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ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 |
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MLB |
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9/20/2017 |
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FOUND
13
GAMES |
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COMING
UP
1:10 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 1:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+140
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OFF
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Over 9 (-105)
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-155
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OFF
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Under 9 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Marlins aim for sweep of Mets 37m ago• 3 min read MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins, who entered this week's series against the Mets having lost 17 of 20 games, are suddenly one win away from sweeping New York."It's been a rough month," Marlins catcher J. T. Realmuto said after his walk-off, 10th-inning homer helped Miami rally past the Mets 5-4 on Tuesday. "To be able to come back tonight was huge for us." Miami (71-80) will send Jose Urena to the mound on Wednesday afternoon to face the Mets (65-86) and Rafael Montero in a battle of 26-year-old right-handers.Urena (13-6, 3.62 ERA) has made a stunning transformation this year. After compiling a cumulative 5-14 record in his first two years in the majors, Urena ranks in the top 25 in the National League in wins and ERA this season.In four games against the Mets this year, including two starts, Urena is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA, striking out nine and walking just one in 16 innings.Montero (5-10, 5.08 ERA) had made 12 starts in the past three years. This year, with injuries decimating New York's rotation, Montero will be making his career-high 17th start of the season on Wednesday.So far, Montero has been unimpressive, averaging 10.3 hits per nine innings and 5.0 walks.In six games against the Marlins this year, including two starts, Montero is 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA.Here, though, is what the Mets -- desperate for hope -- are pointing toward in regards to Montero: He has been better lately. In his past seven starts, he is 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA.Offensively, there are at least two Mets to watch on Wednesday: shortstop Jose Reyes and catcher Travis d'Arnaud.Reyes, who set a season high with four hits on Tuesday, is batting .356 with four homers over his past 24 games.After a painfully slow start, Reyes, 34, has been much better in the second half of the season. He hit .174 in April, .216 in May and .213 in June. But then he woke up and hit .302 in July, .269 in August and .281 so far in September. His .932 on-base-plus-slugging percentage this month is his season high."I see it every night," Mets manager Terry Collins said when asked about Reyes. "He brings energy. He loves to play, gets big hits. He plays hard, and he's had a tremendous second half of the season. I'm really happy for him." Because Wednesday features a day game after a night game, the Mets may opt to rest d'Arnaud. But perhaps the Mets should rest the catcher later, and here's why: In his career, d'Arnaud is batting .325 against the Marlins.This year, he is hitting .364 with three homers and nine RBIs vs. Miami. That includes his 13th homer of the season on Tuesday, a two-run shot that snapped a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning.D'Arnaud finished the game 2-for-5. He tied his career high in homers and also set his personal best in RBIs (47).As for Miami's hitters, the Mets on Tuesday issued four walks to Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who leads the majors with 55 homers.If New York continues to be that careful with Stanton, look for Miami hitters such as Realmuto, first baseman Justin Bour and center fielder Christian Yelich to do some damage.As with d'Arnaud and New York, Miami may opt to rest Realmuto on Wednesday. If not, it is worth noting that both of his career walk-off hits have come against the Mets.Realmuto also hit his 29th double of the season on Tuesday. His career high of 31 doubles was set last year.Bour is hitting .450 in his past five games and has set his career high with four consecutive multi-hit performances.Yelich hit his 18th homer of the season on Tuesday and is three long balls short of his career high, which was set last year."Hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next couple of series," Realmuto said. "Hopefully we can finish the season strong."
