Wednesday 5/11/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Louisiana Downs - Race #5 - Post: 5:03pm - Maiden Special - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $19,000 Class Rating: 71

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 ZARB'S BELL (ML=8/1)
#3 SHUSTER MEISTER (ML=6/1)


ZARB'S BELL - I'm counting on this mount to run a big one this time. SHUSTER MEISTER - Looking at today's class rating, this racer is up against an easier field than last time out at Fair Grounds. Eramia and Duhon perform well when they team up. It's hard to beat a +30 return on investment for a jockey and handler. This colt has the top turf figure in his last race. It doesn't take a college grad like The Brain to figure this here racer has a good chance. A definite class advantage goes to this horse. That indicates to me he will be very competitive in this grass race. Entered a $30,000 Maiden Claiming race at Fair Grounds last race out and raced on the soft turf finishing ninth. Should do much better in today's race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 T. JAY'S HOLIDAY (ML=3/1), #9 NIGHT SPREE (ML=7/2), #10 LASS CHANNEL (ML=6/1),

T. JAY'S HOLIDAY - Hard to back the public's choice when he continues to lose as the favorite. NIGHT SPREE - Difficult to bet on this steed in today's event. Make him show you something in a sprint race before you wager on him in a race of 7 1/2 furlongs. LASS CHANNEL - Hard to bet on any horse to turn things around if there is no reward to taking the chance. Don't think this racer will do much running in today's race. That last fig was run-of-the-mill when compared with today's class figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #5 ZARB'S BELL on the nose if you can get odds of 9/5 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Indiana Downs
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Maiden Special Weight - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $34000 Class Rating: 73

FOR ********** INDIANA BREDS MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE YEARS OLD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 HERONETTA 8/5

# 1 PALACE OF NOWHERE 10/1

# 10 LOLA STEPHENS 5/2

I think about HERONETTA here. Solid average Equibase Speed Figures in dirt route races make this animal a definite contender. Had one of the most respectable speed figures of this group in her last contest. Has been moving in the most competitive company of the field recently. PALACE OF NOWHERE - She has very good class ratings, averaging 78, and has to be given a chance for this event. LOLA STEPHENS - Must be given a shot in this contest if only for the very good speed rating put up in the last contest. Appears to have a quite good class edge based on the most recent company kept.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Cubs

GAME: San Diego Padres (13-20) at Chicago Cubs (25-6)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Chicago Cubs have rolled to eight straight victories to continue their torrid start to the season, and they’ll have a chance to run the streak to double digits with a doubleheader against the visiting San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The Cubs extended their best start in more than a century with an 8-7 win in the series opener and are 12-3 at Wrigley Field, where they’ve won eight of their last nine games.

The Cubs own the best record in the majors at 25-6, their best start since the 1907 World Series champions had the same mark through 31 games. It’s the best start by any team since the 1984 Detroit Tigers – another World Series champion – won 26 of their first 31 contests. Red-hot Ben Zobrist fueled the latest victory, going 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and scoring three times Tuesday to improve to 13-for-29 with four homers and 17 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. The last-place Padres’ last 10 games have been decided by three runs or fewer with four one-run games during that stretch.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Colin Rea (3-1, 3.82 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.10)
Rea took a no-hitter to the seventh inning in a win over the New York Mets on Tuesday, allowing one run and three hits over eight innings for his second straight quality start. The 25-year-old hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any outing since his first start of the season April 8, when he gave up five in 3 1/3 innings at Colorado. An Iowa native, Rea has never faced the Cubs.
Hendricks has posted quality starts in three of his five outings this season and tossed six scoreless frames last time out against Washington. The 26-year-old isn’t giving up many free bases – he has walked only six in 29 innings – and has surrendered just one homer. Hendricks is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in three starts against the Padres.

WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in 39 consecutive regular-season games dating to Sept. 27 of last season, the club’s longest streak since a 41-game stretch from 1926-27.
2. Padres RF Matt Kemp entered the series with a .610 slugging percentage at Wrigley Field – the fourth-highest among active players with at least 100 plate appearances there – but was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Tuesday.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo, a former Padres prospect, has reached base safely in 22 straight games, the longest active streak in the National League.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Padres 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Twins

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (19-12) at Minnesota Twins (8-24)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Adam Jones has displayed signs of breaking out of a season-long slump and strives for another solid performance when the Baltimore Orioles conclude an abbreviated two-game series against the host Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon. Jones hit a solo homer and delivered the tiebreaking two-run single in the ninth inning Tuesday as Baltimore recorded a 5-3 victory.

