Monday 5/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

Swedish Allsvenskan TODAY 18:00

Orebro

v

Hammarby

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		13/10	12/5	2	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT OREBRO	RECENT FORM
AWHWALHWAWAL​ Most recent​	2 - 2 2 - 0 1 - 1 3 - 1	ALHWAWHDALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Both teams have scored in all seven of Hammarby's matches this season

EXPERT VERDICT: The numbers suggest there is little between these two, but home advantage should see Orebro over the line. The hosts have already beaten Jonkopings Sodra and IFK Gothenburg at the Behrn Arena already this season and can take advantage of Hammarby's poor defensive record.

RECOMMENDATION: Orebro
1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Monday's betting preview and odds

The Western Conference takes center stage Monday night as the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks both have 3-2 series leads and look to advance to the Conference Finals.

Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues (A: +140, H: -150, O/U: 5)

Blues lead series 3-2

The St. Louis Blues look to secure their first Western Conference final berth in 15 years on Monday when they attempt to eliminate the Central Division-rival Dallas Stars in Game 6 at Scottrade Center. Although St. Louis inched closer to the Promised Land with a 4-1 triumph in Game 5 on Saturday afternoon, forward Alex Steen cautioned his club that it shouldn't look too far ahead.

"It doesn't really change much," Steen told reporters. "We expect their best and obviously we're going to bring ours and it's going to be a heck of a hockey game again. It's no real different situation. We've got to win another hockey game." Blues goaltender Brian Elliott has been the primary reason the Blues are on the brink of their first conference title appearance since 2001, making 27 saves on Saturday - with two coming from point-bank range on Game 4 overtime hero Cody Eakin. Despite seeing his team pushed to the edge, Dallas coach Lindy Ruff isn't overly concerned as the series shifts back to the Show Me State. "I'm confident. These guys, they've given us everything they've had all year and we've had some tough situations, and they'll pull out of it," Ruff told reporters.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS

PROBABLE GOALIES:

Stars - Kari Lehtonen (W/L: 5-2, GAA: 2.65, SAVE %: .905)

Blues - Brian Elliott (W/L: 7-5, GAA: 2.20, SAVE %: .930)

ABOUT THE STARS (56-26-11, 50-39 O/U): After going 4-for-19 on the power play in its first-round series, Dallas has converted just once in 16 opportunities the man-advantage versus St. Louis - a far cry from the 22.1 percent efficiency it showed in the regular season. Despite the team's struggles, captain Jamie Benn insists the Stars aren't getting down on themselves. "There's not too much (frustration with the power play)," said Benn, who scored 17 times with the man advantage in the regular season but has yet to do so in the playoffs. "We've just got to go out there as a group of five and try to make a difference."

ABOUT THE BLUES (56-27-11, 37-42 O/U): Veteran forward Troy Brouwer has received his wake-up call with four goals and three assists in the past seven contests after being held off the scoresheet in each of his previous five. Robby Fabbri joined Brouwer in scoring in Game 5 and added an assist for his fourth multi-point performance of the postseason - with his 10 points (two goals, eight assists) leading all rookies. "It's pretty awesome, to think last year I was sitting watching (the playoffs) and a year later, I'm in them," the 20-year-old Fabbri told reporters. "It's been a great ride, just have to keep going here."

TRENDS:

* Stars are 17-4 in their last 21 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
* Blues are 4-1 in their last five meetings at home.
* Over is 5-0-3 in Stars last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Over is 4-0-2 in Blues last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.


San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators (A: -110, H: -110, O/U: 5)

Sharks lead series 3-2

Although they've held serve at home, the San Jose Sharks can punch their ticket to their fourth Western Conference final appearance should they show the mettle that made them the top road team during the regular season. Boasting an NHL-best 28-10-3 mark away from home, the Sharks look to quiet Music City on Monday when they face off against the host Nashville Predators in Game 6.

"We know it's a tough challenge to win in Nashville. (Monday's) a huge game," San Jose veteran Joe Thornton told reporters. "They're going to play desperate. We got to play just as desperate. I expect their 'A' game and our 'A' game too. Can't wait." Nashville's second line of Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson and James Neal has collected seven goals in the last three contests - including the club's lone tally in a 5-1 setback in Game 5 on Saturday. "We just need to go into Nashville and have a better game," Neal told reporters. "Our team will. I believe in the guys. We'll regroup."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, CNBC, SN, TVAS2

PROBABLE GOALIES:

Sharks - Martin Jones (W/L: 7-3, GAA: 2.20, SAVE %: .917)

Predators - Pekka Rinne (W/L: 6-6, GAA: 2.37, SAVE %: .909)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (53-31-8, 47-35 O/U): Joe Pavelski scored twice in Game 5 to raise his postseason total to a a team-high eight, one shy of the NHL lead held by Tampa Bay's young stud Nikita Kucherov. Logan Couture also tallied on Saturday for his 13th point, joining defenseman Brent Burns for club-best honors while residing just one behind Dallas' Jamie Benn. "That's what we're supposed to do; we're supposed to go out and contribute offensively and score goals and play well," Couture told reporters of the team's veteran leadership. "When we're winning games, most nights the big guys are contributing. That's just expected."

ABOUT THE PREDATORS (47-33-14, 37-36 O/U): After mustering just one point (a goal) in Nashville's seven-game series with Anaheim, Fisher has erupted for four tallies and two assists against San Jose. Speaking of the first round, the Predators must repeat the feat of winning Games 6 and 7 should they wish to reach the conference final for the first time in franchise history. Nashville needs more out of Filip Forsberg, who had 33 goals in the regular season but has mustered just two in the playoffs and is a staggering minus-8 in the series.

TRENDS:

* Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Predators are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
* Over is 4-0-3 in Sharks last 7 overall.
* Over is 3-0-2 in Predators last 5 overall.
* Sharks are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings in Nashville.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Stars (50-23) at Blues (49-24)

Date: May 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

(AP) - Brian Elliott's postseason play is the biggest reason the St. Louis Blues are one win away from their first appearance in the Western Conference final since 2001.

Game after game, the goalie has been handled the pressure.

Protecting a two-goal lead in Game 5 at Dallas on Saturday, the 31-year-old Elliott came up big when needed. The key stop among the 12 saves he made in the third period was thwarting Cody Eakin alone in front of the net.

'Just poised,' forward Alexander Steen said Sunday. 'Just comes across, makes himself big, stops the puck. And it's like, it's business as usual, get the puck and go the other way.'

The Blues have played two long series and Elliott has been there all the way, giving him league highs in minutes (762:03) and saves (384) in 12 games. Elliott seized the job down the stretch of the regular season after Jake Allen was sidelined by injury, and a healthy Allen now can only watch and marvel along with the rest of the team.