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
1:10 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 1:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-127
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OFF
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Over 10 (-110)
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+115
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OFF
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Under 10 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Athletics' Mengden looks to maintain momentum vs. Tigers 1h ago• 2 min read DETROIT -- Daniel Mengden just hoped to get back in action this season while recovering from his second major injury this year.The Oakland Athletics right-hander did much more than that in his most recent outing.He tossed a complete-game shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies, strengthening his case to become a long-term member of the rotation. Mengden will try to duplicate, or at least come close, to that performance on Wednesday afternoon when he faces the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park."It felt really great," Mengden said on Tuesday, referring to his Friday outing at Philadelphia. "Doing that is a great feat in your career, and hopefully, I'll have many more of those." Mengden's season got off to a late start after he underwent foot surgery last winter. He missed spring training, then made four appearances for Triple-A Nashville. Mengden pitched for the A's on May 29 and June 3 before he was sidelined by a rib injury. He didn't return to the majors until this month."I was just hoping to get back in August and September, get some innings and be able to play," he said.He showed enough in the minors to receive a September call-up. Mengden then held the Houston Astros to two runs in six innings prior to the two-hit whitewash of the Phillies, in which he struck out seven. He became the 14th pitcher in club history to allow two hits or fewer in a shutout and not walk a batter."I'm just trying to show I belong," he said. "I want to be here and have a chance to fight for a spot in spring training. I didn't get the opportunity this year, but I'm hungry and I want to be here." Mengden (1-1, 4.30 ERA) has never faced the Tigers in his young career. His biggest challenge could come from Detroit's new cleanup hitter, Nicholas Castellanos, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games on Tuesday during Oakland's 9-8 comeback victory.Castellanos was moved this month from third base to right field to open a spot for one of the organization's top prospects, Jeimer Candelario."He enjoys being one of the guys to drive in runs," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Maybe the defensive move took a little bit off his plate. Maybe's he's more comfortable out there." Castellanos leads the current members of Detroit's roster with 24 homers and 94 RBIs. Justin Upton had 28 homers and 94 RBIs before he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels last month."I think he's proving to be a run-producer but you have to do it over a number of years before you really have a track record," Ausmus said of Castellanos. "He's improving every year, and he certainly doesn't shy away from the big at-bat with runners in scoring position." Mengden will be opposed by Anibal Sanchez, who is coming off his best outing of the season. Sanchez (3-4, 7.03 ERA) held the Chicago White Sox to one run on six hits while recording a season-high 11 strikeouts in six innings on Friday. He has a 2-2 record and 3.74 ERA in seven career starts against the A's.Sanchez will try to cool down A's first baseman Matt Olson, who homered for the fifth consecutive game on Tuesday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
3:45 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 3:45 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-137
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OFF
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Over 8 (-115)
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+124
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OFF
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Under 8 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Rockies need to bounce back vs. Giants 1h ago• 2 min read SAN FRANCISCO -- The Colorado Rockies' hold on the National League's second wild-card spot will be on the line Wednesday afternoon when they conclude a two-game road series against the San Francisco Giants.Colorado's 4-3 loss to the Giants on Tuesday night, coupled with a 1-0 win by Milwaukee over the Pittsburgh Pirates, narrowed the Rockies' lead over the Brewers to one game.The St. Louis Cardinals also gained a game on the Rockies with a 9-8 win at Cincinnati.Only 3 1/2 games separate the Rockies (82-69), Brewers (81-70) and Cardinals (78-72) with 12 days left in the regular season."You can't cry about losing games," Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez said after the Tuesday defeat. "Keep moving forward. We'd be in playoff position if the season ended today. We're in the driver's seat." Right-hander Tyler Chatwood (8-12, 4.57 ERA) will seek to continue his winning ways against the Giants when he pitches Wednesday for the Rockies. He will be opposed by San Francisco left-hander Matt Moore (5-14, 5.39).Chatwood has faced the Giants four times this season, and the Rockies have won all four times. He went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in those outings, highlighted by a two-hit shutout in his most recent visit to AT&T Park on April 15.He is 7-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 16 career games, including 15 starts, against the Giants.Chatwood will have to deal with a team that, despite long ago having been eliminated from the playoff race, has stalled the postseason paths of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Rockies in its past two games.Pablo Sandoval, who hit a key home run Sunday in San Francisco's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks, contributed three hits to Tuesday in the triumph over the Rockies."I think it's extremely important to keep that passion, all of us," Giants right fielder Hunter Pence said of the final two weeks of a postseason-less season.Pence hit a two-run homer and a walk-off sacrifice fly on Tuesday."It's not just about the standings," Pence said. "We love competing and getting out here and playing. (It's) what we love to do." The walk-off was the 12th of Pence's career and the eighth of the Giants' season.Moore hasn't had much success against the Rockies, going 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA against them in six career starts.Moore will seek to avoid becoming the NL's first 15-game loser. The Giants have lost 20 of his 29 starts. Even so, the Giants (59-93) picked up his $9 million option for 2018 last weekend."Understanding there's now a vision with me being a part of turning the ship around and getting off to a better start next year, that gives me a lot of confidence heading into not only the last two weeks of the season but into the wintertime," Moore told the San Jose Mercury News on Saturday.Among the threats to Moore on Wednesday will be Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games on Tuesday.Story is one of five Rockies who have hit homers against Moore, joining Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado and Mark Reynolds in that distinction.Also, second baseman DJ LeMahieu is 8-for-14 (.571) against Moore in their career head-to-heads. LeMahieu will enter the last meeting of the season between the two teams with 29 hits this year against the Giants.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-235
