Tuesday 9/29/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

French Ligue 1 TODAY 17:30

Lille

v

Nantes

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		4/5	11/5	4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LILLE	RECENT FORM
ADHDHWADADAL​ Most recent​	2 - 0 2 - 0 0 - 0 1 - 1	ADHWALHLALHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Lille have scored just two goals in their seven league matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Two of the three lowest scoring teams in France pit their wits against each other but it is Nantes who probably have the great concerns. Lille's defeat to Reims was their first loss in five matches and they should get the better of a team who have conceded ten goals in their last four outings.

RECOMMENDATION: Lille
2

 

[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 19:45

Porto

v

Chelsea

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		8/5	23/10	2	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT PORTO	RECENT FORM
ADHWAWADHWAD​ Most recent​	0 - 1 1 - 1 2 - 1	HLALHWHWAWAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Porto have lost just two of their last 17 Champions League home games

EXPERT VERDICT: Jose Mourinho is back at Porto, the club he guided to Champions League glory 11 years ago, though it may not be a happy return. Chelsea’s visit to the Estadio do Dragao is the sternest test they’ll face in Group G and they still look way short of where they were in recent seasons with Porto fancied to expose the shaky Blues rearguard.

RECOMMENDATION: Porto
1


REFEREE: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Champions League TODAY 19:45

Arsenal

v

Olympiakos

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		—	—	—	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ARSENAL	RECENT FORM
AWHWALALAWAW​ Most recent​	3 - 1 2 - 1 2 - 0	HWAWHWHLAWHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Olympiakos have lost their last five Champions League away ties

EXPERT VERDICT: Olympiakos have a woeful record in England – played 12, lost 12 – and it’s hard to see that being improved upon. Having lost their last six away games in all European competition, they are clearly poor travellers so must fear the worst at the Emirates after Arsenal hit five at Leicester on Saturday.

RECOMMENDATION: Arsenal-Arsenal double result
3


REFEREE: Bas Nijhuis STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Champions League We 30Sep 19:45

Mgladbach

v

Man City

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		10/3	11/4	10/11	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MGLADBACH	RECENT FORM
ALHLALALHWAW​ Most recent​	3 - 1	HWAWHLHLAWAL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Monchengladbach have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine matches this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Gladbach have hauled themselves off the foot of the Bundesliga with a pair of wins but they continue to concede goals. Picked off effortlessly at Seville in their opener, they need to hit back though you have to worry about them shipping goals. Both sides have bags of firepower so expect goals.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
3

 

[superbeets]

Champions League We 30Sep 19:45

Man Utd

v

Wolfsburg

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		4/5	27/10	4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MAN UTD	RECENT FORM
ALHWALAWHWHW​ Most recent​	2 - 1	HWADHWHWALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: United have scored three goals or more in six of their last nine matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Wolfsburg had been going great guns until a game-and-a-half ago. Then they collapsed at Bayern, conceding five in nine minutes, before being held at home by lowly Hannover. Manchester United have overcome their inconsistencies to hit the top of the Premier League, but defensive issues at both ends should ensure a thriller.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

Europa League Th 1Oct 18:00

Monaco

v

Tottenham

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		21/20	23/10	13/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MONACO	RECENT FORM
HLAWADHLAWAD​ Most recent​	Unknown	HDAWHWHWHLHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Spurs have kept one clean sheet in their last eight European matches

EXPERT VERDICT: Tottenham will arrive in Monaco in high spirits after thrashing Manchester City 4-1 but their thin squad means they will be vulnerable if Mauricio Pochettino decides to ring the changes. The back-up defenders are not of the same standard which could lead to a high-scoring game with Monaco scoring freely this season.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist's Bonus Play for Tuesday, Sept. 29

(925) OAKLAND ATHLETICS VS (926) LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Take: over the total.

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Tuesday, September 29, 2015 is in the MLB contest between the Oakland A's and the Angels in Southern California. Anaheim is a good offensive park and the Oakland A's come to town on a 24-8-1 run over the total. Chris Bassitt (1-7) is on the mound allowing 7 runs and 13 hits his last 7 innings. He's walked 7 batters his last three starts (14 innings). The over is 24-8-1 when the Athletics play on natural grass. They face Nick Tropeano (4.35 ERA), with opponents hitting .296 off him. The over is 3-0-1 in Tropeano's last 4 starts overall. When these rivals face each other the over is 12-4-1, including 6-2 over in this stadium. Play Oakland/LA Angels Over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

STEPHEN NOVER
MLB | Sep 29, 2015
Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Miami Marlins+138

