Tony Karpinski
Jul 08 '17, 1:05 PM
MLB | Astros vs Blue Jays
Play on: Astros -104 at betonline
The Astros are a big surprise in the AL West - and Carlos Correa is playing out of his mind now - batting .322 and a .400 OBP. Those are some outstanding numbers. Toronto needs to watch out when Houston's Fiers gets going - their starting pitching has been a strikeout machine. The Houston bullpen is having a great season as well - and their closers have been pitching lights out The negative run differential the Jays are carrying on their shoulders should be a big red flag. It sadly highlights and displays the lack of strong pitching and lack of run scoring ability from them. That is nothing that any team wants to be holding out front and center. Toronto has only 3-4 quality wins since the beginning of June. Houston wins as our Saturday afternoon comp play.
Jul 08 '17, 1:05 PM
MLB | Astros vs Blue Jays
Play on: Astros -104 at betonline
The Astros are a big surprise in the AL West - and Carlos Correa is playing out of his mind now - batting .322 and a .400 OBP. Those are some outstanding numbers. Toronto needs to watch out when Houston's Fiers gets going - their starting pitching has been a strikeout machine. The Houston bullpen is having a great season as well - and their closers have been pitching lights out The negative run differential the Jays are carrying on their shoulders should be a big red flag. It sadly highlights and displays the lack of strong pitching and lack of run scoring ability from them. That is nothing that any team wants to be holding out front and center. Toronto has only 3-4 quality wins since the beginning of June. Houston wins as our Saturday afternoon comp play.
TJ Pemberton
Jul 08 '17, 4:10 PM
MLB | Red Sox vs Rays
Play on: Red Sox -109 at 5Dimes
Free Pick: Play on the Red Sox
Rick Porcello climbs the hill for the Red Sox on Saturday. Porcello is 4-10 on the season with 111.1 innings pitched. Porcello carries a 5.01 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 24 walks. Porcello pitched 6.1 innings in his last start allowing three earned runs on three hits. The Red Sox have not beat a team from the AL East in their last seven games when Porcello starts. The Red Sox opened as a small road underdog and they show value. Porcello will start for the Red Sox who has had an awful season but Porcello has thrown well against the Rays. Boston is the number one scoring team in the league and will give Porcello the support he needs to pick up his 5th win on the season.
Jul 08 '17, 4:10 PM
MLB | Red Sox vs Rays
Play on: Red Sox -109 at 5Dimes
Free Pick: Play on the Red Sox
Rick Porcello climbs the hill for the Red Sox on Saturday. Porcello is 4-10 on the season with 111.1 innings pitched. Porcello carries a 5.01 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 24 walks. Porcello pitched 6.1 innings in his last start allowing three earned runs on three hits. The Red Sox have not beat a team from the AL East in their last seven games when Porcello starts. The Red Sox opened as a small road underdog and they show value. Porcello will start for the Red Sox who has had an awful season but Porcello has thrown well against the Rays. Boston is the number one scoring team in the league and will give Porcello the support he needs to pick up his 5th win on the season.
UFC 213 Picks, Odds & Prediction
By T. Wilkinson
UFC 213 on Saturday night in Las Vegas features Amanda Nunes taking on Valentina Shevchenko. These two met just over a year ago at UFC 196 with Nunes winning by unanimous decision. There are five fights on the main card, which is pay-per view and seven on the preliminary card, with four on FS1 and three on UFC Fight Pass. Let’s look at UFC 213 with a focus on the main card and UFC picks.
UFC 213 takes place on Saturday, July 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the feature fight a matchup between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko.
Valentina Shevchenko -120 vs. Amanda Nunes (rounds 2.5 over -125)
Nunes will be defending her bantamweight title against Shevchenko but Nunes is listed as the underdog in this fight. Nunes won the title by defeating Miesha Tate and she successfully defended it by beating Ronda Rousey. Nunes has been excellent in her career in spurts but she does not have great stamina and this fight is scheduled for five rounds. When these two met last time it was Nunes fading in the third round but hanging on for the win. Shevchenko almost always starts slow but she comes on as the fight progresses. The extra two rounds in this fight should be a huge help to her.
UFC Picks
I think the oddsmakers know what they are doing in this one, making Shevchenko the favorite, so I will go with them and take Shevchenko to get the win.
Robert Whittaker -135 vs. Yoel Romero (rounds 1.5 over -200)
The co-main event is an interim middleweight championship bout. Whittaker is 18-4 in his career, while Romero is 13-1. Romero has a lot of strength and power but Whittaker is the better striker.
UFC Picks
I think Whittaker will win a very close decision.
Alistair Overeem -130 vs. Fabricio Werdum (rounds 1.5 over -175)
These two met back in 2006 with Werdum getting the win and they met again in 2011 with Overeem coming out with the victory. Werdum is 21-6-1 in his career, while Overeem is 42-15.
UFC Picks
I will take this fight to go under the rounds total.
Anthony Pettis -230 vs. Jim Miller (rounds 2.5 over -175)
Pettis is 19-6 in his career, while Miller is 28-9. Pettis has lost four of his last five fights, while Miller has won three of his last four.
UFC Picks
There is no way that Pettis should be more than a 2-1 favorite in this fight. This fight could go either way so I will make price play and take Miller to get the win.
Curtis Blaydes -775 vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (rounds 1.5 over -130)
Blaydes is 7-1 in his career, while Omielanczuk is 19-7-1. The wiseguys have been pounding this fight as Blaydes started as about a 5-1 favorite and he is now nearly 8-1. The price is too high for me, so I will pass.
Preliminary Card
Travis Browne -205 vs. Oleksiy Oliynyk
Chad Laprise -529 vs. Brian Camozzi
Belal Muhammad -160 vs. Jordan Mein
Thiago Santos -146 vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Rob Font -320 vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
Trevin Giles -325 vs. James Bochnovic
Cody Stamann -275 vs. Terrion Ware
By T. Wilkinson
UFC 213 on Saturday night in Las Vegas features Amanda Nunes taking on Valentina Shevchenko. These two met just over a year ago at UFC 196 with Nunes winning by unanimous decision. There are five fights on the main card, which is pay-per view and seven on the preliminary card, with four on FS1 and three on UFC Fight Pass. Let’s look at UFC 213 with a focus on the main card and UFC picks.
UFC 213 takes place on Saturday, July 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the feature fight a matchup between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko.
Valentina Shevchenko -120 vs. Amanda Nunes (rounds 2.5 over -125)
Nunes will be defending her bantamweight title against Shevchenko but Nunes is listed as the underdog in this fight. Nunes won the title by defeating Miesha Tate and she successfully defended it by beating Ronda Rousey. Nunes has been excellent in her career in spurts but she does not have great stamina and this fight is scheduled for five rounds. When these two met last time it was Nunes fading in the third round but hanging on for the win. Shevchenko almost always starts slow but she comes on as the fight progresses. The extra two rounds in this fight should be a huge help to her.
UFC Picks
I think the oddsmakers know what they are doing in this one, making Shevchenko the favorite, so I will go with them and take Shevchenko to get the win.
Robert Whittaker -135 vs. Yoel Romero (rounds 1.5 over -200)
The co-main event is an interim middleweight championship bout. Whittaker is 18-4 in his career, while Romero is 13-1. Romero has a lot of strength and power but Whittaker is the better striker.
UFC Picks
I think Whittaker will win a very close decision.
Alistair Overeem -130 vs. Fabricio Werdum (rounds 1.5 over -175)
These two met back in 2006 with Werdum getting the win and they met again in 2011 with Overeem coming out with the victory. Werdum is 21-6-1 in his career, while Overeem is 42-15.
UFC Picks
I will take this fight to go under the rounds total.
Anthony Pettis -230 vs. Jim Miller (rounds 2.5 over -175)
Pettis is 19-6 in his career, while Miller is 28-9. Pettis has lost four of his last five fights, while Miller has won three of his last four.
UFC Picks
There is no way that Pettis should be more than a 2-1 favorite in this fight. This fight could go either way so I will make price play and take Miller to get the win.
Curtis Blaydes -775 vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (rounds 1.5 over -130)
Blaydes is 7-1 in his career, while Omielanczuk is 19-7-1. The wiseguys have been pounding this fight as Blaydes started as about a 5-1 favorite and he is now nearly 8-1. The price is too high for me, so I will pass.
Preliminary Card
Travis Browne -205 vs. Oleksiy Oliynyk
Chad Laprise -529 vs. Brian Camozzi
Belal Muhammad -160 vs. Jordan Mein
Thiago Santos -146 vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Rob Font -320 vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
Trevin Giles -325 vs. James Bochnovic
Cody Stamann -275 vs. Terrion Ware
UFC 213 Best Bets
By Brian Edwards
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night for a 12-fight card. The UFC 213 main event features women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, who will make her second title defense against Valentina Shevchenko.
All 24 fighters made weight on Friday morning.
The Early Prelims will consist of three fights that start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. The four-fight prelims will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Then as usual, the main card on pay-per-view gets going at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Nunes (14-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has won five consecutive fights since her only UFC loss to ‘Alpha’ Cat Zingano by third-round knockout at UFC 178 in September of 2014. Since then, ‘The Lioness’ has four first-round finishes and earned three Performance of the Night bonuses.
Her toughest test during that stretch came against Shevchenko, who dropped a unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28 & 29-27) to Nunes at UFC 196. Shevchenko, the Kyrgystani-Peruvian muay thai fighter who is now 29 years old, won the third round after struggling in the early going.
If there’s a hole in Nunes’s game, the theory is that if you can survive her early surge, her cardio might not be there in the later rounds. Nevertheless, the champ has won eight of her last nine bouts by finishing her foes in the opening stanza.
Since beating Shevchenko, Nunes has absolutely destroyed a pair of women’s MMA legends in Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey. Nunes took the belt from Tate with a first-round KO at the 3:16 mark in last summer’s UFC 200 headliner. Then at UFC 207 last December, Nunes needed only 48 seconds to dust Rousey, who was out on her feet when referee Herb Dean stopped the bout after a violent barrage of punches from Nunes.
Shevchenko (14-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) took her only other career loss against former title challenger Liz Carmouche back in 2010. She made her Octagon debut with a split-decision win over Sarah Kaufman at UFC Orlando in December of 2015. Since losing to Nunes, Shevchenko won a five-round unanimous decision over former champ Holly Holm in the UFC on FOX 20 headliner.
She was in another main event this past January, submitting Julianna Pena in the second round of the UFC on FOX 23 headliner from Pepsi Center in Denver. That victory earned her the forthcoming title shot.
When the odds opened at 5Dimes.eu in mid-May, Nunes was a -150 favorite. Within a few days, the number was down to around -120, where it remained at most books until June 27 when most spots moved Shevchenko into the short ‘chalk’ role. As of Friday afternoon, most books had Shevchenko at -120 or it was a pick ‘em (-110 or -115 either way). The total was 2.5 rounds (‘over’ -125, ‘under’ +105).
Prediction: I LOVE Nunes here! In fact, let’s go SIX units on the champ at -105 odds (The Greek as of 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday). The narrative being pushed by those that like Shevchenko is that she won Round 3 in the last meeting between these two ladies. The thinking is that the longer the fight goes, Shevchenko will be the stronger fighter with the superior cardio. That’s all well and good IF Shevchenko survives the early onslaught from Nunes. It says here that she won’t. Also, let's remind readers that two judges had Nunes by a 29-27 score in the last encounter, meaning she had a 10-8 round early on. I think Nunes closes the deal with a mid-to-late first round KO or it’ll come early in Round 2. Obviously, I’m not against some small change on the ‘under,’ but I’m just going to concentrate on the side with my risk in the main event.