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OFF
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Over 8.5 (-105)
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+209
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OFF
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Phillies not making it easy for Dodgers 1h ago• 2 min read PHILADELPHIA -- A series between the team with the best record in baseball and one with the second-worst certainly hasn't gone the way one might expect.Just a few games away from clinching their fifth division title in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers have run into a surprisingly difficult Philadelphia Phillies squad in the City of Brotherly Love.The Phillies (60-91) took the first two of a four-game series between the clubs, beating two Dodgers aces along the way. First, an Aaron Altherr grand slam beat Clayton Kershaw 4-3 on Monday night. Then, Rhys Hoskins' three-run double in the seventh inning lifted the Phillies to a 5-2 win on Tuesday night in a game that Yu Darvish started."It was nice to beat the Dodgers with Kershaw and Darvish pitching," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "We're playing well right now. Good to beat the Dodgers." Despite the defeats, the Dodgers (96-55) have their magic number to clinch the National League West down to two. The second-place Arizona Diamondbacks, 9 1/2 games back in the division race, have lost three straight.If the Dodgers want to wrap up the division at Citizens Bank Park, they will have to get through a Phillies team that is 17-14 over its past 31 games."Teams that have nothing to play for but are trying to establish themselves, those are dangerous teams," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "They're gutty and they play hard." Roberts will hand the ball Wednesday to yet another impressive starting pitcher, left-hander Alex Wood.Wood (15-3, 2.69 ERA) is coming off throwing six shutout innings against the Washington Nationals on Friday, the eighth time this year he kept the opposition off the scoreboard in one of his starts. He went at least five innings each of those outings, and he has thrown six or more shutout innings six times.Though shoulder issues sent him to the DL in late August, Wood feels as if he is back to where he needs to be to help the Dodgers go for their first World Series since 1988."I'm pretty close, still a little bit to go," Wood said after the win over Washington. "I've been working really hard to solidify my mechanics and get back to where I need to be for the playoffs." In 13 career appearances (eight starts) against the Phillies, Wood is 3-3 with a 3.40 ERA. He has not faced Philadelphia this season.Phillies starter Jake Thompson will make his 10th start of the season on Wednesday night as he faces the Dodgers for the first time this year.Thompson (2-2, 4.46 ERA) is coming off a strong outing against the Miami Marlins last Thursday. He gave up six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings, but he struck out six to help keep him from allowing any runs. It was Thompson's first win since July 28, a span of five starts.He faced the Dodgers once as a rookie in 2016, giving up five earned runs in five innings during a 7-2 loss.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-203
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OFF
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Over 8.5 (+100)
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+182
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OFF
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Under 8.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
Orioles to get one more crack at Red Sox's Sale 1h ago• 3 min read BALTIMORE -- Not many teams have found success against Boston Red Xox left-hander Chris Sale this season.The Baltimore Orioles will get another chance Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series with the Red Sox.Sale (16-7, 2.86 ERA), one of baseball's top pitchers, will try to help Boston sweep the series. Thanks to a second straight 11-inning victory over the Orioles on Tuesday night, the first-place Red Sox (87-64) maintained their three-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees.Baltimore (73-79) counters with Wade Miley (8-13, 5.32 ERA).Sale is looking for his 17th victory, which would match his career high. He is also 13 strikeouts away from 300 for the season as he bids to become the first AL pitcher to reach that number since Pedro Martinez did it for Boston in 1999.This season, Sale is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts against the Orioles, holding them to a .176 average. He is 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 13 career games (seven starts) vs. Baltimore.Miley has struggled most of this season, often battling to get into the sixth inning because of high pitch counts.He pitched well in August, going 3-1, but dropped his past three starts, including his most recent outing. The left-hander lasted just 19 pitches and allowed six runs in one-third of an inning in a 13-5 loss to the Yankees on Thursday."You can't go out there and lay an egg like that," Miley said after that game. "You have to go out there, and I have to give us a chance, and I didn't. It just hurts more. Every game right now that we're not in the win column hurts. First-inning six spot doesn't help." For the Red Sox, second baseman Dustin Pedroia did not start Tuesday after a foul ball he hit Monday bounced back up and hit him in the nose. He was diagnosed with a nasal contusion.Manager John Farrell said no new medical imaging was taken Tuesday but the club hopes to have Pedroia back in the starting lineup Wednesday. Pedroia pinch-hit late in Boston's 1-0 victory on Tuesday, grounding into a double play."He's sore, there's no question," Farrell said. "I would expect him to be back in the lineup (Wednesday)." As for Hanley Ramirez (sore arm/biceps), he apparent felt fine after