StatFox Super Situations
MLB | CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS
Play Against - All teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (CHICAGO CUBS) with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL, with a team on base percentage of .340 or better on the season (NL)
83-45 since 1997. ( 64.8% | 37.2 units )
3-3 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.3 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | LA ANGELS at TEXAS
TEXAS is 83-63 (+37.0 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.8) , OPPONENT (4.6)
MLB | CHICAGO CUBS at ST LOUIS
Play Against - All teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (CHICAGO CUBS) with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL, with a team on base percentage of .340 or better on the season (NL)
83-45 since 1997. ( 64.8% | 37.2 units )
3-3 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.3 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | LA ANGELS at TEXAS
TEXAS is 83-63 (+37.0 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.8) , OPPONENT (4.6)
Preview: Indians (22-19) at White Sox (26-18)
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 23, 2016 5:10 PM EDT
The Cleveland Indians' lineup has cooled off from a torrid stretch, but a matchup with struggling Chicago White Sox starter Mat Latos might reignite their hitters.
Cleveland will seek to add to Latos' woes in Monday's opener to a twi-night doubleheader in Chicago.
The Indians (22-19) outscored their opponents 47-18 while batting .328 in a season-best five consecutive wins, including Friday's opener in Boston, but they totaled three runs and eight hits while dropping the final two in the series.
Cleveland will try to get back on track against Latos, who is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander was 4-0 with a 0.74 ERA in his first four with the White Sox (26-18).
Latos (5-1, 4.00 ERA) gave up five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in a 5-3 loss to Houston.
"It stinks," he said. "Obviously, it's not the way that I want it to go. I'm tired of giving up runs. That's just the way the game goes sometimes."
The White Sox have lost eight of 11 since their AL-best 23-10 start but avoided a three-game home sweep to Kansas City with a 3-2 victory Sunday. Todd Frazier moved into a tie for the AL lead with his 13th homer and Melky Cabrera drove in the other two runs.
Chicago has scored 10 runs in its last five games and went 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position in the series against the Royals.
"Hopefully, we can keep tacking on some more runs, because we still left a couple out there today that we could have easily gotten," Frazier said. "We're still focused and determined to get those in."
Chicago has lost six of eight at home against Cleveland and split a pair of games in a rain-shortened series last month, necessitating this doubleheader.
Mike Clevinger (0-0, 6.75) will kick off the Indians' next attempt to earn a win in Chicago in his second major league start. The right-hander gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in an 8-7 victory in 12 innings in Cincinnati.
"I thought he kept his composure real well. I thought his pitches were good," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "He made a couple mistakes late, but I don't care if you're coming up from Triple-A or you're a (veteran), that's major league stuff. And he's only going to get better with experience."
Cody Anderson (0-3, 7.99) is slated to start the finale for Cleveland and gave up a season-high six runs in 4 1/3 innings last Monday against Cincinnati. He avoided a loss because the Indians slugged their way to a 15-6 victory.
Anderson is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts versus the White Sox. He allowed two runs in six innings in his season debut April 9 but didn't get a decision in a 7-3 loss.
Erik Johnson (0-1, 7.20) is slated to make his first start against Cleveland in the nightcap. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings in his only MLB outing this season, a 7-3 loss to Boston on May 5.
Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, batting .419 in his last 10 games, is a career .386 hitter against the White Sox.
Jose Abreu is batting .440 with three home runs in his past seven matchups versus Cleveland. He is 3 for 6 with a solo homer lifetime against Anderson.
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 23, 2016 5:10 PM EDT
The Cleveland Indians' lineup has cooled off from a torrid stretch, but a matchup with struggling Chicago White Sox starter Mat Latos might reignite their hitters.
Cleveland will seek to add to Latos' woes in Monday's opener to a twi-night doubleheader in Chicago.
The Indians (22-19) outscored their opponents 47-18 while batting .328 in a season-best five consecutive wins, including Friday's opener in Boston, but they totaled three runs and eight hits while dropping the final two in the series.
Cleveland will try to get back on track against Latos, who is 1-1 with a 7.84 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander was 4-0 with a 0.74 ERA in his first four with the White Sox (26-18).
Latos (5-1, 4.00 ERA) gave up five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in a 5-3 loss to Houston.
"It stinks," he said. "Obviously, it's not the way that I want it to go. I'm tired of giving up runs. That's just the way the game goes sometimes."
The White Sox have lost eight of 11 since their AL-best 23-10 start but avoided a three-game home sweep to Kansas City with a 3-2 victory Sunday. Todd Frazier moved into a tie for the AL lead with his 13th homer and Melky Cabrera drove in the other two runs.
Chicago has scored 10 runs in its last five games and went 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position in the series against the Royals.
"Hopefully, we can keep tacking on some more runs, because we still left a couple out there today that we could have easily gotten," Frazier said. "We're still focused and determined to get those in."
Chicago has lost six of eight at home against Cleveland and split a pair of games in a rain-shortened series last month, necessitating this doubleheader.
Mike Clevinger (0-0, 6.75) will kick off the Indians' next attempt to earn a win in Chicago in his second major league start. The right-hander gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in an 8-7 victory in 12 innings in Cincinnati.
"I thought he kept his composure real well. I thought his pitches were good," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "He made a couple mistakes late, but I don't care if you're coming up from Triple-A or you're a (veteran), that's major league stuff. And he's only going to get better with experience."
Cody Anderson (0-3, 7.99) is slated to start the finale for Cleveland and gave up a season-high six runs in 4 1/3 innings last Monday against Cincinnati. He avoided a loss because the Indians slugged their way to a 15-6 victory.
Anderson is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts versus the White Sox. He allowed two runs in six innings in his season debut April 9 but didn't get a decision in a 7-3 loss.
Erik Johnson (0-1, 7.20) is slated to make his first start against Cleveland in the nightcap. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings in his only MLB outing this season, a 7-3 loss to Boston on May 5.
Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, batting .419 in his last 10 games, is a career .386 hitter against the White Sox.
Jose Abreu is batting .440 with three home runs in his past seven matchups versus Cleveland. He is 3 for 6 with a solo homer lifetime against Anderson.
Preview: Mets (25-18) at Nationals (27-17)
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
Gio Gonzalez is often a forgotten man in a star-laden Washington Nationals rotation, though he's pitching just as well as its two biggest names.
The New York Mets can attest.
Gonzalez looks to continue his mastery of the Mets when the NL East rivals open a three-game series at Nationals Park on Monday night.
Though Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer have been the headliners of a starting five that's second in the majors with a 2.91 ERA, Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86 ERA) has certainly done his part by yielding one earned run or less in six of eight outings. The left-hander again accomplished the feat with 6 1/3 sharp innings in Wednesday's 7-1 win over New York, with Yoenis Cespedes' solo homer the lone damage among five hits.
The effort improved Gonzalez to 10-4 in 18 starts against the Mets, one of several division teams against which he's excelled. He's 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA over his last 15 matchups with NL East clubs, allowing two runs or fewer in each.
"Gio continues to be one of our best pitchers," manager Dusty Baker told MLB's official website. "He's getting better and better."
An ability to suppress the long ball - particularly at home - has keyed Gonzalez's success. He's surrendered five homers in 31 starts at Nationals Park since 2014 and none in four this season. Cespedes' homer was the Mets' only one in their past six meetings with Gonzalez, who is 4-0 with a 0.97 ERA during that stretch.
Home runs have usually been prevalent for New York (25-18), which leads the NL with 60 this season. The Mets hit four in sweeping a three-game weekend set with visiting Milwaukee after losing two of three at home to Washington.
Cespedes, who is 4 for 7 off Gonzalez, doubled and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's tie-breaking two-run single in the fourth inning of Sunday's 3-1 win. Noah Syndergaard protected the lead by fanning 11 over seven dominant innings.
Washington (27-17) received its own strong performance from Scherzer to remain 1 1/2 games in front of New York for the division lead. The former Cy Young Award winner struck out eight over eight innings to cap a 4-2 road trip with Sunday's 8-2 victory at Miami.
Anthony Rendon had two hits and three RBIs and finished the trip 10 for 20 with seven RBIs. He's hitting .405 with a .519 on-base percentage over his last 12 games.
Rendon is 6 for 16 with a home run against Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75) and had a two-run single off the veteran to support Gonzalez in Wednesday's win.
Taking the mound one day shy of his 43rd birthday, Colon attempts to regroup from an uncommonly wild display against Washington. He issued five walks - his most since April 2005 - while allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings to record a second consecutive loss.
'It just felt like I was on the mound, just walking around, it felt a little bit different," he said. "I couldn't just get that comfortable grip.'
New York, which swept a three-game set at Nationals Park in September en route to overtaking Washington for the NL East title, likely won't have first baseman Lucas Duda available for a third straight game due to a sore back. The Mets are worried that an extended absence lies ahead.
"I'm really concerned that this is going to keep this guy out for a while," manager Terry Collins said. "But that's just me. I'm not the doctor."
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
Gio Gonzalez is often a forgotten man in a star-laden Washington Nationals rotation, though he's pitching just as well as its two biggest names.
The New York Mets can attest.
Gonzalez looks to continue his mastery of the Mets when the NL East rivals open a three-game series at Nationals Park on Monday night.
Though Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer have been the headliners of a starting five that's second in the majors with a 2.91 ERA, Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86 ERA) has certainly done his part by yielding one earned run or less in six of eight outings. The left-hander again accomplished the feat with 6 1/3 sharp innings in Wednesday's 7-1 win over New York, with Yoenis Cespedes' solo homer the lone damage among five hits.
The effort improved Gonzalez to 10-4 in 18 starts against the Mets, one of several division teams against which he's excelled. He's 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA over his last 15 matchups with NL East clubs, allowing two runs or fewer in each.
"Gio continues to be one of our best pitchers," manager Dusty Baker told MLB's official website. "He's getting better and better."