In the co-main event, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero will collide for the interim middleweight strap. The current 185-pound kingpin Michael Bisping is sidelined with a knee injury, but he’ll face the winner later this year to unify the division. (Presuming talk of GSP-Bisping is over, which Dana White has said it is. However, reports on Friday surfaced that GSP texted both Bisping and GSP challenging him to fight in November in New York. Only time will tell whether or not that means anything.)
As of Thursday (7/6), most books had Whittaker (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) installed as a -130 favorite, leaving Romero at +110 on the comeback. The total was 1.5 rounds (‘over’ -200, ‘under’ +160). By Friday afternoon, most spots had Whittaker down to -125 or -120. The total remained the same.
Whittaker, the 26-year-old from New Zealand, has ripped off seven straight wins, including four knockouts. He is off the biggest victory of his career, destroying Jacare Souza with a brutal KO midway through Round 2. Whittaker’s vicious striking assault left Souza a bloody mess in April at UFC on FOX 24 in Kansas City.
Whittaker is 6-0 at middleweight, moving up to 185 after going 3-2 in his first five UFC fights at welterweight. That’s the division where he suffered losses to Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Court McGee (by split decision).
During his six-fight run at middleweight, Whittaker has bagged four fight-night bonuses. His win over Clint Hester by second-round KO garnered Fight of the Night honors. His finishes of Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson and Souza earned him Performance of the Night bonuses.
Other victims of Whittaker include Rafael Natal, Uriah Hall, Mike Rhodes, Colton Smith and Brad Scott.
Romero (13-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is a 40-year-old former Olympic wrestler from Cuba who didn’t make his mixed-martial-arts debut until 2009. He beat Brunson and Tim Kennedy in bouts that garnered Fight of the Night honors, but his win over Kennedy was marred by controversy.
Kennedy had Romero in all sorts of trouble late in Round 2 and nearly finished him. Then when the bell signaled the start of Round 3, Romero didn’t get off his stool. Romero’s corner had spilled water all over the Octagon and while referee Big John McCarthy instructed the mess to be cleaned, Romero remained on the stool. He and his corner claimed they were confused by McCarthy’s instructions due to the language barrier. With Kennedy lifting his arms in the air to claim victory, McCarthy told him the fight wasn’t over and ordered Romero up and his corner out of the Octagon.
By then, however, Romero had been granted at least an extra 25-30 seconds to recover. He subsequently knocked out Kennedy early in the third stanza.
Romero owns other notable wins over the likes of former champs Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida. He earned POTN bonuses in each victory. Other victims include Tavares, Souza and Clifford Starks.
Prediction: This is an extremely tough call on the side. I slightly lean to Whittaker, but I’m going to pass. Instead, I’ll go with one unit on ‘under’ 1.5 rounds (best price is +175 at 5Dimes.eu and SBG Global).
Alistair ‘The Reem’ Overeem and Fabricio Werdum are poised to clash for a third time in the rubber match of their heavyweight rivalry. As of Friday afternoon, most betting shops had Overeem (42-15-1 MMA, 7-4 UFC) installed as a -130 favorite. Werdum was the +110 underdog at BetOnline.ag. The total was 1.5 rounds (‘over’ -175, ‘under’ +155).
Overeem, who is now 37, has a 5-1 record in his last six outings. He bounced back from a first-round KO loss to Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 203 by defeating Mark Hunt by third-round KO at UFC 209. Overeem owns a plethora of notable scalps during his storied career, including victories over the likes of Hunt (twice), Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Junior dos Santos, Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson, Stefan Struve, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Todd Duffee, Brett Rogers and Vitor Belfort (twice). That’s six former UFC champions that have lost to Overeem.
His three other UFC losses have come against Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, Travis Browne and Ben Rothwell.
Werdum (21-6-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) was cut by the UFC after being knocked out in Dos Santos’s promotional debut at UFC 90. The 39-year-old Brazilian transitioned over to Strikeforce where he captured wins over Bigfoot Silva and Fedor Emelianenko, who saw his winning streak spanning more than a decade ended by Werdum’s triangle armbar only 69 seconds into their showdown in June of 2010 in San Jose.
Werdum’s run with Strikeforce ended when he dropped a UD to Overeem in the Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinals. They had first collided under the PRIDE banner in 2006 when Werdum won with a kimura submission in Round 2.
In his second run with the UFC, Werdum won his first four fights to earn a title shot. When then-champ Cain Velasquez had to withdraw from UFC 180 due to an injury, Hunt took the bout on short notice in Mexico City for the interim heavyweight strap. After dominating Round 1 and knocking Werdum down with punches several times, Hunt was caught by a flying knee to the face from Werdum, who finished him with subsequent punches.
Velasquez and Werdum would finally meet in Mexico City at UFC 188. Velazquez made a crucial mistake by not going down to Mexico City, which is located at high altitude, until just over a week before the fight. Meanwhile, Werdum, who had already fought in Mexico City, spent a month training there leading into the match.
Velasquez, known for his endless cardio, was clearly gassing due to the altitude late in the second round. In Round 3, he shot for a takedown and got caught in a nasty guillotine choke by Werdum that forced him to tap. But in Werdum’s first title defense at home in Brazil at UFC 198, he was KO’d by Miocic in the opening round.
Since then, Werdum won a one-sided UD over Travis Browne, who was also dusted by Werdum in a title-eliminator bout in 2014 in Orlando. Werdum owns other notable career wins over ‘Big Nog,’ Nelson, Brandon Vera and Gabriel Gonzaga (twice).
Prediction: I like Overeem here. Let’s go 1.5 units on ‘The Reem’ at the best price (-125 at 5Dimes and SBG Global). I’ll call for a second-round KO.
The two other fights on the main card are Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis (-245) versus Jim Miller (+205) and Curtis ‘Razor’ Blaydes (-775) vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (+500). Pettis is moving back up to lightweight, where he once wore the belt, after a two-fight stint at featherweight. Blaydes is the biggest ‘chalk’ on the card for his heavyweight showdown with Omielanczuk.
I’ll go with one unit on the UNDER (1.5 rounds, +110 odds) for Blaydes vs. Omielanczuk.
B.E.’s Octagon Nuggets
The Prelims headliner on FS1 is a heavyweight scrap between ninth-ranked Browne and 14th-ranked Aleksei ‘The Boa Constrictor’ Aleinik. Browne has lost three in a row by knockout, while Oleinik is 3-1 since joining the UFC. The 40-year-old Russian is 51-10-1 overall and has bagged two POTN bonuses in four UFC fights. One of those came his last time out when he scored the first-ever UFC submission by Ezekiel choke over Omielanczuk. I’m all about fading Browne these days, so give me one unit on Oleinik as a +200 underdog.
It was revealed this week that when Kelvin Gastelum was forced off of the UFC 212 card and his matchup versus Anderson Silva, the promotion tried to book a third fight between Silva and Chris Weidman. However, Weidman declined the fight that would’ve taken place in Brazil. Weidman took Silva’s belt with a second-round KO at UFC 162 and then defended his strap in an immediate rematch by a second-round TKO that was caused by Silva’s broken leg sustained when Weidman checked a leg kick at UFC 168. Weidman, who has lost three fights in a row, is poised to face Gastelum in the UFC on FOX 25 headliner in Uniondale, N.Y., on July 22. Gastelum is a -140 favorite.
Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler vs. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is back on for UFC 214. Sportsbook.ag has Lawler as a -160 ‘chalk,’ while Cerrone is a +130 ‘dog.
Gilbert ‘El Nino’ Melendez is moving down to featherweight, where he’ll make his 145-pound debut vs. Jeremy ‘Little Heathen’ Stephens at UFC 215.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua will get a rematch against Ovince St. Preux in the UFC Japan headliner in September. Combate first reported this development. OSP scored a first-round KO in just 33 seconds on the road over Rua in a 2014 showdown in Brazil. Rua has won three fights in a row, while OSP just ended a three-fight losing streak win a win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
By Brian Edwards
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night for a 12-fight card. The UFC 213 main event features women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, who will make her second title defense against Valentina Shevchenko.
All 24 fighters made weight on Friday morning.
The Early Prelims will consist of three fights that start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern. The four-fight prelims will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Then as usual, the main card on pay-per-view gets going at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Nunes (14-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has won five consecutive fights since her only UFC loss to ‘Alpha’ Cat Zingano by third-round knockout at UFC 178 in September of 2014. Since then, ‘The Lioness’ has four first-round finishes and earned three Performance of the Night bonuses.
Her toughest test during that stretch came against Shevchenko, who dropped a unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28 & 29-27) to Nunes at UFC 196. Shevchenko, the Kyrgystani-Peruvian muay thai fighter who is now 29 years old, won the third round after struggling in the early going.
If there’s a hole in Nunes’s game, the theory is that if you can survive her early surge, her cardio might not be there in the later rounds. Nevertheless, the champ has won eight of her last nine bouts by finishing her foes in the opening stanza.
Since beating Shevchenko, Nunes has absolutely destroyed a pair of women’s MMA legends in Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey. Nunes took the belt from Tate with a first-round KO at the 3:16 mark in last summer’s UFC 200 headliner. Then at UFC 207 last December, Nunes needed only 48 seconds to dust Rousey, who was out on her feet when referee Herb Dean stopped the bout after a violent barrage of punches from Nunes.
Shevchenko (14-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) took her only other career loss against former title challenger Liz Carmouche back in 2010. She made her Octagon debut with a split-decision win over Sarah Kaufman at UFC Orlando in December of 2015. Since losing to Nunes, Shevchenko won a five-round unanimous decision over former champ Holly Holm in the UFC on FOX 20 headliner.
She was in another main event this past January, submitting Julianna Pena in the second round of the UFC on FOX 23 headliner from Pepsi Center in Denver. That victory earned her the forthcoming title shot.
When the odds opened at 5Dimes.eu in mid-May, Nunes was a -150 favorite. Within a few days, the number was down to around -120, where it remained at most books until June 27 when most spots moved Shevchenko into the short ‘chalk’ role. As of Friday afternoon, most books had Shevchenko at -120 or it was a pick ‘em (-110 or -115 either way). The total was 2.5 rounds (‘over’ -125, ‘under’ +105).
Prediction: I LOVE Nunes here! In fact, let’s go SIX units on the champ at -105 odds (The Greek as of 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday). The narrative being pushed by those that like Shevchenko is that she won Round 3 in the last meeting between these two ladies. The thinking is that the longer the fight goes, Shevchenko will be the stronger fighter with the superior cardio. That’s all well and good IF Shevchenko survives the early onslaught from Nunes. It says here that she won’t. Also, let's remind readers that two judges had Nunes by a 29-27 score in the last encounter, meaning she had a 10-8 round early on. I think Nunes closes the deal with a mid-to-late first round KO or it’ll come early in Round 2. Obviously, I’m not against some small change on the ‘under,’ but I’m just going to concentrate on the side with my risk in the main event.
