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Preview: Blues (49-24) at Sharks (46-30)

Date: May 25, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Patrick Marleau has played more than 1,500 games with the San Jose Sharks since joining the NHL as an 18-year-old draft pick but never one quite like the next one.

All those past playoff disappointments that have seemed to define the career of players like Marleau and Joe Thornton could be put to the side temporarily with one more San Jose win.

For the first time in 25 seasons as an NHL franchise, the Sharks are just one win away from making the Stanley Cup final. San Jose takes a 3-2 lead over St. Louis in the Western Conference final into Game 6 on Wednesday night in what should be a frenzied Shark Tank.

'It's nice,' Marleau said Tuesday. 'It's not our final goal but it's as far as we've been so it's good that way. There's still a lot to go.'

For more than a decade, the Sharks have been known as much for their postseason failures as their regular-season success. San Jose has the second-most wins and has played in the second-most playoff series since the start of the 2003-04 season but has fallen short every spring.

The Sharks won just three total games in their first three trips to the conference final, lost an opening series as the top seed in 2009 and most memorably became the fourth NHL team ever to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games against Los Angeles in 2014.

The Sharks then hit what they called rock bottom last year when they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003 but rebounded this season under first-year coach Peter DeBoer and a core anchored by players like Thornton, Marleau, captain Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic that have spent years trying to bring a title to San Jose.

'It would be huge,' Marleau said. 'It's something I've always wanted to do here for the fans and the Bay Area. They have been supporting us over the years and they deserve it.'

After winning Game 5 in St. Louis 6-3 on Monday night, they returned home to the excitement of a possible clincher. While the Blues are making another goalie switch, putting Brian Elliott back in net after going with Jake Allen the past two games, and figuring out how to get top goal scorer Vladimir Tarasenko back on his game after being shut down for five games, the focus for the Sharks is simpler.

They just want to stick to their game and not let thoughts of the prize ahead distract them.

'You just try to stay in the moment and not think too much about it,' Marleau said. 'Just control what you can control. That's the biggest thing and knowing that you're in it with 20 other guys trying to do the same thing. That gives you a little extra boost.'

The Blues hope the move back to Elliott gives them a boost. Elliott started the first 17 games of the playoffs before coach Ken Hitchcock went to Allen in Game 4 in San Jose.

St. Louis won that game 6-3 to tie the series at two games apiece but Allen gave up four goals on 25 shots Monday night. That led to Hitchcock changing again to Elliott, who stopped 62 of 65 shots in St. Louis' Game 7 wins over Chicago and Dallas earlier in the playoffs.

'We needed a jolt to get back in the series and we got it,' Hitchcock said. 'Unfortunately we didn't get the win yesterday, but this has been Brian's playoffs and we'd like him to finish the job.'

More importantly, the Blues would like to get Tarasenko going. He scored 40 goals in the regular season and had 13 points in 14 games the first two rounds but has been completely shut down by Vlasic and San Jose's defense in the conference final.

Tarasenko has a -4 rating for the series and has managed only four shots on goal the past three games.

'What happens with goal-scorers when they get frustrated is they look to hit home runs,' Hitchcock said. 'We need him just to act like a worker. I know that's a funny thing to say, but he's looking for the home run.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL Preview

Sharks Can Make First Cup Final May 25, 9:00 EST

The San Jose Sharks have a 25-year history of playoff frustration in the books, but they can exorcise some of those ghosts by beating the St. Louis Blues this Wednesday (9 PM ET, CBC and NBCSN). The Sharks took a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference final Monday night, coming from behind twice and scoring two empty-net goals to down the Blues 6-3 as very slim –105 road dogs.

St. Louis decided to go with Jake Allen (.920 save percentage during the regular season) between the pipes for Game 5, after Allen took over for Brian Elliott (.930 SV%) in Saturday's Game 4 and helped secure a 6-3 victory for the Blues at +135 on the closing line. However, Allen stopped just 21 of 25 shots on Monday. Elliott is considered probable at press time to return for Game 6.

The Sharks have made the Conference Finals three times since joining the NHL in 1991, but they have yet to play for the Stanley Cup. New head coach Peter DeBoer could change all that Wednesday night; DeBoer led the 2011-12 New Jersey Devils to the Cup final in his first season in Newark.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

San Jose-St Louis (SJ 3-2)
Road team won seven of last ten St Louis-San Jose games- under is 3-2 in this series, but last couple of games went over. San Jose won three of last four games here, St Louis won three of last four road tilts. San Jose is 4-18 on power play in series, Blues are 3-15. St Louis is 6-3 on road so far in playoffs- they gave up three goals on only nine shots in third period of Game 5, after Sharks tied game with 1:27 left in second period. St Louis lost four of last five games when they scored less than four goals. San Jose held five of last six opponents under four goals.

Playoffs tally: 1st round-- Home: 23-24, Over: 16-17-14
2nd round-- Home: 16-9, Over: 11-5-9
Conference finals-- Home 4-7, Over 6-4-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's NBA Conference Finals betting preview and odds: Raptors at Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-10.5, 199)

Series tied 2-2

The Cleveland Cavaliers are suddenly locked in a fierce battle in the Eastern Conference finals after once being in position to roll over the Toronto Raptors. Two victories by Toronto changed the complexion of the now-tied series, and it is a best-of-three competition when the series returns to Cleveland for Wednesday's Game 5.