pinch-hitting Monday. He did not play Tuesday, and Farrell wants to see him back in the lineup Wednesday against Miley.The Orioles are healthier now, but the September call-ups have given outfielder Austin Hays a chance to get noticed.Hays never played above Double-A before coming to the Orioles earlier this month from the Bowie Baysox, but he made his sixth start -- and fifth in a row -- Tuesday. He doubled and stretched his hitting streak to four games. Hays has a .304 average.He has shown some good defensive skills in center and right field, including a solid throwing arm. Plus, Hays isn't afraid to take a chance on the basepaths -- in a good way."That's the part of it I really like, that he's anticipating taking an extra base," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's not a reckless aggressiveness so far." Showalter also said the team took precautionary X-rays on Adam Jones' right hand after the center fielder was hit by a Craig Kimbrel pitch in the ninth Tuesday. Jones finished the game."He looks fine," Showalter said, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:07 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:07 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+107
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OFF
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Over 9 (-115)
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-117
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OFF
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Under 9 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Royals, Blue Jays may make more history 2h ago• 3 min read TORONTO -- The Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays do not figure to be providing any thrills for their fans in October.That does not mean that they cannot provide a little history in September.They did just that Tuesday night in the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory.When Royals left fielder Alex Gordon hit his eighth homer of the season in the eighth inning Tuesday against reliever Ryan Tepera, it was the 5,694th home run hit in the majors in 2017, surpassing the previous record set for a season in 2000."A pretty cool thing to be a part of," Gordon said. "I didn't hit many this year, but I guess I made one count. It's good to be in the Hall of Fame, I guess. ... . I'm going to give (the ball) to Cooperstown. I figured they'd probably have much more reason to have it than I do." There could be more history from both teams as the three-game series continues Wednesday with the second game at the Rogers Centre.The Royals will start right-hander Jakob Junis (7-2, 4.15 ERA) against Toronto left-hander Brett Anderson (3-3, 5.73 ERA overall).Toronto right fielder Jose Bautista struck out twice Tuesday and is one whiff away from setting a single-season club record. He is tied at 159 with Jose Canseco (1998) and Kelly Johnson (2012).Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas is one home run away from setting a franchise record. He has 36, matching the mark set in 1985 by Steve Balboni. Moustakas has hit only one homer over his past 28 games, however. He has not hit one since Sept. 1, and the 15-game drought is his longest since July 23-Aug. 10, 2015."It's amazing," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We've seen our share of home runs. Moose is on the verge of breaking our franchise home run record. I don't know what to make of it. Guys are bigger and guys are stronger, but so are the pitchers. There sure are a lot of home runs being hit."You're always looking to elevate. You're not going to make a whole lot of money hitting the ball on the ground in this league because the defenders are so quick and athletic. You've got to get the ball in the air, I think, if you're going to be successful." Toronto's Josh Donaldson did not hit a home run Tuesday, but he has hit 21 since the All-Star break, which leads the American League for that span. He has 30 home runs this season despite being on the disabled list for 38 games with a calf injury April 14-May 25. He has missed 48 games overall."There is a ton of home runs being hit, more than normal," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "It really looks like the ball is flying. Why, who knows? ..."Fans love it. When you're hitting them, we love it. When they're hitting them, you don't like it so much. l see a lot more opposite-field home runs that you wouldn't normally see on certain type swings." Anderson left his start Thursday at Minnesota after 4 1/3 innings because a blister was developing on his left index finger, but barring a setback, he is on target to make the start Wednesday. He allowed two runs, five hits and four walks and did not factor in the decision Thursday in a 3-2 win by the Twins.He will be making his fifth start for the Blue Jays, who signed him after he was released by the Chicago Cubs. He is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in four starts with the Blue Jays and is 3-3. Anderson is 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.Junis will be trying to win his sixth straight decision Wednesday.His five consecutive winning decisions are the most by a Royals rookie since Luke Hochevar won five in a row June 4-25, 2008. He has allowed four walks in his past 169 batters as a starter, recording 36 strikeouts in that span.Junis did not factor in the decision in the Royals' 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday when he allowed seven hits, one walk and one run with one strikeout in 5 2/3 innings.He had a no-decision in his only start against the Blue Jays this season June 23, when he allowed two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out four in 6 1/3 innings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-163
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OFF
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Over 9.5 (-105)
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+147
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OFF