In the co-main event, Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero will collide for the interim middleweight strap. The current 185-pound kingpin Michael Bisping is sidelined with a knee injury, but he’ll face the winner later this year to unify the division. (Presuming talk of GSP-Bisping is over, which Dana White has said it is. However, reports on Friday surfaced that GSP texted both Bisping and GSP challenging him to fight in November in New York. Only time will tell whether or not that means anything.)
As of Thursday (7/6), most books had Whittaker (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) installed as a -130 favorite, leaving Romero at +110 on the comeback. The total was 1.5 rounds (‘over’ -200, ‘under’ +160). By Friday afternoon, most spots had Whittaker down to -125 or -120. The total remained the same.
Whittaker, the 26-year-old from New Zealand, has ripped off seven straight wins, including four knockouts. He is off the biggest victory of his career, destroying Jacare Souza with a brutal KO midway through Round 2. Whittaker’s vicious striking assault left Souza a bloody mess in April at UFC on FOX 24 in Kansas City.
Whittaker is 6-0 at middleweight, moving up to 185 after going 3-2 in his first five UFC fights at welterweight. That’s the division where he suffered losses to Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Court McGee (by split decision).
During his six-fight run at middleweight, Whittaker has bagged four fight-night bonuses. His win over Clint Hester by second-round KO garnered Fight of the Night honors. His finishes of Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson and Souza earned him Performance of the Night bonuses.
Other victims of Whittaker include Rafael Natal, Uriah Hall, Mike Rhodes, Colton Smith and Brad Scott.
Romero (13-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is a 40-year-old former Olympic wrestler from Cuba who didn’t make his mixed-martial-arts debut until 2009. He beat Brunson and Tim Kennedy in bouts that garnered Fight of the Night honors, but his win over Kennedy was marred by controversy.
Kennedy had Romero in all sorts of trouble late in Round 2 and nearly finished him. Then when the bell signaled the start of Round 3, Romero didn’t get off his stool. Romero’s corner had spilled water all over the Octagon and while referee Big John McCarthy instructed the mess to be cleaned, Romero remained on the stool. He and his corner claimed they were confused by McCarthy’s instructions due to the language barrier. With Kennedy lifting his arms in the air to claim victory, McCarthy told him the fight wasn’t over and ordered Romero up and his corner out of the Octagon.
By then, however, Romero had been granted at least an extra 25-30 seconds to recover. He subsequently knocked out Kennedy early in the third stanza.
Romero owns other notable wins over the likes of former champs Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida. He earned POTN bonuses in each victory. Other victims include Tavares, Souza and Clifford Starks.
Prediction: This is an extremely tough call on the side. I slightly lean to Whittaker, but I’m going to pass. Instead, I’ll go with one unit on ‘under’ 1.5 rounds (best price is +175 at 5Dimes.eu and SBG Global).
Alistair ‘The Reem’ Overeem and Fabricio Werdum are poised to clash for a third time in the rubber match of their heavyweight rivalry. As of Friday afternoon, most betting shops had Overeem (42-15-1 MMA, 7-4 UFC) installed as a -130 favorite. Werdum was the +110 underdog at BetOnline.ag. The total was 1.5 rounds (‘over’ -175, ‘under’ +155).
Overeem, who is now 37, has a 5-1 record in his last six outings. He bounced back from a first-round KO loss to Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 203 by defeating Mark Hunt by third-round KO at UFC 209. Overeem owns a plethora of notable scalps during his storied career, including victories over the likes of Hunt (twice), Werdum, Andrei Arlovski, Junior dos Santos, Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson, Stefan Struve, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Todd Duffee, Brett Rogers and Vitor Belfort (twice). That’s six former UFC champions that have lost to Overeem.
His three other UFC losses have come against Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, Travis Browne and Ben Rothwell.
Werdum (21-6-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) was cut by the UFC after being knocked out in Dos Santos’s promotional debut at UFC 90. The 39-year-old Brazilian transitioned over to Strikeforce where he captured wins over Bigfoot Silva and Fedor Emelianenko, who saw his winning streak spanning more than a decade ended by Werdum’s triangle armbar only 69 seconds into their showdown in June of 2010 in San Jose.
Werdum’s run with Strikeforce ended when he dropped a UD to Overeem in the Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinals. They had first collided under the PRIDE banner in 2006 when Werdum won with a kimura submission in Round 2.
In his second run with the UFC, Werdum won his first four fights to earn a title shot. When then-champ Cain Velasquez had to withdraw from UFC 180 due to an injury, Hunt took the bout on short notice in Mexico City for the interim heavyweight strap. After dominating Round 1 and knocking Werdum down with punches several times, Hunt was caught by a flying knee to the face from Werdum, who finished him with subsequent punches.
Velasquez and Werdum would finally meet in Mexico City at UFC 188. Velazquez made a crucial mistake by not going down to Mexico City, which is located at high altitude, until just over a week before the fight. Meanwhile, Werdum, who had already fought in Mexico City, spent a month training there leading into the match.
Velasquez, known for his endless cardio, was clearly gassing due to the altitude late in the second round. In Round 3, he shot for a takedown and got caught in a nasty guillotine choke by Werdum that forced him to tap. But in Werdum’s first title defense at home in Brazil at UFC 198, he was KO’d by Miocic in the opening round.
Since then, Werdum won a one-sided UD over Travis Browne, who was also dusted by Werdum in a title-eliminator bout in 2014 in Orlando. Werdum owns other notable career wins over ‘Big Nog,’ Nelson, Brandon Vera and Gabriel Gonzaga (twice).
Prediction: I like Overeem here. Let’s go 1.5 units on ‘The Reem’ at the best price (-125 at 5Dimes and SBG Global). I’ll call for a second-round KO.
The two other fights on the main card are Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis (-245) versus Jim Miller (+205) and Curtis ‘Razor’ Blaydes (-775) vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (+500). Pettis is moving back up to lightweight, where he once wore the belt, after a two-fight stint at featherweight. Blaydes is the biggest ‘chalk’ on the card for his heavyweight showdown with Omielanczuk.
I’ll go with one unit on the UNDER (1.5 rounds, +110 odds) for Blaydes vs. Omielanczuk.
B.E.’s Octagon Nuggets
The Prelims headliner on FS1 is a heavyweight scrap between ninth-ranked Browne and 14th-ranked Aleksei ‘The Boa Constrictor’ Aleinik. Browne has lost three in a row by knockout, while Oleinik is 3-1 since joining the UFC. The 40-year-old Russian is 51-10-1 overall and has bagged two POTN bonuses in four UFC fights. One of those came his last time out when he scored the first-ever UFC submission by Ezekiel choke over Omielanczuk. I’m all about fading Browne these days, so give me one unit on Oleinik as a +200 underdog.
It was revealed this week that when Kelvin Gastelum was forced off of the UFC 212 card and his matchup versus Anderson Silva, the promotion tried to book a third fight between Silva and Chris Weidman. However, Weidman declined the fight that would’ve taken place in Brazil. Weidman took Silva’s belt with a second-round KO at UFC 162 and then defended his strap in an immediate rematch by a second-round TKO that was caused by Silva’s broken leg sustained when Weidman checked a leg kick at UFC 168. Weidman, who has lost three fights in a row, is poised to face Gastelum in the UFC on FOX 25 headliner in Uniondale, N.Y., on July 22. Gastelum is a -140 favorite.
Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler vs. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is back on for UFC 214. Sportsbook.ag has Lawler as a -160 ‘chalk,’ while Cerrone is a +130 ‘dog.
Gilbert ‘El Nino’ Melendez is moving down to featherweight, where he’ll make his 145-pound debut vs. Jeremy ‘Little Heathen’ Stephens at UFC 215.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua will get a rematch against Ovince St. Preux in the UFC Japan headliner in September. Combate first reported this development. OSP scored a first-round KO in just 33 seconds on the road over Rua in a 2014 showdown in Brazil. Rua has won three fights in a row, while OSP just ended a three-fight losing streak win a win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (49-40) at New York Yankees (44-40)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep alive their longest winning streak of the season when they continue a three-game series at the New York Yankees on Saturday. The Brewers followed up an 11-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday with a 9-4 victory over the Yankees in the series opener.
Milwaukee has won five in a row and eight of nine to open up a 4 1/2-game lead in the National League Central, and they are averaging seven runs a game during the 8-1 surge. Jesus Aguilar had a pair of homers - including the tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning - in Friday's win, and his franchise record-tying seven RBIs helped Milwaukee snap a 10-game losing streak in Yankee Stadium. New York had a 4-2 lead in the opener before its beleaguered bullpen gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings to contribute to the club's 17th loss in 23 games. The Yankees will be hoping that young right-hander Luis Severino breaks out of his mini-slump as he opposes Brewers southpaw Brent Suter.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (1-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (5-4, 3.52)
Suter's second start of the season with the Brewers was an outstanding one, as he allowed one unearned run and four hits while striking out eight in six innings against Baltimore on Monday. He has 13 strikeouts in nine frames over his last three outings (one start). The 27-year-old, who has never faced the Yankees, owns a 4.79 ERA in 10 career games (three starts) on the road, compared to 1.64 at home.
Severino has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts, including a rocky showing at Houston on Sunday in which he was reached for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old does have 24 strikeouts against only three walks over a span of three outings, and he entered Friday ranked fourth among qualified hurlers in the American League in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.56). Severino is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in four games (two starts) in interleague play, allowing 10 hits in 19 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge slugged his major league-leading 30th home run Friday to set a new franchise record for rookies.
2. Milwaukee IF/OF Hernan Perez is 6-for-11 over his last three games.
3. The Brewers (49-40) are nine games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 1, 2014.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Brewers 5
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep alive their longest winning streak of the season when they continue a three-game series at the New York Yankees on Saturday. The Brewers followed up an 11-2 rout of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday with a 9-4 victory over the Yankees in the series opener.
Milwaukee has won five in a row and eight of nine to open up a 4 1/2-game lead in the National League Central, and they are averaging seven runs a game during the 8-1 surge. Jesus Aguilar had a pair of homers - including the tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning - in Friday's win, and his franchise record-tying seven RBIs helped Milwaukee snap a 10-game losing streak in Yankee Stadium. New York had a 4-2 lead in the opener before its beleaguered bullpen gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings to contribute to the club's 17th loss in 23 games. The Yankees will be hoping that young right-hander Luis Severino breaks out of his mini-slump as he opposes Brewers southpaw Brent Suter.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Brent Suter (1-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (5-4, 3.52)
Suter's second start of the season with the Brewers was an outstanding one, as he allowed one unearned run and four hits while striking out eight in six innings against Baltimore on Monday. He has 13 strikeouts in nine frames over his last three outings (one start). The 27-year-old, who has never faced the Yankees, owns a 4.79 ERA in 10 career games (three starts) on the road, compared to 1.64 at home.
Severino has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts, including a rocky showing at Houston on Sunday in which he was reached for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old does have 24 strikeouts against only three walks over a span of three outings, and he entered Friday ranked fourth among qualified hurlers in the American League in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.56). Severino is 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA in four games (two starts) in interleague play, allowing 10 hits in 19 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees RF Aaron Judge slugged his major league-leading 30th home run Friday to set a new franchise record for rookies.
2. Milwaukee IF/OF Hernan Perez is 6-for-11 over his last three games.
3. The Brewers (49-40) are nine games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 1, 2014.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Brewers 5
GAME: Houston Astros (59-28) at Toronto Blue Jays (40-46)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros continue to dominate opponents on the road and can clinch another winning road trip when they play the third of a four-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Astros pounded out 14 hits en route to a 12-2 victory Friday night to even the series, improving to 3-1 on their current six-game swing and to 21-4 away from home since the middle of May.
