Monday 8/10/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

English Premier TODAY 20:00

West Brom

v

Man City

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		19/4	3	4/6	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WEST BROM	RECENT FORM
AWHDAWADHWAL​ Most recent​	1 - 3 2 - 3 1 - 2 0 - 0	HWHWAWHWAWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Man City scored at least twice in seven of their final nine league games last season

EXPERT VERDICT: Manchester City have to wait an extra two days to get their Premier League campaign under way and a trip to The Hawthorns may be viewed as a tricky first assignment. However, City finished last season with six straight wins and all of those matches saw them score inside 31 minutes.

RECOMMENDATION: Man City-Man City double result
1


REFEREE: Mike Dean STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

German Cup TODAY 19:30

St Pauli

v

Mgladbach

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		13/2	16/5	4/9	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ST PAULI	RECENT FORM
–-–-–-–-AWHL​ Most recent​	3 - 1 1 - 1 1 - 3 0 - 2	ADHWAWHWAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Gladbach conceded 12 away league goals last term – only Bayern Munich (11) were tighter

EXPERT VERDICT: St Pauli’s struggles in Bundesliga 2 mean a return to the top flight is not likely anytime soon, so they will relish a shot at one of the Bundesliga’s big hitters in this German Cup tie. The crowd is likely to be raucous but that has been more than factored into the prices and the visitors look value.

RECOMMENDATION: Gladbach
2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Monticello Raceway

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 10 - Post: 3:50 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 72 - Purse:$4600 - F& M SIX YEAR OLDS AND UNDER W/O 2 BUT NOT MORE THAN 3 PM A/O $7500 LT J DEVAUX 3 OVER 8 J MAROHN JR 6 OVER 4


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 5 MY FLEET THREE 7/2


# 2 HIGHLAND ROCKSTAR 5/2


# 6 LADY BETH 3/1

We've got a vibe MY FLEET THREE is going to get the ultimate prize. This solid standardbred may wake up with a medication change (with second time Lasix) today. This nice horse earned a very good speed figure last time out. Looks to be racing sharply to come right back. Ryan will be looking to score today, has been hot as a pistol lately. Win clip the past month is a sparkling 21. HIGHLAND ROCKSTAR - She's doing work in good form, recording very compelling TrackMaster Speed Ratings. An excellent pick. This mare has been going to post against some of the most competitive horses in this pack recently. LADY BETH - Take a look at this entrant's avg speed statistic of 74 and compare to today's class rating. Looks like a very good wager. Seems to have a formidable class edge based on the horses she has raced against.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Yonkers Raceway

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 7 - Post: 9:10 - 1 mile. TROT - Class Rating: 84 - Purse:$82687 - THE $163,874 DICK MCGUIRE TROT NEW YORK SIRE STAKES 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS **2ND DIVISION**


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 4 ROYAL DECEPTOR 4/1


# 6 BUEN CAMINO 2/1


# 5 GABE THE BEAR DEAN 9/2


ROYAL DECEPTOR unquestionably appears to be the entrant to beat for this race. Comes into this affair with very nice TrackMaster class numbers in relationship to the race - worth a look. BUEN CAMINO - Take a look at this harness racer's avg speed rating of 87 and compare to today's class rating. Looks like a great bet. Certainly should be given a look based on the good TrackMaster Speed Rating earned in the last race. GABE THE BEAR DEAN - Could provide us a win based on competitive recent TrackMaster Speed Ratings - earning an average of 86. Seems to have a good class edge based on the field of horses he has faced.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Delaware

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Claiming - 8.3f on the Dirt. Purse: $12000 Class Rating: 76

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JUNE 10, 2015 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $6,250, IF FOR $5,000, ALLOWED 3 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 2 SWISS CONFEDERATE 5/2


# 6 SINGLE ORIGIN 6/1


# 3 IRA 9/5


SWISS CONFEDERATE looks decent to best this field. Should be given a shot here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. Handler boasts strong win numbers at this distance and surface. With a reliable 70 average speed figure at the distance, seems well suited for today's affair. SINGLE ORIGIN - He has been running solidly recently while recording strong Equibase Speed Figures. Strong average speed figs in dirt route races make this horse a key contender. IRA - The speed figure of 69 from his latest affair looks decent in here. In this field, this horse is in the upper half of earnings per start in dirt route races.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Ruidoso

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 9 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $7000 Class Rating: 63

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500. NEW MEXICO BRED CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 2 EXCLUSIVE WHO 2/1


# 5 JUSTICA 9/5


# 4 TRICKY QUICK 5/2


EXCLUSIVE WHO looks very strong to best this field. Looks very strong against this field and should be one of the leaders. Has to be carefully examined in this race if only for the decent speed fig earned in the last contest. JUSTICA - The class rating of today's contest is much lower than his last race. Exhibits the look of a profitable play, averaging a solid 61 speed figure which is one of the best in this field. TRICKY QUICK - Is a solid choice - given the 67 Equibase Speed Fig from his most recent race. Always good to invest in a handler with this kind of competitive win percentage - 15 percent - at this distance & surface.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #5 - Post: 2:43pm - Allowance - 6.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $43,000 Class Rating: 94