The Raptors lost the first two games in Cleveland by an average of 25 points but they ignored the opinions of people saying they would be swept to post two impressive victories. "We've been playing with our backs against the wall," Toronto shooting guard DeMar DeRozan said at a press conference after scoring 32 points in Monday's 105-99 victory. "We never cared what anybody else thought. It was a challenge for us every single day. We've been counted out and we like that challenge." Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue didn't play ineffective power forward Kevin Love in the fourth quarter for the second consecutive contest but pinpointed his team's mistakes as the biggest factor in the Game 4 loss. "We came up short," Lue said in his postgame press conference. "We had a few defensive breakdowns that you can't have down the stretch of a game, especially in the playoffs, and they executed every time we made a mistake."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 10-point home favorites against the Raptors for Game 5. The line was bumped up a half point early Tuesday morning to -10.5, which is where it sits at the time of publication of this preview. The total opened at 198 and was bumped up to 199 at the same time as the spread was moved.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (66-34, 52-48 ATS, 49-50-1 O/U): Getting a combined 67 points on 28-of-43 shooting from point guard Kyle Lowry (35) and DeRozan was huge for Toronto as the two All-Stars have both experienced some struggles in the postseason. "One thing about us, we can take the bad with the good any day," DeRozan said. "It's life, man. You can't get too down when things are not going your way, but you understand the work that you put in all summer, all throughout the season, for moments like this. You've got to be ready." The Raptors expect center Jonas Valanciunas (ankle) to be ready for the first time in the series to team up with defensive dynamo Bismack Biyombo, who has averaged 20 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots over the past two games.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (67-27, 44-47-3 ATS, 47-47 O/U): Love, who tweaked his knee in the second half, averaged just 6.5 points on 5-of-23 shooting in the two games in Toronto and has no explanation for his poor play. "I had a lot of great shots, I just didn't knock them down," Love told reporters. "It's as simple as that. I had a lot of confidence in shooting the ball, a lot of really wide open 3's, especially to start that first quarter. A number of them went in and out so I just need to continue to stay aggressive." Point guard Kyrie Irving bounced back with 26 points and suffering through a 3-of-19 shooting performance in Game 3 when he scored a series-low 13 points.

TRENDS:

* Raptors are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.
* Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Under is 6-1 in Raptors last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Over is 8-2 in Cavaliers last 10 Wednesday games.
* Home team is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

CONSENSUS: Somewhat shockingly, at the time of publication of this preview, the Raptors are picking up 59 percent of the action. It seems as though #WeTheNorth is getting noticed a bit further south. As usual in the NBA Playoffs, Over is grabbing the majority of the total wagers at 61 percent.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

East Finals Game 5 Essentials
By Tony Mejia

Eastern Conference - Game 5 - Series tied 2-2

Toronto at Cleveland (-10.5/199), 8:35 p.m. ET - ESPN

This will be the first Game 5 of Cleveland’s 2016 postseason.

They’re 0-1 coming off a loss, so the Cavs haven’t necessarily dealt with the adversity they have faced well, but they’re expecting a return home will help them stabilize themselves as they look to move one win from a return to the NBA Finals.

Despite the 2-2 tie, Sportsbooks havr set the series prices at -1150 for favored Cleveland while enticing Toronto backers with a return of +700. The Cavs are favored by 10.5 in Game 5, while the total has been set at 199.

For Toronto, this will be the third Game 5 of its playoff run, but will also be a new experience since the first two came at Air Canada Centre. Their group won’t have much to reference from personal experience going forward since the organization is making their first appearance in a conference finals and only head coach Dwane Casey and backup point guard Cory Joseph have championship experience, but that hasn’t been a detriment over the past week.

The Raptors are figuring things out as they go, and have proven to be quite resilient in guaranteeing themselves at least a Game 6 in an East finals series where they fell by 50 combined points in the first two contests. Toronto is just 2-6 on the road thus far in the playoffs and was 24-17 in the regular season. The Raptors lost their only regular-season game at Quicken Loans Arena 122-100, so they’ve been outscored by an average of 24 points in three losses in Cleveland.

Of course, none of that really matters at this point. The Raptors find themselves in a situation no one expected they would be in, an upset away from a series lead over heavily favored Cleveland and just two away from a spot in the Finals as Eastern Conference champs. Although they’ve done nothing on the road, the All-Star backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan did figure things out at the Air Canada Centre against this group. Lowry scored 35 points on 14-for-20 shooting in Game 4 and averaged 27.5 points per game after scoring a total of 18 points on 8-for-28 shooting in his two outings in Cleveland, shooting 1-for-15 3-point range. If he’s his usual fearless self, Toronto will have a puncher’s chance. If he doubts himself, or needs to decompress, odds are good that the Raptors won’t have a chance.

DeRozan has actually been good in every game in the series. He averaged 20 points per game in Cleveland over the first two games, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, then stepped his game up in Canada, shooting 26-for-47 (55 pct) while scoring 32 points in the Raptors wins. Despite limiting his game by staying primarily inside the 3-point line, he’s been able to get to the free-throw line while also setting himself up for easy looks.

Because he’s been such a catalyst and this game means so much, it wouldn’t be surprising to see LeBron James find himself defending DeRozan more than he has all series. Offensively, James hasn’t forced the issue at all, shooting 77.5 percent (38-for-49) while averaging 25 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the series, but after playing a postseason-high 46 minutes in Game 4, he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make sure the Cavs are playing in the NBA Finals next week.

“I’m comfortable playing him whatever he feels good (playing), I’m comfortable with,” head coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday. “We talked about it before the game and the night before about how his body felt and wanting to play more minutes because we knew it was a big game for us, but it didn’t work out.”

Lineup combinations will be a major point of emphasis in this Game 5, since Kevin Love sat during the fourth quarter for the second straight game and was available despite ankle and possibly tweaking his knee after stepping on an official’s foot. He’s shot 5-for-23 over the last two games, including 3-for-11 from 3-point range, so Lue has gone with Channing Frye in key situations, preferring his height and more accurate shooting touch as opposed to going small and playing Love.

Bismack Biyombo has been the x-factor for the Raptors and has altered the course of the series with his rim protection. Tristan Thompson, considered Cleveland’s primary threat at the basket, has been outplayed by the 6-foot-10 center, who has come up with an average of 20 rebounds and 3.5 blocks over the last two games after grabbing just nine total boards over the course of the first two losses. His activity will be essential on the road.

Besides Love finding his range, the Cavs are hoping that being back home will guarantee Kyrie Irving being a positive factor in the series. He had 26 points and six assists in Game 4, but was just 3-for-19 in Saturday’s 99-84 loss, which came out of nowhere considering he’s averaged 26.5 points while shooting 59 percent from the field in leading the Cavs to a 2-0 lead.

As we anticipated coming in, James/DeRozan and Irving/Lowry is ultimately going to decide this series, but the first time, Toronto is going to take the court in Cleveland confident that they can hang with the Cavs. That could make all the difference.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (56-26) at Cavaliers (57-25)

Date: May 25, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Upon their return from Canada, the Cavaliers had nothing to declare at U.S. Customs.

Their lead in the Eastern Conference finals had already been confiscated.

Cleveland was stripped of its dominance and a 2-0 advantage during a long weekend in Toronto, where the growing-confident-by-the-shot Raptors, propelled by a crowd and city that believes they can make the NBA Finals, won two straight games.

'They flipped the script on us,' Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.