George Springer was the catalyst with four hits - including two home runs - to go along with five RBIs, and the 27-year-old is 14-for-24 with 11 runs scored during a five-game hitting streak. Jose Altuve added three hits for the Astros to raise his major league-leading average to .342, and Carlos Correa smacked his 18th home run to extend his hitting streak to 15 games - the longest active run in the majors. Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman is expected to make the start Saturday despite leaving his previous outing after five innings due to a blister. He will be opposed by Mike Fiers, who is 4-0 on the road.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Southwest (Houston), Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Mike Fiers (5-3, 3.80 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (8-5, 3.42)
Fiers needed 105 pitches to get through four innings last time out but he struck out seven and kept the New York Yankees off the scoreboard to help his team cruise to an 8-1 win. Opponents have managed 16 hits in 30 innings over Fiers' last five outings and he has gotten through seven consecutive starts without giving up a home run. The Florida native was knocked around for five runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings in his only prior start at the Rogers Centre.
Stroman let up two runs in five frames prior to his abrupt departure Monday at Yankee Stadium, the 13th time in 17 starts in which he has allowed three earned runs or fewer. The Duke product has a 2.87 ERA in nine home starts and defeated the Astros at the Rogers Centre last August with 6 1/3 solid innings. That came just two starts after Stroman struck out a career-high 13 while allowing a run and three hits in seven innings at Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros C-DH Evan Gattis has three home runs and six doubles during a nine-game hitting streak.
2. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson is 3-for-7 in the series after going 0-for-13 over his previous four games.
3. Blue Jays RHP Roberto Osuna and Astros RHP Chris Devenski were named as replacement players for Tuesday's All-Star Game in Miami.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Blue Jays 3
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros continue to dominate opponents on the road and can clinch another winning road trip when they play the third of a four-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Astros pounded out 14 hits en route to a 12-2 victory Friday night to even the series, improving to 3-1 on their current six-game swing and to 21-4 away from home since the middle of May.
George Springer was the catalyst with four hits - including two home runs - to go along with five RBIs, and the 27-year-old is 14-for-24 with 11 runs scored during a five-game hitting streak. Jose Altuve added three hits for the Astros to raise his major league-leading average to .342, and Carlos Correa smacked his 18th home run to extend his hitting streak to 15 games - the longest active run in the majors. Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman is expected to make the start Saturday despite leaving his previous outing after five innings due to a blister. He will be opposed by Mike Fiers, who is 4-0 on the road.
TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Southwest (Houston), Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Mike Fiers (5-3, 3.80 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (8-5, 3.42)
Fiers needed 105 pitches to get through four innings last time out but he struck out seven and kept the New York Yankees off the scoreboard to help his team cruise to an 8-1 win. Opponents have managed 16 hits in 30 innings over Fiers' last five outings and he has gotten through seven consecutive starts without giving up a home run. The Florida native was knocked around for five runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings in his only prior start at the Rogers Centre.
Stroman let up two runs in five frames prior to his abrupt departure Monday at Yankee Stadium, the 13th time in 17 starts in which he has allowed three earned runs or fewer. The Duke product has a 2.87 ERA in nine home starts and defeated the Astros at the Rogers Centre last August with 6 1/3 solid innings. That came just two starts after Stroman struck out a career-high 13 while allowing a run and three hits in seven innings at Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros C-DH Evan Gattis has three home runs and six doubles during a nine-game hitting streak.
2. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson is 3-for-7 in the series after going 0-for-13 over his previous four games.
3. Blue Jays RHP Roberto Osuna and Astros RHP Chris Devenski were named as replacement players for Tuesday's All-Star Game in Miami.
PREDICTION: Astros 4, Blue Jays 3
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (40-46) at Minnesota Twins (45-41)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Minnesota Twins are rolling again as they attempt to get back on top in the American League Central before the All-Star break. The Twins will try to gain a game on the division-leading Cleveland Indians and clinch a series win when they host the slumping Baltimore Orioles in the third of a four-game series on Saturday.
Minnesota took the first two in the series and four of its last five overall to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Indians in the Central. The Twins pounded out 15 runs on Thursday and Friday against the Orioles and totaled 22 hits in the two contests as Max Kepler has scored three runs and collected three RBIs, while Byron Buxton stayed hot while improving to 8-for-16 with five runs scored in the last four games. Baltimore got a rare offensive explosion on Friday from star third baseman Manny Machado, who went 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs while raising his batting average to .224. Trying to hold Machado down on Saturday will be Adalberto Mejia, while fellow left-hander Wade Miley tries to pull out of a slump for the Orioles.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wade Miley (3-7, 5.20 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (4-3, 4.32)
Miley was carrying a 2.82 ERA after a seven-inning gem on June 1 but has struggled mightily over the last month. The Louisiana native lasted just 1 2/3 innings at Milwaukee on Monday while being ripped for seven runs on as many hits and two walks and is 1-4 with an 11.69 ERA over his last six outings. Miley faced Minnesota once last season and was lit up for five runs on six hits - three home runs - and four walks in four innings.
Mejia is on a roll with wins in three straight starts and has allowed a total of three runs in 17 2/3 innings in those three turns. The Dominican Republic native matched a career high with seven innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, snapping a string of five straight starts in which he failed to complete six frames. Mejia is making his first appearance against Baltimore and is 2-2 with a 5.66 ERA in seven starts at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins signed 44-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor-league contract on Friday and assigned him to Triple-A Rochester.
2. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis (oblique) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday and could return when the team comes back from the All-Star break.
3. Minnesota placed 1B Joe Mauer (back) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled 1B Kennys Vargas, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs on Friday.
PREDICTION: Twins 8, Orioles 2
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Minnesota Twins are rolling again as they attempt to get back on top in the American League Central before the All-Star break. The Twins will try to gain a game on the division-leading Cleveland Indians and clinch a series win when they host the slumping Baltimore Orioles in the third of a four-game series on Saturday.
Minnesota took the first two in the series and four of its last five overall to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Indians in the Central. The Twins pounded out 15 runs on Thursday and Friday against the Orioles and totaled 22 hits in the two contests as Max Kepler has scored three runs and collected three RBIs, while Byron Buxton stayed hot while improving to 8-for-16 with five runs scored in the last four games. Baltimore got a rare offensive explosion on Friday from star third baseman Manny Machado, who went 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs while raising his batting average to .224. Trying to hold Machado down on Saturday will be Adalberto Mejia, while fellow left-hander Wade Miley tries to pull out of a slump for the Orioles.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wade Miley (3-7, 5.20 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (4-3, 4.32)
Miley was carrying a 2.82 ERA after a seven-inning gem on June 1 but has struggled mightily over the last month. The Louisiana native lasted just 1 2/3 innings at Milwaukee on Monday while being ripped for seven runs on as many hits and two walks and is 1-4 with an 11.69 ERA over his last six outings. Miley faced Minnesota once last season and was lit up for five runs on six hits - three home runs - and four walks in four innings.
Mejia is on a roll with wins in three straight starts and has allowed a total of three runs in 17 2/3 innings in those three turns. The Dominican Republic native matched a career high with seven innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, snapping a string of five straight starts in which he failed to complete six frames. Mejia is making his first appearance against Baltimore and is 2-2 with a 5.66 ERA in seven starts at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins signed 44-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor-league contract on Friday and assigned him to Triple-A Rochester.
2. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis (oblique) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday and could return when the team comes back from the All-Star break.
3. Minnesota placed 1B Joe Mauer (back) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled 1B Kennys Vargas, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs on Friday.
PREDICTION: Twins 8, Orioles 2
GAME: San Diego Padres (37-49) at Philadelphia Phillies (28-57)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After missing the previous two games with a stiff neck, San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges wasn't about to let a long delay in Friday's series opener in Philadelphia keep him from putting a fitting end to a dominant performance. Coming off the first two-homer effort of his career, the 24-year-old backstop looks to power the Padres to a rare series victory against the Phillies on Saturday as the teams continue their three-game set.
Hedges, who leads National League catchers with 13 home runs, went deep in each of his first two at-bats in his first career start at Citizens Bank Park before action was paused for 94 minutes in the top of the seventh inning due to rain. Philadelphia tied the game up moments after play was resumed, but Hedges came through yet again with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth to send San Diego to a 4-3 victory. While the Padres enjoyed their fourth win in five tries in the opener, the Phillies dropped their fourth straight contest and are in danger of losing only their second series to San Diego since 2009. Tommy Joseph snapped out of a 2-for-15 slide over his previous four games by reaching base in all four of his at-bats Friday, drawing two walks to go along with a pair of extra-base hits - including a solo homer.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (7-7, 4.52 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (6-5, 3.73)
Chacin continued his dominance at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, picking up the victory after permitting four hits and three walks while striking out six in five scoreless frames. The 29-year-old Venezuelan improved to 5-2 with a 1.68 ERA in nine home turns, but he has been among the worst starting pitchers on the road in 2017 (9.08 ERA in eight outings). Chacin, who hasn't faced the Phillies since 2014, is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) versus Philadelphia.
Nola won his third consecutive start Monday against Pittsburgh, firing seven scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out eight. The Louisiana native has posted a 1.27 ERA during his win streak - fanning at least eight each time - and is 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA over his last six turns dating back to the beginning of June. Nola is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts against the Padres, including a loss against them in April of 2016 when he was tagged for four runs despite striking out nine across seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hedges' two homers on Friday were his first since June 3.
2. Despite Friday's loss, Philadelphia has still won 10 of the last 13 meetings at Citizens Bank Park and is 60-27 against the Padres since 2004 - the club's best mark against any opponent over that time.
3. San Diego RF Hunter Renfroe is day-to-day with a blood blister after he was hit in the right hand in the sixth inning Friday.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Padres 2
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After missing the previous two games with a stiff neck, San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges wasn't about to let a long delay in Friday's series opener in Philadelphia keep him from putting a fitting end to a dominant performance. Coming off the first two-homer effort of his career, the 24-year-old backstop looks to power the Padres to a rare series victory against the Phillies on Saturday as the teams continue their three-game set.
Hedges, who leads National League catchers with 13 home runs, went deep in each of his first two at-bats in his first career start at Citizens Bank Park before action was paused for 94 minutes in the top of the seventh inning due to rain. Philadelphia tied the game up moments after play was resumed, but Hedges came through yet again with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth to send San Diego to a 4-3 victory. While the Padres enjoyed their fourth win in five tries in the opener, the Phillies dropped their fourth straight contest and are in danger of losing only their second series to San Diego since 2009. Tommy Joseph snapped out of a 2-for-15 slide over his previous four games by reaching base in all four of his at-bats Friday, drawing two walks to go along with a pair of extra-base hits - including a solo homer.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (7-7, 4.52 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (6-5, 3.73)
Chacin continued his dominance at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, picking up the victory after permitting four hits and three walks while striking out six in five scoreless frames. The 29-year-old Venezuelan improved to 5-2 with a 1.68 ERA in nine home turns, but he has been among the worst starting pitchers on the road in 2017 (9.08 ERA in eight outings). Chacin, who hasn't faced the Phillies since 2014, is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) versus Philadelphia.
