a six-game trip to the Bay Area.

The Indians completed a 3-3 homestand prior to the All-Star break with a 5-3 setback to Detroit on Sunday but also lost their RBI leader in Lonnie Chisenhall (51), who is expected to be placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right calf. Oakland was unable to escape the AL West basement last weekend as it settled for a split of its four-game series at Seattle. The Athletics look to continue going in the right direction at home, however, as they've won their last two there following an eight-game slide. Oakland lost three of four at Cleveland earlier this season, getting outscored 22-7 in the defeats.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (10-3, 3.44 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Sonny Gray (4-4, 4.00)

Carrasco has won five consecutive decisions, including back-to-back triumphs over Detroit in which he allowed three runs while fanning 18 and walking only two over 14 innings. The 30-year-old Venezuelan, who registered a season-high 11 strikeouts versus the Tigers last Friday, has posted a superb 7-1 record and 2.38 ERA in nine road outings while limiting opponents to a .197 batting average. Carrasco improved to 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against Oakland on May 29, when he gave up two runs and four hits in seven frames.

Gray has produced three straight strong starts, going 2-1 while allowing five runs - four earned - over 21 innings during that span. Both of the 27-year-old native of Tennessee's victories came against the Chicago White Sox, including a win on July 5 in which he issued two of the four walks he has handed out during his solid stretch. Gray fell to 2-2 and saw his ERA rise to 4.00 in six career turns versus the Indians on May 30, when he was tagged for seven runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 frames at Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF Jose Ramirez and Athletics 1B Yonder Alonso both went 2-for-2 with a stolen base for the AL in the All-Star Game while Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller notched the save after tossing a scoreless 10th inning.

2. Oakland INF Ryon Healy needs one blast to join Alonso and OF Khris Davis (24) as 20-homer hitters for the club.

3. Cleveland RHP Danny Salazar (shoulder) struggled in two rehab starts with Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron but yielded two hits over five scoreless frames for Single-A Mahoning Valley on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Athletics 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (47-43) at Los Angeles Angels (45-47)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



Reigning American League MVP Mike Trout returns to the lineup after a 39-game absence on Friday, when the Los Angeles Angels host the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of their three-game series. Los Angeles went 19-20 without the superstar center fielder, who suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb on May 28 that required surgery.

Trout was off to a superb start as he batted .337 with 16 homers and 36 RBIs prior to his injury, and the Angels hope his presence can help jump-start the team. Los Angeles (45-47) dropped seven of its last 10 contests prior to the All-Star break and sits just three games behind in the AL wild-card race. The Rays (47-43) currently possess one of the wild-card spots, but it is a crowded competition as seven teams lurking within five games of a berth. "There are no easy series in this league," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash told reporters. "You look at the standings, obviously you separate the division, but then you look at the wild card, there are a lot of teams in the hunt. That's a byproduct of just having a lot of good teams."

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jacob Faria (4-0, 2.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Ricky Nolasco (4-10, 5.06)

Faria has been superb since his recall from the minors, allowing just one run in four of his first six major-league starts. The 23-year-old has registered 37 strikeouts and issued just nine walks while limiting opposing batters to a .203 average. Faria walked four in six innings while defeating Boston in his last turn after handing out a total of five free passes in his first five outings.

Nolasco has served up 25 homers in just 101 1/3 innings - three shy of his career-high total from 2008 while with Miami. The 34-year-old surrendered three blasts in a loss to the Rays on May 24, when he gave up five runs and seven hits in six frames. Nolasco, who is 3-7 with a 6.67 ERA in 10 career starts against Tampa Bay, gave up two homers to Steven Souza Jr. and one to Colby Rasmus in the May defeat.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays placed Rasmus on the restricted list on Thursday as the 30-year-old has decided to "step away from baseball."

2. Tampa Bay 1B Logan Morrison already has established a career best for homers (24) and is 16 RBIs shy of setting a new high in that category (72 in 2011 with the Marlins).

3. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols hit .321 with two homers in his first eight games of the month after batting .196 with three blasts in June.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Angels 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (34-56) at San Diego Padres (38-50)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 14 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A



While other teams used the All-Star break to refresh before diving back into the pennant race, the San Francisco Giants were busy preparing for the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Nearly everyone is available for the struggling Giants, who are 27 games under .500 as they begin a three-game series Friday against the host San Diego Padres.

The Giants have lost 98 out of their past 162 games dating back to last season’s All-Star break, and executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean said the team will consider moving everyone with the exception of Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Crawford. “To watch us literally hope to win one game in a series … I mean, I can’t remember a season, and I’ve been here since ’93, whether it’s home or road, that we’ve been swept so many times,” Sabean told the Mercury News. “That to me is a sign of our total ineptitude.” Expectations going into the season were much lower for the rebuilding Padres, who are hoping for continued growth from youngsters Jose Pirela, Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe and others in the second half. San Diego closed the first half by going 23-20 despite inconsistent play from star first baseman Wil Myers, who is batting .255 after reaching his first All-Star game last season.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (6-7, 4.51 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (5-8, 4.66)

Cueto entered the All-Star break on a down note after allowing six runs on six hits and six walks over six frames in a 10-8 loss to Miami last Sunday. The 31-year-old has gone 8-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 13 career starts against San Diego, including 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in five outings at Petco Park. Myers is 3-for-20 against Cueto, who has won just one of his last seven starts since the start of June.

Richard tossed six innings of one-run ball against Philadelphia last Friday before a lengthy rain delay resulted in his early exit. The 33-year-old is 6-6 with a 3.98 ERA in 19 career games (16 starts) against San Francisco, including 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in two outings covering 11 1/3 innings this season. Posey is 11-for-27 with two home runs against Richard while Pence has four hits in 18 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bumgarner (shoulder) is set to make his first start since April 19 on Saturday.

2. Renfroe (neck) is expected to return the starting lineup after battling a stiff neck before the All-Star break.

3. The Giants optioned OF Mac Williamson to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Bumgarner.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Padres 3