'If we take care of second opportunities, he's a guy that smothers pucks,' forward Scottie Upshall said. 'He's flexible, he sees the ice well and he's very underrated playing the puck.'

After ending longstanding postseason frustration by eliminating the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in the first round, the Blues can close out Dallas at home Monday night.

Coach Ken Hitchcock cautions not to make too much of Saturday's 4-1 victory. The Blues seemingly seized control of the series with a 6-1 rout in Game 3, and then the Stars bounced back with an overtime victory in St. Louis to tie the series at two games.

St. Louis has had standing-room crowds throughout the playoffs. Still, the road team has won two straight and three of five in the series.

The Blues are at their best with relentless forechecking and physical play counteracting a faster opponent. The Stars aren't likely to panic, realizing they dictated much of the pace in Game 5, but lacked favorable bounces.

'We pretty well played close to our best game, we just didn't finish,' Stars coach Lindy Ruff said Sunday. 'There's some puck luck in the game and they had all the puck luck.'

Hitchcock got mileage out of a few lineup changes and juggling lines early on in Game 5, but made no promises about sticking with a winning combination. Dmitrij Jaskin stepped up in his first game of the postseason, showing great hands on a second-chance goal and gives St. Louis more skill than agitators Ryan Reaves and Steve Ott.

'Everything is from feel, how I feel when I get up in the morning or think it through tonight when I get rid of you folks,' Hitchcock told reporters. 'I don't rest on keeping every routine the same.'

Dallas forward Tyler Seguin (lower body) isn't making the trip to St. Louis, although forward Patrick Eaves (leg) could return for Game 6 after missing four games. Ruff has scratched Colton Sceviour, who got the lone goal in Game 3, in the past two games preferring a larger lineup to counteract the Blues.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sharks (46-30) at Predators (41-27)

Date: May 09, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

The San Jose Sharks gave a championship-caliber response to a potentially devastating defeat.

And if they can recapture their past success on the road, they'll be playing for a Western Conference title.

In a second-round series where both teams have successfully defended home ice, the Sharks hope to break that trend and eliminate the Nashville Predators in Monday night's crucial Game 6.

San Jose wasn't shaken by consecutive losses in Nashville, most notably Thursday's 4-3 triple-overtime heart-breaker in Game 4 that evened the series. The Sharks proceeded to dominate the final two periods of Saturday's 5-1 rout to move one win from their first conference final since 2011.

The Sharks scored four answered goals after Nashville's Mike Fisher briefly forged a 1-all tie late in the first period, with Joe Pavelski answering less than two minutes later and Logan Couture converting a back-breaking breakaway 35 seconds into the second.

Pavelski added a power-play goal later in the second for his eighth of this postseason. The San Jose captain had one disallowed on goaltender interference during the first overtime of Game 4, in which the Sharks owned a 25-18 shot advantage after regulation.

'The guys really wanted it. We felt after that last game we played a couple really good periods, some of our better periods of the playoffs,' he said. 'We had to carry that. It was up to us to really get that momentum back. Guys did a good job coming out.'

A successful line shuffle also helped the Sharks regain the upper hand. Moved to the wing alongside Couture and Joonas Donskoi, Patrick Marleau recorded a goal and an assist after being held to one point over the previous four games.

'I thought it was Patty's best game of the series, and that line was excellent all night,' coach Peter DeBoer said. 'Some changes work, and (Saturday) that change worked.'

Saturday's result may prompt Peter Laviolette do so some tinkering, as Nashville hasn't received much production beyond the line of Game 4 hero Fisher, James Neal and Colin Wilson. Filip Forsberg has particularly struggled, managing one goal with a minus-8 rating for the series.

Laviolette did re-insert Mike Ribeiro into the lineup after making him a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4. The veteran center has just one assist in 10 games this postseason.

The Predators can draw confidence from their resilient showing in the opening round, where they rallied from a 3-2 series deficit to oust Anaheim. Nashville was also blown out on the road in Game 5 of that matchup before regrouping for a 3-1 win at home.

"We've been in this position before, backs against the wall," defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "It usually brings out the best in people. "It did last series, hopefully it does for us this time."

Pekka Rinne certainly came through in the Anaheim series, stopping 62 of 64 shots in the final two wins. He was outstanding as well in Nashville's two home victories of this one, registering 26 saves in Tuesday's 4-1 victory in Game 3 and 44 in Thursday's thriller.

San Jose has lost in eight of its last nine visits to Bridgestone Arena, though it posted a league-best 28-10-3 road record during the regular season and won all three games at Los Angeles in the first round.

The Sharks' power play hasn't been quite as potent away from home during these playoffs, however. San Jose, which led the NHL with 62 power-play goals during the regular season, is 7 for 17 on home ice and 3 for 21 on the road. The Sharks went 1 for 9 in the two losses in Nashville.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Monday's NBA playoffs betting preview and odds

The Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers both face must win games at home Monday night to avoid 3-1 series deficits. We have all of the angles covered with our NBA Playoffs betting previews.

Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat (-5.5, 189)

Raptors lead series 2-1

Kyle Lowry found his shooting stroke and the Toronto Raptors jumped back into the driver’s seat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Lowry scored 29 of his 33 points in the second half of Game 3 and will try to put together two solid games in a row when the Raptors visit the Miami Heat for Game 4 on Monday.

Lowry was shooting 30.8 percent through the first nine postseason games and went 2-of-14 from 3-point range in the first two games of the semifinals before breaking out with five 3-pointers in the second half on Saturday. “I’ve got a guy to my left, he’s probably my biggest supporter, and backbone to me right now,” Lowry told reporters in reference to All-Star teammate DeMar DeRozan. “And he said ‘Just keep going.’ He’s always going to ride or die with the decisions I make, and my teammates too. So just go out there and take the shots I’ve taken all year.” The Heat decided to ride or die with Dwyane Wade at the end of Game 3 and left Goran Dragic, who led the team in scoring in the first two games of the series, on the bench down the stretch. Wade matched Lowry with 29 of his game-high 38 points in the second half but Joe Johnson missed a tying 3-point attempt in the final seconds and the Raptors sealed the 95-91 win at the free-throw line.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Heat opened as 5.5-point favorites and the line hasn't move as of Sunday afternoon. The total opened at 188.5 and was bet up slightly to 189. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (62-30, 48-44 ATS, 44-47-1 O/U): Toronto hung around in Game 1 and earned an overtime win in Game 2 despite Lowry’s struggles in part because center Jonas Valanciunas controlled the middle with a pair of double-doubles. The 7-0 Lithuanian added 16 points and 12 rebounds in 22 minutes in Game 2 before leaving with a sprained ankle and is considered day-to-day. “We may not look pretty, but we have gritty guys, they’re going to play hard and compete, that’s something that we have as an identity,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters. “It may not be the way everybody wants it to be done, but you’ve got a bunch of competitors in there. Now our thing is, we’ve been all year long, next man up, whoever that may be and (Saturday) it was Kyle and he got the lid off the bucket.”