An ability to suppress the long ball - particularly at home - has keyed Gonzalez's success. He's surrendered five homers in 31 starts at Nationals Park since 2014 and none in four this season. Cespedes' homer was the Mets' only one in their past six meetings with Gonzalez, who is 4-0 with a 0.97 ERA during that stretch.
Home runs have usually been prevalent for New York (25-18), which leads the NL with 60 this season. The Mets hit four in sweeping a three-game weekend set with visiting Milwaukee after losing two of three at home to Washington.
Cespedes, who is 4 for 7 off Gonzalez, doubled and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's tie-breaking two-run single in the fourth inning of Sunday's 3-1 win. Noah Syndergaard protected the lead by fanning 11 over seven dominant innings.
Washington (27-17) received its own strong performance from Scherzer to remain 1 1/2 games in front of New York for the division lead. The former Cy Young Award winner struck out eight over eight innings to cap a 4-2 road trip with Sunday's 8-2 victory at Miami.
Anthony Rendon had two hits and three RBIs and finished the trip 10 for 20 with seven RBIs. He's hitting .405 with a .519 on-base percentage over his last 12 games.
Rendon is 6 for 16 with a home run against Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75) and had a two-run single off the veteran to support Gonzalez in Wednesday's win.
Taking the mound one day shy of his 43rd birthday, Colon attempts to regroup from an uncommonly wild display against Washington. He issued five walks - his most since April 2005 - while allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings to record a second consecutive loss.
'It just felt like I was on the mound, just walking around, it felt a little bit different," he said. "I couldn't just get that comfortable grip.'
New York, which swept a three-game set at Nationals Park in September en route to overtaking Washington for the NL East title, likely won't have first baseman Lucas Duda available for a third straight game due to a sore back. The Mets are worried that an extended absence lies ahead.
"I'm really concerned that this is going to keep this guy out for a while," manager Terry Collins said. "But that's just me. I'm not the doctor."
Preview: Phillies (25-19) at Tigers (21-22)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
It hasn't taken long for Vince Velasquez to emerge as the anchor of an improved pitching staff that's enabled the Philadelphia Phillies to compensate for an anemic lineup.
The impressive young right-hander now faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet when he toes the rubber for Monday night's opener of a three-game series with the hot-hitting Detroit Tigers.
Philadelphia's unexpected 25-19 start has had little to do with an offense that ranks at or near the bottom of the major leagues in every major category. It's overcome that lack of production behind a surprisingly sturdy bullpen and a rotation headlined by a rising star in the 23-year-old Velasquez (5-1), who's among the NL leaders in ERA (2.42) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.99).
Velasquez did endure a brief stumble by surrendering eight runs over 12 innings in consecutive starts at Miami and Atlanta earlier this month, but bounced back strongly by striking out 10 Marlins over five scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win. It was the fourth time in eight starts he didn't permit a run.
'We really like him. He's going to be special,' manager Pete Mackanin said.
Velasquez does figure to be tested when the Phillies begin a six-game trip against a Tigers team that's scored in bunches while winning six of seven. Detroit (21-22) is hitting .322 and averaging 6.9 runs during the surge, homering in a season-high eighth straight game during Sunday's 9-4 victory over Tampa Bay.
Victor Martinez had a two-run homer and Miguel Cabrera added a solo shot while finishing 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Cameron Maybin contributed three RBIs and is 12 for 20 in six games since returning from a fractured left wrist.
Cabrera is 14 for 30 with five homers and 10 RBIs over his last eight but may not be in Monday's lineup after exiting in the seventh inning when hit by a pitch in his left knee.
More worrisome is the status of right-hander Jordan Zimmermann after he departed in the sixth with a strained groin.
'I don't expect Miggy's to be anything serious,' manager Brad Ausmus said. 'He got hit right on a nerve that sent a little pain from his knee down his leg. The level of concern there is much lower than with Zimm.'
An extended absence by Zimmermann would be a significant blow to a rotation that's lacked consistency at the other four spots and received little from Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.49), though the offseason addition has been better in his last two starts.
Pelfrey has allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings in consecutive outings against Baltimore and Minnesota after posting a 6.23 ERA through his first six.
"There's definitely progress, but I think it's harder to be worse than the way I started," he told MLB's official website. "But I've definitely been better."
Pelfrey, who recorded a 3.68 ERA in five interleague starts with Minnesota last season, faces a Philadelphia lineup that sprung to life in Sunday's 5-0 win over Atlanta. The Phillies matched a season high with 13 hits after managing eight and one run in losing the series' first two games.
Rookie Tyler Goeddel has provided a spark by hitting .419 (13 for 31) on the nine-game homestand.
Ryan Howard, 4 for 48 with 20 strikeouts since April 30, hopes his past success against Pelfrey helps him get untracked. He's hitting .356 with three homers off the veteran but last faced him in 2013.
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
It hasn't taken long for Vince Velasquez to emerge as the anchor of an improved pitching staff that's enabled the Philadelphia Phillies to compensate for an anemic lineup.
The impressive young right-hander now faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet when he toes the rubber for Monday night's opener of a three-game series with the hot-hitting Detroit Tigers.
Philadelphia's unexpected 25-19 start has had little to do with an offense that ranks at or near the bottom of the major leagues in every major category. It's overcome that lack of production behind a surprisingly sturdy bullpen and a rotation headlined by a rising star in the 23-year-old Velasquez (5-1), who's among the NL leaders in ERA (2.42) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.99).
Velasquez did endure a brief stumble by surrendering eight runs over 12 innings in consecutive starts at Miami and Atlanta earlier this month, but bounced back strongly by striking out 10 Marlins over five scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win. It was the fourth time in eight starts he didn't permit a run.
'We really like him. He's going to be special,' manager Pete Mackanin said.
Velasquez does figure to be tested when the Phillies begin a six-game trip against a Tigers team that's scored in bunches while winning six of seven. Detroit (21-22) is hitting .322 and averaging 6.9 runs during the surge, homering in a season-high eighth straight game during Sunday's 9-4 victory over Tampa Bay.
Victor Martinez had a two-run homer and Miguel Cabrera added a solo shot while finishing 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Cameron Maybin contributed three RBIs and is 12 for 20 in six games since returning from a fractured left wrist.
Cabrera is 14 for 30 with five homers and 10 RBIs over his last eight but may not be in Monday's lineup after exiting in the seventh inning when hit by a pitch in his left knee.
More worrisome is the status of right-hander Jordan Zimmermann after he departed in the sixth with a strained groin.
'I don't expect Miggy's to be anything serious,' manager Brad Ausmus said. 'He got hit right on a nerve that sent a little pain from his knee down his leg. The level of concern there is much lower than with Zimm.'
An extended absence by Zimmermann would be a significant blow to a rotation that's lacked consistency at the other four spots and received little from Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.49), though the offseason addition has been better in his last two starts.
Pelfrey has allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings in consecutive outings against Baltimore and Minnesota after posting a 6.23 ERA through his first six.
"There's definitely progress, but I think it's harder to be worse than the way I started," he told MLB's official website. "But I've definitely been better."
Pelfrey, who recorded a 3.68 ERA in five interleague starts with Minnesota last season, faces a Philadelphia lineup that sprung to life in Sunday's 5-0 win over Atlanta. The Phillies matched a season high with 13 hits after managing eight and one run in losing the series' first two games.
Rookie Tyler Goeddel has provided a spark by hitting .419 (13 for 31) on the nine-game homestand.
Ryan Howard, 4 for 48 with 20 strikeouts since April 30, hopes his past success against Pelfrey helps him get untracked. He's hitting .356 with three homers off the veteran but last faced him in 2013.
Preview: Rays (20-21) at Marlins (22-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
The Tampa Bay Rays have stumbled in their past two games after a promising start to their road trip but face a slumping team to close out the trek.
The Rays try for a sixth consecutive win over the Miami Marlins on Monday night, the first of four straight matchups between the teams in two stadiums.
Tampa Bay matched a season high with four consecutive wins to open the eight-game trip, including a 7-5 victory in Friday's series opener against Detroit. The Rays (20-21), though, dropped the final two games against the Tigers, giving up six runs in the first three innings of a 9-4 loss Sunday.
They played without Kevin Kiermaier, who broke two bones in his left hand while attempting to make a diving catch Saturday. The Gold Glove outfielder had batted .313 in nine games before heading to the disabled list and is a career .424 hitter against Miami.
"Any time you lose arguably the best defensive player in the game, it's tough," outfielder Brandon Guyer told MLB's official website. "We have a lot of guys who can cover a lot of ground, not like K.K., but we have a lot of guys who can play really good defense. ... You can't really make up for a guy like that."
The Rays could be catching the Marlins at the right time as Miami (22-21) has dropped four of five after an 8-2 home loss to Washington on Sunday. They've produced nine runs in that span.
The Marlins have batted .163 with runners in scoring position in their last seven games. They're also missing a key outfielder in .320 hitter Christian Yelich, who has an ailing back.
"We'll see how it goes," Yelich said. "My back is feeling all right. We'll see what happens. It's frustrating. ... It's day to day."
Ichiro Suzuki went 4 for 4 in a 3-2 win Saturday while starting in Yelich's place and had another two hits Sunday, giving him 2,956 for his career.
Suzuki is 8 for 21 against Matt Moore (1-3, 5.09 ERA). The left-hander has gone 0-3 with a 6.51 ERA in his last five starts and was given some extra time to rest after allowing four runs in five innings of a 7-6 loss to Oakland last Sunday.
Moore yielded one run in seven innings in his only matchup with Miami last season but didn't get the decision in a 4-2 win Sept. 29. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three lifetime starts against the Marlins.
Moore will pitch opposite Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.22), who had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The left-hander gave up three runs in six innings and received no runs of support. He had gotten 17 while posting a 4.01 ERA in his previous four starts.
Chen made 19 starts against Tampa Bay in his four seasons with AL East rival Baltimore, his most versus any team, and went 5-6 with a 3.55 ERA. He was 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA in six matchups last season.
Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna is batting .362 in a 13-game hit streak against the Rays. Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton is batting .096 with 28 strikeouts in his past 15 contests and has hit .183 in his last 16 versus Tampa Bay
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
The Tampa Bay Rays have stumbled in their past two games after a promising start to their road trip but face a slumping team to close out the trek.
The Rays try for a sixth consecutive win over the Miami Marlins on Monday night, the first of four straight matchups between the teams in two stadiums.
Tampa Bay matched a season high with four consecutive wins to open the eight-game trip, including a 7-5 victory in Friday's series opener against Detroit. The Rays (20-21), though, dropped the final two games against the Tigers, giving up six runs in the first three innings of a 9-4 loss Sunday.
They played without Kevin Kiermaier, who broke two bones in his left hand while attempting to make a diving catch Saturday. The Gold Glove outfielder had batted .313 in nine games before heading to the disabled list and is a career .424 hitter against Miami.
"Any time you lose arguably the best defensive player in the game, it's tough," outfielder Brandon Guyer told MLB's official website. "We have a lot of guys who can cover a lot of ground, not like K.K., but we have a lot of guys who can play really good defense. ... You can't really make up for a guy like that."
The Rays could be catching the Marlins at the right time as Miami (22-21) has dropped four of five after an 8-2 home loss to Washington on Sunday. They've produced nine runs in that span.
The Marlins have batted .163 with runners in scoring position in their last seven games. They're also missing a key outfielder in .320 hitter Christian Yelich, who has an ailing back.
"We'll see how it goes," Yelich said. "My back is feeling all right. We'll see what happens. It's frustrating. ... It's day to day."
Ichiro Suzuki went 4 for 4 in a 3-2 win Saturday while starting in Yelich's place and had another two hits Sunday, giving him 2,956 for his career.
Suzuki is 8 for 21 against Matt Moore (1-3, 5.09 ERA). The left-hander has gone 0-3 with a 6.51 ERA in his last five starts and was given some extra time to rest after allowing four runs in five innings of a 7-6 loss to Oakland last Sunday.
Moore yielded one run in seven innings in his only matchup with Miami last season but didn't get the decision in a 4-2 win Sept. 29. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three lifetime starts against the Marlins.
Moore will pitch opposite Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.22), who had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The left-hander gave up three runs in six innings and received no runs of support. He had gotten 17 while posting a 4.01 ERA in his previous four starts.
Chen made 19 starts against Tampa Bay in his four seasons with AL East rival Baltimore, his most versus any team, and went 5-6 with a 3.55 ERA. He was 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA in six matchups last season.
Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna is batting .362 in a 13-game hit streak against the Rays. Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton is batting .096 with 28 strikeouts in his past 15 contests and has hit .183 in his last 16 versus Tampa Bay
Preview: Angels (20-24) at Rangers (25-19)
Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 23, 2016 8:05 PM EDT
When they last met in Arlington three weeks ago, Rougned Odor and Derek Holland had a major impact on the Texas Rangers' series win over the Los Angeles Angels.
While Odor might not be available by the end of this home set, he and Holland will try to help the Rangers claim their season high-tying fourth straight victory Monday night.
Odor homered to help Texas split a four-game series at Angel Stadium in early April before going 7 for 13 when the club took two of three at home from April 29-May 1.
The second baseman hopes to continue battering Los Angeles pitching before the hearing on his appeal of an eight-game suspension for punching Toronto's Joey Bautista on Tuesday. If it is upheld, Odor would have to immediately begin serving the ban.
Holland stymied the Angels in the second game of the last home series, limiting them to four hits over six shutout innings in a 7-2 victory. The left-hander has surrendered three runs and seven hits over 12 1/3 innings to win his only two home meetings since 2013.
After allowing 16 runs over five innings in his two previous starts, Holland (3-3, 5.63 ERA) got back on track Monday when he gave up two over six in a 3-1 loss at Oakland.
"This was definitely better. A lot of positives I can take from this," Holland told the league's official website. "I just need to keep plugging away."
Holland will try to help Texas (25-19) capture its fifth win in eight meetings with Los Angeles and contribute to a pitching staff that had a 1.00 ERA in a three-game sweep at Houston. While he's 9-6 with a 5.22 ERA in 22 career starts against the Angels, the 29-year-old has gone 3-0 with a 2.49 mark in four matchups over the past two seasons.
Yunel Escobar has gone 3 for 6 with a home run and a double off him this season, though star sluggers Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are a combined 1 for 11.
Carlos Perez went 3 for 4 with a home run and a career-high five RBIs on Sunday when the Angels (20-24) salvaged a 10-2 home win versus Baltimore. They've averaged 7.3 runs in wins during a 7-3 stretch, but they've only scored more than three twice versus Texas.
Kole Calhoun has been a bright spot in the season series, going 11 for 24. Johnny Giavotella is batting .395 with four doubles and eight RBIs over an 11-game hitting streak.
"We want someone to take advantage of what Mike and Albert create, and right now that's Johnny," manager Mike Scioscia said.
Nick Tropeano (2-2, 3.30) has limited opponents to two runs or less in six of his eight starts. He hopes to get the run support he received Wednesday when he allowed one run over a career-high seven innings in an 8-1 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"He trusts his stuff," Trout said, "and that's what I like about him."
The right-hander, however, is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts against the Rangers.
Nomar Mazara went 2 for 4 with his sixth home run Sunday, while Ian Desmond, Ryan Rua and Bobby Wilson each had two hits in a 9-2 win over the Astros. Desmond has hit .340 with three homers, two doubles and 13 RBIs over his last 12 games.
Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 23, 2016 8:05 PM EDT
When they last met in Arlington three weeks ago, Rougned Odor and Derek Holland had a major impact on the Texas Rangers' series win over the Los Angeles Angels.
While Odor might not be available by the end of this home set, he and Holland will try to help the Rangers claim their season high-tying fourth straight victory Monday night.
Odor homered to help Texas split a four-game series at Angel Stadium in early April before going 7 for 13 when the club took two of three at home from April 29-May 1.
The second baseman hopes to continue battering Los Angeles pitching before the hearing on his appeal of an eight-game suspension for punching Toronto's Joey Bautista on Tuesday. If it is upheld, Odor would have to immediately begin serving the ban.
Holland stymied the Angels in the second game of the last home series, limiting them to four hits over six shutout innings in a 7-2 victory. The left-hander has surrendered three runs and seven hits over 12 1/3 innings to win his only two home meetings since 2013.
After allowing 16 runs over five innings in his two previous starts, Holland (3-3, 5.63 ERA) got back on track Monday when he gave up two over six in a 3-1 loss at Oakland.
"This was definitely better. A lot of positives I can take from this," Holland told the league's official website. "I just need to keep plugging away."
Holland will try to help Texas (25-19) capture its fifth win in eight meetings with Los Angeles and contribute to a pitching staff that had a 1.00 ERA in a three-game sweep at Houston. While he's 9-6 with a 5.22 ERA in 22 career starts against the Angels, the 29-year-old has gone 3-0 with a 2.49 mark in four matchups over the past two seasons.
Yunel Escobar has gone 3 for 6 with a home run and a double off him this season, though star sluggers Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are a combined 1 for 11.
Carlos Perez went 3 for 4 with a home run and a career-high five RBIs on Sunday when the Angels (20-24) salvaged a 10-2 home win versus Baltimore. They've averaged 7.3 runs in wins during a 7-3 stretch, but they've only scored more than three twice versus Texas.
Kole Calhoun has been a bright spot in the season series, going 11 for 24. Johnny Giavotella is batting .395 with four doubles and eight RBIs over an 11-game hitting streak.
"We want someone to take advantage of what Mike and Albert create, and right now that's Johnny," manager Mike Scioscia said.
Nick Tropeano (2-2, 3.30) has limited opponents to two runs or less in six of his eight starts. He hopes to get the run support he received Wednesday when he allowed one run over a career-high seven innings in an 8-1 home win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"He trusts his stuff," Trout said, "and that's what I like about him."
The right-hander, however, is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts against the Rangers.
Nomar Mazara went 2 for 4 with his sixth home run Sunday, while Ian Desmond, Ryan Rua and Bobby Wilson each had two hits in a 9-2 win over the Astros. Desmond has hit .340 with three homers, two doubles and 13 RBIs over his last 12 games.
Preview: Royals (22-21) at Twins (11-32)
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
The Kansas City Royals couldn't finish off a sweep in their latest road series but likely won't complain considering their recent woes away from home.
The Royals can put those further behind them as they look to match their longest win streak against the Minnesota Twins and longest in Minnesota on Monday night.
Kansas City continued its promising results in the opening games of its road trip, taking the first two against the Chicago White Sox this weekend. The Royals fell 3-2 on Sunday for just their second loss in seven contests.
Kansas City (22-21) had dropped 12 of 15 on the road before visiting Chicago.
"It was a nice series. You always want to win the series. That's your No. 1 goal," manager Ned Yost said. "We were in a position to sweep them, but (White Sox starter Carlos) Rodon did a nice job."
The Royals can rebound by earning a seventh straight victory over Minnesota. They swept three matchups at home April 8-10 to put them on the verge of tying the club-record win streak against the Twins set from 1981-82.
Kansas City can also win seven in a row at Minnesota for the third time in franchise history. The Royals' two other such streaks came in 1998-99 and 2013.
Minnesota (11-32) endured its ninth loss in 10 home games Sunday, 3-1 to Toronto. The Twins snapped a lengthy skid at Target Field and a five-game overall losing streak with a 5-3 victory Saturday.
Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.24 ERA) won 7-0 over Minnesota in his debut for Kansas City on April 9. He yielded two runs in 5 2/3 innings and struck out a season-high nine against Boston on Wednesday, but did not get the decision in a 3-2 win.
Kennedy will pitch opposite Ricky Nolasco, 0-2 with a 6.21 ERA in his last five starts. The fellow right-hander gave up four runs - two earned - and nine hits in five innings of a 6-3 loss at Detroit on Wednesday.