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 EL OH EL (ML=15/1)
#6 ROXBURY N OVERTON (ML=9/5)
#2 DERBY GOLD (ML=5/2)


EL OH EL - This jock and trainer have a high winning percent together. That last drill tells me this horse is set for a top effort. It looks like the race should set up for a closer. This horse's running style fits the bill nicely. ROXBURY N OVERTON - This rider and handler have a great winning pct when they team up. DERBY GOLD - This horse is very reliable, frequently finishing in the money. This jockey and handler's equines have been producing a lucrative return on investment.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 BEACH HUT (ML=3/1), #1 ARTISTIC DRIFTER (ML=7/2), #3 MALIBU BLUFF (ML=8/1),

BEACH HUT - This horse hasn't had nary a drill after running so well on July 19th. ARTISTIC DRIFTER - Don't figure that this racer is worth 7/2 in this affair. MALIBU BLUFF - This gelding won last time, but probably won't come back today versus tougher competition. When examining today's class rating, he will have to notch a much better speed rating than last time around the track to battle in this dirt sprint.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #4 EL OH EL on the win end if we get at least 3/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,6] Box [2,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [2,4,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[2,4,6] with [2,4,6] with [1,2,4,5,6] with [1,2,4,5,6] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Thistledown - Race #1 - Post: 12:55pm - Claiming - 8.2 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,300 Class Rating: 81

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 NIGHT LEAGUE (ML=10/1)
#10 DESIGNATOR (ML=10/1)
#8 SOUTHERN VALUES (ML=8/1)


NIGHT LEAGUE - Always watch out for the longer priced horse when a trainer has an 'uncoupled' entry in a race. DESIGNATOR - Have to give this gelding a fair chance. Ran a nice outing in the last race within the last thirty days. SOUTHERN VALUES - I like that recent outing on July 25th at Thistledown where he finished third. Horse has improved at least 2 speed figure points in last two races. I look for that to continue in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #9 WORTH A BUCK (ML=4/1), #1 HEAVENLY MOMENT (ML=9/2), #3 SOVEREIGN DEFAULT (ML=5/1),

WORTH A BUCK - This questionable contender has been a disappointment to the horseplayers as the favorite time and time again. Notched a quite unimpressive speed figure last race out in a $4,000 Claiming race on Jul 13th. Doubtful to see an improved performance off of that fig. HEAVENLY MOMENT - Hard to wager on these non-winning types at less than generous odds. SOVEREIGN DEFAULT - This horse just hasn't looked sharp of late. Pace makes the race. Tough for this front-runner to be able to deal with the suicidal fractions from the rest of this group. This gelding notched a speed rating in his last affair which probably isn't good enough in today's event.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #7 NIGHT LEAGUE on the nose if you can get odds of 5/2 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
7 with [8,10]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [7,8,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[7,8,10] with [7,8,10] with [1,2,7,8,10] with [1,2,7,8,10] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #8 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 4:45 PM EASTERN POST


New York Stallion Stakes - Cab Calloway Division

8.0 FURLONGS INNER TURF THREE YEAR OLDS STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#5 MARK MY STYLE
#7 POSSESSED
#4 PAYMENT TERMS
#1 AMAZING ANNE

Well folks ... restricted to the 3-year-old progeny of New York stallions, the Cab Calloway was first run in 2003 at six furlongs on the dirt. In 2004 and 2005, it was contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. Moved to the turf in 2006, it was run at 1 1/8 miles on 2006-07, at 1 1/16 miles in 2008-10 and thereafter at a mile on the grass. In 2011, when its sister race, the NYSS Statue of Liberty, did not fill, the race was run as the New York Stallion Series Stakes. The race was named for the popular jazz singer and band leader Cabell "Cab" Calloway III, a native of Rochester, N.Y. who died in 1994. Here in the 9th running of this stakes event, #5 MARK MY STYLE qualifies as a TrackMaster PLUS "PowerPony," has hit the board in four of his last five outings, with his last three "board hit efforts," including a pair of wins in his last start, as well as in his 3rd race back, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." #7 POSSESSED, a 6-1 shot, has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of his last five starts, including a pair of "POWER RUN WINS" being embedded in this recent streak of racing consistency.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Monday 8/10 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

EARLY PICK 4:

8,9/2,4,5/1,7,10/1,6 = $36


LATE PICK 4: 2,7,8/3,6,7/5.7/3,6,10

MEET STATS: 214 - 702 / $1237.70 BEST BETS: 30 - 63 / $101.20

SPOT PLAYS: 8 - 63 / $66.90

Best Bet: PENNIES FROM ABOVE (3rd)

Spot Play: TYMAL SIGNATURE (9th)


Race 1

(6) SAFEKEEPING is by a top sire out of an unraced dam who was out of a millionaire winning dam herself. This isn't the toughest spot to debut; pedigree play. (3) ROSE RUN REANNA was nailed right on the shadow of the wire in the opening leg of this series last week. She's the one to beat if she stays flat. (1) HILLS ANGEL showed improvement last time but was too far back to make an impact. She has a better chance in this compact field.