ABOUT THE HEAT (53-39, 49-42-1 ATS, 37-54-1 O/U): Miami center Hassan Whiteside lasted only six minutes into Game 3 before going down with a right knee injury, and his status for the rest of the series is up in the air. The centers being out of the game opened things for the perimeter players but Dragic, whose 3-pointer in Game 2 forced overtime, was left on the bench after a late Heat timeout that resulted in Johnson’s missed 3-pointer. "It's not fun," Dragic said. "Of course, I would like to be (in the game), but that's a coaching decision, so I respect it. It is what it is."

TRENDS:

* Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Heat are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games.
* Under is 7-0 in Raptors last 7 road games.
* Under is 7-1 in Heat last 8 overall.


Golden State Warriors at Portland Trail Blazers (+5, 214.5)

Warriors lead series 2-1

The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the series after a win in Game 3 and look like a different team in front of their home fans. The Trail Blazers will try to even the Western Conference semifinals at two wins apiece when they host the top-seeded Golden State Warriors in Game 4 on Monday.

The availability of reigning MVP Stephen Curry has been looming over the entire series, and the star guard is inching closer to a return. Curry (knee sprain) played 2-on-2 before Game 3 but was on the bench in street clothes when the game started and had to watch Portland guard Damian Lillard bury deep 3-pointers and spark his team to victory while rallying his teammates and the home fans. “I didn’t think it was on me to go win the game or anything, but I did think it was my job to come out and be aggressive from the start,” Lillard told reporters. “A lot of times, the team will go as I go. That goes for more than just scoring the ball, that means how focused I am, how accountable I’m holding myself.” The Trail Blazers are undefeated at home during the playoffs and went 17-of-30 from 3-point range in the 120-108 victory.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Warriors opened as 4.5-point favorites on the road for this critical Game 4 matchup - by Sunday afternoon the line had been bet up to Warriors -5. The total opened at 214 and has been steady since its release. Check out the complete line history here.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (79-11, 51-37-2 ATS, 48-41-1 O/U): Golden State grabbed a 28-22 lead after the first quarter of Game 3 but fell off the pace when Draymond Green and Klay Thompson went to the bench to begin the second and never managed to get back over the hump. “We didn’t keep that same edge,” Thompson told reporters. “We got away from our game plan at times, especially on the offensive end, too many one- or two-pass shots. We’ve got to wear these guys down with five more passes and make those guys work out there playing big minutes, but we’ll make the adjustment Monday.” Curry will ramp up his practice work on Sunday and could be available in some capacity on Monday.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (49-42, 48-43 ATS, 48-43 O/U): Portland got a huge boost on Saturday from small forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who went 8-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, to give Lillard some much-needed scoring support. “He had 23 points on nine shots, he shot it with confidence,” Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters of Aminu. “I thought defensively, he was solid. You’ve got to be able to score against Golden State. If you don’t score, they’re such an explosive offensive team that you’ve got to be able to score and I liked his aggressiveness a couple times on drives to the basket and obviously going 4 for 5 from three.” Aminu is averaging 17.3 points on 59.4 percent shooting in the series.

TRENDS:

* Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
* Trail Blazers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Under is 7-1 in Warriors last 8 road games.
* Over is 9-0 in Trail Blazers last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
* Over is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (56-26) at Heat (48-34)

Date: May 09, 2016 8:00 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) Miami's Hassan Whiteside and Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas won't square off anymore in this Heat-Raptors Eastern Conference semifinal series.

And as the games get bigger, the lineups will be smaller.

Whiteside is day-to-day with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, and Valanciunas will miss the rest of the series with a sprained right ankle. Both starting centers were injured in Game 3 of the series Saturday, and both got the news about their immediate futures in MRI exams that were performed Sunday.

'Hassan was thrilled with the news,' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. 'Neither one of us slept much last night.'

Miami listed Whiteside as questionable for Monday's Game 4 of the series, which Toronto leads 2-1. The results of his MRI came out not long before Toronto said Valanciunas would miss the rest of the series, with no firmer timetable offered should the Raptors advance.

'Big, big, big, big, big blow for us,' Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri said. 'Big blow for JV. ... But you know what? This is the life in the NBA and we carry on.'

Whiteside's injury is similar to that of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. Typically, the recovery for a mild MCL sprain can be a couple of weeks - though there are examples where players returned within a day or two and others where it has dragged on for several weeks.

The severity of Whiteside's injury is not known. Curry's was a Grade 1 sprain, which is defined as slight.

'It's not always about who's the best team. It's always about who's the healthiest team,' Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. 'That being said, there's nothing you can do. ... It'll be a different game for us with Hassan out, but we have to figure out a game that's successful for us.'

Whiteside was hurt with 10:54 left in the second quarter Saturday, trying to position himself for a rebound.

Toronto's Kyle Lowry was called for a loose-ball foul on the play, after he got caught pulling Whiteside's arm. As Whiteside awkwardly fell backward, it appeared his right knee was inadvertently hit from the side by the Raptors' Cory Joseph and from the back by Heat teammate Luol Deng.

If Whiteside can't play, the Heat will have 14 feet of key players sidelined. All-Star forward Chris Bosh hasn't played since he was diagnosed with another blood clot in February, and he and the Heat announced last week that his season is over.

Whiteside led the NBA in blocked shots this season, averaging 3.7 on his way to finishing third in the voting for defensive player of the year. He averaged 14.2 points and 11.8 rebounds in the regular season on 61 percent shooting, then 12 points and 10.9 rebounds in the playoffs on 68 percent shooting.

If he can't play, that could mean more minutes for Heat veteran Udonis Haslem.

'Whatever it takes, man,' Haslem said. 'This is why I keep myself in shape, so I can be ready.'

Valanciunas was injured in the third quarter of Toronto's win. He's averaged 15 points and 12.1 rebounds in these playoffs and had a double-double in all three games against the Heat.

Toronto outscored Miami by 41 points when Valanciunas was on the floor in the first three games. The Heat have outscored the Raptors by 39 when he hasn't been on the court.

'He's been playing so well,' Lowry said. 'His confidence was sky-high. But for us as a team, it's next man up.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Warriors (73-9) at Trail Blazers (44-38)

Date: May 09, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

(AP) - Losing streaks don't happen to the Warriors.

Golden State is 10-0 in games that immediately follow losses this season, winning those by an average of 15.8 points. Put another way, when the Warriors are annoyed, they respond - and usually emphatically.

They haven't lost consecutive games since last year's NBA Finals. For that trend to continue, they'll likely have to win Game 4 on Monday night in Portland without Stephen Curry, who is considered doubtful.