After being throttled by a combined 50 points in Games 1 and 2, the Raptors turned a series that began with blowouts into a best-of-3, winner-take-all slugfest. There wasn't supposed to be a Game 5, and now there will be a Game 6 as well.

Unable to contain Toronto All-Star guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan from scoring or keep Raptors super sub Bismack Biyombo off the boards, the Cavs have put themselves in a predicament.

Gone is their entire margin for error, some of their swagger and any aura of invincibility that surrounded them after reeling off 10 straight wins to open the postseason.

And as the teams prepared for Game 5 on Wednesday night, the pressure has swung back on superstar LeBron James and the Cavs, who spent Tuesday in film sessions breaking down went wrong during their visit to Toronto.

There was plenty to process from Monday's 105-99 loss.

Cleveland came out flat, falling behind by 16 in the first half and relying too much on its 3-point shooting, which has suddenly gone as cold as a Saskatchewan winter.

The Cavs fought their way back using a smaller lineup that didn't include the suddenly struggling Kevin Love, but they didn't have enough down the stretch as costly defensive lapses - and terrific shot-making by Lowry and DeRozan - helped the Raptors even the series.

No offense to rapper Drake and Toronto's rowdy fans, but Lue was happy to escape 'We The North.'

'Now it's our chance to come back, get some home cooked meals and have a chance to play in front of our home crowd,' he said.

James, who logged 46 minutes in Game 4, did not speak to the media on Tuesday, choosing to stay far from the view of reporters and cameras.

Lue has carefully administered the four-time MVPs minutes during the second half of the regular season and playoffs, hoping to keep James as fresh as possible. James pushed himself harder in Game 4, and Lue said that was the plan.

'We talked about it before the game and the night before how his body felt and wanting to play more minutes because we knew it was a big game for us, but it didn't work out,' Lue said.

James maximized his minutes in Game 4, scoring 29 on 11-of-16 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists. But he was somewhat passive in the fourth quarter, attempting just one shot in the final 5:28.

Again, Lue said that was by design as the Cavs took what the Raptors' defense gave them.

'LeBron knows when he has to take over a basketball game, but also knows he has to trust his teammates,' Lue said.

James' faith in Love is being tested.

Cleveland's big man has lost his shooting touch at the worst time possible. After going 1-for-9 in Game 3, Love was only 4-of-14 in Game 4, and Lue left him on the bench in the fourth, playing Channing Frye instead.

Love's confidence appears shaken, but Lue insists there's nothing wrong that can't be fixed by the ball falling through the net.

'He's just missed shots. That's part of the game,' Lue said. 'He's been playing great all playoffs and at some point you're going to miss some shots, but that's not our main concern, we gotta be better defensively and we're going to make shots.'

The Raptors have been daring the Cavs to launch from behind the arc. Without center Jonas Valanciunas, who could return in Game 5 from a sprained right ankle, Toronto gave up 106 inside points in the first two games before adjusting in Games 3 and 4 by packing the paint and forcing Cleveland to rely on its outside attack.

It was a risky move by coach Dwane Casey and his staff, but the strategy paid off and helped the Raptors reverse the series.

Casey has watched his young team survive a pair of knockout punches by the Cavs only to get up and deliver two of their own. They'll need at least another big one to stop James from getting to his sixth straight Finals.

After being counted out by many, the Raptors have a chance.

'It's a feel,' Casey said. 'It's a rhythm. It's confidence. But I will say this: It's going to be a different animal back in Cleveland.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers May 25, 8:30 EST

In the sports world, people tend to be a little too quick in declaring a playoff series dead in the water. A team that wins the opening 2 games of a series are almost immediately declared a mortal lock, which causes their odds to drop dramatically. If history has shown us anything, though, it’s that teams who look dead and buried often find a way to rise up again and make things interesting.

After the first 2 games of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers certainly looked too good for the Toronto Raptors, but over the course of a couple of days in Canada, that perception shifted dramatically. There was always the belief that Toronto might win a consolation game on home court, but few people saw them taking both games to tie the series at 2-2. That is exactly what they did, though, and they can now apply some real pressure to the Cavs when they head back to Cleveland for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Why bet on the Toronto Raptors

The Raptors were always only ever going to go as far as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan would carry them, which meant it looked like the end of the road in this series. Both men were shut down in the opening two games of the series, with Lowry leaving the bench to decompress in the 2nd quarter of Game 2. A lot of finger pointing ensued, but both men rose to the occasion back on home court, with DeRozan scoring 32 in Game 3, and Lowry scoring 35 in Game 4. The big question now is whether or not they can take that show on the road to beat a Cavaliers team that is perfect at home in the postseason.

Why bet on the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers have been left with a couple of questions to answer after failing to show up in Toronto. Is Kevin Love going to be healthy enough to be effective after picking up an injury in Game 4, and is Tyronn Lue really the coach that can lead the Cavs to the Promised Land? Love says that he will be ready for Game 5, but there are an awful lot of people who suddenly doubt that Lue is the man for the job. That seems a little unfair after the Cavaliers took their first postseason loss after winning 10-straight, but the doubts are there just the same, Cleveland have been a formidable bunch at home in these playoffs, and with 2 of the final 3 games of this series on home court, they still have to be the favorites to move on.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The first 2 games played in Cleveland in this series were one-sided affairs, but I don’t think we are going to see a blowout in this one. The live odds are sure to have the Cavs as the favorite, and while I think they will win, I also think it’ll be a tough battle.

Toronto Raptors 98 Cleveland Cavaliers 101

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Toronto-Cleveland (2-2)
Home team has dominated series, winning all four games by average of 18 points. Over is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Raptors lost last four games in Cleveland (0-3 vs spread in last three)- hosts won last seven series games. Four of last six Toronto games went over the total. Lowry/DeRozan went a combined 28-43 in Game 4, scoring 67 points; can they produce close to that in Cleveland? Cavaliers won/covered last four home games; this is a best-of-3 series now.

Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 26-18, Over: 13-31
Second round: Favorites: 13-8, over: 12-9
Conference final: Favorites: 3-5, over: 3-4-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lynx (3-0) at Mercury (0-3)

Date: May 25, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

The Phoenix Mercury were favored to win the championship by a sizable margin in a preseason poll among WNBA general managers.

The Minnesota Lynx, though, look far more like the team to beat since the league's 20th season tipped off.