Race 2

(2) COLORATURA went first-over chasing some solid splits and tired only late last week. A slightly easier trip gets the job done here. (3) HURRICANE HAZEL chased down the chose from far back aided by a decelerating pace. She looks like she is coming into her own after a slow start however; the main danger. (7) SUMTHINTOTALKABOUT was a good 2nd in the Dream of Glory final and that was her fourth good start in a row. She could better this placing.

Race 3

(6) PENNIES FROM ABOVE was visibly motoring up late in her debut last week and simply ran out of racetrack. She is a likely winner here but is also probable to be odds-on which is hard to take for an inexperienced rookie trotter. (4) THISLADYSDYNAMITE parlayed a perfect trip into a narrow win over the choice. Her tractable speed makes her dangerous. (2) HIGH SOCIETY is from a dam that has produced 5 winners that have averaged $228K in earnings; beware.

Race 4

(9) URBANITE HANOVER showed a bit of early speed last time now drops to face his easiest competition all year. He should be blasting early and would be tough to beat if he clears before the first turn. (8) FRIDAYNIGHTFLIGHT also faces easier and should be leaving for a spot near the front here. (7) WARAWEE NEWTON was a decent third in this class last week but will have trouble with the top two if they get reasonable trips.

Race 5

(2) RAMZAN raced tough uncovered vs. much better last week and gets a good post to work with here; top call. (4) OLE JACK MAGIC showed a new dimension last week and wired a field from an outer post. He is a big threat with this new racing style. (5) HLDNTGHTTOYURDRMS also faces much easier and can't be ruled out as a win candidate.

Race 6

(7) JUDY THE BEAUTY didn't get her trip in the Dream of Glory final but gets lots of pace to chase here and should be coming hard late here from midpack. (1) MUSCLE KIT had good late trot last week and is another closer to consider in a field seemingly loaded with early speed on the outside of the gate. (10) MARKET STRIKE's main issue here is the early speed lined up to her left but if she can clear by the 1/4 she may just keep right on going.

Race 7

(6) FEELING CAM LUCKY set some serious splits and almost held on last time. A repeat should take this. (1) MAXDADDY BLUE CHIP is fast but erratic. He's the main danger if he stays on stride. (8) RUSTYS OVERLOAD will be closing late but will likely find the top two too tough.

Race 8

(2) ETERNAL QUEST hasn't missed the board this year and fits here; top call. (7) COVERT OPERATIVE returns to a 7-day cycle and can go better here. (8) SETANTA closed a big gap last time and is sharp.

Race 9

(3) TYMAL SIGNATURE appears to be returning to her good form of the spring and should be a square price here; top call. (7) HAPE closed a big gap but was too far back; she is dangerous here. (6) MAGIC BABE made a big move then hung late. She returns to a 7-day cycle and is a threat.

Race 10

(5) SINGIT LIKE ARETHA ships in sharp and is the one to beat. (7) DOCS SAUSILITO is obviously fast but has gait issues. She can win this if she paces the entire mile. (2) PEG continues to lag early which hurts her chances for a big share.

Race 11

(10) MEADOW SEELSTER is the fastest horse in here and doesn't need to make the lead early to win; top call. (6) SHEGUINDAH set solid splits and almost lasted last out; the main threat. (3) RENEGADE MAGIC adds trotting hopples which likely makes her a bigger threat. (4) DIESIS DREAM has raced well out of town and can take a share here.

Race 12

(7) ANYWHERE WITH YOU ships in off a sharp win and looks best here. (8) STRIKING CHEETAH has upset potential; use in your exotic plays. (1) KADDY figures to get a good trip from the inside and a big piece of this.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Monday 8/10 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

MEET STATS: 132 - 663 / $942.90 BEST BETS: 16 - 57 / $75.50


Best Bet: APOSTLES CREED (6th)

Spot Play: MYDELIGHT BLUECHIP (8th)


Race 1

(4) FOUR CORNERS flashed good speed in his last two; Gelding is seeking his first score of the year; maybe tonight could be night with a favorable trip. (5) FEEL THE HEAT comes by way of Ohio; can be in the mix. (3) MEETTYOUATMIDNIGHT gets post relief; watch out.