Congrats if you knew the Marlins own the best record in baseball since Aug. 31 going 17-8. Tampa Bay has lost 15 of 25 games this month after being swept at Toronto.
Tampa Bay has lost three in a row and is playing at home after being on the road for more than a week. Tampa Bay is 3-10 the past 13 times following a road trip of seven or more days.
So it's far from an ideal spot for the Rays, who are playing the string out anxious to end their long, disappointing season.
Matt Moore is going against Miami's hottest pitcher, rookie lefty Adam Conley.
Conley's allowed three or fewer runs in his last six starts posting a 2.70 ERA during this time frame. Miami is 5-0 in Conley's past five outings. The Rays have never faced Conley, which is to their disadvantage.
Moore is on the comeback trail since returning from Tommy John surgery. This is his 11th start. Moore has been up-and-down, which is common in the first season following serious elbow surgery. Moore had an 8.78 ERA in his first six starts and a 3.86 ERA during his past four starts.
The Rays have lost seven of the last eight times Moore has pitched versus below .500 opponents.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Soccer: CL Best Bets - Tuesday
By Toby Maxtone-Smith

Matchday 2

The first round of Champions League fixtures produced few massive shocks, but the biggest came involving teams playing this Tuesday. Dinamo Zagreb, who have traditionally been no-hopers at the group stage, won 2-1 at home to Arsenal leaving that group wide open.

Elsewhere Chelsea put their bad start in the league to one side with a 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, Zenit St. Petersburg took an impressive win away at Valencia and Bayern Munich saw off Olympiakos 3-0. They are 1/11 to beat Dinamo Zagreb - one of the shortest prices ever seen in the Champions League.

The Banker: Barcelona to beat Bayer Leverkusen at 2/5

Barcelona are going to have to manage without Lionel Messi for the next two months, but they still have far too much for Bayer Leverkusen, and 2/5 looks a safe enough bet on the Catalans to get their first win in this year’s competition. They were held to a 2-2 draw away to Roma in their first game, but the Stadio Olimpico is one of the hardest places in Europe to visit. At home, Barcelona are almost invincible: they have won 31 of their last 40 home Champions League games.

Bayer Leverkusen have had an iffy start in the league this year, with four wins and three defeats so far. Their attack has been a concern: the men from the Ruhr have managed just seven in those matches, although they were able to beat BATE Borisov 4-1 on matchday one. But Barcelona should still have far too much for Bayer.

The Solid Bet: Roma to win at BATE Borisov at 5/6

It is an excellent achievement for Belarusian minnows BATE Borisov (BATE is an acronym for Borisov Automobile and Tractor Electronics) to be Champions League regulars. Playing in a minor league means that you are constantly selling your best players. And this BATE team is simply not as good as the one that beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in 2012. Their 11 Champions League group stage games since then have been chastening experience. They have won one and lost all the rest, conceding an incredible 41 goals in the process. This makes Roma a great bet to beat them at 5/6 on Tuesday.

Roma’s results in Serie A this year have been unspectacular, but they are the league’s top scorers with 13 (as well as two against Barcelona in the last matchday). This will be important against BATE’s porous defence. Roma saw off Carpi 5-1 in their last game, and the match in Belarus should not be too much harder for Rudi Garcia’s men.

The Outsider: Chelsea to win at FC Porto at 2/1

The Champions League group stage could prove to be a welcome distraction for Chelsea following a troubled start to their league season. The lower pressure that comes with group stage games, particularly when you are in a relatively easy section, was noticeable as the Blues coasted past Maccabi Tel Aviv in their first convincing performance of the season. Jose Mourinho made his name at Porto, and will be fully up to date with the strengths and weaknesses of his former club.

Porto are top of the Portuguese league, which they have not won since 2013 having won eight of the nine league titles before until that. They could only manage a 2-2 draw at Moreirense in their last game, and there is little to suggest they deserve their status as favourites on Tuesday night. Chelsea are a good bet at 2/1.

The First Goalscorer: Theo Walcott for Arsenal against Olympiakos at 9/2

Theo Walcott’s goal at Leicester on Saturday meant that the winger-cum-striker has scored in 12 of the last 13 games he has started. After years of asking Arsène Wenger for a chance in a central striker role, the former-Southampton man has been given his chance. He scored from the bench in Arsenal’s dreadful 2-1 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb two weeks ago. That result left Arsenal in a real scrap to finish qualify from the group. They know that they cannot afford to slip up at the Emirates, and a goal from Walcott would be a huge help on the way to a crucial win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Cards take first game of pivotal series vs. Pirates
By The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH -- Mark Reynolds hit a two-run home run to cap a three-run ninth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a scoreless tie and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Monday night to get closer to their third straight National League Central title.
The Cardinals increased their division lead to four games over the Pirates. Both teams have five games remaining and St. Louis can wrap up the title with a win Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series.
Pirates closer Mark Melancon (3-2), who leads the major leagues with a franchise-record 51 saves, started the ninth and gave up a one-out single to third Matt Carpenter. Center fielder Jon Jay followed with a single to right and Carpenter continued home when right fielder Gregory Polanco bobbled the ball for an error.
Reynolds, the first baseman, followed with his 13th homer of the season, a drive into the right-field stands.