Jones was in a 3-for-24 funk over a six-game stretch before breaking out with just his fourth multi-hit performance of the campaign. Jones has just two homers and 12 RBIs while looking nothing like the player who has hit 25 or more shots in each of the last five seasons. Minnesota has dropped six straight games and 10 of its last 11 as it possesses the worst record in the American League at 8-24. Trevor Plouffe appears fully recovered from an intercostal strain after hitting a homer and driving in all three runs on Tuesday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (1-1, 3.04 ERA) vs. Twins RH Phil Hughes (1-5, 5.85)

Wilson lost to the New York Yankees in his last turn, when he gave up three runs (two earned), four hits and three walks in six innings. He has posted a 4.02 ERA in three starts after allowing just one run over eight frames in three relief appearances to start the season. Wilson gave up two hits in three scoreless innings against Minnesota on April 4.

Hughes was roughed up for six runs and six hits over two innings in his last turn while losing to Houston. Issuing eight walks in six outings normally sounds really good, but in Hughes' case, it is a partial sign of his struggles as he walked a total of just 16 in each of the last two seasons. Hughes is 8-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against the Orioles and has experienced difficulties with Manny Machado (10-for-19, two homers) while often keeping Jones (9-for-51, three homers) in check.

WALK-OFFS

1. Machado is batting .432 over his last 11 games after going 3-for-3 with a homer and two walks on Tuesday.

2. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts on Tuesday while batting leadoff for the first time in a major-league career that began in 2004.

3. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis went 3-for-5 on Tuesday after being 1-for-21 over his previous six contests.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, Orioles 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Rangers

GAME: Chicago White Sox (23-11) at Texas Rangers (19-15)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 2:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Veteran left-hander Cole Hamels has provided a steadying influence on the Texas Rangers since shuffling over from Philadelphia in a mid-season trade last year. Hamels looks to continue his winning ways Wednesday afternoon as the host Texas Rangers play the rubber match of their three-game series versus the American League-leading Chicago White Sox.

A tall task awaits Hamels, who has won 11 consecutive regular-season decisions dating to Aug. 7 but faces a potent White Sox lineup that has erupted for 39 runs during the team's last five games (4-1). Texas has done Chicago one better with 40 runs scored during its 4-1 stretch, with Rougned Odor collecting his fifth consecutive multi-hit performance and ninth in his last 11 contests in Tuesday's 13-11 slugfest. Teammate Ian Desmond went deep and added a two-run triple to highlight a seven-run eighth inning Tuesday to raise his extra-base hit total to seven in his last six contests. Desmond's hot hand could continue Wednesday if history is any indication as he is 7-for-23 in his career versus right-hander Mat Latos.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Mat Latos (5-0, 2.62 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (4-0, 2.68)

Latos bolted out of the blocks this season to pay immediate dividends on the one-year, $3 million deal he signed in February. The 28-year-old briefly has sputtered of late, but remained undefeated on the season despite allowing four runs in five innings for the second straight outing Friday. Latos has been taken deep four times in the last three starts, including rookie Nomar Mazara's solo shot for his lone run permitted in a 4-1 victory over Texas on April 24.

Hamels continued his dominant season Friday after he allowed only one hit and struck out nine over seven scoreless innings en route to a 5-1 victory over Detroit. The 32-year-old showed no ill effects of the sore groin that forced him to be scratched from a start in late April and walked two batters after issuing seven free passes in his previous two outings. Todd Frazier is a blistering 5-for-9 with two homers, nine RBIs and four runs scored in the series, but has been held in check versus Hamels (4-for-16, five strikeouts).

WALK-OFFS


1. Chicago RF Avisail Garcia is riding a career-high 11-game hitting streak - nearly doubling his average from .135 to .269, but is 9-for-51 in 15 career encounters with Texas.

2. Rangers DH Prince Fielder is struggling mightily of late, going 1-for-20 with five strikeouts in his last five contests.

3. White Sox RF Adam Eaton has recorded two-hit performances in both games this series and five in his last eight outings overall.

PREDICTION: Rangers 2, White Sox 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Astros

GAME: Cleveland Indians (16-14) at Houston Astros (13-21)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cleveland Indians vie for their third straight series victory when they visit the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. After being on the wrong end of a three-game sweep at Philadelphia, Cleveland reversed its fortunes against Detroit and took two of three from Kansas City before splitting the first two contests with Houston thanks to a combined four-hit shutout from Rick Bauer and two relievers Tuesday.