Nolasco (1-2, 4.74) allowed one run and three hits in seven innings against Kansas City in his season debut April 10. He received a no-decision in a 4-3 loss and continued his odd performance pattern against the Royals.
Nolasco has allowed one or no runs in four of his seven matchups and five runs in each of the other three games, alternating those efforts throughout his career.
Joe Mauer is hitting .432 in his last 10 games against Kansas City but .137 in his last 14 overall. Minnesota has batted .181 with 16 runs in its last six contests.
"It's tough," manager Paul Molitor said. "You can only do so much as far as how you're going to change it up and get people in there to try to spell some people, to try to get them going."
The Royals' Lorenzo Cain has batted .371 in his past 10 games against the Twins and .407 in his last seven in Minnesota. Cain has posted a .337 average while recording at least one hit in 20 of his last 22 contests, but is 1 for 11 with four strikeouts against Nolasco.
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
The Kansas City Royals couldn't finish off a sweep in their latest road series but likely won't complain considering their recent woes away from home.
The Royals can put those further behind them as they look to match their longest win streak against the Minnesota Twins and longest in Minnesota on Monday night.
Kansas City continued its promising results in the opening games of its road trip, taking the first two against the Chicago White Sox this weekend. The Royals fell 3-2 on Sunday for just their second loss in seven contests.
Kansas City (22-21) had dropped 12 of 15 on the road before visiting Chicago.
"It was a nice series. You always want to win the series. That's your No. 1 goal," manager Ned Yost said. "We were in a position to sweep them, but (White Sox starter Carlos) Rodon did a nice job."
The Royals can rebound by earning a seventh straight victory over Minnesota. They swept three matchups at home April 8-10 to put them on the verge of tying the club-record win streak against the Twins set from 1981-82.
Kansas City can also win seven in a row at Minnesota for the third time in franchise history. The Royals' two other such streaks came in 1998-99 and 2013.
Minnesota (11-32) endured its ninth loss in 10 home games Sunday, 3-1 to Toronto. The Twins snapped a lengthy skid at Target Field and a five-game overall losing streak with a 5-3 victory Saturday.
Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.24 ERA) won 7-0 over Minnesota in his debut for Kansas City on April 9. He yielded two runs in 5 2/3 innings and struck out a season-high nine against Boston on Wednesday, but did not get the decision in a 3-2 win.
Kennedy will pitch opposite Ricky Nolasco, 0-2 with a 6.21 ERA in his last five starts. The fellow right-hander gave up four runs - two earned - and nine hits in five innings of a 6-3 loss at Detroit on Wednesday.
Nolasco (1-2, 4.74) allowed one run and three hits in seven innings against Kansas City in his season debut April 10. He received a no-decision in a 4-3 loss and continued his odd performance pattern against the Royals.
Nolasco has allowed one or no runs in four of his seven matchups and five runs in each of the other three games, alternating those efforts throughout his career.
Joe Mauer is hitting .432 in his last 10 games against Kansas City but .137 in his last 14 overall. Minnesota has batted .181 with 16 runs in its last six contests.
"It's tough," manager Paul Molitor said. "You can only do so much as far as how you're going to change it up and get people in there to try to spell some people, to try to get them going."
The Royals' Lorenzo Cain has batted .371 in his past 10 games against the Twins and .407 in his last seven in Minnesota. Cain has posted a .337 average while recording at least one hit in 20 of his last 22 contests, but is 1 for 11 with four strikeouts against Nolasco.
Preview: Cubs (29-13) at Cardinals (23-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 23, 2016 8:15 PM EDT
Just because more than 100 games are remaining doesn't mean the St. Louis Cardinals are taking lightly a series against the rival they're chasing in the NL Central.
They haven't been playing all that well lately, but neither are the Chicago Cubs, who head to Busch Stadium for Monday night's opener in their worst slump of the season.
St. Louis (23-21) already trails the Cubs (29-13) by seven games and is just 12-13 at home. That includes Chicago taking two of three from April 18-20 in their first matchups this year.
"It is a series in May, but it's also an important series because it's against our division rivals," utility man Brandon Moss told MLB's official website. "It's a good opportunity for us to come out and play well and hopefully make up a couple games on them."
The Cubs are in town for three and will send former Cardinal John Lackey (4-2, 3.31 ERA) to the hill Monday before Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta start the others.
Lackey made his return to Busch in the opener of the previous series and gave up four hits while striking out 11 in seven innings of a 5-0 victory. The right-hander has a 1.86 ERA over his last four outings after giving up one run in six innings of the Cubs' 2-1 victory over Milwaukee in 13 on Wednesday.
This time around against the Cardinals he'll oppose Adam Wainwright, who hasn't allowed a run in 20 innings over his last three starts against the Cubs.
Wainwright (4-3, 5.92) has had his struggles this season, but he's coming off his best outing after giving up six hits in 6 2/3 innings of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Colorado.
"It's very hard not to know kind of where you're at because people will tell you," Wainwright said. "Somebody will text you you're whole stat line. I know I've got probably 20-something more starts and a lot of really, really good things can happen."
Each of the right-hander's last three starts against the Cubs have come at Wrigley Field, and St. Louis is coming off dropping two of three to Arizona at home after losing 7-2 on Sunday.
Chicago is having its problems, too, while dropping five of its last seven. The Cubs are second in the NL in runs behind the Cardinals but are averaging 2.7 during their cold stretch.
They fell 1-0 at San Francisco on Sunday and have dropped two of three in back-to-back series. Chicago's first three hitters - Dexter Fowler, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant - combined to go 0 for 10 as the club finished with a season low-tying three hits.
Former Cardinal Jason Heyward has sat out the last two after suffering a contusion on the right side of his ribs while making a diving catch Friday. He could miss at least part of this series while he recovers.
This is the first time since 2008 that the Cubs will enter in first place in two straight series against the Cardinals.
"There seems to be an extra little edge buzzing through the stadium when the Cubs come into town," manager Mike Matheny said. "It will be fun playing them."
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 23, 2016 8:15 PM EDT
Just because more than 100 games are remaining doesn't mean the St. Louis Cardinals are taking lightly a series against the rival they're chasing in the NL Central.
They haven't been playing all that well lately, but neither are the Chicago Cubs, who head to Busch Stadium for Monday night's opener in their worst slump of the season.
St. Louis (23-21) already trails the Cubs (29-13) by seven games and is just 12-13 at home. That includes Chicago taking two of three from April 18-20 in their first matchups this year.
"It is a series in May, but it's also an important series because it's against our division rivals," utility man Brandon Moss told MLB's official website. "It's a good opportunity for us to come out and play well and hopefully make up a couple games on them."
The Cubs are in town for three and will send former Cardinal John Lackey (4-2, 3.31 ERA) to the hill Monday before Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta start the others.
Lackey made his return to Busch in the opener of the previous series and gave up four hits while striking out 11 in seven innings of a 5-0 victory. The right-hander has a 1.86 ERA over his last four outings after giving up one run in six innings of the Cubs' 2-1 victory over Milwaukee in 13 on Wednesday.
This time around against the Cardinals he'll oppose Adam Wainwright, who hasn't allowed a run in 20 innings over his last three starts against the Cubs.
Wainwright (4-3, 5.92) has had his struggles this season, but he's coming off his best outing after giving up six hits in 6 2/3 innings of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Colorado.
"It's very hard not to know kind of where you're at because people will tell you," Wainwright said. "Somebody will text you you're whole stat line. I know I've got probably 20-something more starts and a lot of really, really good things can happen."
Each of the right-hander's last three starts against the Cubs have come at Wrigley Field, and St. Louis is coming off dropping two of three to Arizona at home after losing 7-2 on Sunday.
Chicago is having its problems, too, while dropping five of its last seven. The Cubs are second in the NL in runs behind the Cardinals but are averaging 2.7 during their cold stretch.
They fell 1-0 at San Francisco on Sunday and have dropped two of three in back-to-back series. Chicago's first three hitters - Dexter Fowler, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant - combined to go 0 for 10 as the club finished with a season low-tying three hits.
Former Cardinal Jason Heyward has sat out the last two after suffering a contusion on the right side of his ribs while making a diving catch Friday. He could miss at least part of this series while he recovers.
This is the first time since 2008 that the Cubs will enter in first place in two straight series against the Cardinals.
"There seems to be an extra little edge buzzing through the stadium when the Cubs come into town," manager Mike Matheny said. "It will be fun playing them."
Preview: Reds (15-29) at Dodgers (22-23)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
An early NL Cy Young candidate yet again, Clayton Kershaw is in the midst of a historic stretch and on pace for a record-setting season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Perhaps most important, he's followed up a team defeat with a victory in each of his last four starts. The left-hander will finally get to start a winning streak Monday night when the Dodgers open a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.
Kershaw (6-1, 1.67 ERA) has to be the last pitcher the Reds want to face after totaling nine runs and batting .197 while striking out 33 times in the last four of a 2-12 stretch.
The 28-year-old ace has struck out at least 10 with one or no walks in six consecutive starts, a MLB record he'll try to extend in the series opener. His run of six straight with at least 10 Ks is also a franchise mark and two shy of the major league record set by Pedro Martinez in 1999 and matched by Chris Sale last season.
With a MLB-best 88 strikeouts and four walks, Kershaw's strikeout-to-walk ratio of 22 to 1 is on pace to break Phil Hughes' 11.63 to 1 mark set in 2014. He's been even better lately with an 0.82 ERA, 48 strikeouts and one walk in four straight wins.
"Adjectives, superlatives - there are none," manager Dave Roberts told the league's official website. "He's consistent, and he's consistently great. ... He continues to do it, punches out guys, doesn't walk guys, and just continues to dominate."
Kershaw has gone at least seven innings in all nine outings and he'll try to provide some rest for an overworked bullpen. After using five relievers in Saturday's 3-2, 11-inning loss at San Diego, the club went through eight in Sunday's 9-5, 17-inning win.