Giants 3, Dodgers 2 (12 innings)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Pinch-hitter Alejandro De Aza's sacrifice fly scored Marlon Byrd from third base in the bottom of the 12th inning night as San Francisco kept its slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Right-hander Jake Peavy pitched seven strong innings and Trevor Brown had a two-run double as the Giants kept the Dodgers from clinching the National League West, trimming their lead to five games with six remaining.

Cubs 1, Royals 0 (11 innings)
CHICAGO -- Chris Denorfia led off the 11th inning with a first-pitch home run as the Chicago Cubs claimed a walk-off victory over Kansas City.
Denorfia's lead-off home run off right-handed reliever Miguel Almonte gave the Cubs their major league-leading 13th walk-off win of the season.
Almonte took the loss after entering in the 11th. Chicago right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney worked the top of the 11th for the win.

Twins 4, Indians 2
CLEVELAND -- Trevor Plouffe's two-run home run capped a three-run first inning as Minnesota beat Cleveland at Progressive Field.
The win keeps the Twins squarely in the hunt for the second wild card spot in the American League.
Left-hander Tommy Milone pitched into the sixth inning to get the win. He gave up two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Right-hander Kevin Jepsen pitched the ninth to pick up his 14th save.

Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3
BALTIMORE -- Justin Smoak drove in the tie-breaking run on a fielder's choice in the ninth as Toronto scored three runs in the final two innings and moved one step closer to the American League East title with a victory over Baltimore.
The Blue Jays are winners of five straight games and reduced their magic number to three.

Red Sox 5, Yankees 1
NEW YORK -- Travis Shaw and Jackie Bradley hit two-run home runs in consecutive innings off right-hander Ivan Nova as Boston prevented the New York Yankees from inching closer to clinching a postseason berth.
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez allowed one run and seven hits over six innings during his final start of the season. He became the first Boston rookie southpaw to win 10 games since John Curtis in 1972 and finished his rookie season at 121 2/3 innings.

Tigers 7, Rangers 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- For the third consecutive day, Texas missed an opportunity to directly reduce its magic number to clinch the American League West. The latest setback came at the hands of lowly Detroit.
Starter Justin Verlander worked six solid innings and Tyler Collins added a three-run homer for the Tigers, who snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 73-83.
Texas starter Colby Lewis, seeking his 18th win, was shelled and couldn't get out of the fifth. Lewis lost for the first time in four outings.

Astros 3, Mariners 2
SEATTLE -- George Springer, Evan Gattis and Chris Cater all hit home runs to lift Houston to win against Seattle.
The Astros are now just 1 1/2 back of the division lead thanks to the Rangers' loss to the Tigers.
Carter's home run in the seventh inning broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Astros the lead for good. He sent the first pitch he saw from Danny Farquhar (1-6) deep down the left field line for his 23rd homer of the year.

Angels 5, Athletics 4
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- David Murphy's pinch-hit line-drive single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a win over Oakland at Angel Stadium.
C.J. Cron, who had three hits in the game, got the rally started in the ninth with a single to center off A's reliever Edward Mujica. Third baseman David Freese followed with a dribbler up the third-base line. Mujica fielded the ball cleanly but his throw hit Freese in the back for an error, pinch runner Collin Cowgill going to third and Freese taking second on the play.
After an intentional walk to left fielder Shane Victorino, A's manager Bob Melvin brought in lefty Fernando Abad to face Murphy.

Nationals 5, Reds 1
WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Max Scherzer took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as Washington ended the home portion of its season with a win over Cincinnati.
Scherzer did not allow a hit until Tucker Barnhart lined a clean single to left with one in the eighth. Later in the inning, Skip Schumaker had an RBI single to break up the shutout bid.
Scherzer, who struck out 10 batters and gave up two hits with three walks in eight innings and also had two hits at the plate, came within one out of a perfect game at home on June 20 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a no-hitter.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (99-58) at Pirates (95-62)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: September 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Another injury hasn't prevented the St. Louis Cardinals from inching closer to another NL Central title.

After grinding out a victory in the opener of a critical three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cardinals can clinch their third consecutive division crown and first 100-win season since 2005 Tuesday night at PNC Park.

St. Louis (99-58) reduced its magic number to two with Monday's 3-0 win over the second-place Pirates, scoring all its runs in the ninth inning and overcoming 10 walks by its pitchers and a frightening injury to Stephen Piscotty. The rookie was carted off and spent the night at a local hospital for after a violent outfield collision with Peter Bourjos in the seventh.

"I don't know if there is a game that would define it more than this one all season," manager Mike Matheny said. "We had our backs against the wall every single inning."

The Cardinals announced during the game that Piscotty sustained a bruise to his head when struck by Bourjos' left knee.

Piscotty's injury came on the same day St. Louis announced that catcher Yadier Molina will miss at least the rest of the regular season while recovering from a partially torn ligament in his left thumb.