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Under 9.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Cardinals visit Reds in another crucial game 1h ago• 2 min read CINCINNATI -- The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for leadership in their effort to climb back into the National League playoff picture. Time is running out.On Tuesday, the Cardinals welcomed back one of their field generals when veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright was reinstated from the disabled list. Wainwright will be used in relief for the remainder of the season."We need his presence and his leadership," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "We get in the middle of this thing, we have to do whatever we can." St. Louis (78-72) plays the second of three games against the Cincinnati Reds (66-85) on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals are 3 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second NL wild-card spot.Matt Carpenter is another one of the veteran players the Cardinals are counting on down the stretch. He was given a day off for the series opener but is expected back in the lineup Wednesday. Carpenter is 3-for-13 on the current road trip."We have a group of guys that have been kind of our go-to guys in big situations, not just to go through it, but talk about what success should look like this time of year," Matheny said. "You want that current success to match up to the message that you're giving." Right-hander Luke Weaver (6-1, 1.89 ERA) will start for St. Louis on Wednesday. The 24-year-old beat Cincinnati last week, allowing one unearned run on two hits with six strikeouts over six innings of a 5-2 victory at Busch Stadium.He allowed five runs and four hits in two-thirds of inning in relief against the Reds last season in his only other appearance against them.Weaver also has a personal six-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the major leagues. It is tied with Wainwright for the longest streak by a Cardinals pitcher this season. Over his past five starts, Weaver is 5-0 with a 1.15 ERA, having walked four and struck out 42.Cincinnati counters with right-hander Rookie Davis, a 24-year-old rookie who rejoined the rotation after Triple-A Louisville's season ended. Davis was on the Reds' Opening Day roster and is making his first start since returning to the major leagues. He gave up two runs in two innings in a relief outing at St. Louis on Sept. 12.Davis is 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA in five starts. He has 13 walks in 19 innings as a starter. He spent 14 days on the disabled list in April due to a bruised right forearm.Cincinnati is hoping to get center fielder Billy Hamilton into a game during this series, if only as a pinch runner. He is on the disabled list with a fractured left thumb but has resumed baseball activity."He hasn't done any live hitting yet," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We could use him as a pinch runner. It's more or a probability than a possibility. I don't think the first time you see him will be as our starting center fielder." The Reds will be looking to reach the 1,000-win mark against St. Louis during this series. Cincinnati currently has 998 wins over the Cardinals since 1900. At 9-8 this season against them, including 5-3 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds are looking for their first season series win over St. Louis since 2011.Cincinnati is 3-3-2 against the Cardinals in the past seven completed series of more than one game.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-129
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OFF
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Over 8 (+100)
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+117
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OFF
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Under 8 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
Cubs try to keep momentum going against Rays 1h ago• 2 min read ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Chicago Cubs got a warm welcome in manager Joe Maddon's return to Tropicana Field on Tuesday, and they will try to get out of town with a two-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays when the series concludes Wednesday.The first-place Cubs (84-66) have won seven straight, but the Milwaukee Brewers matched them Tuesday night with a win to stay 3 1/2 games back in the National League Central. Chicago is gearing up for a four-game series at Miller Park this weekend."I feel like we're playing really good baseball right now," said Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber, who hit a solo home run as a designated hitter Tuesday, a role he could pick up again if the Cubs return to the World Series. "The way that our guys are just going out there and competing, it's really good to see, especially this time of year. It's getting to crunch time." Unlike some of the NL's other leading teams, the Cubs are peaking in September, on the mound and at the plate. Momentum is an important thing in the final two weeks of the regular season as well."We just have to keep this same pace we're going at and not worry about however many games we've won or whatever it is," Schwarber said after Chicago's 2-1 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. "Just take it a day at a time and keep that same focus every day, like we've been doing. Good things are going to happen." On Wednesday, those efforts will start with Cubs pitcher Jon Lester. The left-hander was to pitch Tuesday but had that start bumped back a day, which means he won't pitch against the Brewers on Sunday. Lester (11-7, 4.30 ERA) and took the loss against the Rays on July 4, giving up six runs on five innings.The Rays know Lester well from his Boston Red Sox days -- he is 13-10 in his career against Tampa Bay with a 4.22 ERA, and the 10 losses are the most he has against any major league team. By comparison, he is 15-4 against the Baltimore Orioles, 13-6 against the New York Yankees and 15-9 against the Toronto Blue Jays.Tampa Bay, struggling to stay mathematically alive for the second American League wild card, will counter with lefty Blake Snell (3-6, 4.25 ERA). Snell hasn't lost in his past nine starts, the longest stretch of its kind by a Rays starter this season, after going without a win for much of the season.Snell pitched well against the Cubs in July at Wrigley Field, allowing no runs in five innings. He was in line for the win until the Rays bullpen took a loss.Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, trying to stay optimistic despite his team dropping eight of 11 games, focused on the pitching and defense coming off a tough loss Tuesday in which the Rays were held to one hit."Our bullpen came in in some high-leverage situations to keep it right there and give the opportunity to the offense to get right back in there or tie it up," he said. "They did everything they could."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-160
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OFF
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Over 9 (-110)
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+144
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OFF
