MLB
Wednesday, June 9
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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (-180, 9.5)
It’s no secret the Mariners have the most pathetic offense in the American League. Seattle has plated 14 fewer runs that the second-worst AL lineup and has hit a total of 33 home runs – the smallest mark in the majors.
One offseason acquisition the M’s didn’t think they would have to worry about from a hitting standpoint was second baseman Chone Figgins. But Figgy has greatly underachieved this season, hitting .220 going into this series, so manager Don Wakamatsu dropped him to the nine-hole in the order after he hit in the No. 2 spot for the first 56 games.
Wakamatsu said the move wasn’t pointed at the infielder but Figgins was not happy about it after Monday’s game.
"Obviously, it's me," Figgins said. "I've been getting on base. I've been hitting the ball pretty good. Obviously, it has something to do with me. I think I've about earned enough respect as a player…I should stay where I was hitting."
Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler has been in a bit of funk himself, registering only three hits in his last 22 at-bats with no home runs or RBIs. But Rangers’ manager Ron Washington said he will stick with Kinsler batting third in the order.
"As I said earlier, I'm not bouncing him around," Washington said. "Once he gets it going, he's dangerous. It just looks like, to me, that his rhythm is off. That's all. It happens.”
Five of the seven games between these AL West foes this season have played to the under, including Monday’s 4-2 Seattle victory. The wind will be blowing in from right field again in Arlington which should help limit the runs scored in this affair.
Pick: Under
Florida Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies (-155, 6.5)
While Stephen Strasburg was the talk of Tuesday, another player made his major league debut.
Lauded Marlins rookie Mike Stanton hit seventh and started in right field in Tuesday's game against the Phillies. Stanton is the team’s most heralded phenom since Miguel Cabrera came up through the farm system in 2003.
At 20 years of age, Stanton pounded out 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games with a .311 average at the Double-A level. For his minor league career, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound right-hander has averaged a home run every 11.7 at-bats.
"Michael is a guy with power who is starting to develop into a hitter," said Florida minor league hitting coordinator John Mallee.
Stanton is just young enough not to be intimidated by Roy Halladay's dominance on the mound. Look for the Fish to exact some revenge on Halladay after being humbled by a perfect game the last time they faced him.
Pick: Marlins
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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking
Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins (6-2, 2.10 ERA)
The Marlins ace has been nearly untouchable in recent outings, allowing only two runs over his last five trips to the mound. Johnson has posted three shutout efforts in that span and is coming off a one-run, seven-hit showing against the Milwaukee Brewers last Thursday. The last time he faced the Phillies, Johnson was out-pitched by Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay, who had to throw a perfect game to beat Florida’s right hander. These two studs face off again Wednesday.
Johan Santana, New York Mets (4-2, 2.76 ERA)
The Mets veteran arm has been stellar in recent starts and hasn’t allowed a run in the past 15 innings of work. But those shutout efforts haven’t equaled victories for Santana, who was dealt a no decision in each of his last two games. Going back to his last five starts, the tricky southpaw has given up only three earned runs over 36.2 innings, posting 22 strikeouts but just one win in that stretch.
Slumping
Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates (3-6, 5.43 ERA)
The Bucs' lefty hasn’t won a start since May 18 and has been roughed up since, serving three home runs in his most recent outing – a 6-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Duke has allowed 13 runs on 22 hits in his last two trips to the mound and might not snap this slump against the Nationals Wednesday. Duke is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in four career starts against Washington.
Kyle Davies, Kansas City Royals (4-4, 5.49 ERA)
Davies lasted just four innings in his last start, allowing six runs on eight hits while walking two batters. The outing before that, the Royals righty was knocked around for five runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. He is 4-5 with a 4.80 ERA in nine career starts versus Minnesota but will be taking the mound at brand new Target Field for the first time.
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This Day in Baseball
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On June 9 in Baseball History...
1906 - A 19-game losing streak ends for the Boston Beaneaters with a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
1933 - Walter Johnson takes over as Cleveland manager.
1945 - Following an 8-7 win over the Phils, Brooklyn manager Leo Durocher is arrested on a complaint by a fan that Durocher slugged him while an Ebbets Field cop pinned back his arms. Charges are later dropped when the fan admits that he received $6,750 from the Dodgers for his injuries.
1961 - Ryne Duren sets an A.L. record with seven straight strikeouts against the Red Sox. He fans 11 batters in a 5-1 Angels win.
1963 - The Colt 45s beat the Giants 3-0 in the major leagues' first Sunday night game. The exception is made because of Houston's oppressive daytime heat.
1966 - Minnesota rocks Kansas City with the first five-home run inning in A.L. history. Rich Rollins, Zoilo Versalles, Tony Oliva, Don Mincher, and Harmon Killebrew connect in the seventh inning to give the Twins a 9-4 victory.
1990 - Dodger Eddie Murray homers from each side of the plate for the tenth time in his career (the second time in 1990) to tie Mickey Mantle's major-league record. The Dodgers beat the Padres 5-4 in 11 innings.