The reigning MVP has missed six of Golden State's eight postseason games, including the last four after suffering a sprained knee ligament in Game 4 of the Warriors' first-round series with Houston.

Draymond Green finished with 37 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while Klay Thompson had 35 points in Game 3 on Saturday, but Leandro Barbosa was the only other Warrior in double figures in a 120-108 defeat.

Only Green and Thompson attempted more than eight shots.

"We don't have the luxury of staying with a set rotation," coach Steve Kerr said. "We have to read what's going on and play different people based on what we see and what we need, but that's all right. We've got a lot of players who can play and they've been ready to perform all year."

If the Warriors do get Curry back, the emotional lift would be seismic. Plus, Golden State knows that taking a 3-1 lead back home would present them with a chance for not just a closeout opportunity in Game 5, but perhaps a nice bit of rest before facing either San Antonio or Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.

"Now they're feeling like they can do it," Green said about the Trail Blazers. "We know otherwise. You can expect Game 4 to be a battle."

Portland took control in the second quarter of Game 3 and didn't look back to make this a series. Damian Lillard finished with 40 points and 10 assists and is averaging 31.7 points in the series.

The Blazers won just two of the seven meetings this season with the Warriors - including this series - but that lack of success isn't because of Lillard, who's averaging 34.4 points in those matchups.

"I did think it was my job to come out and be aggressive from the start (Saturday)," Lillard said. "A lot of times the team will go as I go. That goes for more than just scoring the ball. That means how focused I am, how accountable I'm holding myself. I just wanted to come out and be aggressive.

"You don't want to be down 0-3. Period."

They're not, and Lillard got some help to prevent that. Al-Farouq Aminu finished with 23 points and 10 boards, while C.J. McCollum added 22 points. Heading back to Oakland with the series tied would be ideal, but coach Terry Stotts knows the Warriors are going to come out ready for a battle.

"All it means is that we won a home court game," Stotts said. "It was important to win it and it's going to be a tough game on Monday."

Portland easily could have the edge in the series, but it was outscored 34-12 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and fell 110-99. Lillard was impressed with how the Blazers quickly moved on from that disappointment.

"I think we played a lot smarter down the stretch than we did the last game, and we challenged them," Lillard said. "Last game, I think, we played good and then we let up a little bit, and they turned it on - like championship teams do."

Portland wasn't even supposed to be here after losing LaMarcus Aldridge and multiple other contributors from last season's 54-win team. It won only three fewer games this season and shocked the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.

The reigning champs have taken notice.

"I just admire what they're doing," Kerr said. "They're one of my favorite teams to watch."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Monday 5/9 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

20-CENT PICK 5: 2,4,5,8/1,5,6/4/8/ALL = $24

EARLY PICK 4: 8/ALL/5/1,3,10 = $30

LATE PICK 4: 3,6/6,9/2,3,9/1,2,8 = $36

MEET STATS: 60 - 173 / $382.40 BEST BETS: 11 - 17 / $48.50

SPOT PLAYS: 4 - 17 / $28.20

Best Bet: HOUSE OF TERROR (6th)

Spot Play: ST LADS MOONWALK (4th)


Race 1

(8) KIMBERLYS BABY closed well last time yet still missed a check. With the late speed she has shown, she could upset these if close enough turning home. (5) THIS DAY FORWARD was nailed late by an improving filly last time and looks like the one to beat here. (2) STYLISH BEACHWARE was an impressive winner first time out last fall and finished fast in her May 2 qualifier. She is a threat here.

Race 2

(5) UNICUM BI was an easy winner last week but was set back for interference. He can make amends with a cleaner drive here. (6) SUNRISE AVENUE is by a leading sire and was a sharp winner of her lone qualifier; using. (1) HIPPITY HOP showed something for the first time late in her mile last week and can go forward here off that improvement.

Race 3

(4) MUSICAL RHYTHM has been flawless this year and is tough to go against with the speed and consistency he has shown. (2) O NARUTAC PERFETTO looked like a winner last week and was nailed only late. He is as good as he's ever been and is a threat here, especially if there is some early battling for the lead which is a possibility. (7) EXEMPLAR won in this class off a bit of a lucky trip. A minor award is likely here.

Race 4

(8) ST LADS MOONWALK went a big trip at Flamboro last Sunday, racing wide for the final 3/8 while the pace accelerated and he was coming on again late. He should beat these if he is put into the race early. (9) THE FIRE WITHIN was a sharp winner last week and appears to be the main threat. (3) THE ROCK didn't get into the race last time in a quick mile. He should be able to close for a share vs. these.

Race 5

(8) GRANA PADANNO raced well against the best trotter in the country in every leg of the Don Mills series. He should appreciate dodging that one here; top call. (9) CASH FOR GOLD had plenty of trot down the lane last week but was free too late to threaten the winner. He is sharp and dangerous. (7) AMITYVILLE LINDY has been racing great in the new barn and can't be tossed from multi-race wagers.

Race 6

(5) HOUSE OF TERROR lacked room last week when facing much tougher. He gets to take a class plunge here and should handle this group. (1) BLISSFUL YEARS raced well behind a sharp winner last time and should be prominent early here and tale a share. (3) LEAFS AND WINGS shows a 25 flat final 1/4 last week but will likely be overbet off that line which could provide some value for those who prefer the choice.

Race 7

(1) TREASURE GIFTS K made front in the Celias Counsel final but immediately came under siege in a race with several lead changes. She should be tough in here if she stays flat. (3) DEWY DON'T CHEAT was sharp in his lone qualifier and is another possibility to consider for Pick 4 tickets here. (10) SASS showed good speed both early and late in his qualifying win and can threaten these if he blasts early.

Race 8

(6) WILL TAKE CHARGE made an impressive brush to win his season's debut and can double up here off that big win. (3) ELDORADO OF GOLD S fell just short last time to a horse that has shown rapid improvement. He is the main danger here. (2) YANKEE PUZZLE comes off a sharp win but the top two here are tougher. He is likely to take a smaller share here.

Race 9

(6) ARCHANGEL THREE paced consecutive sub-28 quarters in the back 1/2 to impressively break his maiden last week. He looks much-improved and can double up here. (9) BROOKDALE SONNY was first up in an accelerating pace last time and couldn't seal the deal. He could make amends here. (4) NEW STANDARD is one of the best closers in the field and could hit the bottom rung of the Tri or Super.

Race 10

(2) STORMONT KATE roared up late for third in her first start off a layoff. Expect owner/trainer/driver Richardson to provide a more aggressive steer here. (9) CAN I SAY wired many of these at a big price last week and is a big threat to repeat. (3) OHO DIAMOND has been racing well in open company at Pocono and isn't out of this; using.