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Under 9 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Braves' Sims continues audition vs. Nationals 1h ago• 2 min read ATLANTA -- One of the questions the Atlanta Braves brass must answer during the offseason is whether right-handed pitching prospect Lucas Sims belongs in the rotation or the bullpen.Sims (2-5, 5.52 ERA) will make another start Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, who send veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez (14-7, 2.68) to oppose him in the second contest of a three-game series at SunTrust Park.The Nationals won the series opener 4-2 on Tuesday to take a 9-8 lead in the season series. The loss guaranteed Atlanta (67-82) would have a losing record for the fourth consecutive season.Sims, a rookie who was the team's first-round draft choice in 2012, has made 11 appearances (seven starts). He has made it clear that he prefers to be a starting pitcher.The Braves moved Sims to the bullpen after his Sept. 2 start against the Chicago Cubs, when he allowed seven runs in three innings. Because he was stretched out, Sims had the ability to throw multiple innings out of the 'pen, which he did in two of his subsequent four relief appearances.However, on Sunday, the Braves announced Sims as the starter for the Wednesday game and moved left-hander Max Fried to the bullpen. Fried is another rookie who will be under consideration to join the rotation in 2018."The kid never quits," Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Sims. "He keeps pitching. He competes." In seven starts, Sims has averaged 5 1/3 innings per outing. In 44 innings overall, he has recorded 31 strikeouts and 15 walks.Sims has made only one appearance against Washington, that a perfect one-inning stint on Sept. 13.Gonzalez, like teammate Max Scherzer, is a candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. The southpaw is coming off a poor showing against Atlanta on Sept. 12, when he allowed five runs in five innings despite eight strikeouts."You get the strikeouts and then all of a sudden, the hits came in," Gonzalez said. "It was just one of those games. You take it for what it was, sweep it up the rug and get ready for tomorrow. It was one of those games you can't really understand what happened, just pick up where you can and go from there." The Braves have fared well against Gonzalez. In 20 career starts against Atlanta, he is 4-11 with a 5.27 ERA. This season, Gonzalez is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts vs. the Braves.Atlanta has had trouble scoring runs of late. Over the past five games, the Braves managed only 11 runs.The Braves likely will be without catalyst Ender Inciarte on Wednesday. The center fielder left the game early Tuesday with right thumb soreness. Snitker said there was no structural damage and that Inciarte needs a day of rest."We just have to back off," Snitker said. "It's just sore." Inciarte doesn't like to take a day off under normal circumstances, must less when he is chasing 200 hits. He was 0-for-2 on Tuesday, leaving him with 190 hits. He is trying to become the first Atlanta player to reach the milestone since Marquis Grissom in 1996.Washington is close to getting its injured players back.Outfielder Bryce Harper (hyperextended left knee) and infielder Stephen Drew (left abdominal strain) ran before the Tuesday game. Both are eligible to come off the disabled list whenever they are deemed healthy.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:10 PM EST |
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9/20/2017 8:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+251
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OFF
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Over 9.5 (+100)
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-285
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OFF
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Under 9.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
Astros host White Sox, continue pursuit of AL's best record 40m ago• 2 min read HOUSTON -- Astros manager A. J. Hinch was quick to joke that his team appreciated the scheduled off day it enjoyed Monday, one that came on the heels of Houston claiming the American League West title on Sunday, allowing the revelry to linger a bit longer.On Tuesday, it was back to business for the Astros, with Hinch making clear his intention to pursue the best record in the AL (and home-field advantage in the postseason) by penciling in his primary lineup for the opener of a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox.Houston won 3-1 on Tuesday, and the clubs meet again Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.Some teams might ease up while heading into the postseason with their spot guaranteed. The Astros (92-58) have opted to dash full speed through the finish line of the 162-game regular season. They are 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians for the AL's top record."We're built on routine; we play every day," Hinch said. "And so, when you start to disrupt that artificially, you get lax mentally. There are so many ways we can still get better over the next couple of weeks. It's hard to just turn the switch when October starts."There are habit-forming things we're trying to do. These guys are built to play every day; they train to play every day. Mentally there's no reason for us to try to coast through these games and not try to win." Right-hander Brad Peacock (11-2, 2.98 ERA) takes the ball for the Astros in the middle game of the series. Peacock has faced the White Sox twice previously in his career, allowing three runs on 12 hits and five walks with 10 strikeouts over 13 innings. In a no-decision on Aug. 10, he allowed one run on seven hits with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.Right-hander James Shields (4-6, 5.43 ERA) pitches for the White Sox (60-90) on Wednesday. It will mark his sixth career start against Houston. Shields is 2-1 with a 1.70 ERA vs. the Astros, including a complete game on June 24, 2011, while with the Tampa Bay Rays when he allowed one run on three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.While the Astros spent Monday recuperating from their celebration, White Sox manager Rick Renteria rested on his day off. He returned Tuesday ready for the final 13 games invigorated by the fact that his rebuilding squad has tackled the chore of competition with enthusiasm.Renteria opened the series with five rookies in his starting offense, another, Lucas Giolito, on the mound, and two more on the bench.Rookie right-hander Carson Fulmer will start the series finale Thursday. This is the course the White Sox have taken, and Renteria is pleased to steer this ship."After every game, I think they gain something they're going to be able to use moving forward," Renteria said. "At the end of the day, it's just experience, it's just time. They have certain skill sets that they're trying to develop and use, and we're scratching at the surface of what's going to be moving forward."Like many organizations have done, we're trying to do the same thing."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
9:10 PM EST |
|