The Lynx will seek to improve to 4-0 while dropping the Mercury to 0-4 on Wednesday night in the second matchup between the teams in less than two weeks.

Phoenix was picked by seven of the 12 GMs to take the title while Minnesota finished a distant second with two votes despite being the defending champion. That result was likely based on the Mercury getting Diana Taurasi back from a year-long hiatus.

The seven-time All-Star and five-time scoring champion has displayed her usual high-level performance, averaging a league-best 24.3 points. The Mercury, though, struggled to slow down their first two opponents, giving up a combined 192 points.

Minnesota shot 54.1 percent in a 95-76 home win May 14 in the season opener for both teams.

Phoenix had a better effort Friday against Seattle but lost 81-80 in its home debut when the Storm's Jewell Loyd banked in a 12-foot shot with 2.9 seconds left.

"We have to keep working," coach Sandy Brondello said. "The games don't get any easier. We have to keep working. We have to make sure we stay together. We have to make sure we hold each other accountable."

The Mercury will try to avoid going 0-4 for the first time since 2008 and third time in franchise history. That was also the last time they dropped their first two home games.

That won't prove an easy task as Minnesota has charged out of the gates once again, starting 3-0 or better for the fourth time in five seasons. The Lynx are the league's only team to start 3-0 this year without needing overtime and topped Seattle 78-71 in their latest victory Sunday.

The result was a little closer than in their first two games, which they won by a combined 36 points while scoring a total of 192.

"There are several staple players that have been here for a while now, but we have a lot of new players," forward Maya Moore told the team's official website. "They're hungry to get it right, to get it together with those of us who have been here for a while. We want to make sure we're clicking on all cylinders."

Moore had 27 points and a career-high 10 assists in the win over Phoenix and Seimone Augustus chipped in 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Sylvia Fowles got the better of Brittney Griner in the paint, tallying 17 points and 14 rebounds, and the Lynx outperformed the Mercury on the boards 40-24.

Griner had 12 points and five rebounds in her team's fourth consecutive loss to Minnesota, including last year's Western Conference finals.

Moore scored 40 points as the Lynx snapped a seven-game skid in Phoenix with a 72-71 victory in the series clincher.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 5/25 Analysis + Pick Four ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

1,4,9 / 3 / 3,9 / 2,5 = $12


Best Bet: SAN JOSE HANOVER (13th)

Spot Play: RG’S SHOGUN (5th)


Race 1

(4) ABC CAPTAIN MAN put up very little fight late last week, however if the trotter can ration out his speed early he's the horse to beat. (5) I GOT THIS can hit the board if he stays trotting like his most recent qualifier. (9) TEAGAN'S SECRET filly makes her third start back off a long layoff and has room to improve.

Race 2

In a very tough race to gauge, (9) RAPS BAD GIRL is one of few in the race with some upside; threat. (8) DYNACHARM three-year-old filly makes her career debut against a suspect bunch. (5) THIRD DATE filly could be tighter after three qualifiers in three weeks.

Race 3

(2) PATIENT I D gets a huge post edge on most of the field. (1) CELTIC MERCHANT well bred trotter has been off over a month but could be freshened up for a better effort. (4) STAR CHIP is definitely one of the faster trotters in the race; threat.

Race 4

(4) STAMPED BY DESIGN doesn't win often but if ready can handle this bunch with a good effort. (5) LOL KEN WIN is the only horse in the field with a win on the year. The pacer also picks up a top driver. (3) RIDGE PARK has yet to win in eighteen starts on the year; use underneath.

Race 5

(6) RG'S SHOGUN has been facing much tougher. If the 4-year-old can mind his manners he can score at a price. (9) WHITE EARNIE picks up a big driver change in a weak and inconsistent field. (3) BORN AMERICAN also faces weaker down in class; threat.

Race 6

(9) BRIGHTSIDE DUSK got a nice first start over the track last week and could be primed for a better effort second start back. (5) BAD MOONSHINE pacer has a decent pedigree and also has room to improve. (3) SPIRITOFTHEDRAGON just raced evenly last start; command a price.

Race 7

(4) LASER LEO will be tough to beat with any kind of effort like his win last week. (2) GCA'S HAPPY HAUER well bred trotting mare just needs to mind her manners to threaten. (8) ROUGH RIDER sophomore trotter was an easy winner last week but gets a very tough starting post; use underneath.

Race 8

(4) SJ'S BLISSFUL GUY will be much closer turning for home against a weak bunch. (9) OUR MCLOVIN was an easy winner down in class last start; driver's choice. (1) AUTO PILOT his best effort makes him a threat but so far he's 0 for 15 on the year.

Race 9

(3) MUSCLE MOUNTAIN gets sent out third start for a new barn off two tremendous efforts. (5) STARS AND GLIDES gelding has improved in his last two starts showing a nice burst of speed. (6) LOU LOUS PRINCESS has been competitive at this level but has had a tough time getting to the winner's circle this year.

Race 10

(3) IMACOWBOY CASANOVA finds a really weak and inconsistent field. The pacer has been knocking on the door and keeps a top driver. (9) FLYING SOUTH has room to improve third start back off a layoff. (6) U SQUATTA B KIDDIN can hit the board at a big price with a smooth trip.

Race 11

(5) CAVIAR CRUISER has been facing slightly tougher in his most recent and picks up a huge driver change. (2) HOOSIER CAT put in a decent effort last start; threat. (9) NATURAL POWER has been off six weeks but looks to be in line for a nice ground-saving trip; use underneath.

Race 12

In a really weak field, (2) DERINGER GUN has been pacing faster than most of the competition and should be closer turning for home. (1) PANDAPOCKET picks up a positive driver change with the best post. (9) INDOMITABLE SPIRIT can pick up the pieces with a good setup.

Race 13

(7) SAN JOSE HANOVER well bred pacer makes his third career start off two super efforts. (6) OHIO RAYCINO three-year-old is probably not as talented as the top choice but could be in a better position early. (5) PRIME I barely held on last week and looks to need more; use underneath.

Race 14

(5) LADY WIGGLES burned heavy cash last week against a sharp winner that lowered his lifetime mark by multiple seconds. If the lightly raced pacing mare can get an early lead she's the horse to beat. (4) MY FRANI L filly comes off an impressive qualifier and looks to offer value. (2) FLIRTATIOUSLY has been knocking on the door at this level.