The Cardinals did receive good news regarding ace Adam Wainwright, who could be available as a reliever as soon as Wednesday after successfully throwing a simulated game Monday. The three-time All-Star tore his left Achilles tendon April 25.

Pittsburgh (95-62) remained alive in the division race by winning eight straight prior to being one-hit in Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. It fell four games back with five to play, however, after stranding 16 runners and finishing 0 for 12 with men in scoring position.

The Pirates became the first team since Montreal in April 1982 to not score in a nine-inning game when drawing at least 10 walks.

"This was tough, because we gave the game away," outfielder Andrew McCutchen said. "A fluke, crazy - call it what you want. But for us not to get any runs with all the chances we had."

Pittsburgh's offense also has struggled in three previous 2015 matchups with Michael Wacha (17-6, 3.15 ERA), who's 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and allowed two earned runs in six innings in an 8-5 win at PNC Park May 8.

Wacha hasn't been in top form of late, though, posting a 6.75 ERA while splitting his last four starts. He's walked 14 and surrendered five homers in 20 innings during the stretch.

The right-hander did earn his 17th win by holding Milwaukee to three runs in five innings Thursday.

McCutchen is 5 for 9 with a homer off Wacha this season but is hitting .160 over his last eight games.

The Pirates, now 3 1-2 games up on the Cubs for the first wild card after Chicago's win over Kansas City on Monday, put their division fortunes in the hands of Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54) as he tries to end a lengthy winless drought against St. Louis.

Morton is 0-8 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 meetings with the Cardinals since a road win April 4, 2011. He did pitch well Sept. 9 in Busch Stadium, yielding one earned run and four hits in six innings of a 4-1 defeat.

The right-hander allowed six runs and 10 hits over 4 1-3 innings Wednesday at Colorado, six days after permitting five earned runs through five in a 9-6 home loss to the Cubs.

Mark Reynolds, who homered off Mark Melancon for the final two runs Monday, is 4 for 9 against Morton. Jon Jay, whose single in the ninth scored the initial run on Gregory Polanco's error, is 9 for 22.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (89-67) at Phillies (59-97)

Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

New York Mets manager Terry Collins gave all of his regulars a day off as a reward for wrapping up the club's first division title in nine years.

With home-field advantage in the NL Division Series on the line over the final six games, that's not likely to happen again.

Bartolo Colon looks to win his fifth start this season against the Philadelphia Phillies as the Mets try to extend their franchise-best road winning streak Tuesday night.

The Mets (89-67) clinched their first NL East title since 2006 with Saturday's 10-2 win over Cincinnati before a host of youngsters completed a four-game sweep with an 8-1 victory Sunday.

Dilson Herrera hit a two-run homer and rookie Kevin Plawecki added a solo shot for New York, which has won a club-record 11 straight on the road. It became the first NL team in the modern era to score at least three runs in 31 consecutive road games.

"A lot of those guys want to be on that postseason roster," Collins said. "I think some of those guys in there today said, 'I'm going to show that I belong.'"

The lineup will look more familiar in this contest as the Mets focus on beginning the NLDS at Citi Field. They're guaranteed to face the NL West winners and currently have a slim lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for home-field advantage in that series.

Colon (14-12, 4.15 ERA) looks to help improve those odds. He's 4-1 with a 1.65 ERA in six starts and one relief appearance during a stretch that began with seven scoreless innings against the Phillies on Aug. 26.

He beat Philadelphia with eight scoreless five days later and has won all four of his outings against the Phillies this season. The right-hander is 7-1 with a 2.78 ERA in eight starts against Philadelphia over the last two years, and the Mets have won 14 of 16 meetings this season.

The Phillies (59-97) will finish below .500 in three straight seasons for the first time since a run of seven consecutive years from 1994-2000. They'll need to win four of their final six to avoid their first 100-loss season since going 47-107 in 1961.

Philadelphia won two of three at Washington over the weekend after scoring eight runs in the ninth inning of Sunday's 12-5 victory. Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer to tie it in the eighth, and Andres Blanco hit a two-run shot in the ninth.

Francoeur, Blanco and Freddy Galvis finished with three hits apiece. Francoeur went 1 for 24 with 15 strikeouts over his previous 11.

"It's about time Frenchy did something," manager Pete Mackanin said with a laugh. "We were all over him. I asked him to try to do a little better today, and he did."

Mackanin hopes David Buchanan (2-9, 7.96) can continue improving as well. Buchanan is 2-4 with a 7.45 ERA in eight starts since being recalled in July but has been better over his last two, allowing two runs in six innings of a 4-0 loss to Washington on Sept. 15 before giving up one earned in five innings Wednesday against Miami.

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 4.44 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, including a loss April 14.