9/20/2017 9:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-143
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OFF
|
Over 7.5 (+100)
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+129
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OFF
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Under 7.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
Padres go for three-game sweep of Diamondbacks 1h ago• 3 min read SAN DIEGO -- The Padres face a simple task as they square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray on Wednesday night, going for a three-game sweep."Put the ball in play," San Diego manager Andy Green said.Sounds so elementary. However, the Padres have faced Ray three times this season, and in each case, there hasn't been much solid contact.Make that any contact."We have to lay off his fastball at the top of zone," Green said. "You are not going to hit him up there. You have to force him to throw it down." Ray (14-5, 2.74 ERA) has been sensational against the Padres, going 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA. Then again, he has been lights-out against a lot of teams this season.At Phoenix on Sept. 10, Ray spun six innings of two-run ball with 12 strikeouts against San Diego. The time before that, he racked up 11 strikeouts when allowing one run in 6 2/3 innings. In a May encounter, the Padres waved the white flag after getting but two hits and striking out six times as Ray tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings."This isn't rocket science," Green said. "You have to force his pitches down." Even so, Ray, who is 4-4 lifetime against San Diego, is on the rise against everybody in a breakout season."I don't think it is necessarily just been against the Padres; he has had a really good year all the way around," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "It's because of his aggressive fastball, which he is just pressing into the zone. He's attacking hitters and making them feel uncomfortable with that." There is more to Ray's resurgence than a heater. Ray is riding a streak of four games with at least 10 strikeouts. Since exiting the disabled list on Aug. 14 after recovering from a concussion, he is 5-0 with a 1.39 ERA in five starts."It's just quality secondary stuff," Lovullo said. "He's getting a ton of swing-and-misses with his breaking ball in the zone. A ton of swing-and-misses on breaking balls out of the zone. He has command of three pitches, and it's been consistent since he returned from his injury." Ray's season hit pause on July 28 when he was struck in the head by a 108 mph line drive hit by the St. Louis Cardinals' Luke Volt. Ray missed a couple rotation turns and picked up where he left off."That is what stands out the most to me," Lovullo said. "He had a pretty significant injury, a scary injury that some pitchers don't come back from. But he worked hard. He stayed with it, and he shared how he was feeling and he came out the other side. He's been pretty impressive since his return." Maybe even better as his arm took a breather."If you ask him, he might have a different answer, but I think the rest did him some good," Lovullo said. "I feel like he used it as a couple of turns off, and he didn't get too far away from it mentally. Physically, he just stepped right back into it, and fundamentally, he was exactly the same." Dinelson Lamet (7-7, 4.15 ERA) opposes Ray with the Padres hoping his ERA continues to go into reverse. The rookie right-hander has shaved it in four consecutive starts.However, Lamet was amiss when facing the Diamondbacks earlier this year. He absorbed the loss in his only career outing against them on June 6 in Phoenix. He walked five batters and gave up five hits and nine runs (seven earned) in three innings."He really struggled with his command of the fastball," Green said. "That might have been his roughest outing of the year. His stuff will play against them; it will play against anybody. But he has to command his fastball." Despite the defeat Tuesday, the Diamondbacks (87-65) didn't lose ground in the National League wild-card race. They still lead the Colorado Rockies by 4 1/2 games for the first wild card.San Diego (68-83) owns a three-game winning streak.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:07 PM EST |
|
9/20/2017 10:07 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-122
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OFF
|
Over 8.5 (-110)
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+111
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OFF
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Under 8.5 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Angels' Nolasco looks for first career win vs. Indians 15m ago• 3 min read ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ricky Nolasco will take the mound for the Los Angeles Angels against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night, his name among those in various "American League leaders" categories.However, they are not in the categories in which Nolasco or the Angels would like to see him included.His 14 losses are surpassed by only Boston's Rick Porcello (17). His 34 home runs allowed are surpassed only by Porcello (35) and Seattle's Ariel Miranda (35). He is seventh in hits allowed (186) and sixth in earned runs allowed (94).After nearly every start, Nolasco seems to sing the same tune."It's baseball," he told MLB.com. "At the end of the day, I just do what I can do: Eat up innings and give us a chance to win, just keep grinding." Nolasco finally seemed to at least give his team a chance in his most recent game. He threw a quality start (two runs in six innings) against the Houston Astros on Thursday, though Nolasco and the Angels eventually lost the game.It ended a streak of seven consecutive starts in which Nolasco failed to give the Angels a quality start going back to Aug. 1.Nolasco (6-14, 5.11 ERA) pitched fairly well in his only start against the Indians this season, giving up three runs in 6 2/3 innings of what became a 10-4 loss on July 26. For his career, he is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) against Cleveland.Jason Kipnis (5-for-15, two homers, six RBIs) and Jose Ramirez (4-for-12, one homer, three RBIs) have hit Nolasco well.Nolasco will be matched up against Indians starter Josh Tomlin, who has had trouble pitching deep into games lately. He failed to go six innings in each of his past four starts. However, he has held the opposition to two runs or fewer in each of those four starts. He has never pitched against the Angels.Tomlin (9-9, 5.04 ERA) has been trying to get his legs back under him after missing all of August with a strained left hamstring.Though the Indians have already clinched the American League Central title, thanks in large part to their 22-game winning streak, they certainly want to stay on a