Race 2

(2) AZUCAR Sharp in his victory on July 24; could be the boss over these at his best. (3) ESKIMO JOE is very consistent sophomore; main danger. (5) HOLLYWOODS THATWAY needs a quick turnaround from his previous start to contend; maybe.

Race 3

(5) LIGHTNING STRIKE put in two dull efforts in a row; the good news is he catches a weak group so a return to his June 22 & July 2 starts can bring him back into the winner's circle. (3) IM THE REAL MAJOR moves to the 3-hole and picks up Brennan; main danger. (2) BUGGER BRUISER Mohawk invader might find this group to his liking; watch out.

Race 4

(2) ANDY RAY Solid gelding has been sharp; hit the board eight of nine starts this year; all systems go to get the job done. (5) CRAZSHANA Sharp victory at Buffalo last out; not out of the question for the repeat. (1) COMMENTARY Tough break in his latest; if he minds his manners, gelding can get involved with these.

Race 5

(6) GALLEY WENCH put in a late surge for the place spot last time out. Pacing miss fits well in here; can mow these down at her best. (4) BULLVILLE BREN raced evenly for the third spot recently; main danger. (2) ABIDA HANOVER could have a say in the outcome from the 2-hole.

Race 6

(3) APOSTLES CREED was caught for win honors in his last try; Trotter can top these down the road. (2) CRAZY WOW been facing stakes competition; the likely favorite. (6) THE PHYSICIAN Qualifier at Philly was sharp; not out of this.

Race 7

(6) BUEN CAMINO went down the road in his Sire stakes finale at Tioga on June 28; Qualifier was so-so but he is not facing tigers in here; big threat. (4) ROYAL DECEPTOR was over his head in the Zweig at Vernon last out but against these, he should be right in the thick of it. (2) CURLYS SON has early trot and could be right there with a favorable trip.

Race 8

(3) MYDELIGHT BLUECHIP rallied from seventh to nail down the show spot last time out. Pacing filly might have found her best form; ready for action. (1) ROCKERS ALLEY moves back inside where she got the job done two starts back; dangerous. (2) INTOVIEW gets post relief and that should help her cause.

Race 9

(5) KINGS BARNS is knocking at the door based on his last three trips to the post; his last one he finished second to miss by only a length and a quarter; factor. (1) MC RUSTY should do much better from the fence. (4) SKYFUL OF LIGHTERS makes his return to Yonkers coming off a solid victory at Philly last week.

Race 10

(3) SAINT WILLIAM A moves down the ladder; keeps the three slot and could make tonight a winning one with a fine-timed drive from Stalbaum. (4) BIG TURN ON was sitting in the pocket and got the job done in his previous outing at Philly; watch out. (6) YS LOTUS tried to make a big move from the 8-hole but broke past the half last time out; better results expected.

Race 11

(7) SOUTHWIND TERROR made a big move on the backstretch for all the glory last time around; very capable of blowing these away for his second straight score. (3) TYE SEELSTER moves back to the 3-hole where he was a down the road winner two starts ago; threat. (2) PANIC DISORDER has hit the board in his last four starts; big player.

Race 12

(3) ROYAL MAMA This might be a better spot for this pacing mare to shine her best; dangerous with Bartlett at the controls. (1) SHES HEAVENLY is knocking at the door based on her last three starts. (4) LYONS SHADOW could be right in the mix.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Monday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Delaware Park (5th) Truth Only, 7-2
(6th) Sunbio, 6-1


Finger Lakes (3rd) One More Act, 3-1
(5th) Flag Handler, 9-2


Mountaineer (1st) Santos Symphony, 9-2
(3rd) Fountain Valley, 7-2


Parx Racing (2nd) His Freedom Reigns, 3-1
(3rd) Jadyn's G G, 7-2

Presque Isle Downs (1st) Spirit of Peace, 7-2
(4th) Indigo Kitten, 9-2


Saratoga (6th) Neck of the Moon, 4-1
(9th) Aussie Prayer, 7-2


Thistledown (1st) Heavenly Moment, 9-2
(7th) Samsonian, 7-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (47-62) at Mets (59-52)

Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 10, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

When he left the Colorado Rockies in the offseason, Michael Cuddyer was supposed to provide the New York Mets with a big bat in the middle of the lineup.

Things haven't worked out that way as the outfielder has dealt with a nagging knee injury.

In his expected return from the disabled list, Cuddyer faces his former team for the first time Monday night when the host Mets try to avoid their third straight loss in the series opener.

Cuddyer had a then club-record 27-game hitting streak en route to a NL batting title with a .331 average in 2013 before hitting .332 in 49 games during an injury-plagued 2014 season.

The Mets, who rank 26th in runs since the start of 2013, hoped the two-time All-Star could give them similar production after inking a two-year deal. Instead, he's batted .250 with eight homers in 82 games and struggled with a knee issue since late June.