New York infielder Juan Uribe hasn't played since he aggravated a chest injury Friday. Collins isn't sure if Uribe will play for the rest of the regular season but is holding out hope he'll be ready for the NLDS opener Oct. 9.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (76-80) at Yankees (86-70)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: September 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

If the New York Yankees can get past their likely initial hurdle in the postseason, Michael Pineda may be worthy of getting the call in their second playoff game.

Pineda is unbeaten in five starts this month and has dominated the Boston Red Sox ahead of Tuesday night's contest at Yankee Stadium.

New York will welcome back Masahiro Tanaka on Wednesday, and the ace will likely start in next week's AL wild-card game.

Pineda (12-8, 3.99 ERA) would be a good choice to start a division series if New York advances based on how he has pitched this month. He improved to 3-0 with a 3.14 ERA in his last five outings by yielding one run in six innings Thursday for a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

"Everything is working good, I'm happy," Pineda said.

The right-hander is 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA in five starts against Boston since joining the Yankees, going 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two this year. David Ortiz is 2 for 12 against him, Mookie Betts is 2 for 9 and Dustin Pedroia is 1 for 7. Xander Bogaerts has enjoyed the most success in this matchup for the Red Sox, going 4 for 10.

New York (86-70) still has work left to clinch a berth after losing 5-1 in Monday's opener of this four-game set. The Yankees are close to elimination in the AL East race, trailing Toronto by five games with six left.

They have scored three runs or fewer five times in a 3-3 stretch.

"It's something that you go through and you know that eventually you're going to break out and break out in a big way and we need to do that," manager Joe Girardi said.

Brett Gardner is the AL's worst hitter since the All-Star break with a .203 average, Brian McCann is second at .209 and Alex Rodriguez is also among the worst in the league at .216.

'You're going to have hot streaks and cold streaks. Right now we feel like we are battling. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to put good innings together,' said Carlos Beltran, who is in a 2-for-15 slump.

McCann figures to be back in the lineup after giving way Monday to backup catcher John Ryan Murphy.

Boston will start Rick Porcello (8-14, 5.04), who has baseball's third-worst ERA.

Some Yankees hitters may welcome this matchup. Jacoby Ellsbury is 11 for 21 with four homers off Porcello and Beltran is 7 for 15.

Porcello is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA in three career starts at Yankee Stadium. He pitched well the lone time he faced New York this year, yielding three runs - one earned - over eight innings with a career-high 13 strikeouts in a 3-1 home loss Sept. 1.

Boston (76-80) seeks a season-high fifth straight victory. Betts doubled twice and rookie Travis Shaw had a two-run homer among his three hits Monday.

Bogaerts was 2 for 4 and is hitting .384 in his last 17 games.

New York remains one win shy of becoming the first AL franchise to reach 10,000 in the regular season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (91-65) at Orioles (76-80)

Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 29, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A little over a year ago, the Toronto Blue Jays had to watch the Baltimore Orioles celebrate a long-awaited division title at Camden Yards.

Their chance to exact some revenge has arrived.

With a magic number of two, the Blue Jays need a win over the Orioles and a little help Tuesday night to clinch their first AL East title in 22 years.

Toronto had the misfortune of being the opposition when the Orioles wrapped up their first division title since 1997 with an 8-2 victory on Sept. 16, 2014.

The teams have reversed roles this season, with the Blue Jays (91-65) having already secured a playoff spot and on the verge of their first East crown since 1993. Baltimore (76-80), meanwhile, is battling for third place and needs to win its final six games to post its fourth straight winning season.

The Blue Jays rallied for their 35th comeback victory in Monday's series opener, scoring twice in the eighth and once in the ninth for a 4-3 win. Edwin Encarnacion hit his 36th home run for Toronto, which has won five in a row and will be hoping Boston can beat the second-place New York Yankees for a second consecutive night.

'We can win any way possible,' said Justin Smoak, who knocked in the winning run with a slow roller to first. 'This team is unbelievable. Guys fight to the end.'

Also on the Blue Jays' agenda is finishing with the best record in the AL and securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They are one game ahead of Kansas City.

Baltimore's offensive woes continued Monday as all its scoring came on Ryan Flaherty's three-run homer in the second inning. The Orioles had been shut out in each loss during a three-game sweep to the Red Sox over the weekend, and have scored in only one of their last 37 innings.

'Part of that is you have to credit the other guy who is on the mound,' catcher Matt Wieters said. 'We've had some tough pitchers."

Producing runs won't get any easier with Marcus Stroman (3-0, 1.89 ERA) on the mound for Toronto.

The right-hander has provided the Blue Jays with a huge boost since making his season debut this month. He's been outstanding in his past two starts, allowing one run and 11 hits over 14 innings in beating Boston and the Yankees. Stroman limited New York to five hits over seven innings in a 4-0 victory Wednesday.

'That was really the perfect game for him to pitch in,' manager John Gibbons said. 'It was a big game, a real big game and he came through.'