Francisco Lindor has recorded at least one hit in 10 of his last 12 contests after going 1-for-4 while Mike Napoli has plated a run in eight of his last 11 games. Houston is wrapping up a 10-game homestand on which it fell to 5-4 with Tuesday's defeat. Luis Valbuena recorded the Astros' lone extra-base hit - a double - to finish 1-for-3 and raise his average above .200 (.202) for the first time since April 26 (.208). Carlos Gomez also has struggled at the plate, going 1-for-15 over his last five contests to see his average dip to .204.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO (Cleveland), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (3-2, 1.91 ERA) vs. Astros RH Doug Fister (3-3, 4.54)

Salazar continued his strong season Friday, scattering four hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings while recording nine strikeouts in a victory over Kansas City. The 26-year-old Dominican has allowed fewer than three runs in five of his six outings and worked seven or more frames on three occasions. Salazar has made two starts against Houston in his career, yielding three runs - two earned - with 16 strikeouts and three walks in 13 1/3 innings but has not recorded a decision.

Fister also has performed well this campaign, giving up three runs or fewer in five of his six starts while tossing at least six innings in each of his last four. The 32-year-old Californian is coming off a win over Seattle on Friday in which he allowed three runs and three hits over 6 1/3 frames. Fister has posted solid numbers against Cleveland in his career, going 5-3 with a 2.73 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 14 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians RHP Cody Anderson's next start will be pushed back to Monday as he recovers from leg cramps.

2. Houston likely will be without C Jason Castro for the next two games as he was placed on the paternity list prior to Tuesday's contest.

3. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley is expected to sit out his second straight game Wednesday to rest his right shoulder, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Astros 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Rockies

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (17-18) at Colorado Rockies (15-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 3:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Paul Goldschmidt is off to an uncharacteristically slow start, but a trip to Coors Field seems to have provided the Arizona Diamondbacks slugger an opportunity to bust out of his slump. Goldschmidt, who has reached base in 43 consecutive games against the Rockies - the longest active streak versus an opponent in the majors, tries to keep improving on his .233 season average when Arizona goes for its sixth straight victory and a three-game sweep of Colorado on Wednesday afternoon.

Goldschmidt is 3-for-7 with two RBIs and four runs scored in the series after homering in Tuesday's 5-1 victory to raise his career average against the Rockies to .318 while helping the Diamondbacks (17-18) improve to 12-6 on the road. Colorado (15-18) has lost seven straight at home - its longest such slide since 2012 - and is 4-10 at Coors Field. Pitching tells the story as the Rockies' home ERA is a major league-worst 7.26 compared to 3.38 on the road. Arizona's Robbie Ray seeks revenge after suffering his first career loss to Colorado earlier this season as he opposes Chad Bettis, who went 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA in two starts versus the Diamondbacks in 2016.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (1-2, 4.70 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (3-2, 4.40)

Ray allowed two runs and six hits while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings of a 4-0 loss at Miami on Thursday in his sixth start of the season, increasing his strikeout total to 32 in 30 2/3 frames. The 24-year-old Tennessee native was 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA in his first three turns of 2016 before going 0-1, 12.86 in his next two. Ray yielded five runs and seven hits in four innings of a 9-0 loss to Colorado on April 29, falling to 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA in four starts versus the Rockies, and fares well against Nolan Arenado (1-for-10, home run) while struggling with Charlie Blackmon (7-for-11).

Bettis allowed five runs and eight hits, including his sixth homer allowed of the season, in six innings of a 6-4 loss in San Francisco on Friday. The 27-year-old Texan defeated Arizona in his previous turn, allowing three runs in a 6-3 victory at Chase Field on May 1. Bettis, who boasts a 1.21 WHIP this season, is 1-1 with a 6.66 ERA in seven games (four starts) versus the Diamondbacks with the active roster hitting .365 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 2B Jean Segura went 3-for-5 on Tuesday and is batting .377 during a career-high 17-game on-base streak.

2. The Colorado franchise record for consecutive home losses is nine, which occurred during its inaugural season of 1993.

3. Diamondbacks LF Yasmany Tomas (.301) went 3-for-5 with a walk and a run scored Tuesday after missing four games with a sore neck.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 8

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Mariners

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (15-16) at Seattle Mariners (20-13)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 3:40 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Tampa Bay Rays ace Chris Archer dropped his first four starts of the season but has rediscovered his form as he takes the mound for Wednesday's series finale against the host Seattle Mariners. Archer has allowed just two runs over his last three starts, winning two of them while sharply reducing what was an unsightly 7.32 ERA after his fourth loss.