Race 15

(4) RIVER CITY four-year-old has room to improve second start back off a good first effort. (8) CHAMPION'S CLUB will offer a big price in a field full of question marks. The pacer has been competitive against better on the year. (9) PLAYMAKER has just been racing evenly but looks to be in line for a nice trip up close.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Wednesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Charles Town (5th) Pagan Jewel, 5-1
(7th) Anyladysinthehouse, 7-2

Evangeline Downs (1st) Include Indycat, 8-1
(3rd) Andwe'llbeswinging, 6-1

Finger Lakes (5th) A Sensational Gal, 6-1
(9th) Media Buzz, 7-2


Gulfstream Park (5th) Professor Jak, 4-1
(9th) Goodboycharlie, 4-1


Indiana Grand (3rd) Miss Omeara, 4-1
(6th) Big Silver Hoss, 5-1


Louisiana Downs (3rd) Top Afleet, 7-2
(7th) Menewa, 7-2


Mountaineer (5th) O.T. Zensation, 9-2
(8th) Night Patrol, 7-2


Presque Isle Downs (2nd) Bobby V., 7-2
(8th) The Fazz Man, 4-1


Thistledown (3rd) Run Run, 5-1
(5th) Capture This Star, 7-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Nyquist to miss Belmont
By The Sports Xchange

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will skip the Belmont Stakes because of a high white cell count.
Nyquist will be treated with antibiotics, which would have limited his training opportunities leading up to the June 11 race.
According to trainer Doug O'Neill, Nyquist ran a fever of "102 degrees and change" on Monday. Normal temperature is 100.3 degrees.
The same problem beset Nyquist after his April 2 win in the Florida Derby.
O'Neill's assistant, Jack Sisterson, told the Louisville Courier-Journal that Nyquist will stay at Pimlico for the time being.
"I spoke to Doug," Sisterson said, "and Doug wanted to do what's best for Nyquist and get him back 100 percent health-wise here at Pimlico and fly him back to California. We're not sure exactly the day we'll do that, but Nyquist will tell us when he's ready."
Nyquist suffered his first loss Saturday in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Nyquist faded to third as Exaggerator won the race.
Nyquist did beat Exaggerator by 1 1/4 lengths in the Derby.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Strasburg rolls as Nats hammer Harvey
By The Sports Xchange

WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 and improved to 8-0, and the first-place Washington Nationals hit a season-high five home runs in a 7-4 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday.
Strasburg allowed four hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings before Felipe Rivero came on the seventh to fan pinch hitter Juan Lagares for the final out with two runners on base.
Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Daniel Murphy went deep against struggling Mets starter Matt Harvey (3-7). In the seventh, leadoff man Ben Revere clubbed his first homer of the year against lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo to make the score, 6-2.

Red Sox 8, Rockies 3
BOSTON � David Ortiz continued the spectacular first half of his final season driving in four runs helping David Price win his third straight game.
Jackie Bradley Jr. extended his career-high hitting streak to 28 games -- tied with Wade Boggs for fifth-best in team history -- while eammate Xander Bogaerts extended his to a career-high 17 in the win.
Both had two hits, while Dustin Pedroia had three singles.

Tigers 3, Phillies 1
DETROIT -- Justin Verlander blanked Philadelphia on three hits over eight innings, Francisco Rodriguez let in a run but still recorded his 400th career save and Miguel Cabrera drove in two runs with a double plus a groundout in Detroit's win.
Verlander struck out 10 and walked two, giving up a double in the first and a single in the second and then just one hit over his final six frames.
His last pitch got his highest radar reading of the night, a 97 mph fastball that fanned Odubel Herrera.

Yankees 6, Blue Jays 0
NEW YORK -- Nathan Eovaldi allowed two hits in six-plus innings and New York reached the .500 mark.
Carlos Beltran homered and drove in two runs for the Yankees, who won their sixth straight game and improved to 13-5 since May 6.
Eovaldi's outing continued New York's current run of effective starting pitching. Since he allowed one run and one hit in six innings at Arizona on Wednesday, Yankees starting pitchers have a 1.76 ERA and the team's earned-run average has dropped from 4.48 to 4.09.

Pirates 12, Diamondbacks 1
PITTSBURGH -- Gregory Polanco hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five runs and Pittsburgh roughed up Arizona.
The Pirates put up four three-run innings against and matched a season-high 12 runs.
With the Pirates up 11 runs in the eighth, reliever Arquimedes Caminero was ejected for hitting Nick Ahmed, the second batter he hit in as many innings. Arizona second baseman Jean Segura, who is hitting .316, left the game after being hit on the left side of his head by a 96-mph fastball in the seventh.

Cubs 12, Cardinals 3
ST. LOUIS -- Chicago wasted no time ending its season-high three-game losing streak.
Jumping out to a 6-0 lead before the St. Louis got to the bat rack, Chicago became the first team to reach 30 wins.
Jorge Soler led the offensive onslaught by reaching base four times and knocking in three runs, going 2-for-3 with two runs. Dexter Fowler went 3-for-6 with an RBI, while Kris Bryant and Addison Russell added two hits apiece for the Cubs, who outhit St. Louis, 15-7.

Brewers 2, Braves 1
ATLANTA -- A career-best 12 strikeouts by Julio Teheran wasn't enough to get Atlanta interim manager Brian Snitker a victory in his first home game.
Scooter Gennett drove in the tie-breaking run with a two-out single off reliever Bud Norris in the eighth inning and Milwaukee won.
Teheran allowed just three hits over seven innings, but one of those hits was a home run by Ryan Braun leading off the fourth that broke a 15 2/3-inning scoreless streak by the right-hander.

Rays 4, Marlins 3
MIAMI � Jake Odorizzi pitched five scoreless innings and drove in a run with his first career hit as Tampa defeated Miami.
Odorizzi earned the win. Tom Koehler took the loss after allowing three runs in five innings.
The Rays cooled off Marlins left fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who went 0-for-4 after a 10-for-13 performance over his past three games.

Royals 7, Twins 4
MINNEAPOLIS -- Lorenzo Cain had four hits and knocked in a pair of runs to lead Kansas City over Minnesota.
Cain is the second Royal in as many nights to tie or surpass his career high in hits; Salvador Perez had five hits in Monday's 10-4 victory.
Edinson Volquez was solid over 6 2/3 innings to earn the win, allowing four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks while striking out six.