Race 11

(1) THORN IN YOUR SIDE returns from Yonkers and may control this race from the outset using his class and the inside post to his advantage. (2) LYONS LEVI LEWIS has been racing okay in the top classes at Flamboro and is another that can leave the gate quickly. (8) SUGARSAM was a narrow loser in this class last time but broke early in the race and had to re-qualify. He can share if he behaves. (5) DERBY DYLAN is a one-paced sort that can close for a minor share. (10) COMEANDGETSOME will be winding up from far back and passing horses late. He can hit the Jackpot High-5 ticket.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Monday 5/9 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 113 - 468 / $727.80

BEST BETS: 12 - 49 / $51.40

Best Bet: SINGLE ME (11th)

Spot Play: MARLA MCGIVERS (2nd)


Race 1

(1) WISHY WASHY GIRL Sharp performance for the win last out at Pocono. Makes her return to the half-mile oval and should have no problem against these. (4) PRETTY SAMMIE was sent down the road in her latest for all the glory. (6) MOTHER OF ART put in a fine effort but was nailed at the wire for win honors last time out.

Race 2

(8) MARLA MCGIVERS Filly did put in a mild rally for third money at Pocono last out. She fits with these but will have to overcome the 8-hole; capable. (6) CHEYENNE MOLLY was sitting in the pocket most of the way but could not get to the winner last time around; big threat. (3) LILMISSTALKSALOT raced evenly for show honors recently.

Race 3

(3) FINE DIAMOND led every step of the way for all the glory at Philly last out. Sophomore is in good form so two straight is not out of the question. (5) COMBAT gets serious post relief and that should help his cause. (2) VICEROY HANOVER Meadows invader got the job done wire to window last time out.

Race 4

(2) CLASSIC BREEZE flashed good speed in his first trip to the Hilltop and gelding might turn things around with Brennan at the helm. (6) COBRA JOE Even finish for fourth money last time around. (1) ROCKIN CASSINOVA should fare well from the fence and has speed to boot.

Race 5

(5) WHAT I BELIEVE did not fire in his last start but the good news is he now moves inside and the gelding knows how to win races; worth a shot. (4) TRACK MASTER D Mohawk shipper should find this group to his liking. (1) IN RUNAWAY BAY N was sharp in the pocket to lose glory by 3/4 length.

Race 6

(1) MY MIND IS MADEUP sophomore moves to the fence and if he returns to his 4/18 start the rest will have to settle for second money. (6) GRAND THEFT will need a better trip than in his latest; quite capable. (3) SHANE ADAM will be closing in final strides; watch out.

Race 7

(2) BULLVILLE BREN moves down the scale and gets the 2-hole. She could rate on be on the lead; threat at her best. (3) PRECIOUS TWILIGHT just got up for the victory last time out. (6) HOT LEMONADE has hit the board in her last three tries; not out of this.

Race 8

(4) SECOND WIND N finally gets post relief and this 10-year-old gelding gets another shot at this level; gets the call. (3) AMERICAN VENTURE just missed the victory by only 1/2 length. (2) WINNING IS SWEET was sent down the road last out for all the glory.

Race 9

(1) BLACK WIDOW BABY Clearly this gal is knocking at the door based on her last three trips. Should find the half-mile oval to her liking and a favorable trip will seal the deal. (2) NO CLOUDS BLUECHIP should contend from the 2-hole; maybe. (5) AMERICAN IVY Sharp qualifier at The Meadowlands should put this filly in the mix.

Race 10

(2) LONE SURVIVOR Quite sharp for the placing last time out. 4-year-old could make some serious noise with a return to his 4/6 score at Philly. (1) ARTS DRAGON flashed fine speed but was caught at the wire last time out. (8) YANKEE ARTILLERY got the job done via the pocket route last out; post hurts but is very capable.

Race 11

(7) SINGLE ME seems to be the class of this group. Pacing mare can top these down the road despite the move to the 6-hole. (2) BETTER SAID was very game for the place spot in her last try. (3) GOLD STAR DYNASTY gets post relief and should have say in the outcome.

Race 12

(5) BET YOU 6 starts in the exacta makes this gelding a major player in here and just missed glory in her last three starts by a nose, head & a neck; the pick. (4) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW has hit the board 9 of 12 starts this year and he must be considered. (7) SOUTHWIND MASIMO got the job done last out via the pocket route.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Monday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Finger Lakes (6th) My Favorite Two, 3-1
(8th) Keepin It Zeal, 9-2

Mountaineer (1st) Save My Soul, 7-2
(5th) Don't Defy Me, 3-1

Parx (2nd) Rienzi, 3-1
(4th) Wyandot, 7-2


Thistledown (5th) Bucket Beat, 5-1
(6th) Summer Shoe, 4-1


Turf Paradise (5th) Allen's Crown, 3-1
(7th) Migiwewin, 3-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Giants apparently off Lincecum's wish list
By Dave Del Grande, The Sports Xchange

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants didn't just scout the Tim Lincecum showcase Friday. They reportedly got a private look at their former standout earlier in the week.
Yes, the Giants are potentially interested. But Lincecum, for now, apparently isn't interested in them.
Lincecum is exploring other options because the Giants aren't offering a spot in their rotation. The two-time Cy Young Award winner believes he can still help someone as a starter.
It is true: The Giants don't have a spot in their rotation open. But that could change any day now.
When the Giants host the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-game series that kicks off Monday night, they will send two of the National League's worst starters (statistically) to the mound to pitch the first two games.
Jake Peavy, Monday's starter, has been roughed up for six or more runs in three of his six starts this season. And it seems as if he is getting progressively worse, having been bombed for 13 runs in his last eight innings.
His 9.00 ERA is the worst among regular starters in the National League.
Tuesday's starter, Matt Cain, has been arguably worse.
After all, Peavy has a win this season. It has been 9 1/2 months (13 starts) since Cain's last victory. He is one of just two starters (along with Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann) to have opened the 2016 season 0-4.
One more bad start could be the end for either struggling right-hander.
No doubt, Lincecum will be watching.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yankees bullpen will get boost with Chapman's arrival
By Larry Fleisher, The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- The back end of the bullpen has been the best attribute of the first month for the New York Yankees.
On Monday, the belief is it will get better because Aroldis Chapman will be on the active roster for the first time this season following his 30-game suspension for a domestic violence investigation. The four-time All-Star says he has moved beyond the incident and is more than ready to electrify fans and the Yankees with his fastball, which often gets clocked at 100 mph or higher.
"Honestly I try to give my best every single time that I go out there and that's what I like to do. I like to give my best and put on a good show for the fans," Chapman said through an interpreter during a 13-minute press conference before Sunday's 5-1 loss to the the Boston Red Sox. "So anytime I go out there, I try to do the best I can."
Chapman's first regular-season media session as a Yankee took place before the team's 29th game because he was alleged to have fired eight shots from a gun into his Florida garage wall following an argument with his girlfriend, who also said the left-hander put his hands around her neck.
Even though law enforcement declined to charge and prosecute because of an uncooperative witness, there were various costs for Chapman. Besides missing time with his new team, the other parts of his discipline was meetings with psychiatrists, required counseling and forfeiting approximately $1.8 million of his $11.3 million salary for this season.
It was something the Yankees knew when they acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds in late December at a discounted price. Chapman was originally going to be dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers but the deal fell apart because of the allegations, which the 28-year-old was vague about when asked what he learned from it.
"I learned a lot from it.," Chapman said. "Like any human being, we learn every day. It's just part of life to keep on learning. Good thing is that it's something that is behind me now. I want to focus on baseball, being here with my teammates, having the opportunity to hopefully contribute to win."
And the Yankees are excited about Chapman's return. Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances have combined to allow four earned runs in 27 appearances, spanning 25 2/3 innings while getting 47 strikeouts.
However, there have been situations where one or both have been unavailable and Chapman's presence will likely mean there will be few nights when all three are unavailable.
"I think that he's an established closer, he's a guy that throws incredibly hard, he's got incredible stuff and he's got a great track record," Miller said. "There's no reason to think he doesn't make us better, and whether that's shortening a game, letting us maybe work some days where we get a day off or maybe you can avoid some of those times Dellin's got to go out and get four or five outs or get up and down, I think that that certainly helps us. Staying fresh is important and hopefully he contributes to that.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (15-15) at Yankees (11-17)

Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: May 09, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

While the Kansas City Royals might be forgetting what it feels like to win a series, the New York Yankees just got that feeling back.

The clubs meet Monday night at Yankee Stadium for the first of a four-game set with the Royals hoping to put a rough 12-game span behind them and the Yankees welcoming their new closer into the fold.

Kansas City (15-15) closed a weekend series in Cleveland with Sunday's 5-4 loss, dropping to 3-9 since taking two of three from Baltimore from April 22-24. The Royals have averaged 2.7 runs and batted .240 while the rotation's ERA is 6.41 in that time.

New York (11-18) just took two of three from Boston, but the home series ended with Sunday's 5-1 loss. It was the Yankees' first series win since taking two of three from Tampa Bay at home April 22-24.

Despite the series win, the offense is struggling. The Yankees have scored 12 runs in a 2-2 span and are batting .202. Mark Teixeira is 4 for 33 in his last 10 games, while Carlos Beltran is 1 for 14 in his previous four.

They'll turn to Ivan Nova in an effort to start another series on a strong note. Nova (1-1, 5.14 ERA) will make his first start after six appearances out of the bullpen.

The right-hander, who is taking injured CC Sabathia's spot in the rotation, is 2-1 with a 6.61 ERA in three career starts against the Royals. Eric Hosmer, who homered Sunday and is batting .389 in his last 10 games, is 4 for 9 with a home run and two doubles off Nova. Alex Gordon is 1 for 8 in the matchup.

A good start out of Nova could lead the way to Aroldis Chapman's first save opportunity with New York. The Yankees are set to activate Chapman and move him right into the closer's role. Chapman is now eligible to pitch after serving a 29-game suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.

The left-hander agreed to a 30-game penalty in March. The Yankees had one game postponed because of bad weather, and the agreement credited Chapman for any rainouts.

The long ball continues to harm Chris Young, who's given up eight homers in six starts. Four have come in his last two outings, including two in Tuesday's 7-6 home win over Washington. The right-hander gave up two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings before being bailed out by the offense with a three-run ninth for a walk-off win.

"This was such a great team win," Young said. "Hopefully it will be a morale booster."

He might need another one on the road. Young (1-4, 5.76) has lost all three of his away starts with an 8.36 ERA, and he's 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA in seven career starts against the Yankees.

Brian McCann (3 for 22) and Teixeira (4 for 19) have struggled against him.

Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury missed his second straight game after straining a hip muscle Friday night and probably won't be ready to play Monday night, manager Joe Girardi said.

"I hope we can get back as soon as possible," Ellsbury said. "I don't want to speculate on a time, but that's the goal, to avoid the DL."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (14-16) at Nationals (19-11)

Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 09, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

It's likely one of the last sights that the slumping Detroit Tigers want to see, Stephen Strasburg on the mound.

The Washington Nationals right-hander seeks to become his franchise's first starter with a 6-0 record in 19 years Monday night against the Tigers, losers of six in a row.

Detroit (14-16) has been outscored 43-16 during its skid and is batting .180 in its last five games. Justin Verlander's sparkling start nearly ended the Tigers' slide Sunday against Texas but their bullpen collapsed in an 8-3 defeat.

The Rangers scored all of their runs in the final two innings, and Mark Lowe was charged with five in the eighth.

"It seems like every day, there is one part of our game that just isn't clicking. Today, it was the bullpen, but on other days, it has been the hitting or the starters," manager Brad Ausmus said.

When they head back on the road, the Tigers have the daunting task of facing one of the NL's best teams and Strasburg (5-0, 2.36 ERA). He gave up two runs over six innings Wednesday in Kansas City and got plenty of support in a 13-2 rout.

"Throwing strikes, getting ahead of the hitters, just stuff he's supposed to do," manager Dusty Baker said of Strasburg's success. "Now he's a man. Before, he was a kid. He's pitching like a man."

Strasburg's franchise hasn't had a starter win his first six decisions since Pedro Martinez went 8-0 for the Montreal Expos in 1997, and he hasn't lost in his last six interleague starts. The last AL team to hand him a defeat, however, was Detroit on July 30, 2013.

Strasburg gave up five runs over seven innings in a 5-1 loss in his lone matchup with the Tigers.

In this meeting, he'll start opposite a struggling Anibal Sanchez (3-3, 5.87). The right-hander gave up four runs in seven innings Wednesday in a 4-0 defeat in Cleveland, his third in four starts.

Sanchez, who has a 7.20 ERA in that stretch, gave up two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-3 victory against Oakland in his prior start April 28 but he also issued seven walks.

"Right now, I'm not sure we know exactly what to expect from him," Ausmus told MLB's official website. "Hopefully he has some good solid outings the next few outings like he did today. Really, his last two have been pretty good. Then I think we will start to expect to see that type of Anibal Sanchez that gives you an opportunity to win.

Sanchez is 9-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 21 starts against the Nationals but is facing them for the first time since July 30, 2013.

Washington (19-12) is heading home after enduring a four-game sweep at the hands of the MLB-leading Chicago Cubs. The Nationals went 13 innings Sunday before succumbing to a 4-3 defeat, and Bryce Harper tied a major league record with six walks, including three intentional.

He was also hit by a pitch, becoming the first player in the past 100 years to reach base seven times in a game without registering an official at-bat.

Washington, which finished 5-5 on its road trip, was swept in three games by Philadelphia in its most recent series at Nationals Park following an 8-1 start there.