Now the Dodgers (22-23) hope to put together back-to-back victories for the first time since a three-game run May 12-14 and win their seventh straight in this series. The Reds totaled 12 runs and hit .194 while dropping the last six of seven meetings in 2015.
Kershaw has a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts versus Cincinnati (15-29). Joey Votto is hitting .217 with two home runs and 12 strikeouts in 23 at-bats against him, but Brandon Phillips is hitting .360 with a home run in 25 at-bats and Jay Bruce has batted .294 with two homers in 17.
Phillips had a two-run double and Adam Duvall hit his eighth home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to Seattle that capped an 0-5 homestand. Eugenio Suarez went 0 for 11 with 10 strikeouts in the three-game series.
"At this level, what we're finding with a lot of our young players is they have to learn the fight portion of this as far as staying in the battle," manager Bryan Price said.
Price's club will try to score some runs for Brandon Finnegan, who hasn't won since April 16. The left-hander has a 5.81 ERA in his last six starts - all Cincinnati losses.
Finnegan (1-2, 4.44) gets his first look at a Los Angeles team that had totaled 13 runs during a four-game losing streak before breaking out Sunday. Howie Kendrick went 4 for 8 with his first home run and Justin Turner hit his second homer in three games.
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
An early NL Cy Young candidate yet again, Clayton Kershaw is in the midst of a historic stretch and on pace for a record-setting season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Perhaps most important, he's followed up a team defeat with a victory in each of his last four starts. The left-hander will finally get to start a winning streak Monday night when the Dodgers open a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.
Kershaw (6-1, 1.67 ERA) has to be the last pitcher the Reds want to face after totaling nine runs and batting .197 while striking out 33 times in the last four of a 2-12 stretch.
The 28-year-old ace has struck out at least 10 with one or no walks in six consecutive starts, a MLB record he'll try to extend in the series opener. His run of six straight with at least 10 Ks is also a franchise mark and two shy of the major league record set by Pedro Martinez in 1999 and matched by Chris Sale last season.
With a MLB-best 88 strikeouts and four walks, Kershaw's strikeout-to-walk ratio of 22 to 1 is on pace to break Phil Hughes' 11.63 to 1 mark set in 2014. He's been even better lately with an 0.82 ERA, 48 strikeouts and one walk in four straight wins.
"Adjectives, superlatives - there are none," manager Dave Roberts told the league's official website. "He's consistent, and he's consistently great. ... He continues to do it, punches out guys, doesn't walk guys, and just continues to dominate."
Kershaw has gone at least seven innings in all nine outings and he'll try to provide some rest for an overworked bullpen. After using five relievers in Saturday's 3-2, 11-inning loss at San Diego, the club went through eight in Sunday's 9-5, 17-inning win.
Now the Dodgers (22-23) hope to put together back-to-back victories for the first time since a three-game run May 12-14 and win their seventh straight in this series. The Reds totaled 12 runs and hit .194 while dropping the last six of seven meetings in 2015.
Kershaw has a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts versus Cincinnati (15-29). Joey Votto is hitting .217 with two home runs and 12 strikeouts in 23 at-bats against him, but Brandon Phillips is hitting .360 with a home run in 25 at-bats and Jay Bruce has batted .294 with two homers in 17.
Phillips had a two-run double and Adam Duvall hit his eighth home run in Sunday's 5-4 loss to Seattle that capped an 0-5 homestand. Eugenio Suarez went 0 for 11 with 10 strikeouts in the three-game series.
"At this level, what we're finding with a lot of our young players is they have to learn the fight portion of this as far as staying in the battle," manager Bryan Price said.
Price's club will try to score some runs for Brandon Finnegan, who hasn't won since April 16. The left-hander has a 5.81 ERA in his last six starts - all Cincinnati losses.
Finnegan (1-2, 4.44) gets his first look at a Los Angeles team that had totaled 13 runs during a four-game losing streak before breaking out Sunday. Howie Kendrick went 4 for 8 with his first home run and Justin Turner hit his second homer in three games.
Preview: Athletics (19-26) at Mariners (26-17)
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
Injuries to Sonny Gray and Khris Davis have come at a rough time for the Oakland Athletics, who now sit a season-worst seven games under the .500 mark.
Leonys Martin is making sure the Seattle Mariners don't suffer too much from a key injury of their own.
Rich Hill had a solid outing against the Mariners last month, and he'll face them again Monday night looking to help the A's snap their skid in the opener of a three-game series in Seattle.
Oakland (19-26) placed Gray on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strained trapezius muscle near his right shoulder blade, and Davis is dealing with forearm tightness that kept him out of the starting lineup later in the day.
The A's fell 5-4 to the New York Yankees, who completed a four-game sweep while holding Oakland to nine runs.
"It doesn't feel good," manager Bob Melvin said. "I don't know that we could have fought much harder at the end of this game. And that shows that we're not just saying, 'Hey look, we're injured.'"
Stephen Vogt drove in three Oakland runs with an RBI groundout in the first and a double in the fifth that gave the A's a 3-2 lead.
"We have a lot of things that can bring us down, but right now I think we're doing all right," Vogt said. "With the injuries and losing four in a row, it was a tough four-day stretch for us overall."
Oakland last won when Hill (6-3, 2.54 ERA) allowed one run and three hits in six innings of Wednesday's 8-1 victory over Texas. The left-hander has a 1.96 ERA over his last six starts after posting a 4.15 mark in his first three.
"He's really taken it upon himself to be that guy that gets you real deep into games and takes the pressure off the bullpen," Melvin said. "After a couple of rocky games to start, he's pitched exactly what we saw later on in the year last year. He's been able to sustain it, and that's given us a lot of confidence when he takes the mound."
Hill's best outing during his so-so start to the season came against the Mariners on April 9, when he allowed one run and struck out 10 in six innings of a 6-1 victory. Martin went 0 for 3 batting ninth in that contest, but he's embracing his new role.
Leadoff hitter Ketel Marte went on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb Sunday, and Martin went 4 for 5 from the top of the lineup in a 5-4 victory over Cincinnati later in the day.
Seattle (26-17) has won four in a row.
"(Martin) got us going a couple of times," manager Scott Servais said. "He's a dynamic player. He can do a lot of different things. He sparked us."
After posting a 1.44 ERA over his first four outings, Taijuan Walker has gone 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA over his last four. Walker (2-3, 2.95) allowed four runs on five hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss at Baltimore on Wednesday.
The right-hander pitched well against the A's on April 8, allowing two runs in six innings while taking a no-decision in Seattle's 3-2 loss.
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
Injuries to Sonny Gray and Khris Davis have come at a rough time for the Oakland Athletics, who now sit a season-worst seven games under the .500 mark.
Leonys Martin is making sure the Seattle Mariners don't suffer too much from a key injury of their own.
Rich Hill had a solid outing against the Mariners last month, and he'll face them again Monday night looking to help the A's snap their skid in the opener of a three-game series in Seattle.
Oakland (19-26) placed Gray on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strained trapezius muscle near his right shoulder blade, and Davis is dealing with forearm tightness that kept him out of the starting lineup later in the day.
The A's fell 5-4 to the New York Yankees, who completed a four-game sweep while holding Oakland to nine runs.
"It doesn't feel good," manager Bob Melvin said. "I don't know that we could have fought much harder at the end of this game. And that shows that we're not just saying, 'Hey look, we're injured.'"
Stephen Vogt drove in three Oakland runs with an RBI groundout in the first and a double in the fifth that gave the A's a 3-2 lead.
"We have a lot of things that can bring us down, but right now I think we're doing all right," Vogt said. "With the injuries and losing four in a row, it was a tough four-day stretch for us overall."
Oakland last won when Hill (6-3, 2.54 ERA) allowed one run and three hits in six innings of Wednesday's 8-1 victory over Texas. The left-hander has a 1.96 ERA over his last six starts after posting a 4.15 mark in his first three.
"He's really taken it upon himself to be that guy that gets you real deep into games and takes the pressure off the bullpen," Melvin said. "After a couple of rocky games to start, he's pitched exactly what we saw later on in the year last year. He's been able to sustain it, and that's given us a lot of confidence when he takes the mound."
Hill's best outing during his so-so start to the season came against the Mariners on April 9, when he allowed one run and struck out 10 in six innings of a 6-1 victory. Martin went 0 for 3 batting ninth in that contest, but he's embracing his new role.
Leadoff hitter Ketel Marte went on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb Sunday, and Martin went 4 for 5 from the top of the lineup in a 5-4 victory over Cincinnati later in the day.
Seattle (26-17) has won four in a row.
"(Martin) got us going a couple of times," manager Scott Servais said. "He's a dynamic player. He can do a lot of different things. He sparked us."
After posting a 1.44 ERA over his first four outings, Taijuan Walker has gone 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA over his last four. Walker (2-3, 2.95) allowed four runs on five hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss at Baltimore on Wednesday.
The right-hander pitched well against the A's on April 8, allowing two runs in six innings while taking a no-decision in Seattle's 3-2 loss.
Preview: Padres (19-26) at Giants (27-19)
Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 23, 2016 10:15 PM EDT
Some bad blood, outstanding pitching and a string of impressive victories have highlighted the San Francisco Giants' season series against the San Diego Padres.
Five days after a dominant performance down the coast, Johnny Cueto will try to lead the Giants to their seventh straight win over the NL West rivals and 11th in 12 games overall Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at AT&T Park.
San Francisco starters have a 1.90 ERA over six meetings with the Padres (19-26) after limiting them to one run in each game of three straight victories at Petco Park last week.
Cueto played a starring role in the middle game, allowing one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in a 2-1 win May 18 for his second complete game in the season series. He's gone 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA with 54 Ks over his last seven starts against the Padres.