With the Mets scheduled to face four left-handers on this seven-game homestand versus Colorado and Pittsburgh, Cuddyer is expected to contribute after missing the past two weeks.

New York (59-52), who lead the NL East by 1 1/2 games, had batted .291 and averaged 6.6 runs over a five-game stretch before finishing with six hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay. The club also has struck out 28 times while dropping the last two of a 4-2 trip.

"'We're designed to hit homers, and guys who hit home runs strike out," manager Terry Collins said ahead of this four-game series with the Rockies (47-62).

Lucas Duda is batting .371 with nine RBIs over a 10-game hitting streak versus Colorado, while Curtis Granderson is 8 for 22 with seven RBIs in his last six meetings.

The Mets will try to regroup behind Jonathon Niese, who a 2.78 ERA in his last 11 starts while giving up just five home runs over that span. The left-hander won for the third time in four decisions Tuesday when he allowed one run and four hits over seven innings in a 5-1 win at Miami. He's walked four batters in his last five starts.

After going 1-3 with a 5.65 ERA in his first six starts against the Rockies, Niese yielded one run over 6 2-3 innings and did not factor in a 3-2 home win in his only matchup last season.

Carlos Gonzalez is 2 for 10 with four strikeouts versus Niese (6-9, 3.51 ERA), though he's batting .396 with 14 home runs over his last 25 games. He hit a pair of solo shots Sunday when Colorado helped New York with a 6-4 win at Washington.

DJ LeMahieu hit a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning as the Rockies took two of three for their first road series win since sweeping Philadelphia from May 29-31.

"We're not giving up," Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "We have a really good lineup. We can score runs. That's not a secret."

Colorado hopes to keep scoring for highly touted prospect Jon Gray (0-0, 4.50), who allowed three runs over four innings Tuesday in his big-league debut. The right-hander settled in after giving up two runs in the first but did not factor in the 10-4 home loss to Seattle.

The NL West-worst Rockies have totaled five runs during a six-game losing streak at Citi Field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (54-57) at Royals (66-44)

Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 10, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

While Johnny Cueto's plan is to keep his focus on what he can control, Matt Boyd hopes to stick to the strategy that helped him to outpitch the ace last week.

As Cueto seeks an elusive victory in his Royals debut at Kauffman Stadium, AL-best Kansas City tries for a sixth consecutive home win Monday night against the Detroit Tigers.

Cueto (0-1, 3.46 ERA) allowed three runs over six innings in a 7-6, 11-inning loss at Toronto on July 31 in his first start after Kansas City (66-44) acquired him from Cincinnati. Although he pitched better Wednesday, the right-hander suffered the tough-luck defeat after giving up two runs over seven innings in a 2-1 road loss to the Tigers (54-57).

"I'm not frustrated at all," Cueto told MLB's official website through a team interpreter. "I just need to keep doing my job, and the club will take care of the rest."

The 2014 20-game winner hopes to break through in his third career start at Kauffman. He went 0-2 with a 2.08 ERA in two outings there as a Red, with an appearance there in May.

Detroit's Anthony Gose and Ian Kinsler both tripled off Cueto last week, and they're a combined 4 for 13 lifetime against him. J.D. and Victor Martinez, however, are 1 for 16 in the matchup.

After going 0-2 with a 14.85 ERA in two starts with Toronto, Boyd (1-2, 7.90) shined in his Detroit debut after he was acquired in the David Price trade. He yielded one run over seven innings Wednesday to earn his first career victory.

"We went into the game with a game plan where we wanted to throw guys, and he executed it," catcher James McCann said. "He's got a fastball that rides a little bit. He's got good (velocity) from the left side. We were able to live in the top of the zone and get outs that way."

Kansas City's Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales had the most success with two hits apiece off Boyd. Lorenzo Cain went 0 for 3 but ranks among AL leaders with a .357 average off lefties.

Morales hit a two-run home run in a three-run first inning Sunday when the Royals widened their AL Central lead to 11 1/2 games with a 5-4 home win over the Chicago White Sox. With second-place Minnesota off Monday, Kansas City has a chance to take its first 12-game division lead since Aug. 6, 1976.

The Royals have been at their best at Kauffman, going 14-3 there since July 5. They've hit .315 with runners in scoring position while averaging 5.4 runs over their last 16 home games.

Cain, who got a routine day off Sunday, is hitting .368 in his past 20 home games, however, he is 1 for 17 over his last four meetings with the Tigers.

Detroit hopes to avoid its 10th loss in 14 road games as it opens a challenging eight-game trip against playoff contenders Kansas City, Houston and the Chicago Cubs.

Kinsler had two of the team's four hits in Sunday's 7-2 home loss to Boston. Kinsler has been a bright spot for the fading Tigers, batting .537 over his last 10 games.