Miguel Cabrera will try to extend an 11-game hit streak against the Nationals. He has batted .385 in his last 80 games versus that franchise.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (12-18) at Marlins (16-14)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 09, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

A pair of comebacks allowed the Milwaukee Brewers to register back-to-back road wins for the first time this season, but extending that modest streak could prove challenging.

The Brewers seek to deal Jose Fernandez a rare home loss in their first matchup with the Miami Marlins starter Monday night.

Milwaukee rallied from a four-run deficit for a 13-7 win in 10 innings Saturday against Cincinnati and worked its way out of a three-run hole for a 5-4 victory Sunday. Jonathan Lucroy hit the tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning - his second in as many games.

The Brewers (13-18) were 3-9 on the road after dropping the first two in Cincinnati.

"We got down early the last two games, but the offense just kept battling back and inching us closer," manager Craig Counsell said. "The bullpen's done a nice job."

Milwaukee will next face a team that took two of three at Miller Park from April 29-May 1. The Brewers avoided a sweep with a 14-5 win but have a tall order in the opener to this three-game set in Miami.

Fernandez (3-2, 4.28 ERA) improved to 19-1 all-time at home with a 4-3 victory against Arizona on Wednesday but bumped his ERA at Marlins Park to 1.71 by giving up three runs in five innings. The Marlins (16-14) have won in 23 of his last 25 home starts.

He used 99 pitches to get through his latest and has yet to go beyond the sixth inning in six outings this season.

"It was a lot of pitches," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's kind of what we've seen all year so far. Obviously his stuff is always good. He's always competitive. He's always getting after it, just a lot of pitches."

The Brewers' Wily Peralta (2-3, 7.50) might not get the generous run support - a combined 19 - that's allowed him to win his past two starts, including the May 1 game against the Marlins. The right-hander gave up five runs and a career-high 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings, and has allowed nine runs and 20 hits in 11 2/3 innings in his past two games.

Peralta is 3-0 with a 6.23 ERA in his last three starts against the Marlins and has received a combined 20 runs of support. He has allowed 11 runs and 22 hits in 10 2/3 innings in his past two matchups.

Peralta was 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA in his first four starts versus Miami. He's gotten a lengthy break because he was away from the team for the birth of a child.

The Marlins blew an early three-run lead and a one-run advantage Sunday in a 6-5 loss to visiting Philadelphia. They have dropped back-to-back games after winning 11 of 12.

"We probably helped them out a little more than we should have," Mattingly said. "All the different aspects of this game kind of went south on us a little bit."

Derek Dietrich is 8 for 14 with three extra-base hits against Peralta and is batting .385 in his last seven games versus Milwaukee. Adeiny Hechavarria is hitting .418 in his past 15 matchups, and J.T. Realmuto has batted .407 in seven career games against the Brewers.

Former University of Miami star Ryan Braun is hitting .393 during a 20-game hit streak in that city and .395 in his last nine overall games against the Marlins.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (16-14) at Reds (13-18)

Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 09, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

The first week of May wasn't a great one for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it had a lot to do with starting pitching.

Jonathon Niese has been a disappointment on the mound for more than that week, a trend which he'll try to start reversing Monday night as the Pirates begin a three-game series in Cincinnati.

The Pirates (17-14) are 2-5 to start May with a 4.95 ERA out of the starting staff. Niese (3-1, 5.94 ERA) gave up six runs and nine hits with five walks in five innings of Tuesday's 7-1 home loss to the Chicago Cubs.

"My job is to get those hitters out. Today I didn't do a good job of that," Niese told MLB's official website.

Over his last three starts, he's 1-1 with an 8.80 ERA and .414 opponent batting average with nine walks in 15 1/3 innings. The left-hander did add that he's identified some mechanical flaws to focus on going forward.

"I figured something had to be off for as good as I'm feeling out there but not getting results," Niese said. "There are some mechanical issues, stuff that I can work on in between starts. I think it's going to help."

Niese is 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds with Brandon Phillips going 9 for 21 with two home runs. Joey Votto (2 for 17) and Jay Bruce (2 for 15) have struggled with him.

Dan Straily's first season with his new team is going better than Niese's. The right-hander hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his four starts and held San Francisco to three runs and six hits for his first victory in Wednesday's 7-4 win. It came despite allowing two home runs.

"Dan pitched great, especially to start the season in the bullpen and go to the rotation and hit the ground running like he's done has really been impressive, Ross Ohlendorf said after closing the game out.

Straily (1-1, 3.56) is 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts against the Pirates, including a 4-1 loss in Pittsburgh on April 29 after he gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. Starling Marte is 4 for 9 against him, but Andrew McCutchen is 1 for 8.

The Reds (13-19) enter the series after a disappointing split with Milwaukee. Cincinnati won the first two but lost Saturday and Sunday and hasn't won a series since taking two of three from Colorado from April 18-20 and is 5-12 since with a 7.07 ERA out of the bullpen.

"We have to be a way better pitching staff or this is what you get," manager Bryan Price said. "The starters aren't going deep enough into games and the bullpen has to be more effective or we'll have to go to an eight-man bullpen. We are going to wear the bullpen out by June if we don't get better."

The Pirates took two of three in St. Louis over the weekend and got their offense going in Sunday's 10-5 victory. Marte was 3 for 5 with two doubles and went 7 for 14 in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (14-18) at Red Sox (17-13)

Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: May 09, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

Josh Reddick is on fire, but unfortunately for the Oakland Athletics, few others in their lineup are. Even worse, Sonny Gray is ice cold.

Gray takes the mound Monday night hoping to end his struggles while shaking the Athletics out of a funk when they visit the Boston Red Sox.

Oakland (14-18) ranks in the bottom third of MLB with 3.65 runs per game, and a 1-6 stretch is highlighted by some lowly offensive numbers. The Athletics totaled 19 runs in their six losses during that stretch, eight coming from one game.

However, Reddick found a way into the record books during this weekend's series loss in Baltimore. The right fielder had seven hits in a split doubleheader Saturday and went 3 for 3 with a walk in Sunday's 11-3 loss - his run of eight straight hits, which is still alive, matching the franchise mark.

"Look at all the players that have played in this uniform - Hall of Famers that have been there," Reddick said. "To be up there on the top is a really great honor."

Still, scoring runs remains a problem after the rest of the lineup combined for three singles and a double in the series finale.

A bigger issue might be the struggles of Gray (3-3, 4.84 ERA).

After opening the season with four quality starts, the right-hander has lost his last two while surrendering 13 hits and 11 runs in nine combined innings. He has coughed up three home runs while walking five and striking out eight.

Gray has only a loss to show for his two career starts against Boston (18-13), though he pitched well in both in 2014 and '15. He allowed just three earned runs in 13 innings while striking out a dozen.