Indians 6, White Sox 2
CHICAGO -- Chris Sale had his first off night of the season and Cleveland made Chicago pay.
Cleveland scored a combined six runs between the third and fourth innings, all charged to Sale, and pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago for the top spot in the American League Central
Indians starter Josh Tomlin (7-0) stayed perfect by allowing just two runs in eight innings to out-pitch Sale (9-1), who took his first loss of the season. Tomlin allowed a home run to Adam Eaton on his second pitch of the game, but yielded just one more run for his career-high seventh straight win.

Rangers 4, Angels 1
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nomar Mazara reached base four times and went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Texas' victory.
Mazara's seventh home run of the season, a sixth-inning shot, was insurance and much-needed run support for Texas left-hander Martin Perez, who threw six shutout innings.
Perez struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks. Three relievers pitched an inning apiece to seal the win.

Astros 3, Orioles 2 (13 innings)
Astros 3, Orioles 2 (13 innings)
HOUSTON -- Tony Kemp smacked a leadoff triple in the 13th inning, and Carlos Correa drove him home with a walk-off single to lift Houston past Baltimore.
Kemp, a rookie who made his major league debut on May 17, recorded his first career triple. Dylan Bundy (0-1) followed with intentional walks to George Springer and Jose Altuve to load the bases for Correa, who snapped an 0-for-15 drought with his hit to center field.
Six Astros relievers combined for 7 1/3 scoreless innings, and they posted 18 strikeouts, a total that matched the club record for K's by relievers set against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 25, 1962. Michael Feliz (2-1) struck out the side in the 13th for the win.

Mariners 6, A's 5
SEATTLE -- Leonys Martin hit a two-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Seattle a win over Oakland.
Martin hit a 1-2 pitch from Ryan Madson (2-1) over the right field fence to score Norichika Aoki, who doubled down the line in the previous at-bat.
Robinson Cano added a pair of hits and three RBIs for the Mariners, and Seth Smith singled in each of his three at-bats. Mike Montgomery (2-0) earned the win after pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Giants 8, Padres 3
SAN FRANCISCO -- Buster Posey broke a tie with a run-scoring double in the sixth inning, and Brandon Crawford drove in four runs as San Francisco pulled away for a victory over San Diego.
The Giants recorded their eighth consecutive win in the intrastate rivalry.
Jeff Samardzija and three relievers combined to limit the Padres to two runs on nine hits, helping the Giants equal their longest winning streak against the Padres in franchise history. Samardzija threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

Dodgers 8, Reds 2
LOS ANGELES -- Mike Bolsinger earned first big league win, helping Los Angeles beat Cincinnati.
Bolsinger (1-1) took a loss in Anaheim last week in his season debut and immediately was sent back down to Triple-A. However, after Ross Stripling was used in Sunday's 17-inning marathon contest in San Diego, Stripling was optioned to the minors and Bolsinger was brought back up.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Bolsinger could remain in the rotation if he pitched well enough, and the right-hander made a case for himself with in his performance, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Justin Turner had three hits and three RBIs for Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (26-19) at Nationals (28-18)

Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 25, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

Steven Matz dismissed any concern others harbored over his sore left elbow with another masterful effort that secured his place in New York Mets history.

Now he'll try to show the Washington Nationals just how good he's become.

Matz looks to win a seventh consecutive start when he faces the Nationals for the first time Wednesday in D.C.

The left-hander beat the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 9, but he was forced to skip his next turn in the rotation because of the injury. An MRI revealed no damage, and Matz (6-1, 2.81 ERA) received the go-ahead to face Milwaukee on Friday.

He allowed two runs in seven solid innings of a 3-2 victory, making only one mistake on Chris Carter's two-run homer in the first. Matz is 10-1 in 13-regular-season starts since coming up in 2015 and is the first Mets pitcher to win 10 of his first 11 decisions.

'I'm a rhythm pitcher, so I got into the rhythm,' Matz said. 'We just kind of got into that groove, but I didn't really change anything. It's just one pitch (on the home run).'

Matz indeed controls the pace of games. He's one of the quickest-working pitchers in the majors in terms of seconds elapsed between deliveries, something that has helped him post a 1.35 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 40 innings during his six-start winning streak.

"Obviously, Matz is throwing really well right now," outfielder Michael Conforto said. "He's an aggressive pitcher. That pace, it might give us momentum. And I think that's a very good thing for us."

Matz has never faced the Nationals (28-18), who counter with Tanner Roark as he seeks to stay unbeaten against the Mets (26-19).

Roark (3-3, 2.89) allowed seven runs in his previous outing against Miami, then made critical adjustments that helped him beat the Marlins 4-1 on Friday while pitching 6 2/3 effective innings.

The right-hander felt that Miami, which has dealt him each of his losses this season, noticed that he was tipping his pitches during his delivery. Roark worked with the coaching staff to make the necessary changes.

'We looked at video,' Roark said. 'I would do certain things on certain pitches, so I made an adjustment. The game within the game - it was a minor adjustment, and it worked.'

Roark is 5-0 with a 2.52 ERA in six career starts against the Mets, including giving up three hits over six scoreless innings and getting a no-decision the last time he faced them Oct. 4.

He'll try to help the Nationals win for the sixth time in eight games after Tuesday's 7-4 victory. They hit a season-high five homers as Ben Revere, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos all connected.

Bryce Harper was the only starter without a hit and is 4 for 30 over his last 10.

The Mets had a four-game winning streak snapped as Matt Harvey struggled again. Asdrubal Cabrera homered and Eric Campbell hit a two-run shot in the ninth.

Murphy, leading the majors with a .392 average, is 8 for 19 with two homers and six RBIs in five games this year against his former team.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (24-21) at Twins (11-34)

Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 25, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

Continued dominance over the Minnesota Twins has allowed the Kansas City Royals to extend their resurgence.

The Royals can sweep the three-game set Wednesday by beating the Twins for a ninth straight time overall and in Minnesota.

Lorenzo Cain had four hits and Salvador Perez clubbed a two-run homer to help Kansas City (24-21) win for the seventh time in nine games, 7-4 on Tuesday.

"We try to keep the line moving," Cain said. "When we do that, we start to win ballgames more consistently."

The Twins (11-34) made things interesting by loading the bases with no outs in the ninth but failed to score.

"Just forced into trying to piece a game together the best we can," manager Paul Molitor said of the Twins, who have lost 11 of 12 at home.