Nola won his third consecutive start Monday against Pittsburgh, firing seven scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out eight. The Louisiana native has posted a 1.27 ERA during his win streak - fanning at least eight each time - and is 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA over his last six turns dating back to the beginning of June. Nola is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts against the Padres, including a loss against them in April of 2016 when he was tagged for four runs despite striking out nine across seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hedges' two homers on Friday were his first since June 3.
2. Despite Friday's loss, Philadelphia has still won 10 of the last 13 meetings at Citizens Bank Park and is 60-27 against the Padres since 2004 - the club's best mark against any opponent over that time.
3. San Diego RF Hunter Renfroe is day-to-day with a blood blister after he was hit in the right hand in the sixth inning Friday.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Padres 2
GAME: Atlanta Braves (41-44) at Washington Nationals (51-35)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the Atlanta Braves are going to make a run at the Washington Nationals in the National League East, they might need to upgrade the back end of their bullpen. The Nationals rallied in the ninth inning Friday before recording their seventh walk-off win of the season, and they’ll try to keep the momentum going when they host the Braves for the third of a four-game series Saturday.
Washington scored three runs in the ninth inning Friday against Atlanta closer Jim Johnson, then won 5-4 on Daniel Murphy’s game-winning single in the 10th, evening the series at a game apiece. Braves ace Julio Teheran takes the mound Saturday looking to snap a three-start winless streak dating to his victory at Washington on June 14. Teheran has had mixed results against the Nationals this season, allowing seven runs over four innings in a loss April 19 in Atlanta before limiting the Nationals to two runs and six hits over seven frames in the win last month. Teheran opposes Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who has faced the Braves three times this season, recording at least 10 strikeouts in each.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN South (Atlanta), MASN 2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (6-6, 5.14 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (9-2, 3.28)
Teheran rebounded from one of his worst outings of the year with a strong effort Sunday at Oakland. The 26-year-old Colombian recorded a season-high eight strikeouts and held the Athletics to two runs and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Teheran is 4-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 16 starts against the Nationals.
Strasburg has been dominant in his last two starts, following up his 13-strikeout performance in a win over the Chicago Cubs with seven scoreless frames Monday against the New York Mets. The 28-year-old limited the Mets to two hits and three walks while striking out six in a no-decision. Strasburg is 10-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals OF Bryce Harper is 16-for-36 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs against Teheran.
2. Braves 1B/3B Freddie Freeman is 14-for-38 with four homers against Strasburg.
3. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman is tied with Vladimir Guerrero on the franchise’s all-time home run list with 234 and is tied with Tim Wallach for the all-time doubles lead with 360.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Braves 2
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
If the Atlanta Braves are going to make a run at the Washington Nationals in the National League East, they might need to upgrade the back end of their bullpen. The Nationals rallied in the ninth inning Friday before recording their seventh walk-off win of the season, and they’ll try to keep the momentum going when they host the Braves for the third of a four-game series Saturday.
Washington scored three runs in the ninth inning Friday against Atlanta closer Jim Johnson, then won 5-4 on Daniel Murphy’s game-winning single in the 10th, evening the series at a game apiece. Braves ace Julio Teheran takes the mound Saturday looking to snap a three-start winless streak dating to his victory at Washington on June 14. Teheran has had mixed results against the Nationals this season, allowing seven runs over four innings in a loss April 19 in Atlanta before limiting the Nationals to two runs and six hits over seven frames in the win last month. Teheran opposes Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who has faced the Braves three times this season, recording at least 10 strikeouts in each.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN South (Atlanta), MASN 2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (6-6, 5.14 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (9-2, 3.28)
Teheran rebounded from one of his worst outings of the year with a strong effort Sunday at Oakland. The 26-year-old Colombian recorded a season-high eight strikeouts and held the Athletics to two runs and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Teheran is 4-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 16 starts against the Nationals.
Strasburg has been dominant in his last two starts, following up his 13-strikeout performance in a win over the Chicago Cubs with seven scoreless frames Monday against the New York Mets. The 28-year-old limited the Mets to two hits and three walks while striking out six in a no-decision. Strasburg is 10-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals OF Bryce Harper is 16-for-36 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs against Teheran.
2. Braves 1B/3B Freddie Freeman is 14-for-38 with four homers against Strasburg.
3. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman is tied with Vladimir Guerrero on the franchise’s all-time home run list with 234 and is tied with Tim Wallach for the all-time doubles lead with 360.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Braves 2
GAME: Boston Red Sox (50-37) at Tampa Bay Rays (45-43)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Boston Red Sox uncharacteristically used the long ball to even the series and hope to build on the momentum when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the third of the four-game set on Saturday afternoon. The Red Sox, who are last in the American League with 90 homers, belted three Friday night to pull away for an 8-3 victory after losing the opener with their ace Chris Sale on the mound.
Dustin Pedroia, who is 4-for-9 in the series, got things started with a two-run blast while Jackie Bradley Jr. and Hanley Ramirez added solo homers for Boston, which became the second AL team to reach 50 wins. The Red Sox send reigning AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello to the hill to try and put a positive end to a rough first half and Tampa Bay counters with fellow right-hander Alex Cobb, who is 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in two outings against Boston in 2017. The Rays could not follow up an inspiring victory over Sale on Thursday, but Steven Souza Jr. launched the team’s 132nd homer of the season - second in the AL. Tampa Bay’s Logan Morrison walked twice Friday to extend his on-base streak to 27 contests and the first baseman is 8-for-17 his last five games.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (4-10, 5.01 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (6-6, 4.01)
Porcello owns just one victory in his last eight starts, but has been able to complete at least six innings in 15 consecutive outings and 17-of-18 overall this season. The 28-year-old New Jersey native allowed three runs on three hits (two homers) in a no-decision at Texas last time out and has given up nine blasts in his last seven contests. Morrison is 10-for-27 with a homer overall against Porcello, who is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA versus the Rays in 2017.
Cobb followed up his best outing of the season at Pittsburgh on June 27 with one of his worst five days later at Baltimore when he permitted seven runs (six earned) in 6 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old Boston native had gone 2-0 over his four previous outings, capped by a no-decision against Pittsburgh when he surrendered two hits over eight scoreless frames. Christian Vazquez is 4-for-6 versus Cobb, who is 4-3 with a 3.84 ERA lifetime against Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay 2B Brad Miller went 2-for-2 with an RBI Friday after being activated from the disabled list while INF Tim Beckham (ankle) was placed on the 10-day DL.
2. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts (hand) missed Friday’s game, but told reporters he hoped to play at some point this weekend.
3. Rays RHP Chris Archer (7-5, 3.95 ERA, 139 strikeouts) was added to the AL All-Star team on Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Red Sox 3
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Boston Red Sox uncharacteristically used the long ball to even the series and hope to build on the momentum when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the third of the four-game set on Saturday afternoon. The Red Sox, who are last in the American League with 90 homers, belted three Friday night to pull away for an 8-3 victory after losing the opener with their ace Chris Sale on the mound.
Dustin Pedroia, who is 4-for-9 in the series, got things started with a two-run blast while Jackie Bradley Jr. and Hanley Ramirez added solo homers for Boston, which became the second AL team to reach 50 wins. The Red Sox send reigning AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello to the hill to try and put a positive end to a rough first half and Tampa Bay counters with fellow right-hander Alex Cobb, who is 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in two outings against Boston in 2017. The Rays could not follow up an inspiring victory over Sale on Thursday, but Steven Souza Jr. launched the team’s 132nd homer of the season - second in the AL. Tampa Bay’s Logan Morrison walked twice Friday to extend his on-base streak to 27 contests and the first baseman is 8-for-17 his last five games.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (4-10, 5.01 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (6-6, 4.01)
Porcello owns just one victory in his last eight starts, but has been able to complete at least six innings in 15 consecutive outings and 17-of-18 overall this season. The 28-year-old New Jersey native allowed three runs on three hits (two homers) in a no-decision at Texas last time out and has given up nine blasts in his last seven contests. Morrison is 10-for-27 with a homer overall against Porcello, who is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA versus the Rays in 2017.
Cobb followed up his best outing of the season at Pittsburgh on June 27 with one of his worst five days later at Baltimore when he permitted seven runs (six earned) in 6 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old Boston native had gone 2-0 over his four previous outings, capped by a no-decision against Pittsburgh when he surrendered two hits over eight scoreless frames. Christian Vazquez is 4-for-6 versus Cobb, who is 4-3 with a 3.84 ERA lifetime against Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay 2B Brad Miller went 2-for-2 with an RBI Friday after being activated from the disabled list while INF Tim Beckham (ankle) was placed on the 10-day DL.
2. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts (hand) missed Friday’s game, but told reporters he hoped to play at some point this weekend.
3. Rays RHP Chris Archer (7-5, 3.95 ERA, 139 strikeouts) was added to the AL All-Star team on Friday.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Red Sox 3
GAME: Detroit Tigers (38-47) at Cleveland Indians (46-39)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians look to continue their sudden offensive surge when they host the rival Detroit Tigers for the middle contest of a three-game set on Saturday night. The Indians posted 22 runs on 30 hits to win their last two contests, including an 11-2 victory over the Tigers in the series opener Friday as Michael Brantley knocked in four runs.
Francisco Lindor had three RBIs in the victory and is 7-for-15 over the last three contests for Cleveland while Jose Ramirez remained red hot with a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games in which he is 15-for-37. Mike Clevinger hopes to get the same run support as he takes the mound for the Indians against former AL MVP Justin Verlander, who is 1-2 with an 11.30 ERA in three starts during the season series after getting pounded by Cleveland last weekend. The Tigers are on the verge of dropping into last place in the AL Central after losing four of their last six and have given up 26 runs while suffering three straight setbacks against the Indians. Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in four straight contests and is batting .345 with 45 homers and 151 RBIs in 174 career games against the Indians.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (5-5, 4.96 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (4-3, 3.33)
Verlander looks to rebound from his last outing against Cleveland on Sunday after allowing seven runs on nine hits and three walks while going without a strikeout for the first time since April 28, 2007. The 34-year-old has permitted 24 hits, including five homers, in three starts against the Indians in 2017 and owns a 6.22 ERA on the road overall. Lonnie Chisenhall is 15-for-44 with three homers versus Verlander, who is 20-23 in 51 career games against the Indians.
Clevinger is unbeaten (2-0) in his last four starts, yielding five runs on 12 hits over 21 innings with 24 strikeouts after a strong outing against Verlander and Detroit last week. The 26-year-old Floridian matched a season high with five walks despite holding the Tigers to one run on two hits over six innings in the 11-8 win on Sunday. Cabrera is 2-for-4 with a homer and five RBIs against Clevinger, who is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances (two starts) versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians manager Terry Francona underwent a successful cardiac procedure Friday and is expected to be back in the dugout after the All-Star break.
2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez became the ninth active player to reach 2,000 hits on Friday and is 5-for-11 over his last three contests.
3. Cleveland 1B-DH Carlos Santana, who has multiple hits in three of his last four games, could return from the paternity list Saturday.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 4
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians look to continue their sudden offensive surge when they host the rival Detroit Tigers for the middle contest of a three-game set on Saturday night. The Indians posted 22 runs on 30 hits to win their last two contests, including an 11-2 victory over the Tigers in the series opener Friday as Michael Brantley knocked in four runs.