"Cueto doesn't give in. He preys on you expanding the zone," San Diego manager Andy Green told MLB's official website. "He's a guy that's touch-and-feel early in the game, he's pitching at 87-89. Then all of a sudden he gets down to the seventh, eighth, ninth inning and he morphs. He's throwing 94-95. He's almost a completely different pitcher."
A night earlier, the benches and bullpens had poured onto the field after Madison Bumgarner struck out Wil Myers and then stared him down before Myers yelled back.
San Francisco's rotation has posted a 1.78 ERA while winning 10 of the past 11 games after Bumgarner led the way in Sunday's 1-0 home victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Cueto (6-1, 2.70 ERA) hopes to capture his fourth consecutive win and lead the Giants (27-19) to their 15th in 18 meetings with San Diego dating to June 2015. They've also outscored the Padres 65-25 over an eight-game home winning streak over that span.
Alexei Ramirez has gone 3 for 6 with a double versus Cueto this season, but Jon Jay (1 for 5), Myers (1 for 8), Matt Kemp (0 for 8) and Derek Norris (0 for 7) have struggled.
Though they took two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Padres lost for the fifth time in seven games in Sunday's 9-5, 17-inning defeat.
Drew Pomeranz has only worked seven innings once in eight starts, but he'll try to pick up a bullpen that used three relievers in Saturday's 3-2, 11-inning win and six on Sunday.
The left-hander has been sharp with a 1.13 ERA in his last four starts, but he's 2-2 over that stretch while receiving four runs from the offense. He allowed two runs and four hits - including a Hunter Pence home run - over six innings while opposing Cueto last week.
Pence also took him deep at AT&T Park on April 25 when Pomeranz (4-4, 1.96) gave up four runs - three earned - in 4 1/3 innings in a 5-4 defeat. Buster Posey is 6 for 10 with two homers off him, while each of Pence's four hits in 14 at-bats have left the yard.
Pence is expected to return from a right hamstring injury in this series opener.
The Giants continued to scuffle at the plate Sunday, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. They're batting .163 in those situations over the past 14.
"We're having a tough time offensively," manager Bruce Bochy confirmed.
Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 23, 2016 10:15 PM EDT
Some bad blood, outstanding pitching and a string of impressive victories have highlighted the San Francisco Giants' season series against the San Diego Padres.
Five days after a dominant performance down the coast, Johnny Cueto will try to lead the Giants to their seventh straight win over the NL West rivals and 11th in 12 games overall Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at AT&T Park.
San Francisco starters have a 1.90 ERA over six meetings with the Padres (19-26) after limiting them to one run in each game of three straight victories at Petco Park last week.
Cueto played a starring role in the middle game, allowing one run and four hits with eight strikeouts in a 2-1 win May 18 for his second complete game in the season series. He's gone 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA with 54 Ks over his last seven starts against the Padres.
"Cueto doesn't give in. He preys on you expanding the zone," San Diego manager Andy Green told MLB's official website. "He's a guy that's touch-and-feel early in the game, he's pitching at 87-89. Then all of a sudden he gets down to the seventh, eighth, ninth inning and he morphs. He's throwing 94-95. He's almost a completely different pitcher."
A night earlier, the benches and bullpens had poured onto the field after Madison Bumgarner struck out Wil Myers and then stared him down before Myers yelled back.
San Francisco's rotation has posted a 1.78 ERA while winning 10 of the past 11 games after Bumgarner led the way in Sunday's 1-0 home victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Cueto (6-1, 2.70 ERA) hopes to capture his fourth consecutive win and lead the Giants (27-19) to their 15th in 18 meetings with San Diego dating to June 2015. They've also outscored the Padres 65-25 over an eight-game home winning streak over that span.
Alexei Ramirez has gone 3 for 6 with a double versus Cueto this season, but Jon Jay (1 for 5), Myers (1 for 8), Matt Kemp (0 for 8) and Derek Norris (0 for 7) have struggled.
Though they took two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Padres lost for the fifth time in seven games in Sunday's 9-5, 17-inning defeat.
Drew Pomeranz has only worked seven innings once in eight starts, but he'll try to pick up a bullpen that used three relievers in Saturday's 3-2, 11-inning win and six on Sunday.
The left-hander has been sharp with a 1.13 ERA in his last four starts, but he's 2-2 over that stretch while receiving four runs from the offense. He allowed two runs and four hits - including a Hunter Pence home run - over six innings while opposing Cueto last week.
Pence also took him deep at AT&T Park on April 25 when Pomeranz (4-4, 1.96) gave up four runs - three earned - in 4 1/3 innings in a 5-4 defeat. Buster Posey is 6 for 10 with two homers off him, while each of Pence's four hits in 14 at-bats have left the yard.
Pence is expected to return from a right hamstring injury in this series opener.
The Giants continued to scuffle at the plate Sunday, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. They're batting .163 in those situations over the past 14.
"We're having a tough time offensively," manager Bruce Bochy confirmed.
MLB
Monday's games
National League games
Rockies @ Pirates
Lyles is 1-1, 9.17 in four starts (over 3-1), last of which was April 24.
Vogelsong allowed one run in five IP (66 PT) in his only '16 start.
Pirates won five of their last seven games (over 11-6-1 in last 18). Rockies won six of last nine games; ten of their last 13 games stayed under.
Mets @ Nationals
Colon is 0-2, 7.45 in his last two starts (over 3-1 in his road starts). .
Gonzalez is 3-0, 3.13 in his last four starts (over 2-0-1 in his last three starts).
Mets won last three games but lost four in row on road; under is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Washington won four of its last five games; under is 3-1-1 in its last five home games.
Cubs @ Cardinals
Lackey is 1-1, 1.71 in his last three starts (over 5-3).
Wainwright is 4-0, 5.22 in his last five starts (over 4-1); Cardinals scored 46 runs in those five games.
Cubs are 4-7 in their last 11 games; over is 9-3-2 in their last 14 road games. St Louis is 4-5 in its last nine games; over is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.
Reds @ Dodgers
Finnegan is 0-2, 6.68 in his last six starts; six of his last eight starts went over.
Kershaw is 4-0, 0.82 in his last four starts (under 3-1).
Cincinnati lost its last seven games; they're 3-14 on road. Over is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Dodgers lost four of their last five games; over is 7-3 in their last ten.
Padres @ Giants
Pomeranz is 2-2, 1.13 in his last four starts, which all stayed under the total. .
Cueto is 3-0, 2.11 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.
Giants won ten of their last 11 games; under is 12-3 in their last 15. San Diego lost five of its last seven games; under is 8-3 in ther last 11 games.
American League games
Angels @ Rangers
Tropeano is 1-1, 3.12 in his last three starts (under 4-2-2). .
Holland is 0-2, 14.73 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1 in his home starts). .
Angels won seven of their last ten games; over is 8-3 in their last 11. Texas is 11-4 in its last 15 games; six of its last seven home games went over. .
Indians @ White Sox
Clevinger allowed four runs in 5.1 IP (91 PT) in his first MLB start. Anderson is 0-3, 8.29 in six starts (over 5-1).
Latos is 1-1, 7.84 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Johnson allowed four runs in five IP (108 PT) in hsi only '16 start.
Indians won five of last seven games; over is 11-5-1 in their last 17 games. White Sox lost eight of last 11 games; their last five games stayed under.
Royals @ Twins
Kennedy is 2-1, 3.75 in his last four starts (under 6-1-1).
Nolasco is 0-2, 7.45 in his last five starts (over 7-0 in his last seven).
Royals won five of their last seven games- under is 7-1-1 in their last nine. Twins are 1-9 in their last ten home games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games overall. .
A's @ Mariners
Hill is 3-0, 2.55 in his last three starts, which all went over.
Walker is 0-3, 7.13 in his last four starts (under 6-2).
Oakland is 6-14 in its last 20 games; ten of their last 14 games went over. Seattle won five of last six games; over is 6-3-2 in their last eleven games.
Interleague
Phillies @ Tigers
Velasquez is 3-0, 3.41 in his last five starts (under 4-3-1).
Pelfrey is 0-4, 6.59 in eight starts this year; over is 3-0-1 in his last four. .
Phillies are 9-5 in their last 14 games; four of their last five games stayed under total. Detroit won six of its last seven games; over is 12-3 in its last 15 home games.
Rays @ Marlins
Moore is 0-3, 6.51 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1).
Chen is 3-1, 4.11 in his last five starts (under 4-2 in his last six starts).
Tampa Bay is 8-5 in its last 13 road games, last seven of which went over the total. Miami lost four of its last five games; under is 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Col-Pitt-- Lyles 2-2; Vogelsong 0-1
NY-Wsh-- Colon 4-4; Gonzalez 5-3
Chi-StL-- Lackey 5-3; Wainwright 6-3
Cin-LA-- Finnegan 2-7; Kershaw 8-1
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 4-4; Cueto 8-1
LAA-Tex-- Tropeano 4-4; Holland 4-4
Cle-Chi-- Clevinger 1-0 Anderson 1-5; Latos 6-2 Johnson 0-1
KC-Minn-- Kennedy 5-3; Nolasco 3-5
A's-Sea-- Hill 6-3; Walker 4-4
Phil-Det-- Velasquez 6-2; Pelfrey 2-6
TB-Mia-- Moore 3-5; Chen 4-4
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Col-Pitt-- Lyles 0-4; Vogelsong 0-1
NY-Wsh-- Colon 2-8; Gonzalez 0-8
Chi-StL-- Lackey 3-8; Wainwright 3-9
Cin-LA-- Finnegan 2-9; Kershaw 1-9
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 0-8; Cueto 3-9
LAA-Tex-- Tropeano 2-8; Holland 2-8
Cle-Chi-- Clevinger 0-1 Anderson 4-6; Latos 3-8 Johnson 1-1
KC-Minn-- Kennedy 2-8; Nolasco 4-8
A's-Sea-- Hill 3-9; Walker 1-8
Phil-Det-- Velasquez 2-8; Pelfrey 5-8
TB-Mia-- Moore 1-8; Chen 3-8
Monday's games
National League games
Rockies @ Pirates
Lyles is 1-1, 9.17 in four starts (over 3-1), last of which was April 24.