With 17 runs and 30 hits in the first two of this series, the Royals have outscored Minnesota 46-17 in the last eight meetings. That's their longest winning streak ever against the Twins, as is their eight-game run in Minnesota.

Cain has hit .459 with 10 RBIs in his last nine at Target Field. Batting .368 over a 23-game stretch, Cain is 10 for 17 with four RBIs in the last four.

Perez, who had five hits in Monday's six-run victory, is batting .415 during a 10-game hitting streak. He is a lifetime .370 hitter at Minnesota with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in 40 games.

"He just really does a good job at this park," Royals manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website.

With two more hits Tuesday, Paulo Orlando is batting .567 in his last eight contests.

The Royals might have a good chance to continue their offensive success in the series with a first look at Tyler Duffey (1-3, 3.30 ERA), who hopes to rebound after allowing six runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 9-3 loss to Toronto on Friday.

He did not allow more than three runs in any of his first four starts.

"Instead of knowing what I could do, I was trying to be too fine with some breaking balls," the right-hander said.

Kansas City counters with Dillon Gee (1-1, 2.90), who allowed a run in five innings while throwing 92 pitches during Friday's 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. It was the right-hander's first win since Sept. 12, 2014.

"Just try to prepare and help us win every game," said Gee, who was making his second start after his first seven appearances came in relief. "Whether I'm a starter or reliever, to eat as many innings as possible, and give us a good shot to win."

Gee, who threw two innings of scoreless relief against the Twins last month, won his only start against them in 2013 with the New York Mets as he gave up an unearned run in 7 2-3 innings.

Eduardo Nunez is 3 for 4 with two doubles against Gee but 1 for 14 in the last three games. Kurt Suzuki is 4 for 9 against him.

Eduardo Escobar had three hits Tuesday and is 8 for 19 against Kansas City this season with three RBIs. He has five in his other 24 games.

It's uncertain if Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas will miss a third consecutive game with a bruised knee.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (25-21) at Tigers (23-22)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 25, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

The slide most expected has seemed to arrive for the Philadelphia Phillies after a surprising start, and Aaron Nola took a step back, too, after his last outing.

At least he doesn't have any stamina issues like Anibal Sanchez.

The Detroit Tigers hope Sanchez can preserve the bullpen as they look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Phillies on Wednesday.

Philadelphia (25-21) has gotten off to one of the most unexpectedly solid starts in baseball after losing 99 games last season. Its job now is to remain consistent to prove that isn't a fluke.

The Phillies haven't been nearly as good lately, dropping four of five while scoring just 11 runs. In Tuesday's 3-1 loss, they finished with only five hits and got their only run on Tommy Joseph's sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Carlos Ruiz went hitless and is 0 for 14 over his last four.

Nola (3-3, 2.85 ERA) had been pitching extremely well before giving up five runs - two earned - and seven hits in seven innings of a 7-1 loss to Atlanta on Friday. He allowed a pair of two-run homers after giving up three home runs in his first 53 innings and hadn't surrendered one since April 16.

The right-hander had gone 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA over his previous five starts, all Philadelphia wins.

"Solo home runs are better (than two-run homers)," Nola said after the defense committed two errors behind him. "That kind of hurt me, those two, two-run home runs. I made some mistakes."

Nola has gone seven innings in seven of his nine starts, though, something the Tigers (23-22) wish Sanchez could boast. Sanchez (3-5, 6.23) has pitched fewer than six innings in six of his nine outings, including Friday when he allowed five runs in five innings of a 7-5 loss to Tampa Bay.

The right-hander has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four starts.

'If our starters can't go more than five innings, it is going to wreck our bullpen,' manager Brad Ausmus said.

Slow starts have plagued Sanchez. Opponents have an .864 OPS in the second time through the batting order against him, and he allowed a homer on his second pitch against the Rays, who scored three in the first inning.

'I know everything is coming out good, and it isn't mental,' Sanchez said. 'In the first inning, I give up a ground ball on the line and a ground-ball infield single and they get two runs. In the sixth, base hit, walk and runs. What can I do?'

Sanchez will be making his first start against the Phillies since 2012 as Detroit goes for a fifth straight victory. It won for the eighth time in nine tries Tuesday despite Ian Kinsler having to sit out because of flu-like symptoms.

Cameron Maybin, hitting in Kinsler's leadoff spot, had two hits and Miguel Cabrera drove in a pair of runs.

The Tigers also didn't have Justin Upton for a second straight game because of right quadriceps tightness, and Ausmus said he'll likely sit out this one as well with an off day coming up Thursday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (30-14) at Cardinals (24-22)

Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 25, 2016 1:45 PM EDT

Adding to Jake Arrieta's absurd streak on the mound would help the Chicago Cubs start a welcome run of their own.

Arrieta is just the man to help the Cubs shed their recent struggles when he tries to close a troubling trip with a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

After avoiding a losing streak through its first 32 games, Chicago (30-14) has dropped eight of 13 and is 3-5 on its nine-game trip. The Cubs snapped a season-high three-game skid with Tuesday's 12-3 victory over the Cardinals (24-22), and have a chance to take their first set of this trip after dropping two of three to both Milwaukee and San Francisco.

Chicago still became the first MLB team to reach 30 wins and holds a five-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central. The Cubs will try to add on with what has been a practically a sure thing with their ace on the mound.

Arrieta (8-0, 1.29 ERA) is looking to extend a franchise record by helping the Cubs to their 23rd consecutive regular-season win with him toeing the rubber. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner is 19-0 in that span behind a sparkling 0.86 ERA in 22 starts since losing to Philadelphia opposite Cole Hamels' no-hitter July 25.

Arrieta is the fifth pitcher in baseball's modern era to win at least 18 straight regular-season decisions, and his 29 consecutive starts allowing three or fewer runs is the longest run since 1893.

He has also gone over a calendar year without a regular-season loss on the road, his last a 5-1 defeat at St. Louis on May 7, 2015. Arrieta is 16-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 20 road starts since then.

He struggled early in his latest but regrouped to log seven four-hit innings, allowing one run in Friday's 8-1 victory at San Francisco. After Joe Panik snapped his 20-inning road scoreless streak with a two-out RBI single in the third inning, Arrieta retired 13 of the final 16 batters he faced.

'It was a battle for me,' Arrieta said. 'I wasn't crisp until the third or fourth inning. Those guys are tough, top to bottom and they make you work. I had to adjust on the fly a little bit. I brought my B stuff and had to sequence differently.'