Archer will try to help the Rays salvage the finale after Seattle took each of the first two games. The Mariners have won 15 of their past 20 games and are 15-0 this season when leading after eight innings. Seattle starter Taijaun Walker declared himself fully fit after being forced out after two innings because of neck spasms during Friday's outing against the Houston Astros. Tampa Bay first baseman Steve Pearce slugged two homers in Tuesday's 6-4 loss for his fourth career multi-homer outing and has gone deep four times in his last five games.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Chris Archer (2-4, 4.23 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (2-2, 1.97)

Archer beat the Los Angeles Angels in his last outing when he gave up five hits over six shutout innings. The only runs he allowed over the three strong starts came on a two-run blast by Toronto's Jose Bautista, the only hit Archer gave up in six innings of a no-decision. Archer is 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA in five career starts against Seattle and has handcuffed second baseman Robinson Cano and third baseman Kyle Seager — both 0-for-13.

Walker has dropped consecutive starts after picking up the loss in the abbreviated outing but hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his six turns. He has a stellar 1.03 WHIP and has struck out 29 and issued only three walks. Walker has a 3.97 home ERA in 20 career appearances (19 starts) but has been much more effective this season with a 2.25 mark in four starts at Safeco Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cano had two hits Tuesday and is batting .477 with four homers during a 10-game hitting streak.

2. Tampa Bay 2B Logan Forsythe (shoulder) sat out Tuesday and is questionable for the series finale.

3. Seattle LF Franklin Gutierrez, who hit 12 homers over the final two months of last season, went deep for the first time this season in Tuesday's contest.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Rays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Giants

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (18-17) at San Francisco Giants (17-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Given their current offensive woes, the San Francisco Giants might need a shutout Wednesday from ace Madison Bumgarner to avoid a three-game sweep by the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants have scored a total of three runs in their last 40 innings covering four games, including Tuesday’s 4-0 loss.

The Giants hope to have left fielder Angel Pagan (hamstring) back in the lineup for Thursday’s series opener at Arizona, and his return can’t come soon enough for an offense that has gone 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position over the past four games. Catcher Buster Posey is 0-for-18 in his last five games, second baseman Joe Panik has one hit in his last 16 at-bats, and outfielder Gregor Blanco is mired in a 1-for-17 skid. Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was buried in a lengthy 5-for-44 slump entering Tuesday’s game before responding with a double and solo home run along with three RBI. Left fielder Michael Saunders raised his average to .308 with three hits for the Blue Jays, who have won six of their last eight to move one game over .500.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (4-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (4-2, 3.14)

Stroman received a no-decision last Friday despite holding the Dodgers to two runs with eight strikeouts over seven innings. The 25-year-old owns an impressive 36-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season and has won nine straight decisions dating back to Sept. 20, 2014. Stroman, who is making his first career appearance against San Francisco, will leave immediately after Wednesday’s game to receive his sociology degree from Duke University this weekend.

Bumgarner won his third straight start last Friday while striking out 10 batters and holding Colorado to four runs (three earned) over a season-high 7 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old has returned to form over his last three outings with a 2.25 ERA, 26 strikeouts and five walks over that span. Tulowitzki is 11-for-29 with two homers against the 2014 World Series MVP, who is 7-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 16 career starts against the American League but has never faced the Blue Jays.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco is 14-7 in games started by Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija but 3-11 in games started by Matt Cain and Jake Peavy.

2. Toronto starting pitchers have recorded 13 consecutive quality starts.

3. San Francisco's bullpen has allowed four earned runs over its last 11 games while posting a 1.21 ERA over that stretch.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Blue Jays 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Nationals

GAME: Detroit Tigers (15-17) at Washington Nationals (20-13)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers have both shelled out big money for free agent starting pitchers in the last two offseasons, with each plucking an ace for the other club. Each team will get a look at its former pitcher when Jordan Zimmermann starts for the visiting Tigers in the series finale against Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer on Wednesday.

Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award with Detroit in 2013 and was an All-Star again during an 18-win campaign in 2014 before signing a seven-year, $210 million deal with Washington prior to last season. The Tigers finally found a suitable replacement for Scherzer last winter, when they lured Zimmermann away from the Nationals with a five-year, $110 million pact. Detroit snapped a seven-game slide with a 5-4 win on Tuesday and could use a strong start from Zimmermann after allowing at least four runs in each of the last nine contests. If recent history is any indication, Zimmermann can expect to issue a walk or two to former teammate Bryce Harper, who worked a pair of free passes on Tuesday and has walked 17 times in the last six games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.10 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (3-2, 4.60)

Zimmermann suffered his first loss and allowed more than one earned run for the first time since joining the Tigers when he was reached for three runs and seven hits in eight innings against Texas on Friday. The Wisconsin native, who went 70-50 in parts of seven seasons with the Nationals, has issued only eight walks in 41 innings. Zimmermann has yielded a total of one run in 19 1/3 innings in three starts on the road.

Scherzer can’t seem to find any consistency this season and followed up seven scoreless innings on May 1 by getting knocked around for seven runs on seven hits in five innings at the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The 31-year-old, who went 82-35 in five seasons with Detroit, was reached for four home runs against the Cubs. Scherzer is making his third home start of the season and is 1-0 with seven runs allowed in 12 total innings in front of the friendly fans this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers CF Cameron Maybin (wrist) has been limited to pinch hitting in his Triple-A rehab assignment but is expected to play the field on Wednesday.

2. Detroit LF Justin Upton is 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts in the last five games.

3. Washington traded SS Brendan Ryan to the Los Angeles Angels for cash considerations on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Tigers 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Yankees

GAME: Kansas City Royals (15-17) at New York Yankees (13-18)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

New York Yankees veteran Carlos Beltran hasn't been shy about taking the Kansas City Royals to task of late. Mired in a 1-for-14 slump prior to the four-game series, Beltran launched a pair of homers in the opener and added two more hits the following night heading into Wednesday's contest at Yankee Stadium.

The 39-year-old Beltran is riding a nine-game hitting streak versus the team with which he spent parts of his first seven major-league seasons. The Yankees followed their five-homer performance in Monday's 6-3 victory with five doubles in a 10-7 triumph the next night to record their fourth win in five contests overall and sixth in their last eight at home. Reigning World Series-champion Kansas City has gone entirely in the other direction, having dropped three in a row and 11 of its last 14 overall - as well as 11 of its last 13 on the road. Lorenzo Cain launched three homers in Tuesday's setback and has 10 hits in his last five contests, but he is just 1-for-9 (.111) in his career versus Wednesday starter Michael Pineda.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Kansas City, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.65 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Michael Pineda (1-3, 5.73)

Ventura has been quite generous this season, issuing 11 walks over his last two outings and 25 in six starts. The 24-year-old Dominican allowed five runs in four innings for the second straight outing on Friday, resulting in his second consecutive loss. Ventura pitched significantly better in his lone career contest versus New York, scattering three hits over six scoreless innings - albeit with four walks allowed.

Pineda won his season-opening start before losing three of his last five outings despite yielding just two earned runs in four of them. The 27-year-old Dominican was taken deep for the fifth time in three contests on Friday but walked away with a no-decision versus Boston. Pineda has split six career decisions with Kansas City, picking up the win in his last encounter after striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City INF Raul A. Mondesi, 20, received a 50-game suspension on Tuesday for testing positive for Clenbuterol.

2. New York veteran 1B Mark Teixeira is expected to miss Wednesday's tilt as he deals with neck spasms while CF Jacoby Ellsbury (strained right hip) is in line to sit out his fifth straight contest.

3. Royals DH Kendrys Morales (7-for-57, .123) and C Salvador Perez (7-for-42, .167) are mired in pronounced slumps.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Yankees 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Red Sox

GAME: Oakland Athletics (14-20) at Boston Red Sox (20-13)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Boston Red Sox offense is having its way with the Oakland Athletics pitching staff from every spot in the batting order. The Athletics will try to hold the Red Sox to single digits in runs and avoid a sweep when they visit Fenway Park for the finale of a three-game series on Wednesday.

Boston put up a total of 27 runs in the first two games of the series and belted a total of five home runs, including a grand slam from Jackie Bradley Jr. on Monday and a mammoth 460-foot blast by Hanley Ramirez in Tuesday’s 13-5 triumph. Travis Shaw added a home run and five RBIs on Tuesday and is 6-for-9 with five runs scored and four extra-base hits in the series. Oakland’s pitching issues go back further than the trip to Boston, and the staff has allowed at least eight runs in five of the last seven games. The Athletics got only a total of 6 1/3 innings from starters Sonny Gray and Sean Manaea in the first two games of the series.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Eric Surkamp (0-2, 5.59 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (5-1, 2.95)

Surkamp will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville for the start and was demoted after allowing 25 hits in 19 1/3 innings over four starts in April. The 28-year-old was rocked for six runs on nine hits – two homers – and four walks in 4 2/3 innings at Toronto on April 24 before getting shipped to Nashville. Surkamp is making his first career start against Boston after a pair of scoreless relief appearances totaling 1 1/3 innings.