Vogelsong allowed one run in five IP (66 PT) in his only '16 start.
Pirates won five of their last seven games (over 11-6-1 in last 18). Rockies won six of last nine games; ten of their last 13 games stayed under.
Mets @ Nationals
Colon is 0-2, 7.45 in his last two starts (over 3-1 in his road starts). .
Gonzalez is 3-0, 3.13 in his last four starts (over 2-0-1 in his last three starts).
Mets won last three games but lost four in row on road; under is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Washington won four of its last five games; under is 3-1-1 in its last five home games.
Cubs @ Cardinals
Lackey is 1-1, 1.71 in his last three starts (over 5-3).
Wainwright is 4-0, 5.22 in his last five starts (over 4-1); Cardinals scored 46 runs in those five games.
Cubs are 4-7 in their last 11 games; over is 9-3-2 in their last 14 road games. St Louis is 4-5 in its last nine games; over is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.
Reds @ Dodgers
Finnegan is 0-2, 6.68 in his last six starts; six of his last eight starts went over.
Kershaw is 4-0, 0.82 in his last four starts (under 3-1).
Cincinnati lost its last seven games; they're 3-14 on road. Over is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Dodgers lost four of their last five games; over is 7-3 in their last ten.
Padres @ Giants
Pomeranz is 2-2, 1.13 in his last four starts, which all stayed under the total. .
Cueto is 3-0, 2.11 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.
Giants won ten of their last 11 games; under is 12-3 in their last 15. San Diego lost five of its last seven games; under is 8-3 in ther last 11 games.
American League games
Angels @ Rangers
Tropeano is 1-1, 3.12 in his last three starts (under 4-2-2). .
Holland is 0-2, 14.73 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1 in his home starts). .
Angels won seven of their last ten games; over is 8-3 in their last 11. Texas is 11-4 in its last 15 games; six of its last seven home games went over. .
Indians @ White Sox
Clevinger allowed four runs in 5.1 IP (91 PT) in his first MLB start. Anderson is 0-3, 8.29 in six starts (over 5-1).
Latos is 1-1, 7.84 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Johnson allowed four runs in five IP (108 PT) in hsi only '16 start.
Indians won five of last seven games; over is 11-5-1 in their last 17 games. White Sox lost eight of last 11 games; their last five games stayed under.
Royals @ Twins
Kennedy is 2-1, 3.75 in his last four starts (under 6-1-1).
Nolasco is 0-2, 7.45 in his last five starts (over 7-0 in his last seven).
Royals won five of their last seven games- under is 7-1-1 in their last nine. Twins are 1-9 in their last ten home games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 games overall. .
A's @ Mariners
Hill is 3-0, 2.55 in his last three starts, which all went over.
Walker is 0-3, 7.13 in his last four starts (under 6-2).
Oakland is 6-14 in its last 20 games; ten of their last 14 games went over. Seattle won five of last six games; over is 6-3-2 in their last eleven games.
Interleague
Phillies @ Tigers
Velasquez is 3-0, 3.41 in his last five starts (under 4-3-1).
Pelfrey is 0-4, 6.59 in eight starts this year; over is 3-0-1 in his last four. .
Phillies are 9-5 in their last 14 games; four of their last five games stayed under total. Detroit won six of its last seven games; over is 12-3 in its last 15 home games.
Rays @ Marlins
Moore is 0-3, 6.51 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1).
Chen is 3-1, 4.11 in his last five starts (under 4-2 in his last six starts).
Tampa Bay is 8-5 in its last 13 road games, last seven of which went over the total. Miami lost four of its last five games; under is 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
Col-Pitt-- Lyles 2-2; Vogelsong 0-1
NY-Wsh-- Colon 4-4; Gonzalez 5-3
Chi-StL-- Lackey 5-3; Wainwright 6-3
Cin-LA-- Finnegan 2-7; Kershaw 8-1
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 4-4; Cueto 8-1
LAA-Tex-- Tropeano 4-4; Holland 4-4
Cle-Chi-- Clevinger 1-0 Anderson 1-5; Latos 6-2 Johnson 0-1
KC-Minn-- Kennedy 5-3; Nolasco 3-5
A's-Sea-- Hill 6-3; Walker 4-4
Phil-Det-- Velasquez 6-2; Pelfrey 2-6
TB-Mia-- Moore 3-5; Chen 4-4
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Col-Pitt-- Lyles 0-4; Vogelsong 0-1
NY-Wsh-- Colon 2-8; Gonzalez 0-8
Chi-StL-- Lackey 3-8; Wainwright 3-9
Cin-LA-- Finnegan 2-9; Kershaw 1-9
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 0-8; Cueto 3-9
LAA-Tex-- Tropeano 2-8; Holland 2-8
Cle-Chi-- Clevinger 0-1 Anderson 4-6; Latos 3-8 Johnson 1-1
KC-Minn-- Kennedy 2-8; Nolasco 4-8
A's-Sea-- Hill 3-9; Walker 1-8
Phil-Det-- Velasquez 2-8; Pelfrey 5-8
TB-Mia-- Moore 1-8; Chen 3-8
GAME: Cleveland Indians (22-19) at Chicago White Sox (26-18)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 5:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago White Sox were able to put a temporary stop to their recent losing ways with a key American League Central win in their last time out and probably would like nothing more than to increase their working margin against their closest competitor. The White Sox will attempt to do exactly that beginning Monday when they host a doubleheader to begin a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians.
Chicago has dropped two out of three in each of its last four series since racing out to a 23-10 record following a win in Texas on May 9, losing most of the six-game lead it once held in the division over the last two weeks. The White Sox avoided getting swept for the first time this season with Sunday's 3-2 win over Kansas City, keeping the defending world champions in third place in the AL Central. The second-place Indians trail Chicago by 2 1/2 games and appeared to be on the verge of inching closer following their fifth straight win on Friday, but they were outscored 14-3 in their final two games at Fenway Park against Boston over the weekend. Monday's doubleheader is being played as a result of the clubs' rainout on April 10 in the rubber match of their first series.
TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mat Latos (5-1, 4.00)
Clevinger did not factor into the decision during his big-league debut at Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five across 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old, who was named Cleveland's top minor-league pitcher last season, struggled with walks in his minor-league outings (17 in 35 2/3 innings), but yielded only one against the Reds. Clevinger earned his promotion after going 5-0 with a 3.03 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Columbus.
Latos was hit hard again en route to his first loss of the season Wednesday, giving up season-high tying totals of five runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings against Houston. After winning each of his first four turns with an 0.74 ERA, the Virginia native is 1-1, 7.84 and has surrendered 46 baserunners over his last four outings. Jason Kipnis (4-for-11) is among six Indians batting at least .300 against Latos, yet the 28-year-old is somehow 3-0 with a 4.68 ERA in four starts versus the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. The first game will mark the 18,000th game in Cleveland's franchise history.
2. Chicago went 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position against Kansas City.
3. Indians 1B Mike Napoli has struck out 11 times and is hitless in 19 at-bats over his last four games.
PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Indians 5
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 5:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Chicago White Sox were able to put a temporary stop to their recent losing ways with a key American League Central win in their last time out and probably would like nothing more than to increase their working margin against their closest competitor. The White Sox will attempt to do exactly that beginning Monday when they host a doubleheader to begin a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians.
Chicago has dropped two out of three in each of its last four series since racing out to a 23-10 record following a win in Texas on May 9, losing most of the six-game lead it once held in the division over the last two weeks. The White Sox avoided getting swept for the first time this season with Sunday's 3-2 win over Kansas City, keeping the defending world champions in third place in the AL Central. The second-place Indians trail Chicago by 2 1/2 games and appeared to be on the verge of inching closer following their fifth straight win on Friday, but they were outscored 14-3 in their final two games at Fenway Park against Boston over the weekend. Monday's doubleheader is being played as a result of the clubs' rainout on April 10 in the rubber match of their first series.
TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mat Latos (5-1, 4.00)
Clevinger did not factor into the decision during his big-league debut at Cincinnati on Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five across 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old, who was named Cleveland's top minor-league pitcher last season, struggled with walks in his minor-league outings (17 in 35 2/3 innings), but yielded only one against the Reds. Clevinger earned his promotion after going 5-0 with a 3.03 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A Columbus.
Latos was hit hard again en route to his first loss of the season Wednesday, giving up season-high tying totals of five runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings against Houston. After winning each of his first four turns with an 0.74 ERA, the Virginia native is 1-1, 7.84 and has surrendered 46 baserunners over his last four outings. Jason Kipnis (4-for-11) is among six Indians batting at least .300 against Latos, yet the 28-year-old is somehow 3-0 with a 4.68 ERA in four starts versus the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. The first game will mark the 18,000th game in Cleveland's franchise history.
2. Chicago went 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position against Kansas City.
3. Indians 1B Mike Napoli has struck out 11 times and is hitless in 19 at-bats over his last four games.
PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Indians 5
GAME: New York Mets (25-18) at Washington Nationals (27-17)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The New York Mets put themselves back in position to challenge for first place in the National League East with a strong weekend and will try to keep the momentum going in the right direction when they visit the first-place Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Mets enter the key series 1 1/2 games behind the Nationals after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers.
New York finished up a 4-2 homestand with Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Brewers but began that stretch with losses in two of three at home to Washington last week. The Mets managed a total of four runs in the three games against the Nationals and did just enough offensively against Milwaukee to pull out a pair of one-run victories before Sunday’s two-run triumph. Washington followed up its series win over New York by taking two of three at Miami as the pitching continued to be strong. The Nationals staff did not allow more than three runs in any of the six games on its road trip and only yielded more than two once – a 3-2 setback at the Marlins on Saturday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86)
Colon is making his second straight start against Washington and is hoping to regain his control after issuing five walks in the last turn. The hefty veteran issued a total of four walks in his first eight appearances this season and suffered the loss against the Nationals while being charged with three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Colon is 3-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 career games – nine starts – against Washington and has held Bryce Harper to 3-for-13 with one home run.