The right-hander makes his first start against the Orioles since Sept. 15, 2014, when he threw at Baltimore catcher Caleb Joseph, drawing a five-game suspension. Stroman pitched four scoreless innings in relief against the Orioles 11 days later to earn his first career save.

Miguel Gonzalez (9-11, 4.85) returns to the mound for Baltimore after missing a month with right shoulder tendinitis.

The right-hander is 0-5 with a 7.46 ERA in seven starts since his last win July 25. He lost his third consecutive start in his last appearance Aug. 30 at Texas.

Home wins have been even harder to come by for Gonzalez, who is 0-4 with a 6.81 ERA in seven outings at Camden Yards since May 19.

Gonzalez, though, will be facing one of his favorite opponents. He allowed one unearned run over 7 2-3 innings in a 6-1 win over the Blue Jays on May 13, improving to 5-0 with a 0.98 ERA in his last six meetings.

Encarnacion is just 3 for 25 in this matchup, but each of those hits left the park.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (80-76) at Braves (62-94)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Jonathan Papelbon vs. Bryce Harper scuffle marked an embarrassing moment for a Washington Nationals team that has fallen well short of expectations.

Washington won't have to worry about any more trouble from Papelbon for the rest of the season, and Max Scherzer's latest solid effort helped it head into its road series against the Atlanta Braves starting Tuesday night on a positive note.

The Nationals (80-76) suspended Papelbon four games without pay after he attacked Harper in the dugout late in a loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. The closer also dropped his appeal of MLB's suspension for throwing at Baltimore's Manny Machado on Wednesday, meaning he won't pitch again in 2015.

Harper originally said after the altercation that he was scheduled to have Monday off, but manager Matt Williams said Harper was out of the lineup because of his role in the incident.

'It's been a very difficult 24 hours for the organization,' Williams said prior to Monday's game. 'Incidents like that in the dugout (are) not the way we want to play our games.'

Scherzer helped the Nationals move past it, pitching 7 1-3 innings of no-hit ball in Monday's 5-1 win over Cincinnati. Matt den Dekker homered for the second straight day and is 8 for 13 over his last three.

Washington, which was eliminated from postseason contention after New York clinched the NL East on Saturday, had lost five of six.

The Braves (62-94) can relate to Washington's frustration. They've lost their most games since 1990 and need to win one of their final six to avoid dropping 100 for the first time since '88.

Atlanta was swept in a three-game series at Miami over the weekend, and Freddie Freeman left Sunday's 9-5 loss in the third inning after aggravating a wrist injury that has plagued him most of the season.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Freeman is day to day.

"It's been a frustrating season for everybody, from a personal standpoint and team-wise," Freeman told MLB's official website. "Nobody wants this, but I think the gratification of coming out on the other side is going to be that much more fulfilling. When you come back on top after you've fallen, it's a better story."

Matt Wisler (6-8, 5.40 ERA) is part of the rebuilding process after being acquired on the eve of the season in a trade that sent closer Craig Kimbrel to San Diego.

Wisler has had his struggles during his rookie season, but he's posted a 3.79 ERA over his last three after beating the Mets last Tuesday. The right-hander, though, is 1-2 with a 7.62 ERA in three starts and one relief effort against the Nationals.

He last started against Washington on Sept. 3 and gave up a season high-tying seven runs in 1 2-3 innings of a 15-1 defeat.

Tanner Roark (4-6, 4.76) gets the ball for the Nationals and is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in four starts since rejoining the rotation this month. The right-hander made his first start in that stretch against the Braves on Sept. 4 and allowed one run in 4 1-3 innings of the Nationals' 5-2 win.

Roark is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA in six starts and five relief appearances in his career against Atlanta, with Freeman going 9 for 19 with four doubles in their matchups.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (91-65) at Reds (63-93)

Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: September 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

While the Chicago Cubs have enjoyed a return to prominence in 2015, the Cincinnati Reds are on the verge of their longest losing streak in 17 years.

The Reds attempt to avoid a 10th consecutive loss Tuesday night when they begin a three-game series with the playoff-bound Cubs.

Cincinnati's late-season woes continued with Monday's 5-1 loss in Washington, where Tucker Barnhart's single off Max Scherzer with one out in the eighth inning prevented the Reds from being no-hit for the first time since 1971. A defeat Tuesday would give Cincinnati (63-93) its worst skid since an 11-game slide June 14-24, 1998, and its most losses in a season since going 66-96 in 2001.

The Reds finished with three hits and struck out 10 times in Scherzer's eight innings.

"There weren't a lot of great at-bats against him. He just had that kind of stuff," Reds manager Bryan Price said. 'It was about as good as I've seen him live.'

Cincinnati, 12-31 since Aug. 14, resides in last place in the NL Central, a position Chicago (91-65) held for five straight seasons prior to its turnaround. The Cubs are locked into the wild-card game and still have an outside chance to host it, trailing Pittsburgh by 3 1-2 games with six remaining.