Detroit has split 10 meetings with Kansas City this season after taking two of three at Comerica Park last week. The Royals are 30-18 versus the AL Central, while the Tigers are 29-18.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (59-51) at White Sox (51-58)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 10, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Chris Sale may need to be very good Monday night to end his team's free fall as well as his own.

The Chicago White Sox left-hander carries back-to-back lousy starts into the opener of a three-game set against surging Matt Shoemaker and the Los Angeles Angles at U.S. Cellular Field.

Sale (9-7) is far from the presence he was during his major league record-tying double-digit strikeout streak of eight games from late May to late June.

The left-hander has struggled to a 1-3 record and 7.61 ERA in his last four outings, and he's coughed up seven earned runs in each of his last two starts. In losses to the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Sale surrendered 18 hits in 10 1-3 innings while walking four and striking out 16.

"I feel fine,' Sale said after Chicago's 11-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. 'My arm feels good, my body feels good, I feel loose. It's just not showing up. I don't know what it is.'

Sale's ERA has ballooned to 3.52, the highest it's been since entering his May 28 start at 3.66.

Chicago (51-58) has also scuffled of late and was swept in a three-game series at Kansas City, dropping each game by one run after Sunday's 5-4 defeat. The White Sox have dropped eight of their last 10, falling 7 1/2 games behind the Angels (59-51) for the AL's second wild card.

"It's always tough," manager Robin Ventura told MLB's official website. "You see the opportunities that you have. We had some guys on third base and haven't been able to get them in. They all add up and then you're on the opposite end of a one-run game."

Shoemaker (5-7, 4.01) will try to extend his 19-inning scoreless streak en route to securing a fifth win in seven games for Los Angeles. He has the longest current streak in the league after adding six in a 2-0, 12-inning loss to Cleveland on Tuesday.

The right-hander is five innings shy of eclipsing his career mark of 23 2-3 innings set last year, the second-longest by a rookie in franchise history.

"I'm just trying to stay focused," Shoemaker told MLB's official website, "keep getting better each start, each bullpen in between starts, just keep going from there."

In his last three appearances, Shoemaker limited the Twins, Astros and Indians to 10 hits and six walks while striking out 27 over 19 innings. He has a 1.69 ERA since June 26 but only one win from six starts in that stretch.

The Angels have won four of six since dropping a season-high six straight, but their offense is still a concern. Los Angeles has averaged 3.6 runs in its last 16 games, scoring three or fewer in eight of them.

Albert Pujols and Mike Trout have just three hits in 23 at-bats combined against Sale, though one was a game-tying grand slam by Trout in the eighth inning of an eventual 6-5 win June 7, 2014.

While Trout did go 0 for 5 on Sunday and is batting .125 with 11 strikeouts this month, the Angels posted a 5-4, 11-inning victory on David Murphy's walkoff single. Murphy, who also homered and had a season-high four RBIs, is batting .120 in his last 10 road games.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is hitting .338 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in his last 18 games but has struck out in all three at-bats versus Shoemaker.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (45-67) at Diamondbacks (54-56)

Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 10, 2015 9:40 PM EDT

Following a brief lull, the Philadelphia Phillies got back to their torrid pace since the All-Star break in their first series to a nine-game trip.

The Phillies will try to keep rolling by continuing their recent dominance over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Philadelphia (45-67) had dropped three of four before bouncing back with a three-game sweep of San Diego this weekend. A 5-3 win Sunday moved the Phillies to an MLB-best 16-5 since the break and was their seventh victory in eight road games.

"I think guys are playing with confidence at this point. I think the more games under your belt, the more plate appearances, the more time on the mound, the more confidence you can build," second baseman Chase Utley told MLB's official website. "So, obviously a 100-some odd games into the season you can see that confidence coming out of a lot of the guys."

Philadelphia will next face a team it's beaten in seven of the last eight meetings, including a three-game home sweep May 15-17. The Diamondbacks, though, will send out one of their most effective starters of late in Rubby De La Rosa (9-5, 4.56 ERA).

The right-hander, 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last four outings, gave up two runs and two hits in five innings Wednesday in an 11-4 win in Washington.

De La Rosa has allowed one run in 15 innings in his past two home games and will face Philadelphia for the first time since June 7, 2011, as a rookie for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He'll be opposed by Aaron Harang (5-12, 4.11), who will make his third start since coming back from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The veteran right-hander ended a career-worst eight-start losing streak in his return, a 4-1 win over Atlanta on July 30, but allowed four runs in five innings in a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

Harang earned just his second win in his past 16 starts against Arizona in his most recent matchup July 5, 2014, and had lost nine of previous 10 decisions despite logging a respectable 3.58 ERA.

Arizona (54-56) has alternated wins and losses in its last eight games, but its 4-3 victory in 10 innings Sunday against Cincinnati was its fourth in five home contests.