roll as they can going into the postseason. Cleveland made another step in the right direction Tuesday, beating the Angels 6-3 in the series opener for their third win a row since the streak-ending defeat.Shortstop Francisco Lindor has been as hot as any Indians hitter. He set an Indians record with at least one extra-base hit in 10 consecutive games, the streak ending Sunday. During the streak, Lindor batted .463 with four homers, six doubles and two triples."He's using the whole field," Francona said. "And he's strong enough, and he's got probably 1,500 at-bats under his belt (in his career), He knows the league and he understands situations more. That comes with experience. So he's still every bit as dangerous. He just also is finding his hits, spraying the ball around." Lindor, still only 23, has 30 homers, 40 doubles and four triples this season."He's got a ton of tools, which everybody sees," Francona said. "And he's a really hard worker, and he's a smart kid. That's kind of why a couple years ago, we were so excited about him getting here. He's one of the better players around. So many different ways he can impact a game." Lindor has hit the Angels well in his career, batting .355 (22-for-62) in 17 career games despite going 0-for-4 on Tuesday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:10 PM EST |
|
9/20/2017 10:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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|
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+135
|
OFF
|
Over 9 (-105)
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-150
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OFF
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Under 9 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Mariners hope Felix is King against Rangers 1h ago• 2 min read SEATTLE -- With the season running down and each game becoming increasingly more important, Seattle Mariners ace right-hander Felix Hernandez will make the next step in his return from a shoulder injury.Hernandez, who was sidelined for the month of August with bursitis in his pitching shoulder, will take the mound Wednesday night as the Mariners face the Texas Rangers.With the playoff hopes of the Mariners and Rangers on tenuous ground -- the Rangers are 3 1/2 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the chase for the second American League wild card, and the Mariners four back with less than two weeks to play -- it is a big moment for the former AL Cy Young Award winner.And with Seattle in the midst of a four-game losing streak, King Felix needs to get back to his best in a hurry."I wish we were a little closer to the head of the pack, where Minnesota and the Angels are right now," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. "But we are where we are. Every game is, 'Win tonight.' I said it last homestand, and I'm really saying it this homestand, too. That's the only thing you can concern yourself with." Rangers manager Jeff Banister made it clear Tuesday that he had the wild card in his sights. He is not yet looking to give his younger players an extended trial."We've got 13 games to go," he said before Texas' 3-1 win over the Mariners on Tuesday. "It's about winning baseball games and closing games out, whoever goes out there." Hernandez made his return to action against the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one run and three hits in 3 2/3 innings of the Mariners' 10-4 victory.Servais said his ace probably would get a longer leash Wednesday, somewhere in the 70-80 pitch range."No real hard pitch count," Servais said. "We'll see where he's at. I can't imagine he'll go 100 pitches." For the season, Hernandez is 5-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 77 1/3 innings. He has had some success against several Rangers regulars, notably Rougned Odor (.167 in 30 career at-bats) and former Mariner Shin-Soo Choo (.222 in 54 career at-bats). Elvis Andrus has held his own however, hitting .290 in 100 career at-bats.The best sign for Seattle: The Mariners have won all three of Hernandez's starts against Texas this season, and he went 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA in those games. Hernandez is 19-23 with a 3.92 ERA in 53 career starts versus the Rangers.He will be facing Andrew Cashner (9-10, 3.40), who was tagged with the loss Thursday, when he gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings.Banister said the right-hander has been one of the Texas rotation's go-to guys this season."At times, he was the guy we looked toward to go out and put together the better starts for us," the manager said. "A little bit of a slow start because of injuries coming out of spring training, but we've seen the fastball beginning to creep back up to what we've seen in the past." Kyle Seager has hit Cashner well, batting .333 in 18 at-bats with two home runs in his career as the only current Mariner to have taken him deep. Nelson Cruz is 5-for-11 against Cashner, who is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts against Seattle this season and 1-4, 3.98 in eight career games (seven starts) vs. the Mariners.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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NHL |
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9/20/2017 |
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FOUND
1
GAME |
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POSTPONED |
|
9/20/2017 7:08 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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OFF
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-2 (+113)
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Over 3 (+160)
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OFF
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+1 (-133)
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Under 3 (-188)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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SOCCER |
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9/20/2017 |
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FOUND
16
MATCHES |
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TENNIS |
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| 9/20/2017 |
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FOUND 1 PICK |
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** IMPORTANT
NOTE ** All service picks revealed 15
minutes after each game starts for 100% transparency.
Services cannot fabricate, alter, hide, or delete any picks
nor can records or units be tampered with or forged on CapperTek.
Services cannot fabricate, alter, hide, or delete any reviews
on their service profile on CapperTek. |
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RECENT
GAME PREVIEWS / RECAPS |
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