Porcello is coming off his first loss after allowing three runs and six hits in seven innings at the New York Yankees on Friday. The New Jersey native did not yield a run in either of his previous two outings, spanning 13 1/3 innings against the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Porcello is 4-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 12 career regular season games – 11 starts – against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Bradley has hit safely in a career-high 16 straight games.

2. Athletics RF Josh Reddick is 15-for-24 in the last six games.

3. Oakland INF Jed Lowrie (foot) and 3B Danny Valencia (hamstring) sat out Tuesday and are both day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Athletics 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Braves

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (19-14) at Atlanta Braves (7-24)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Philadelphia Phillies' future, and the team is showing signs that the future may not be so far away. The Phillies play the middle contest of a three-game set against the host Atlanta Braves on Wednesday having won three straight contests and 13 of their last 18 after recording a 3-2 victory in the series opener, which featured a 3-for-4 performance – including a homer – from Maikel Franco.

Jeanmar Gomez continues to thrive in the closer’s role for Philadelphia, nailing down his major league-leading 12th save as the club recorded its seventh consecutive one-run victory. Gomez and Franco combined to help the Braves fall to 1-16 at home, despite Freddie Freeman leading off the ninth inning with his fifth homer of the season – and just the eighth by Atlanta in 31 games. Freeman finished 2-for-4 and is hitting .390 over his last 11 games with four homers, but the Braves finished with just six hits on Tuesday. The Braves have scored two runs or fewer in nine of their 17 home contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jerad Eickhoff (1-4, 4.21 ERA) vs. Braves RH Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 5.40)

Eickhoff has shown plenty of promise in his first six starts, striking out seven or more three times while giving up more than three runs only once. But the Phillies have scored fewer than three runs in four of his outings - including at St. Louis on Thursday, when Eickhoff lost his third consecutive decision despite allowing three runs and six hits in six innings. The 25-year-old, who went 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA in eight starts as a rookie in 2015, worked seven scoreless frames in his only appearance against Atlanta last year.

The Braves got four solid starts from Chacin last month, but he gave up eight runs on seven hits - four homers - and four walks over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the New York Mets on May 4. Before that outing, the 28-year-old had pitched as well as any Atlanta starter, posting a 3.27 ERA, walking only four and striking out 23 while not allowing more than three runs in an outing. Chacin is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts) against Philadelphia, taking the loss in his last meeting in 2014 while pitching for Colorado.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta placed RHP Jim Johnson, who is 0-4 with a 7.90 ERA, on the disabled list Tuesday with a right groin strain.

2. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera went 1-for-5 in the series opener to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

3. Atlanta's Kelly Johnson recorded a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning on Tuesday, improving the team to 5-for-45 in pinch-hitting situations this season.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Phillies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Reds

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (17-15) at Cincinnati Reds (14-19)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cincinnati Reds finally got a strong performance from their bullpen and ended up with a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, and then received an unscheduled extra day of rest for the overworked relief corps. The bullpen will try to put together back-to-back solid games when the Reds host the Pirates on Wednesday in the finale of a now two-game series, following a rainout on Tuesday.

Cincinnati’s bullpen, which owns a 6.43 ERA, is the worst in the majors and a big reason why the team is five games under .500. Reds starter Dan Straily handed the relievers a 3-2 lead on Thursday and watched J.C. Ramirez and Blake Wood each toss a hitless inning before Tony Cingrani gave up a leadoff double in the ninth only to hold the runner and record the team’s third save in nine chances. The Pirates took two of three from the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend but managed only five hits on Monday to suffer their sixth loss in the last eight contests. Pittsburgh managed two or fewer runs in four of those setbacks and need to gets the bats moving again before visiting the first-place Chicago Cubs over the weekend.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Juan Nicasio (3-3, 3.16 ERA) vs. Reds RH Alfredo Simon (1-3, 9.86)

Nicasio logged a quality start in each of his three wins but failed to go more than five frames in any of his three losses. The 29-year-old Dominican was reached for four runs – one earned – on eight hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last time out. Nicasio had no such issues against Cincinnati on April 29, when he scattered three hits and struck out eight over seven scoreless innings.