Francisco Lindor had three RBIs in the victory and is 7-for-15 over the last three contests for Cleveland while Jose Ramirez remained red hot with a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games in which he is 15-for-37. Mike Clevinger hopes to get the same run support as he takes the mound for the Indians against former AL MVP Justin Verlander, who is 1-2 with an 11.30 ERA in three starts during the season series after getting pounded by Cleveland last weekend. The Tigers are on the verge of dropping into last place in the AL Central after losing four of their last six and have given up 26 runs while suffering three straight setbacks against the Indians. Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera has hit safely in four straight contests and is batting .345 with 45 homers and 151 RBIs in 174 career games against the Indians.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (5-5, 4.96 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (4-3, 3.33)
Verlander looks to rebound from his last outing against Cleveland on Sunday after allowing seven runs on nine hits and three walks while going without a strikeout for the first time since April 28, 2007. The 34-year-old has permitted 24 hits, including five homers, in three starts against the Indians in 2017 and owns a 6.22 ERA on the road overall. Lonnie Chisenhall is 15-for-44 with three homers versus Verlander, who is 20-23 in 51 career games against the Indians.
Clevinger is unbeaten (2-0) in his last four starts, yielding five runs on 12 hits over 21 innings with 24 strikeouts after a strong outing against Verlander and Detroit last week. The 26-year-old Floridian matched a season high with five walks despite holding the Tigers to one run on two hits over six innings in the 11-8 win on Sunday. Cabrera is 2-for-4 with a homer and five RBIs against Clevinger, who is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances (two starts) versus Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians manager Terry Francona underwent a successful cardiac procedure Friday and is expected to be back in the dugout after the All-Star break.
2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez became the ninth active player to reach 2,000 hits on Friday and is 5-for-11 over his last three contests.
3. Cleveland 1B-DH Carlos Santana, who has multiple hits in three of his last four games, could return from the paternity list Saturday.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 4
GAME: Kansas City Royals (44-41) at Los Angeles Dodgers (59-29)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Los Angeles Dodgers appear determined to remove any possible mystery from the National League West race, and they’re getting closer to their goal each day. The streaking Dodgers have won 24 of their past 28 games heading into Saturday’s contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an abrupt end with a 4-1 loss in Friday’s series opener.
Chase Utley recorded his 1,000th career RBI and Yasiel Puig belted a solo homer in Friday’s victory as the Dodgers won their fourth straight and moved a season-high 30 games over .500. Los Angeles’ starting pitching has been outstanding over the last four games, allowing a total of two runs on 11 hits over 26 innings. The Royals entered this weekend’s series having won 22 of their last 32 games but were held to five hits in Friday’s loss. The top three batters in the order – Whit Merrifield, Ramon Torres and Lorenzo Cain – were a combined 0-for-10 as the Royals struggled against Kenta Maeda and three Dodger relievers.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (3-6, 4.44 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 3.25)
Kennedy earned his third straight win last Monday against Seattle, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The Southern California native has posted a 3-0 mark and 2.22 ERA in his last four starts after going 0-6 with a 5.40 ERA in his first 11 outings. Puig is 4-for-24 against Kennedy, who is 5-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers, including 0-7 since his last win on Sept. 11, 2012 with Arizona.
McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list to start for the first time since June 25, when he allowed five runs (four earned) in three innings against Colorado. The 10-year veteran has battled knee soreness throughout the season but was cleared to start after throwing a four-inning simulated game last Monday. McCarthy is 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 14 career games (six starts) against Kansas City but has had trouble containing Alex Gordon (6-for-14).
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles has won 16 of its last 17 games at Dodger Stadium.
2. Royals LHP Matt Strahm underwent season-ending knee surgery on Friday while RHP Nate Karns could require season-ending surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.
3. Dodgers LHP Alex Wood was named to the NL All-Star team on Friday in place of teammate Clayton Kershaw, who will start Sunday’s series finale and be ineligible to pitch in Tuesday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Royals 4
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Los Angeles Dodgers appear determined to remove any possible mystery from the National League West race, and they’re getting closer to their goal each day. The streaking Dodgers have won 24 of their past 28 games heading into Saturday’s contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an abrupt end with a 4-1 loss in Friday’s series opener.
Chase Utley recorded his 1,000th career RBI and Yasiel Puig belted a solo homer in Friday’s victory as the Dodgers won their fourth straight and moved a season-high 30 games over .500. Los Angeles’ starting pitching has been outstanding over the last four games, allowing a total of two runs on 11 hits over 26 innings. The Royals entered this weekend’s series having won 22 of their last 32 games but were held to five hits in Friday’s loss. The top three batters in the order – Whit Merrifield, Ramon Torres and Lorenzo Cain – were a combined 0-for-10 as the Royals struggled against Kenta Maeda and three Dodger relievers.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (3-6, 4.44 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Brandon McCarthy (6-3, 3.25)
Kennedy earned his third straight win last Monday against Seattle, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The Southern California native has posted a 3-0 mark and 2.22 ERA in his last four starts after going 0-6 with a 5.40 ERA in his first 11 outings. Puig is 4-for-24 against Kennedy, who is 5-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 20 career starts against the Dodgers, including 0-7 since his last win on Sept. 11, 2012 with Arizona.
McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list to start for the first time since June 25, when he allowed five runs (four earned) in three innings against Colorado. The 10-year veteran has battled knee soreness throughout the season but was cleared to start after throwing a four-inning simulated game last Monday. McCarthy is 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 14 career games (six starts) against Kansas City but has had trouble containing Alex Gordon (6-for-14).
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles has won 16 of its last 17 games at Dodger Stadium.
2. Royals LHP Matt Strahm underwent season-ending knee surgery on Friday while RHP Nate Karns could require season-ending surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.
3. Dodgers LHP Alex Wood was named to the NL All-Star team on Friday in place of teammate Clayton Kershaw, who will start Sunday’s series finale and be ineligible to pitch in Tuesday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Royals 4
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (40-47) at Chicago Cubs (43-43)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Once dominant against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jake Arrieta has struggled against the Bucs the past two seasons. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner hopes to revert to his previous form when the Chicago Cubs host the Pirates for the second of a three-game series Saturday.
The Cubs won the series opener 6-1 to climb back to .500 for the 20th time this season, but they haven’t won consecutive games since taking three straight from June 18-20. To change that, Chicago needs a strong outing from Arrieta after starter Eddie Butler lasted only four innings Friday. Arrieta’s career numbers against the Pirates remain impressive, but after going 9-1 with a 1.46 ERA in the first 12 meetings, he is 0-3 with a 7.81 ERA in his past five starts against Pittsburgh. Friday’s loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Pirates, who tied their season-high with three errors and had a streak of 13 1/3 scoreless innings from their bullpen come to an end.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (8-6, 3.24 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (8-6, 4.33)
Nova has failed to record quality starts in his last three outings after doing so in seven of his previous eight starts. The 30-year-old took the loss at Philadelphia on Monday, allowing four runs and seven hits over six innings in a 4-0 defeat. Nova beat the Cubs on June 17 in Pittsburgh, limiting them to three runs and six hits in seven frames.
Arrieta turned in his best outing of the season Sunday at Cincinnati, holding the Reds to one hits over seven scoreless innings. The question is whether the 31-year-old can do it again – he’s had consecutive quality starts only twice this season. Arrieta is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA in five home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, who was 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs on Friday, is a career .384 hitter with 15 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, and 34 RBIs in 44 games against the Pirates.
2. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco is 12-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo has hit 22 home runs against the Pirates, tied with Cincinnati for his most against any team.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Pirates 3
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Once dominant against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jake Arrieta has struggled against the Bucs the past two seasons. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner hopes to revert to his previous form when the Chicago Cubs host the Pirates for the second of a three-game series Saturday.
The Cubs won the series opener 6-1 to climb back to .500 for the 20th time this season, but they haven’t won consecutive games since taking three straight from June 18-20. To change that, Chicago needs a strong outing from Arrieta after starter Eddie Butler lasted only four innings Friday. Arrieta’s career numbers against the Pirates remain impressive, but after going 9-1 with a 1.46 ERA in the first 12 meetings, he is 0-3 with a 7.81 ERA in his past five starts against Pittsburgh. Friday’s loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Pirates, who tied their season-high with three errors and had a streak of 13 1/3 scoreless innings from their bullpen come to an end.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (8-6, 3.24 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (8-6, 4.33)
Nova has failed to record quality starts in his last three outings after doing so in seven of his previous eight starts. The 30-year-old took the loss at Philadelphia on Monday, allowing four runs and seven hits over six innings in a 4-0 defeat. Nova beat the Cubs on June 17 in Pittsburgh, limiting them to three runs and six hits in seven frames.
Arrieta turned in his best outing of the season Sunday at Cincinnati, holding the Reds to one hits over seven scoreless innings. The question is whether the 31-year-old can do it again – he’s had consecutive quality starts only twice this season. Arrieta is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA in five home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, who was 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs on Friday, is a career .384 hitter with 15 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, and 34 RBIs in 44 games against the Pirates.
2. Pirates OF Gregory Polanco is 12-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo has hit 22 home runs against the Pirates, tied with Cincinnati for his most against any team.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Pirates 3
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (44-46) at Texas Rangers (42-44)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
While most of the Texas Rangers' infield entered Friday's opener against the Los Angeles Angels as question marks for the contest, the hitters that were left behind did more than enough to pick up the slack. After scoring 10 runs for the second time already this month, the Rangers attempt to guarantee themselves a series win for the first time in four tries Saturday when they continue their three-game set at home against the Angels.
Shortstop Elvis Andrus (paternity leave) and corner infielder Joey Gallo (hamstring) did not start on Friday, but second baseman Rougned Odor played though a hand injury and joined Adrian Beltre, Nomar Mazara and Jonathan Lucroy to supply Texas with all of its run production in a 10-0 rout in the opener. In addition to winning consecutive games for the first time in nearly two weeks, the Rangers (42-44) pulled into a virtual tie with the Angels (44-46) for second place in the American League West. Los Angeles has dropped four of five and failed to score more than three runs for the seventh time in 10 games - a stretch which includes three shutouts. Albert Pujols, who had two of the Angels' three hits against Cole Hamels on Friday, has multiple hits in three of his last four contests.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jesse Chavez (5-9, 4.97 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Tyson Ross (1-1, 6.41)
Chavez was saddled with the loss for the third time in his last four outings Sunday against Seattle, giving up two runs on four hits in five frames - the fifth time in his last six turns he failed to make it through six innings. The 33-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp on the road in nine trips to the mound either, going 2-5 with a 6.17 ERA. Beltre is 2-for-14 while Odor is 5-for-11 with a pair of home runs against Chavez, who is 2-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 18 appearances (five starts) against the Rangers.
Ross was unable to build on his best outing of the season but settled for a no-decision Sunday at the Chicago White Sox despite giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. The California native enjoyed the finest of his four turns since coming off the disabled list on June 27, holding Cleveland to one run on two hits and two walks across six frames. Pujols is 1-for-10 against Ross, who is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in nine appearances (five starts) versus the Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers are 29-13 when hitting multiple home runs and have out-homered their opponents 45-19 over the last 20 games.