Chris Owings, who had the winning single, is batting .500 in five games against Philadelphia, and Aaron Hill is hitting .381 in his last 12 in the series. Paul Goldschmidt, meanwhile, has a .149 average in 21 matchups since 2012, his lowest versus any NL team in that span.

Goldschmidt went 3 for 4 with two doubles Sunday after going 3 for 27 in his first eight games this month. He's 6 for 15 with two homers and two doubles lifetime against Harang.

"Good to get a few hits today and that's just how baseball is, sometimes you have some bad days or weeks or months or years or whatever," Goldschmidt said. "It just kind of comes and goes so I just go out there and try to do the best I can."

Philadelphia's Carlos Ruiz is batting .100 in his last 12 games but is hitting .435 in last 25 against Arizona. Utley is batting .417 with four doubles in his past seven meetings.

Odubel Herrera, batting .377 in a 12-game hit streak, went 2 for 12 versus Arizona in May.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (57-53) at Dodgers (62-49)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 10, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

Just off the pace in the NL East race, the struggling Washington Nationals begin a lengthy road trip that features matchups with two playoff contenders.

Gio Gonzalez will try to kick that off by earning a fifth consecutive win Monday night against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, who are returning home after getting swept.

Washington (57-53) has the majors' fifth-worst record since the All-Star break at 9-14, opening the second half by dropping two of three to Los Angeles from July 17-19. The Nationals' most damaging series was a three-game sweep at Citi Field that ended Aug. 2, and trail the first-place New York Mets by 1 1/2 games.

Washington, which had a two-game lead at the break, trails by five in the wild card after alternating wins and losses in its last six contests. Ryan Zimmerman homered twice in a 6-4 loss to Colorado on Sunday.

Gonzalez (8-4, 3.75 ERA) takes the ball in the opener of a 10-game trek that also includes a stop in San Francisco. The Giants are three games back in the NL West and 3 1/2 behind in the wild-card race.

"This is a big trip. We have the Dodgers then four in San Francisco. That's a tough week," Zimmerman said. "We need to battle and do what we can."

Gonzalez is 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA in his last seven starts but hasn't recorded an out beyond the fifth inning in any of his last three. He gave up two runs in five-plus innings Wednesday in an 11-4 loss to Arizona.

Gonzalez is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers, earning that win in his only matchup last season.

Gonzalez will face a team that's trying to avoid its longest skid since September 2013 following three consecutive defeats in Pittsburgh. The Dodgers (62-49), winners in six of seven before that series, gave up nine runs in the seventh inning in Sunday's 13-6 loss.

"We don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves," manager Don Mattingly told MLB's official website. "Nothing happened here in Pittsburgh that changes our mind about our club. Basically, we had a chance to win every game in the series. We're lucky, really, where we're at. Nothing changes my mind that we can play with anybody."

Brett Anderson (6-6, 3.06) will try to help his club bounce back while building on his first win in five starts, a 4-3 victory in Philadelphia on Wednesday. He gave up one run in six innings.

It's unclear if a red-hot Howie Kendrick will be available to provide support in Anderson's first matchup with Washington. The second baseman exited Sunday after straining his left hamstring while beating out an infield single in the fifth inning.

Kendrick registered his fifth consecutive multihit game before leaving and is batting .396 with nine RBIs in his last 11. He's hitting .362 in 12 career matchups against Washington but is hitting .238 in 21 at-bats against Gonzalez.

Zimmerman has also been locked in at the plate, batting .429 with three homers and nine RBIs in his last seven games.

"I think I just have to keep doing my work, doing my routine and keep riding this streak and stay hot for a couple months," Zimmerman said.

Jayson Werth, who also homered Sunday, is hitting .389 with three homers in his last 10 games against Los Angeles.

The Dodgers' Carl Crawford is hitting .563 in his past eight contest versus Washington but is batting .174 in 13 games since returning from the disabled list July 21.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (49-60) at Padres (52-60)

Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 10, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

The San Diego Padres are on the verge of their longest losing streak in two seasons but will next host the Cincinnati Reds, a team they've handled in most of their recent matchups.

The Padres will also have the opportunity in Monday night's opener to start Ian Kennedy, who has usually performed well against the Reds.

San Diego took a sixth consecutive defeat Sunday, 5-3 to Philadelphia, and is in danger of dropping seven in a row for the first time since a 10-game skid June 29-July 8, 2013. The Padres (52-60) have been outscored 35-15 during their losing streak and will try to end that with an eighth win in 10 games against the Reds (49-60) since the beginning of last season.

"We played good baseball there for a while, and then we've definitely been scuffling," said pitcher Andrew Cashner, whose team won eight of 10 before its skid. "We're probably just pressing a little bit too much, but I still believe in these guys."

San Diego took two of three in Cincinnati from June 5-7, and Kennedy (6-10, 4.49 ERA) didn't get the chance to appear in that series. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in six starts against the Reds, his lowest ERA versus any team he's faced more than twice.