Gray will face a red-hot David Ortiz, who homered twice in Sunday's 5-1 win at the New York Yankees to pass Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski for second place on Boston's career list with 512.

Ortiz has six home runs in his last nine games and eight RBIs in his last five for Boston - which has won four in a row and six of seven in this series. Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts also went deep Sunday to help the Red Sox salvage a game in a three-game set against the Yankees to close a 3-3 trip.

Boston's lineup had produced just four runs the previous two games, but it will try to build off the momentum to back Clay Buchholz.

Buchholz (1-3, 5.71) had surrendered five runs in four of his first five starts - the Red Sox losing all five - but finally pieced things together for Wednesday's 5-2 win over the league-leading Chicago White Sox.

The right-hander held them to three hits and two runs in seven innings - his longest outing yet.

"To go seven innings, that's what everyone on the staff wants to do," Buchholz told MLB's official website. "They want to get into the seventh and then hand it over to the guys who have their job to do as well. If you could paint a picture, I think tonight would be what everybody would want to do."

Buchholz holds a 3-2 record but a miserable 6.81 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in eight career starts against Oakland. Reddick (4 for 9) and Coco Crisp (4 for 16) have each homered in the matchup, while Mark Canha has hits in all three of his at-bats with a pair of doubles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (13-18) at Cubs (23-6)

Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 09, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

The Chicago Cubs' (hashtag)WeAreGood slogan began as a bit of a joke when catcher Miguel Montero tweeted it out last season, then caught on as they made a surprising run to the NLCS.

Now it seems somewhat of an insult to label the Cubs as simply good when they're making strides toward something potentially great.

Chicago is off to the majors' best 30-game start in 32 years, and it sends Jon Lester to the hill against the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday night seeking an eighth consecutive victory.

The Cubs (24-6) improved their baseball-best run differential to an almost comical plus-102 on Sunday when Javier Baez's solo homer in the 13th gave them a 4-3 win over Washington and capped a four-game sweep.

Kris Bryant's two-run single in the seventh tied it to get Jake Arrieta off the hook and helped Chicago become the first team to win at least 24 of its first 30 since Detroit started 26-4 in 1984.

The Cubs also lowered their major league-leading ERA to 2.48.

'The most important thing is that we never give up,' Baez said. 'We had nobody on the bench and we still were playing hard and giving everything we had.'

Lester (3-1, 1.58 ERA) is a big reason for the Cubs' success as well.

He had to grind through his shortest outing of the season Wednesday, though, while allowing eight hits and tossing 103 pitches in 5 2/3 innings against Pittsburgh. But the Pirates couldn't plate a run and he came away with a 6-2 victory.

The left-hander has given up one run or none in five of his six outings.

'It says a lot about pitch execution because Johnny got in some jams and was able to pitch out of it, which was really nice to see,' catcher David Ross said. 'He's done that a couple times here lately.'

Lester ran into a few jams when he faced the Padres last season and allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-2 loss last April. Wil Myers, who played his first two seasons under Cubs manager Joe Maddon with Tampa Bay, has homered off Lester.

Myers is in a 2-for-20 slump, though, and was stranded after the Padres failed to score with the bases loaded an nobody out in the eighth of Sunday's 4-3 loss to the New York Mets.

San Diego (13-19) has reached double digits in hits only once in its last 12 games.

"That's on us as a team collectively to pick that run up, to pick multiple runs up,' manager Andy Green said. 'You want to be a little bit more risk-adverse at third base with nobody out. You want to be more assertive with two outs. We had three chances to bring them home.'

The Padres' scoring woes have delayed the first career victory for surprising rookie Cesar Vargas (0-1, 1.10). He's been solid in each of his first three outings and has given up only two runs despite walking nine.

The right-hander has received just two runs of support, though, and gave up one run in six innings of Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Colorado.

'You get stretches like that where you don't necessarily have run support,' Vargas said through a translator. 'You want to keep the game close, but you really can't control that in terms of offensive support.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (22-10) at Rangers (18-14)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 09, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

Colby Lewis' longstanding issues keeping the ball in the yard likely cost him a chance at adding another win to his unbeaten record.

The Texas Rangers right-hander hasn't given up too much other than home runs in his recent dominance against the Chicago White Sox, and he'll seek to add to that in Monday night's series opener.

Lewis has had a problem with the long ball over the past three seasons with 59 allowed in 68 starts. Ten of the 14 runs he's surrendered this season have come via homer, and Edwin Encarnacion's two-run shot Wednesday was one of his only major miscues in a 4-3 loss in Toronto.

Lewis (2-0, 3.32 ERA) yielded three runs in seven innings against the Blue Jays while matching a season high with seven strikeouts.

"They're professional hitters and that's what they're supposed to do - hit mistakes," he told MLB's official website. "That was a mistake."

Lewis is 6-0 with a 1.25 ERA in his last seven starts versus the White Sox, and five of Chicago's seven runs against him in that stretch have come on home runs. He yielded one run - on a Melky Cabrera homer - in six innings April 23 in Chicago, but reliever Sam Dyson gave up a pair of runs in a 4-3 loss in 11 innings.

The Rangers (18-14) are returning home after earning a three-game sweep in Detroit by tagging the Tigers' bullpen for seven runs in the eighth inning of an 8-3 victory Sunday. Bobby Wilson, playing against the team that traded him Tuesday, hit his first homer of the season and first career grand slam off Mark Lowe.

"We have the ability to break out those innings against any team. To have that and to finish the series like that is fun," said outfielder Delino DeShields, who added a solo shot after Wilson went deep.

The streaky Rangers had lost four of five before heading to Detroit. Texas was swept in three games in Chicago from April 22-24, part of a string of four consecutive defeats, before starting a four-game win streak.

Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 8.44) will try to deliver the White Sox a sixth consecutive win over the Rangers while seeking to claim a spot in the rotation. Chicago is auditioning pitchers after designating John Danks for assignment and trying out Erik Johnson in a 7-3 loss to Boston on Thursday.

Gonzalez gave up five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings in his only start for the White Sox in a 7-5 win in Toronto on April 25. He went 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA in two starts against Texas last season while with Baltimore.

Chicago (22-10) added to its best start in 10 years with Sunday's 3-1 victory against Minnesota, which completed a three-game home sweep of the Twins. The White Sox dropped two of three to Boston to open their homestand.

"This is fun to see. Guys are making great plays out there, timely hitting and pitching is doing their job," third baseman Todd Frazier said. "You couldn't really ask for a better start."

Ian Desmond is batting .526 with five extra-base hits in his last six games against the White Sox. Elvis Andrus and Mitch Moreland are each 5 for 13 versus Gonzalez.

Austin Jackson is 13 for 34 versus Lewis, while Cabrera is 6 for 16 with two doubles and a homer.

Chicago has dropped two of three in each of its last two visits to Texas.