Simon earned his first win since returning to the Reds when he held the Milwaukee Brewers to three runs and seven hits in a season-high 7 2/3 innings. The Dominican Republic native allowed at least three runs in each of his last five appearances and had not gotten into the sixth inning until Thursday against the Brewers. Simon was not sharp at Pittsburgh on April 30, yielding three runs on six hits and four walks in four innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds bullpen allowed at least one run in 27 of the last 29 games.

2. Pittsburgh LF Starling Marte is 9-for-18 in the last four games.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto drove in at least one run in each of the last four games and homered twice in that span.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Marlins

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (14-19) at Miami Marlins (17-15)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Ryan Braun looks to continue his run of success in South Florida as the Milwaukee Brewers vie for a series victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. The former University of Miami standout recorded the first of his two RBI singles in Tuesday's 10-2 rout to extend both his hitting streak to 22 games in the city and current stretch to 10 consecutive contests with at least one base hit.

The 32-year-old Braun attempts to add to the torrid runs on Wednesday versus left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, against whom he drove in a run in Milwaukee's 7-5 setback on April 30 and is 3-for-6 in his career. While the Brewers are entering the finale of their seven-game road trip by winning three of four following a three-game skid, the Marlins have cooled off by dropping three of four following a sizzling 11-1 run. Miami's Marcell Ozuna has pieced together seven multi-hit performances during his 10-game hitting streak, with four homers, eight RBIs and nine runs scored highlighting that impressive stretch. The 25-year-old Dominican isn't likely to slow down versus Wednesday starter Chase Anderson if history is any indication, as he is 5-for-12 against the right-hander.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (1-4, 6.44 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-1, 4.66)

A promising start to the season has turned around in a hurry for Anderson, who did not allow an earned run in his first two starts before permitting 21 on 34 hits - including eight homers - during his four-game losing skid. The 28-year-old was battered by Miami on April 30, yielding six runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 frames. Anderson has also struggled with his control, issuing 10 walks in his last three outings after allowing just two free passes in his first three.

Chen was staked to an early four-run lead but was unable to post his third straight victory on Friday, as he recorded a no-decision after being touched for four runs on 11 hits in five innings. The 30-year-old Taiwan native pitched significantly better in defeating Milwaukee on April 30, permitting three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 frames. Chen has yet to taste victory at home this season, losing his lone decision while his 5.40 ERA is nearly one run higher than his sum total while allowing opponents to bat a staggering .323 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami has only three stolen bases since 2B Dee Gordon's suspension began on April 29 (11 games).

2. Milwaukee has an opportunity to win its first road series, having posted an 0-3-2 mark in its previous five.

3. The Marlins placed Nefi Ogando (fractured rib) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled fellow RHP Nick Wittgren from Triple-A New Orleans.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Brewers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Cubs

GAME: San Diego Padres (13-20) at Chicago Cubs (25-6)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Chicago Cubs have rolled to eight straight victories to continue their torrid start to the season, and they’ll have a chance to run the streak to double digits with a doubleheader against the visiting San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The Cubs extended their best start in more than a century with an 8-7 win in the series opener and are 12-3 at Wrigley Field, where they’ve won eight of their last nine games.


The Cubs own the best record in the majors at 25-6, their best start since the 1907 World Series champions had the same mark through 31 games. It’s the best start by any team since the 1984 Detroit Tigers – another World Series champion – won 26 of their first 31 contests. Red-hot Ben Zobrist fueled the latest victory, going 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and scoring three times Tuesday to improve to 13-for-29 with four homers and 17 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. The last-place Padres’ last 10 games have been decided by three runs or fewer with four one-run games during that stretch.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Chicago


PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Drew Pomeranz (3-3, 2.12 ERA) vs. Cubs RH John Lackey (4-1, 4.02)
Pomeranz has been San Diego’s most consistent starter, allowing three or fewer earned runs in all six of his outings. The 27-year-old former first-round pick tossed five one-hit innings to beat the New York Mets last time out but ran up his pitch count with three walks and five strikeouts. Pomeranz has lost his last three road starts, as the Padres have totaled just four runs in those games including two shutouts.
Lackey has been terrific in three home starts as a Cub, going 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA. The 37-year-old matched his season high with 11 strikeouts last time out, limiting Washington to two runs and six hits over seven innings to earn the win. Lackey is 1-2 with a 4.44 ERA in four starts against the Padres and was roughed up for five runs (four earned) in six innings in the only meeting last season.


WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in 39 consecutive regular-season games dating to Sept. 27 of last season, the club’s longest streak since a 41-game stretch from 1926-27.
2. Padres RF Matt Kemp entered the series with a .610 slugging percentage at Wrigley Field – the fourth-highest among active players with at least 100 plate appearances there – but was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Tuesday.
3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo, a former Padres prospect, has reached base safely in 22 straight games, the longest active streak in the National League.


PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Padres 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Angels

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (17-16) at Los Angeles Angels (13-19)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Angels continue their quest for the first victory of their six-game homestand when they face the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday in the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. Los Angeles was swept of a three-game home set by Tampa Bay before suffering an 8-1 setback in the opener against St. Louis.

Mike Trout continues to hit with regularity, as he has been held without a hit in only eight of his 31 games. St. Louis kicked off its six-game road trip with a 14-hit attack that featured a three-hit performance by Matt Holliday. The slugger belted his third home run of the season Tuesday, ending his 16-game drought, and drove in a pair of runs to match his RBI total from the previous 11 games. Holliday added a pair of doubles, giving him three extra-base hits in a contest for the first time since July 11, 2014.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (2-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (1-4, 9.15)

Garcia halted his three-start winless streak on Thursday, limiting Philadelphia to two hits while striking out five in seven scoreless innings. It was the second scoreless outing of the season for the 29-year-old Mexican, who recorded 13 strikeouts while tossing a one-hitter against Milwaukee on April 14. Garcia, who never has faced Los Angeles, has posted a 5.73 ERA and 1.73 WHIP in two road starts this year but has escaped without a decision each time.

Shoemaker has struggled mightily of late, losing each of his last three starts while surrendering seven runs in each of the last two. The 29-year-old native of Michigan has worked more than three innings only twice in his five turns and has served up at least one homer in all but one outing. Shoemaker, who will be facing St. Louis for the first time in his career, has been awful at home this season as he has yielded 13 runs - 12 earned - on 13 hits and six walks over six frames in a pair of losses.

WALK-OFFS

1. After learning SS Andrelton Simmons would require thumb surgery that likely would sideline him for a minimum of two months, the Angels acquired SS Brendan Ryan from Washington on Tuesday for a player to be named or cash considerations.

2. St. Louis RHP Carlos Martinez will have his scheduled start pushed back to Saturday as he recovers from an illness that affected him in his previous two outings.

3. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols is three home runs away from tying Rafael Palmeiro (569) for 12th place on the all-time list and needs one blast in the series against his former team to become the ninth active player to have gone deep versus all 30 clubs.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Angels 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Dodgers

GAME: New York Mets (20-12) at Los Angeles Dodgers (17-16)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 11 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Noah Syndergaard attempts to halt a three-start winless streak when the New York Mets visit the Los Angeles Dodgers in Wednesday's finale of a three-game set. Syndergaard has allowed nine earned runs over his past three starts after giving up just two over his first three outings.

Syndergaard lost a start at Dodger Stadium during last season's National League Division Series despite striking out nine in 6 1/3 innings. The teams have split the first two games of the series with Los Angeles recording a 3-2 victory Tuesday when pinch hitter Trayce Thompson hit a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. Thompson, the brother of Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Klay Thompson, has two homers in the series and three in his past five games. New York leads the majors with 49 homers but managed just five singles in Tuesday's loss after slugging two long balls in Monday's 4-2 victory.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-2, 2.58 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (3-1, 1.66)

Syndergaard has struck out 49 and walked just eight in 38 1/3 innings while dominating most hitters. He received a no-decision against the Dodgers in the regular season last year when he gave up one run and two hits in six innings. Syndergaard has fared well on the road this season, going 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA and striking out 22 in 19 innings.

Maeda received a no-decision in his last turn when he gave up two runs and two hits in six innings against Toronto. He is just 1-1 in three starts at Dodger Stadium despite having a 2.29 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Maeda has pitched at least six innings in all six of his starts but he has gone seven innings just once.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez is mired in a 16-game homerless drought and all his hits are singles during the stretch.

2. New York 2B Neil Walker (shin) sat out the first two games of the series and is hitless in 20 at-bats over his past seven contests.

3. Los Angeles LF Carl Crawford was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday and is 4-for-28 over his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Dodgers 0