2. Angels OF Cameron Maybin, who leads the AL with 25 steals, has stolen one base in the last nine games.
3. Beltre on Friday became the 21st player in major-league history to reach 5,000 total bases, while his three-RBI effort moved him into a tie with Hall-of-Famer George Brett (1,596) for 32nd place on the all-time list.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 4
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
While most of the Texas Rangers' infield entered Friday's opener against the Los Angeles Angels as question marks for the contest, the hitters that were left behind did more than enough to pick up the slack. After scoring 10 runs for the second time already this month, the Rangers attempt to guarantee themselves a series win for the first time in four tries Saturday when they continue their three-game set at home against the Angels.
Shortstop Elvis Andrus (paternity leave) and corner infielder Joey Gallo (hamstring) did not start on Friday, but second baseman Rougned Odor played though a hand injury and joined Adrian Beltre, Nomar Mazara and Jonathan Lucroy to supply Texas with all of its run production in a 10-0 rout in the opener. In addition to winning consecutive games for the first time in nearly two weeks, the Rangers (42-44) pulled into a virtual tie with the Angels (44-46) for second place in the American League West. Los Angeles has dropped four of five and failed to score more than three runs for the seventh time in 10 games - a stretch which includes three shutouts. Albert Pujols, who had two of the Angels' three hits against Cole Hamels on Friday, has multiple hits in three of his last four contests.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jesse Chavez (5-9, 4.97 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Tyson Ross (1-1, 6.41)
Chavez was saddled with the loss for the third time in his last four outings Sunday against Seattle, giving up two runs on four hits in five frames - the fifth time in his last six turns he failed to make it through six innings. The 33-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp on the road in nine trips to the mound either, going 2-5 with a 6.17 ERA. Beltre is 2-for-14 while Odor is 5-for-11 with a pair of home runs against Chavez, who is 2-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 18 appearances (five starts) against the Rangers.
Ross was unable to build on his best outing of the season but settled for a no-decision Sunday at the Chicago White Sox despite giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over five innings. The California native enjoyed the finest of his four turns since coming off the disabled list on June 27, holding Cleveland to one run on two hits and two walks across six frames. Pujols is 1-for-10 against Ross, who is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in nine appearances (five starts) versus the Angels.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers are 29-13 when hitting multiple home runs and have out-homered their opponents 45-19 over the last 20 games.
2. Angels OF Cameron Maybin, who leads the AL with 25 steals, has stolen one base in the last nine games.
3. Beltre on Friday became the 21st player in major-league history to reach 5,000 total bases, while his three-RBI effort moved him into a tie with Hall-of-Famer George Brett (1,596) for 32nd place on the all-time list.
PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 4
GAME: Chicago White Sox (37-48) at Colorado Rockies (51-38)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 9:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Nolan Arenado ended his power drought in a big way and the All-Star third baseman looks for another strong performance when the Colorado Rockies host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game set. Arenado homered and had five RBIs in Friday's 12-4 victory to halt a 15-game homerless funk.
Colorado's offensive splurge included a season-best 17 hits and fueled the club to just its fourth victory in the past 16 games. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon homered among three hits in the opener and the All-Star is 10-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak. The White Sox have allowed 26 runs while losing three straight away games and are saddled with a mediocre 18-30 road mark. Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu notched three hits in the opener and is 11-for-33 with three homers and four doubles during an eight-game hitting streak.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jeff Hoffman (5-1, 4.01)
Quintana received a no-decision against the Texas Rangers in his last turn when he gave up five runs (three earned) and six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old is 3-4 with a 3.93 ERA in nine road starts this season. Quintana defeated the Rockies in his lone career turn against them when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings on April 8, 2014.
Hoffman continued his stellar rookie campaign when he gave up three runs and four hits in seven innings while defeating the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. The 24-year-old served up two homers against Cincinnati after keeping the ball in the park in four consecutive outings. Hoffman has struggled at Coors Field this season by going 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA in five appearances (four starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (right middle finger) will miss his second straight game but insists he won't miss Tuesday's first All-Star appearance.
2. Colorado OF Gerardo Parra (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day disabled list and went 3-for-5 in the opener, while OF Mike Tauchman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
3. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera is 12-for-30 with two homers and four doubles during a seven-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Rockies 8, White Sox 4
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 9:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Nolan Arenado ended his power drought in a big way and the All-Star third baseman looks for another strong performance when the Colorado Rockies host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game set. Arenado homered and had five RBIs in Friday's 12-4 victory to halt a 15-game homerless funk.
Colorado's offensive splurge included a season-best 17 hits and fueled the club to just its fourth victory in the past 16 games. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon homered among three hits in the opener and the All-Star is 10-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak. The White Sox have allowed 26 runs while losing three straight away games and are saddled with a mediocre 18-30 road mark. Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu notched three hits in the opener and is 11-for-33 with three homers and four doubles during an eight-game hitting streak.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-8, 4.45 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jeff Hoffman (5-1, 4.01)
Quintana received a no-decision against the Texas Rangers in his last turn when he gave up five runs (three earned) and six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old is 3-4 with a 3.93 ERA in nine road starts this season. Quintana defeated the Rockies in his lone career turn against them when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven innings on April 8, 2014.
Hoffman continued his stellar rookie campaign when he gave up three runs and four hits in seven innings while defeating the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. The 24-year-old served up two homers against Cincinnati after keeping the ball in the park in four consecutive outings. Hoffman has struggled at Coors Field this season by going 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA in five appearances (four starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (right middle finger) will miss his second straight game but insists he won't miss Tuesday's first All-Star appearance.
2. Colorado OF Gerardo Parra (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day disabled list and went 3-for-5 in the opener, while OF Mike Tauchman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
3. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera is 12-for-30 with two homers and four doubles during a seven-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Rockies 8, White Sox 4
GAME: Miami Marlins (39-46) at San Francisco Giants (34-54)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The All-Star break can’t arrive soon enough for the San Francisco Giants, who face a number of difficult decisions following a dismal first half. The Giants are 20 games under .500 heading into Saturday’s contest against the visiting Miami Marlins, who opened the three-game series Friday by jumping to an early five-run lead and cruising to a 6-1 victory.
The Giants’ rotation will require some changes next weekend to accommodate the return of ace Madison Bumgarner from the disabled list, and the team could look to move veterans such as Eduardo Nunez, Denard Span and Joe Panik this month as they play the unfamiliar role of sellers at the trade deadline. Rookie Austin Slater has provided some welcome stability in left field in recent weeks, but he’s expected to land on the disabled list after aggravating his right hip during Friday’s loss. The Marlins will be sending outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton to Tuesday’s All-Star game, but a strong case could also be made for catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 26-year-old is batting .303 with eight homers and 33 RBIs after going 3-for-4 with a solo blast in Friday’s win.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Chris O'Grady (NR) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (4-9, 5.54 ERA)
O'Grady had his contract purchased from Triple-A New Orleans and will make his major-league debut in place of Jeff Locke, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday. “He’s a guy with good command and pretty good pitch ability,” manager Don Mattingly told reporters. “He's competitive. We'll have a good chance to see him with everybody else.” The 26-year-old earned the call after going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) for the Baby Cakes.
Samardzija has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants this season, pitching at least six innings in each of his last six starts while posting a remarkable 38-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over that stretch. The 32-year-old allowed two runs on six hits over six innings in last Sunday’s 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Martin Prado is 2-for-20 against Samardzija, who has gone 5-1 with a 3.43 ERA in 17 career games (eight starts) against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants will unveil a plaque on the team’s Wall of Fame in honor of seven-time MVP Barry Bonds before Saturday’s game.
2. Miami placed RHP Edinson Volquez on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis, but the veteran is expected to return immediately after the All-Star break.
3. The Giants placed INF/OF Ryder Jones on the disabled list with a right wrist contusion and activated INF Conor Gillaspie (sore back).
PREDICTION: Giants 7, Marlins 3
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The All-Star break can’t arrive soon enough for the San Francisco Giants, who face a number of difficult decisions following a dismal first half. The Giants are 20 games under .500 heading into Saturday’s contest against the visiting Miami Marlins, who opened the three-game series Friday by jumping to an early five-run lead and cruising to a 6-1 victory.
The Giants’ rotation will require some changes next weekend to accommodate the return of ace Madison Bumgarner from the disabled list, and the team could look to move veterans such as Eduardo Nunez, Denard Span and Joe Panik this month as they play the unfamiliar role of sellers at the trade deadline. Rookie Austin Slater has provided some welcome stability in left field in recent weeks, but he’s expected to land on the disabled list after aggravating his right hip during Friday’s loss. The Marlins will be sending outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton to Tuesday’s All-Star game, but a strong case could also be made for catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 26-year-old is batting .303 with eight homers and 33 RBIs after going 3-for-4 with a solo blast in Friday’s win.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Chris O'Grady (NR) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (4-9, 5.54 ERA)
O'Grady had his contract purchased from Triple-A New Orleans and will make his major-league debut in place of Jeff Locke, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday. “He’s a guy with good command and pretty good pitch ability,” manager Don Mattingly told reporters. “He's competitive. We'll have a good chance to see him with everybody else.” The 26-year-old earned the call after going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) for the Baby Cakes.
Samardzija has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants this season, pitching at least six innings in each of his last six starts while posting a remarkable 38-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over that stretch. The 32-year-old allowed two runs on six hits over six innings in last Sunday’s 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Martin Prado is 2-for-20 against Samardzija, who has gone 5-1 with a 3.43 ERA in 17 career games (eight starts) against the Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants will unveil a plaque on the team’s Wall of Fame in honor of seven-time MVP Barry Bonds before Saturday’s game.
2. Miami placed RHP Edinson Volquez on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis, but the veteran is expected to return immediately after the All-Star break.
3. The Giants placed INF/OF Ryder Jones on the disabled list with a right wrist contusion and activated INF Conor Gillaspie (sore back).
PREDICTION: Giants 7, Marlins 3
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (37-49) at Arizona Diamondbacks (53-34)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to shake a brief slump and aim to take another step forward when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Arizona won for just the third time in nine games when All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt's 20th homer helped lead the way to a 6-3 victory in Friday's opener.
The Diamondbacks bounced back from Thursday's horrific 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers when closer Fernando Rodney was unable to protect a three-run ninth-inning lead. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo professed complete support of Rodney prior to Friday's game and used him later to get the final out for save No. 22 when other bullpen members allowed three ninth-inning runs. Reds All-Star first baseman Joey Votto launched his National League-leading 25th homer of the season and has five blasts and 11 RBIs over the last 11 games. Cincinnati right fielder Scott Schebler went deep for the 22nd time and is 7-for-17 over the past four contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (0-1, 4.41 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (6-3, 3.30)
Castillo makes his fourth big-league start and is still looking for his first victory. The 24-year-old has fanned 22 batters in 16 1/3 innings but has also served up five homers. Castillo lost to the Colorado Rockies in his last turn when he gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Walker is 3-0 over his last five turns as he becomes more comfortable with being a member of the Diamondbacks. The 24-year-old has allowed one or fewer earned runs in three of the five starts and hasn't allowed more than six hits in any of the outings. Walker, who has never faced the Reds, is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Goldschmidt has reached 20 homers for the fifth time in his stellar career.
2. Cincinnati LHP Brandon Finnegan (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery on Friday on his non-throwing arm after being injured in a boating accident.
3. Arizona CF A.J. Pollock struck out twice in four hitless at-bats and is 2-for-12 since returning from a quadriceps injury.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Reds 4
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to shake a brief slump and aim to take another step forward when they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Arizona won for just the third time in nine games when All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt's 20th homer helped lead the way to a 6-3 victory in Friday's opener.