Kennedy tries to bounce back after giving up four runs in the first of his seven innings in Wednesday's 8-5 loss in Milwaukee in his return from paternity leave. He was 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA in his prior three starts.

"That happens in sports. You don't always bring your best when the bell rings, but then you settle down," interim manager Pat Murphy said. "Innings two through seven, he was as good as I've seen him."

Kennedy, 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in his last five home starts, will get to face a team that's dropped four of five.

In Sunday's 4-3, 10-inning loss in Arizona, the Reds argued that two Diamondbacks runners failed to touch a base on Chris Owings' winning single, and tried to tag the bases to extend the game. Umpires correctly ruled that because there was only one out, only the runners going to first and home plate had to touch their bases.

David Holmberg (1-0, 3.27) will make his third start of the season and first against San Diego since his major league debut Aug. 27, 2013. The left-hander gave up three runs in 3 2-3 innings in a 10-9 win for Arizona.

He allowed two runs and two hits in five-plus innings Wednesday against St. Louis, but J.J. Hoover couldn't hold on to a one-run lead in the eighth in a 4-3 loss in 13 innings.

Joey Votto is 5 for 12 with two doubles lifetime against Kennedy but is batting .136 in his last eight games. He's batting .357 with a 1.077 OPS in his last 27 against San Diego.

Todd Frazier is hitting .343 in his past nine matchups but was out of the starting lineup Sunday because he's hitting .102 with a major league-worst 34 men left on base in 13 contests since July 26.

"If (sitting) does anything for him (mentally), terrific," manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website. "He's a little out of character right now swinging at pitches that aren't really good pitches to hit early in the at-bat. That would suggest that he's pressing."

Frazier is 2 for 10 against Kennedy since 2013.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (56-54) at Mariners (52-60)

Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 10, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

The seesaw of wins and losses has to end at some point for the Baltimore Orioles.

Eyeing a postseason push, the Orioles have traded victories and defeats through the first eight games of August.

Baltimore looks to shake off its most recent downswing from a walkoff loss to the team its chasing for the second wild-card spot with Monday night's series opener against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

The Orioles (56-54) won six of their final seven games of July but have been unable to carry that success over to this month. They dropped two of three in Anaheim over the weekend and fell three games back of the Angels for a playoff spot with Sunday's 5-4, 11-inning defeat.

Baltimore took two of three from Seattle (52-60) in mid-May and this matchup pits southpaws Wei-Yin Chen and Vidal Nuno against each other.

Chen (5-6, 3.32 ERA) was Baltimore's top pitcher through the first half of the season, bringing a 2.78 ERA into the All-Star break. He has struggled since with a 6.30 ERA in four starts, allowing 30 hits - five of them home runs - in 20 innings.

Opponents are batting .353 against Chen since the break, and he has allowed 10 hits twice, a number reached only once in 17 previous appearances.

"Ever since the second half started, I've felt not as good as the first half so I tried to do a couple different (mechanical) things that didn't work out," Chen told MLB's official website through an interpreter. "So now, I don't want to keep doing that."

He has failed to complete six innings in his last three outings, snapping a streak of six-straight quality starts. Chen - who has matched his loss total from a year ago when he went 16-6 - surrendered three runs and four hits while walking four in five innings of Wednesday's 7-3, 12-inning win at Oakland.

He went seven innings against Seattle on May 20, yielding four runs in a 4-2 loss.

Chen will face a red-hot Nelson Cruz, who extended his league-leading hit streak to 19 games with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 win over Texas. The hitting streak ties a career long for Cruz and his homer pulled him even with Mike Trout for the major league lead at 33.

Cruz is hitting .422 during his streak with 12 home runs and 16 RBIs. He has an extra-base hit in nine straight, one short of the team record set by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1993. Cruz has seven home runs in that span. He is 2 for 9 with a double lifetime against Chen.

"I don't even know where we would be without him," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of Cruz. "He's been tremendous on and off the field. It's unbelievable what he's accomplished this year. You look up at the board and it's almost jaw-dropping. You see the numbers. The slugging percentage, the OPS, it's off the charts."

Nuno (0-0, 2.88) will make his second straight start after 19 relief appearances with the Mariners this year.

Starting, however, hasn't been kind to Nuno. He made 28 starts last season - 14 with the New York Yankees and 14 with Arizona - posting a 2-12 record and 4.29 ERA. In his lone start against the Orioles last June, he permitted five runs in 6 1-3 innings.

He lasted just 3 2-3 innings on Tuesday as Colorado knocked him around for three runs and five hits.

Chris Davis extended his hitting streak to seven games with his 29th home run Sunday. Davis has 10 homers since July 22 and is 2 for 4 against Nuno.

Adam Jones is also 2 for 4 against Nuno with a home run.