Chicago has gained two games on the Pirates in the last two days behind a pair of stellar pitching performances. After Jake Arrieta took a perfect game into the seventh inning of Sunday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh, six hurlers combined for a four-hitter in Monday's 1-0, 11-inning triumph over Kansas City as the Pirates fell 3-0 to St. Louis.

The Cubs also mustered only four hits, the last Chris Denorfia's pinch-hit homer that gave Chicago its MLB-leading 13th walk-off win.

'That was a really well-played game,' manager Joe Maddon said.

Dan Haren (9-9, 4.83 ERA) will attempt to extend Chicago's 21-inning scoreless streak in the opener, though the veteran has labored in two starts since tossing seven innings in a 9-0 win at St. Louis on Sept. 7.

Haren followed by allowing four runs in three innings of a 7-4 loss at Philadelphia Sept. 13 and lasted 4 1-3 while permitting one earned run in Chicago's 8-3 victory over the Cardinals five days later.

The 35-year-old also has struggled on the road in the second half, going 1-3 with a 5.45 ERA while surrendering 12 homers in 38 innings in seven post All-Star break starts. Haren's 31 homers allowed are tied for the third-most in the majors.

Haren has allowed nine homers in 35 1-3 career innings at Great American Ball Park, where he's 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA in six starts. He gave up one and two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-0 loss there with Miami on June 19.

Joey Votto homered off Haren in Cincinnati's 5-4 loss at Wrigley Field on Sept. 1, and reached base for a 45th consecutive game with a walk Monday. The streak is the majors' longest this season and three shy of Pete Rose's club record in 1978.

Josh Smith (0-2, 7.23) gets the call for the Reds in search of his first major league win in his sixth start and first against Chicago.

The rookie has allowed seven runs in nine innings in two no-decisions since rejoining the rotation Sept. 19. Smith allowed three runs while fanning five in five innings Thursday against the New York Mets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (81-75) at Indians (77-78)

Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: September 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins continue to hang tight in the AL wild-card race as they seek their first playoff berth in five years, even as a virus takes its toll on their clubhouse.

The death knell may have already sounded for Cleveland Indians' slim postseason chances.

The Twins will look to keep pace as they aim for a seventh victory in nine games Tuesday night at Cleveland.

Phil Hughes was scratched from his start in Monday's opener of this four-game series because of a virus that has also affected third baseman Trevor Plouffe and relievers Brian Duensing and Kevin Jepsen. Tommy Milone filled in admirably in his place, yielding two runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 4-2 victory.

Plouffe hit his 22nd homer after sitting out Sunday's win in Detroit.

Minnesota (81-75), which has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 consecutive victories dating to Sept. 2, trails Houston by 1 1/2 games for the league's second-wild card spot.

"The games are dwindling and we're trying to play catch-up, but I think the guys' focus is good," manager Paul Molitor said.

The Indians (77-78) have fallen to five games behind the Astros and their elimination number is down to two. The Cleveland fans don't seem too optimistic, either, based on Monday's 10,007 paid attendance figure.

"We could have come out with more energy and I think we could have done a better job all along in the game," said Jason Kipnis, who hit his seventh triple. "The energy was low in the crowd and there wasn't much energy in our dugout, either. We can't have that."

Kyle Gibson (10-11, 3.96 ERA) gets another shot at Cleveland after getting tagged for six runs and seven hits over a season-low 2 2-3 innings in Thursday's 6-3 loss. Gibson, who fell to 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA in his last three meetings, had been 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his first three career matchups with the Indians.

The right-hander gave up a homer on the third pitch to Kipnis and another in the third to Carlos Santana after not allowing any in six consecutive outings. He's 8-5 with a 2.54 ERA in 16 starts when not giving up a home run this year.

"The team's relying on me to go out there and put up a couple zeros and give the team a chance to get a lead," Gibson said. "When you don't do that right off the bat after the first batter, it's pretty frustrating."

Cody Anderson (6-3, 3.31) pitched opposite Gibson and won his fourth straight start, having posted a 1.38 ERA during his winning streak. It was much better than his first encounter with the Twins, in which he gave up six runs and five hits over 2 2-3 innings in Cleveland's 10-9 home loss Aug. 7.

Anderson surrendered 10 hits in last week's meeting but was able to limit the damage, aided by the fact that he didn't walk a batter for the first time in nine starts.

"They're just playing great defense behind me, getting some runs for me. I've been pitching with the lead a lot," he said. "I'm just trying to keep the team in the game and win games as much as I can."

Yan Gomes, who is batting .357 during a seven-game hitting streak, is 6 for 11 off Gibson with two home runs and a double.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (69-87) at Rays (75-81)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: September 29, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Whether or not it has anything to do with lucky bats, Justin Bour is looking like a slugger the Miami Marlins can rely on alongside Giancarlo Stanton next season.

The first baseman will try to become the third rookie in more than 100 years to homer in four straight games twice in a season Tuesday night when the red-hot Marlins visit the Tampa Bay Rays.