St. Louis will counter with Carlos Martinez, whose stuff hasn't been worthy of a very high rating this month.

After opening with a 1.93 ERA while winning all four of his April outings, Martinez (4-4, 3.56) is mired in a career-high four-start skid.

The right-hander has a 5.85 ERA in that span and hasn't pitched past the fifth inning in his last three starts. He has given up four runs in five innings of his last two, including Friday's 11-7 loss to Arizona.

Martinez allowed seven hits while walking three and striking out three, giving him nine walks and seven strikeouts in his last three starts.

"My command was a little bit off (Friday)," Martinez told MLB's official website. "I think it's a matter of finding a rhythm and control. But overall I feel mentally stable, and I try to keep a positive attitude."

He will face a Chicago lineup that finally broke out on Tuesday. After totaling six runs on their three-game skid, the Cubs reached the Cardinals for a dozen, their most since April 21.

One of Martinez's best starts came against the Cubs, whom he limited to three hits and one run in seven innings of a 5-3 victory on April 20 - the Cardinals' lone win in the three-game set. He is 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in his last four starts against Chicago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (21-25) at Rangers (26-20)

Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 25, 2016 2:05 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers' starting rotation has been the best in the AL, and the consistency of Colby Lewis is paving the way.

The veteran will look to continue that success Wednesday in the conclusion of a three-game series with the visiting Los Angeles Angels.

The Rangers lead the AL with a 3.29 ERA that is third in baseball behind the Chicago Cubs and Washington.

Lewis (3-0, 2.75 ERA) has gone at seven innings in five straight starts and made it through six in all nine of his outings while allowing four runs once. He might be coming off the best outing of the bunch after giving up four hits without a walk in seven scoreless innings of Friday's 2-1 win in Houston.

"He does a really good job of pounding the strike zone," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told MLB's official website. "There's a lot of first-pitch strikes, he can throw a couple of different styles of breaking balls and never really makes a mistakes against us. We just couldn't generate any offense against him."

The first of those seven-inning starts was his second win of the year and it came in a 4-2 home final against the Angels on April 29. Lewis allowed two runs and nine hits in seven innings for his best outing of a dismal stretch in the series that dates to the start of 2014. In his last 11 starts in the series, the right-hander is 3-7 with an 8.28 ERA.

In that time, Johnny Giavotella (5 for 11), Mike Trout (12 for 28 with four home runs, a triple and a double), Kole Calhoun (12 for 31 with a home run, triple and two doubles) and Albert Pujols (9 for 27 with three home runs and a double) have all pounded him.

Lewis faces Hector Santiago, who followed his best outing of the season with his worst. Santiago (3-2, 3.93) limited Seattle to two hits in eight innings of a 3-0 win on May 15, then gave up four runs and four hits with three home runs and three walks in 2 2/3 innings of Friday's 9-4 home loss to Baltimore.

The left-hander emerged with a no-decision after being ejected for apparently arguing balls and strikes on a few close pitches didn't go his way. He maintained that wasn't his intent.

"Our bullpen was backing us, but it (was wrong) on my part for reacting in that situation, but I don't think it should have escalated that fast and I don't think I did something to get ejected," Santiago said. "I could have held my peace a little more, but I don't think I did anything to get myself ejected right there."

Santiago is 6-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 15 career starts against the Rangers, though he's given up seven runs in 11 2/3 innings of two outings this season.

Rougned Odor has hit him best at 10 for 21 with a home run and three doubles, but Elvis Andrus is 5 for 31.

The Rangers (26-20) opened the series with Tuesday's 4-1 win as Nomar Mazara went 3 for 3 with a two-run homer to get to 9 for 23 with three home runs and six RBIs in his last six games. Ian Desmond remained hot with a 3-for-4 night and is 7 for 13 in his last three games.

The Angels (21-25) are in danger of going a sixth straight series against Texas without a series win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (24-20) at White Sox (27-20)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 25, 2016 2:10 PM EDT

After roughing up the staff ace of the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians look to hand budding star Jose Quintana a third straight defeat.

The left-hander will try to keep the visiting Indians from taking this four-game set with a third consecutive victory Wednesday.

Chris Sale's bid for a 10-0 start ended early on Tuesday night when Cleveland (24-20) tagged him for six runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings of a 6-2 victory.

"They had some good at-bats against him,' Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. 'It just seemed like everything was a little harder than normal.'

Despite losing the first game of Monday's doubleheader, the Indians have scored 17 runs and hit seven homers in the series. Trying to get within one-half game of the AL Central-leading White Sox (27-20), Cleveland now looks to get the best of Quintana (5-3, 1.98 ERA).

Quintana allowed more than two runs for the first time in nine starts Friday, surrendering four along with eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 4-1 loss to Kansas City.

"I (tried) to get down in the zone, but I missed a couple pitches,' he said. 'That's what (happens) when you miss the zone.'

Quintana's teammates haven't helped by scoring one run in each of his last two outings after he received an average of 4.73 runs of support in the first seven.

He allowed two runs over 22 innings to win two of his three starts against the Indians last season. He tossed a seven-hitter in a 6-0 victory at Cleveland on July 24 in his final 2015 start against them.

"I think Quintana is kind of going under the radar because of Sale," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "But he is just having a hell of a year. He's commanding, he attacks the strike zone, he doesn't throw the ball over the middle of the plate.

"We've seen him (be) really good, and I've heard some comments from other teams, and they were like, 'Whoa.'"

Carlos Santana is 4 for 23 (.174) against Quintana and Yan Gomes is 1 for 15.

Mike Napoli, though, is 3 for 9 with a double and a home run against him. With two hits and two RBIs on Tuesday, Napoli is 5 for 14 with six RBIs and five runs against Chicago this season.

Corey Kluber (3-5, 4.10) went 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA in three starts against the White Sox last year, but he yielded a run and struck out 12 in nine innings of a 2-1, 10-inning loss in his most recent outing at Chicago one year ago last week.

The right-hander gave up nine runs in 9 1/3 innings of his two starts prior to beating Boston on Friday, allowing a run in each of the first two innings and lasting seven in a 4-2 victory.

"That's what your ace is supposed to do, but it's easier said than done,' Francona said.

Jose Abreu is 10 for 28 with two doubles and three home runs against Kluber and Melky Cabrera is 9 for 19 with three doubles.

Abreu had three hits Tuesday after going 2 for 20 in the previous five contests.