Gonzalez went up against Colon last week and breezed through 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five to earn the win. The Florida native surrendered two or fewer earned runs in seven of his eight outings and struck out 12 in 11 1/3 innings over his last two turns. Gonzalez is 10-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 18 career starts against the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Harper went 1-for-9 with no extra-base hits against the Mets last week.
2. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes has scored five runs and homered twice in the last five games.
3. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon recorded multiple hits in four of the last five games.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 3
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The New York Mets put themselves back in position to challenge for first place in the National League East with a strong weekend and will try to keep the momentum going in the right direction when they visit the first-place Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Mets enter the key series 1 1/2 games behind the Nationals after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers.
New York finished up a 4-2 homestand with Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Brewers but began that stretch with losses in two of three at home to Washington last week. The Mets managed a total of four runs in the three games against the Nationals and did just enough offensively against Milwaukee to pull out a pair of one-run victories before Sunday’s two-run triumph. Washington followed up its series win over New York by taking two of three at Miami as the pitching continued to be strong. The Nationals staff did not allow more than three runs in any of the six games on its road trip and only yielded more than two once – a 3-2 setback at the Marlins on Saturday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (3-3, 3.75 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-1, 1.86)
Colon is making his second straight start against Washington and is hoping to regain his control after issuing five walks in the last turn. The hefty veteran issued a total of four walks in his first eight appearances this season and suffered the loss against the Nationals while being charged with three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Colon is 3-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 career games – nine starts – against Washington and has held Bryce Harper to 3-for-13 with one home run.
Gonzalez went up against Colon last week and breezed through 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five to earn the win. The Florida native surrendered two or fewer earned runs in seven of his eight outings and struck out 12 in 11 1/3 innings over his last two turns. Gonzalez is 10-4 with a 2.59 ERA in 18 career starts against the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Harper went 1-for-9 with no extra-base hits against the Mets last week.
2. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes has scored five runs and homered twice in the last five games.
3. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon recorded multiple hits in four of the last five games.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 3
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (20-21) at Miami Marlins (22-21)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Miami Marlins on Monday for the 100th meeting between the Sunshine State rivals since interleague play began. Both teams have experienced see-saw starts to the season while straddling the .500 mark as Miami (22-21) has lost four of its last five games while Tampa Bay (20-21) has dropped two straight after winning four in a row.
The Marlins, who trail in the all-time series 51-48 after losing five of six last year, have produced only nine runs in their last five games after suffering an 8-2 loss to Washington on Sunday. Marcell Ozuna is riding a 13-game hitting streak at home for Miami while slugger Giancarlo Stanton (11 homers) is in a major slump, going 5-for-52 with 28 strikeouts over his last 15 contests. Evan Longoria looks to extend his hitting streak to 11 games for the Rays and is 11-for-37 with a pair of homers against Miami’s scheduled starter Wei-Yin Chen. Tampa Bay's Matt Moore hopes to get support from his offense, which is averaging 7.3 runs over the last eight contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (1-3, 5.09 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.22)
Moore was moved back a few days in the rotation after completing just 14 innings in his last three starts and allowing 13 runs in that span. The 26-year-old is 0-3 in his last five outings while yielding six homers after posting a 2.95 ERA over his first three turns this campaign. Ichiro Suzuki has recorded six hits in his last two games and is 8-for-21 versus Moore, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three career starts against Miami.
Chen knows the Rays well from his days in the American League East with Baltimore and is 5-6 with a 3.55 ERA in 19 career starts against them. The 30-year-old Taiwan native lost his last outing at Philadelphia but is 3-1 over his last four decisions and has allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts. Hank Conger is 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a homer against Chen.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay's Mikie Mahtook, who hit .353 with six homers over the final month of last season, was recalled before Sunday’s contest to replace fellow OF Kevin Kiermaier (broken hand).
2. Miami LF Christian Yelich, who is batting .320, has missed the last two games with back spasms and is considered day-to-day.
3. The Rays optioned the struggling Steve Geltz to Triple-A Durham and recalled fellow RHP Tyler Sturdevant after Sunday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Rays 4
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Miami Marlins on Monday for the 100th meeting between the Sunshine State rivals since interleague play began. Both teams have experienced see-saw starts to the season while straddling the .500 mark as Miami (22-21) has lost four of its last five games while Tampa Bay (20-21) has dropped two straight after winning four in a row.
The Marlins, who trail in the all-time series 51-48 after losing five of six last year, have produced only nine runs in their last five games after suffering an 8-2 loss to Washington on Sunday. Marcell Ozuna is riding a 13-game hitting streak at home for Miami while slugger Giancarlo Stanton (11 homers) is in a major slump, going 5-for-52 with 28 strikeouts over his last 15 contests. Evan Longoria looks to extend his hitting streak to 11 games for the Rays and is 11-for-37 with a pair of homers against Miami’s scheduled starter Wei-Yin Chen. Tampa Bay's Matt Moore hopes to get support from his offense, which is averaging 7.3 runs over the last eight contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (1-3, 5.09 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.22)
Moore was moved back a few days in the rotation after completing just 14 innings in his last three starts and allowing 13 runs in that span. The 26-year-old is 0-3 in his last five outings while yielding six homers after posting a 2.95 ERA over his first three turns this campaign. Ichiro Suzuki has recorded six hits in his last two games and is 8-for-21 versus Moore, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three career starts against Miami.
Chen knows the Rays well from his days in the American League East with Baltimore and is 5-6 with a 3.55 ERA in 19 career starts against them. The 30-year-old Taiwan native lost his last outing at Philadelphia but is 3-1 over his last four decisions and has allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts. Hank Conger is 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a homer against Chen.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay's Mikie Mahtook, who hit .353 with six homers over the final month of last season, was recalled before Sunday’s contest to replace fellow OF Kevin Kiermaier (broken hand).
2. Miami LF Christian Yelich, who is batting .320, has missed the last two games with back spasms and is considered day-to-day.
3. The Rays optioned the struggling Steve Geltz to Triple-A Durham and recalled fellow RHP Tyler Sturdevant after Sunday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Rays 4
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (25-19) at Detroit Tigers (21-22)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Detroit Tigers are surging forward and will try to reach .500 when they host the Philadelphia Phillies for the opener of a three-game interleague series on Monday. The Tigers are winners of six of their last seven and are 5-1 through the first six games of the nine-game homestand.
Detroit looked ticketed for the bottom of the American League Central and manager Brad Ausmus was answering questions about his job security when the team was losing 11 of 12 from May 3 to May 14. The Tigers began to turn things around with a 6-5 win at Baltimore on May 15 and kept the offense cranking on the homestand with 42 runs scored in the last six games. The Phillies don’t have the kind of offense that can outscore opponents but are finding ways to stay in the race in the National League East behind their young starting pitching. Jerad Eickhoff provided the latest example with seven strong innings in a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, which clinched a winning nine-game homestand.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (5-1, 2.42 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.49)
Velasquez bounced back from a pair of sub-par outings by striking out 10 over five scoreless innings to pick up a win over Miami on Tuesday. The 23-year-old surrendered three or fewer earned runs in six of his eight outings and owns 59 strikeouts in 48 1/3 total innings. Velasquez is making his first start against the Tigers and was sharp in his last chance against an AL opponent, scattering two hits over six scoreless innings against Cleveland on May 1.
Pelfrey is still looking for his first win with Detroit after signing in the offseason. The veteran sinkerballer pitched well in his last two turns, allowing a total of four runs in 10 2/3 innings, but has not completed six innings in any of his last four outings. Pelfrey made 21 starts against the Phillies as a member of the New York Mets and struggled against slugger Ryan Howard (16-for-45 with three home runs and eight walks).
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (bruised left knee) left Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.
2. Phillies C Cameron Rupp is 6-for-11 in his last three starts.
3. Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmermann suffered a right groin strain and had to leave his start on Sunday.
PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Tigers 3
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Detroit Tigers are surging forward and will try to reach .500 when they host the Philadelphia Phillies for the opener of a three-game interleague series on Monday. The Tigers are winners of six of their last seven and are 5-1 through the first six games of the nine-game homestand.
Detroit looked ticketed for the bottom of the American League Central and manager Brad Ausmus was answering questions about his job security when the team was losing 11 of 12 from May 3 to May 14. The Tigers began to turn things around with a 6-5 win at Baltimore on May 15 and kept the offense cranking on the homestand with 42 runs scored in the last six games. The Phillies don’t have the kind of offense that can outscore opponents but are finding ways to stay in the race in the National League East behind their young starting pitching. Jerad Eickhoff provided the latest example with seven strong innings in a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, which clinched a winning nine-game homestand.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (5-1, 2.42 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.49)
Velasquez bounced back from a pair of sub-par outings by striking out 10 over five scoreless innings to pick up a win over Miami on Tuesday. The 23-year-old surrendered three or fewer earned runs in six of his eight outings and owns 59 strikeouts in 48 1/3 total innings. Velasquez is making his first start against the Tigers and was sharp in his last chance against an AL opponent, scattering two hits over six scoreless innings against Cleveland on May 1.
Pelfrey is still looking for his first win with Detroit after signing in the offseason. The veteran sinkerballer pitched well in his last two turns, allowing a total of four runs in 10 2/3 innings, but has not completed six innings in any of his last four outings. Pelfrey made 21 starts against the Phillies as a member of the New York Mets and struggled against slugger Ryan Howard (16-for-45 with three home runs and eight walks).
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (bruised left knee) left Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.
2. Phillies C Cameron Rupp is 6-for-11 in his last three starts.
3. Detroit RHP Jordan Zimmermann suffered a right groin strain and had to leave his start on Sunday.
PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Tigers 3