Although it's too late to become a factor in the NL Rookie of the Year race, Bour has emerged as a force in the middle of Miami's lineup. The cleanup hitter went 7 for 12 with four home runs and eight RBIs in a three-game home sweep of Atlanta over the weekend.

The 27-year-old now looks to match the franchise record he already tied June 30-July 3 by homering in four consecutive contests. Since 1914, Minnesota's Jimmie Hall (1963) and Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers (2015) are the only rookies to do it twice in a season.

Bour, hitting .375 with seven homers and 17 RBIs over his last 12 games, insists teammate David Phelps has had something to do with this potentially historic stretch.

"The last three days he's picked out a bat for me every day, and I've gone back for him three straight days now and I have home runs," said Bour, second to Stanton (27) on the team with 23 homers.

Bour, who had his first multi-homer game in Sunday's 9-5 victory, will try to help the Marlins to their sixth straight win in the opener of this final six-game road swing. Stanton is making the trip but has not decided whether to play after missing 81 games with a hand injury.

Miami, an MLB-best 17-8 since Aug. 31, hit .385 and totaled 27 runs during its sweep of the Braves.

The Marlins (69-87) could find things more difficult against Matt Moore (2-4, 6.48 ERA). After posting an 8.42 ERA in his first eight starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, the left-hander has a 1.32 mark while striking out 16 over his past two.

"I think for him to be able to go into the offseason knowing that he's back, that he feels really good, that will be a big boost going into the offseason and carrying it into next year," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website.

Moore is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Marlins, whom he last faced in 2012.

Tampa Bay dropped both home meetings to Miami last year before taking two of three at Marlins Park in April. The Rays are trying to avoid a fourth straight loss after getting swept at Toronto over the weekend.

Mikie Mahtook has been a bright spot for the Rays (75-81), going 2 for 3 with his sixth home run in Sunday's 5-4 defeat. The rookie outfielder has batted .379 over his 11 games at Tropicana Field.

Rookie left-hander Adam Conley (4-1, 3.93), who has never faced Tampa Bay, will try to improve on his 3-0 record and 2.96 ERA over his last five starts - all Miami victories.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (73-83) at Rangers (84-72)

Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 29, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers made an improbable run to the top of the AL West, and while their postseason fate is still mostly secure, they're beginning to tempt fate with their latest losing streak.

They'll try to avoid what would be their longest skid in nearly three months by bouncing back with a victory Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers.

Texas is in position to become just the fifth team in the last 40 years to win its division despite trailing by at least eight games in August. But the Rangers (84-72) have dropped three in a row, largely because of dismal pitching. They've given up 20 runs during the losing streak, and Colby Lewis was hammered for six runs and 10 hits over 4 2-3 innings in Monday's 7-4 series-opening defeat.

Meanwhile, Houston won 3-2 in Seattle, keeping Texas' magic number to clinch the division at five with the Astros 1 1/2 games back. The Los Angeles Angels also won, pulling within two games.

"Worry doesn't do anything," said Prince Fielder, who drove in all four runs and was a triple shy of the cycle. "It just makes everything seem bigger than it is."

Fielder is 9 for 22 with 11 RBIs in his last five games.

The Rangers, who haven't dropped four straight since losing five in a row July 3-8, have to like their chances behind Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.41 ERA). His Texas tenure started in slow fashion with nine runs allowed in his first two outings after being traded, but he's since found his groove, going 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA in eight games, all resulting in Rangers victories.

He allowed an unearned run and four hits over six innings in Thursday's 8-1 win at Oakland. The offense also provided him with six runs of support and has backed him with 25 over his last four games.

Hamels was averaging a career-worst 2.9 runs of support in 20 starts for Philadelphia before being acquired at the deadline, and his 2.7 walks per nine innings marked the second-highest rate of his career.

"It's a very nice feeling because you don't have to be forcing anything," Hamels said of the run support he's received with the Rangers. "You can really just go out there and try to be aggressive in the zone and throw strikes. That's how you win ballgames."

He's 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts against Detroit, including a 4-2 road victory Aug. 23 when he gave up two runs over six innings in a 4-2 victory.

Despite being tied for last place with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit (73-83) has performed well in the spoiler role, taking two of three in Minnesota Sept. 14-16 and against Kansas City Sept. 18-20.

Miguel Cabrera will look to continue his dominance of Hamels, having gone 8 for 11 with three extra-base hits previously.

Daniel Norris (2-2, 3.88) gets the nod looking to build off a sparkling performance. He was pulled after only 63 pitches Sept. 22 against the White Sox despite five perfect innings, but he was operating on a pitch count, as it was his second outing since returning from a strained oblique.

Norris is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in seven road starts.

Detroit's Victor Martinez is unlikely to play after leaving in the sixth inning Monday. Martinez was nursing soreness in his left quad after running from first to third.