The Diamondbacks bounced back from Thursday's horrific 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers when closer Fernando Rodney was unable to protect a three-run ninth-inning lead. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo professed complete support of Rodney prior to Friday's game and used him later to get the final out for save No. 22 when other bullpen members allowed three ninth-inning runs. Reds All-Star first baseman Joey Votto launched his National League-leading 25th homer of the season and has five blasts and 11 RBIs over the last 11 games. Cincinnati right fielder Scott Schebler went deep for the 22nd time and is 7-for-17 over the past four contests.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (0-1, 4.41 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (6-3, 3.30)
Castillo makes his fourth big-league start and is still looking for his first victory. The 24-year-old has fanned 22 batters in 16 1/3 innings but has also served up five homers. Castillo lost to the Colorado Rockies in his last turn when he gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Walker is 3-0 over his last five turns as he becomes more comfortable with being a member of the Diamondbacks. The 24-year-old has allowed one or fewer earned runs in three of the five starts and hasn't allowed more than six hits in any of the outings. Walker, who has never faced the Reds, is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Goldschmidt has reached 20 homers for the fifth time in his stellar career.
2. Cincinnati LHP Brandon Finnegan (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery on Friday on his non-throwing arm after being injured in a boating accident.
3. Arizona CF A.J. Pollock struck out twice in four hitless at-bats and is 2-for-12 since returning from a quadriceps injury.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Reds 4
GAME: Oakland Athletics (38-49) at Seattle Mariners (42-46)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Oakland Athletics right-hander Chris Smith is making one of the more unlikely starting debuts in major-league history when he takes the mound against the host Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Smith, who was a college pitching coach earlier this decade, becomes the oldest starter in Athletics' franchise history at 36 years, 90 days.
Smith has made 63 career relief appearances and was out of the majors for five consecutive seasons before re-emerging last season to pitch in 13 games for Oakland. He is being summoned from Triple-A Nashville to make the start and will replace Joe Pate (33 years, 334 days in 1926) as the oldest pitcher to make his starting debut for the Athletics. Seattle halted an eight-game home losing streak by posting a 7-2 victory in Friday's second contest of the four-game series as designated hitter Nelson Cruz drove in five runs and smashed the 300th homer of his career. Mariners shortstop Jean Segura is also excelling and is a torrid 15-for-27 over the last six games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Smith (NR) vs. Mariners RH Andrew Moore (1-1, 3.60)
Smith has a 4.58 career ERA while seeing time with the Boston Red Sox (2008), Milwaukee Brewers (2009-10) and Athletics. He was released by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and became a coach at UC Riverside - his alma mater - before later giving the sport another try and catching Oakland's attention during an independent league stint. "I kind of fought for that call-up last year with the A's," Smith told reporters. "And I knew what it meant ... it wasn't easy, being that old and doing what you're doing, competing with younger kids and competing with those prospects that I once was one time."
Moore is making his third career start and hasn't issued a walk in 15 major-league innings. The 23-year-old pitched eight innings while beating the Detroit Tigers in his debut and pitched seven innings while losing to the Kansas City Royals in his second outing. Moore has served up three homers despite limiting batters to a .204 average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano is headed to his eighth All-Star Game after being named to replace injured Yankees 2B Starlin Castro.
2. Oakland DH/3B Ryon Healy is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in the series after missing three games with back spasms.
3. Seattle optioned RHP Sam Gaviglio to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled RHP Emilio Pagan.
PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 3
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 08 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Oakland Athletics right-hander Chris Smith is making one of the more unlikely starting debuts in major-league history when he takes the mound against the host Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Smith, who was a college pitching coach earlier this decade, becomes the oldest starter in Athletics' franchise history at 36 years, 90 days.
Smith has made 63 career relief appearances and was out of the majors for five consecutive seasons before re-emerging last season to pitch in 13 games for Oakland. He is being summoned from Triple-A Nashville to make the start and will replace Joe Pate (33 years, 334 days in 1926) as the oldest pitcher to make his starting debut for the Athletics. Seattle halted an eight-game home losing streak by posting a 7-2 victory in Friday's second contest of the four-game series as designated hitter Nelson Cruz drove in five runs and smashed the 300th homer of his career. Mariners shortstop Jean Segura is also excelling and is a torrid 15-for-27 over the last six games.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), ROOT Sports Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Smith (NR) vs. Mariners RH Andrew Moore (1-1, 3.60)
Smith has a 4.58 career ERA while seeing time with the Boston Red Sox (2008), Milwaukee Brewers (2009-10) and Athletics. He was released by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 and became a coach at UC Riverside - his alma mater - before later giving the sport another try and catching Oakland's attention during an independent league stint. "I kind of fought for that call-up last year with the A's," Smith told reporters. "And I knew what it meant ... it wasn't easy, being that old and doing what you're doing, competing with younger kids and competing with those prospects that I once was one time."
Moore is making his third career start and hasn't issued a walk in 15 major-league innings. The 23-year-old pitched eight innings while beating the Detroit Tigers in his debut and pitched seven innings while losing to the Kansas City Royals in his second outing. Moore has served up three homers despite limiting batters to a .204 average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano is headed to his eighth All-Star Game after being named to replace injured Yankees 2B Starlin Castro.
2. Oakland DH/3B Ryon Healy is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in the series after missing three games with back spasms.
3. Seattle optioned RHP Sam Gaviglio to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled RHP Emilio Pagan.
PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Mariners 3
Trends - Milwaukee at NY Yankees
W/L Trends
Milwaukee
•Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. American League East.
• Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games.
• Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
• Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
• Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 games on grass.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Brewers are 5-2 in their last 7 interleague road games.
• Brewers are 3-7 in their last 10 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Brewers are 32-75 in their last 107 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Brewers are 4-10 in their last 14 during game 2 of a series.
• Brewers are 17-44 in their last 61 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Brewers are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.
NY Yankees
•Yankees are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 44-17 in their last 61 vs. National League Central.
• Yankees are 41-16 in their last 57 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 23-11 in their last 34 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 49-24 in their last 73 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 61-30 in their last 91 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 home games.
• Yankees are 0-4 in their last 4 during game 2 of a series.
• Yankees are 4-0 in Severinos last 4 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 6-1 in Severinos last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 4-1 in Severinos last 5 Saturday starts.
• Yankees are 1-4 in Severinos last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 1-4 in Severinos last 5 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 0-4 in Severinos last 4 starts.
• Yankees are 0-4 in Severinos last 4 starts on grass.
OU Trends
Milwaukee
•Over is 7-0 in Brewers last 7 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 5-1 in Brewers last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Brewers last 5 road games.
• Over is 7-2 in Brewers last 9 interleague road games.
• Over is 9-3-1 in Brewers last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Over is 23-9-1 in Brewers last 33 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2 in Brewers last 7 interleague games.
• Under is 5-2 in Brewers last 7 vs. American League East.
• Over is 24-11-1 in Brewers last 36 Saturday games.
• Over is 13-6-2 in Brewers last 21 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
NY Yankees
•Over is 5-1-1 in Yankees last 7 on grass.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Yankees last 7 overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 interleague games.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. National League Central.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Yankees last 6 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 7-2 in Yankees last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Over is 17-5 in Yankees last 22 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 10-3-1 in Yankees last 14 home games.
• Over is 15-5-1 in Yankees last 21 games following a loss.
• Over is 6-2 in Yankees last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 19-7 in Yankees last 26 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2 in Yankees last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Under is 25-11-1 in Yankees last 37 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 5-0 in Severinos last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
• Over is 5-0 in Severinos last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 6-1 in Severinos last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Over is 5-1 in Severinos last 6 starts on grass.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 starts overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 home starts.
• Over is 7-2 in Severinos last 9 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 5-2 in Severinos last 7 starts during game 2 of a series.
• Over is 5-2 in Severinos last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Head to Head
•Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Umpire Trends - Mike Estabrook
•Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Estabrook behind home plate.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Estabrooks last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-1 in Estabrooks last 6 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
• Under is 5-2 in Estabrooks last 7 games behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-2 in Estabrooks last 7 games behind home plate.
• Under is 9-4-1 in Estabrooks last 14 interleague games behind home plate.
• Brewers are 2-8 in their last 10 games with Estabrook behind home plate.
W/L Trends
Milwaukee
•Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. American League East.
• Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 interleague games.
• Brewers are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
• Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
• Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 games on grass.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Brewers are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Brewers are 5-2 in their last 7 interleague road games.
• Brewers are 3-7 in their last 10 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Brewers are 32-75 in their last 107 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
• Brewers are 4-10 in their last 14 during game 2 of a series.
• Brewers are 17-44 in their last 61 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Brewers are 1-4 in their last 5 Saturday games.
NY Yankees
•Yankees are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 44-17 in their last 61 vs. National League Central.
• Yankees are 41-16 in their last 57 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 23-11 in their last 34 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 49-24 in their last 73 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 61-30 in their last 91 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Yankees are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 overall.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 games on grass.
• Yankees are 1-5 in their last 6 home games.
• Yankees are 0-4 in their last 4 during game 2 of a series.
• Yankees are 4-0 in Severinos last 4 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 6-1 in Severinos last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 4-1 in Severinos last 5 Saturday starts.
• Yankees are 1-4 in Severinos last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 1-4 in Severinos last 5 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Yankees are 0-4 in Severinos last 4 starts.
• Yankees are 0-4 in Severinos last 4 starts on grass.
OU Trends
Milwaukee
•Over is 7-0 in Brewers last 7 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 5-1 in Brewers last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Brewers last 5 road games.
• Over is 7-2 in Brewers last 9 interleague road games.
• Over is 9-3-1 in Brewers last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Over is 23-9-1 in Brewers last 33 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2 in Brewers last 7 interleague games.
• Under is 5-2 in Brewers last 7 vs. American League East.
• Over is 24-11-1 in Brewers last 36 Saturday games.
• Over is 13-6-2 in Brewers last 21 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
NY Yankees
•Over is 5-1-1 in Yankees last 7 on grass.
• Over is 5-1-1 in Yankees last 7 overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 interleague games.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. National League Central.
• Over is 4-1-1 in Yankees last 6 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 7-2 in Yankees last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Over is 17-5 in Yankees last 22 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 10-3-1 in Yankees last 14 home games.
• Over is 15-5-1 in Yankees last 21 games following a loss.
• Over is 6-2 in Yankees last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Over is 19-7 in Yankees last 26 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2 in Yankees last 7 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Under is 25-11-1 in Yankees last 37 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 5-0 in Severinos last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
• Over is 5-0 in Severinos last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 6-1 in Severinos last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
• Over is 5-1 in Severinos last 6 starts on grass.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 starts overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Severinos last 5 home starts.
• Over is 7-2 in Severinos last 9 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Over is 5-2 in Severinos last 7 starts during game 2 of a series.
• Over is 5-2 in Severinos last 7 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Head to Head
•Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Umpire Trends - Mike Estabrook
•Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Estabrook behind home plate.
• Under is 5-1-1 in Estabrooks last 7 Saturday games behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-1 in Estabrooks last 6 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
• Under is 5-2 in Estabrooks last 7 games behind home plate.
• Road team is 5-2 in Estabrooks last 7 games behind home plate.
• Under is 9-4-1 in Estabrooks last 14 interleague games behind home plate.
• Brewers are 2-8 in their last 10 games with Estabrook behind home plate.
