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ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 |
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MLB |
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9/26/2017 |
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FOUND
13
GAMES |
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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9/26/2017 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-150
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OFF
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Over 9 (-115)
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+135
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OFF
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Under 9 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Nationals' Harper might return to face Phillies 1h ago• 2 min read PHILADELPHIA -- Monday was supposed to be the day Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper would make his return to the lineup.The 24-year-old has been out of the lineup since Aug. 12 with a bone bruise in his left knee and a left calf strain.However, flu symptoms delayed the outfielder's return for at least another day.So now it is possible Tuesday is the day, when Washington (95-61) plays the second game of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (62-95) at Citizens Bank Park.The Nationals improved to 26-16 with Harper out of the lineup after a 3-1 win over Philadelphia on Monday night."You hate to waste these days, but you also hate to push him out there when he's not ready," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.Harper, once a National League MVP candidate who owns a .326 batting average with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs, is doing everything he can to get ready."He was actually here before I got here, trying to get well," Baker said before the game Monday. "You know Bryce, he is champing at the bit to play. So it's just another minor setback."This is, in essence, spring training for him. I just think it's a miracle that we're even talking about it." The Nationals, who need three wins in their final six games to tie the franchise's single-season record, send Gio Gonzalez (15-7, 2.68 ERA) to the mound Tuesday in his final postseason tune-up. The left-hander will go up against Phillies right-hander Jake Thompson (2-2, 4.14 ERA).Gonzalez is looking to cap off a big turnaround campaign in 2017 with another win. The former Phillies farmhand has had good career success against Philadelphia, owning a 10-6 record in 22 starts, compiling a 2.60 ERA in 138 2/3 innings. That includes two no-decisions against the Phillies in 2017. In those two starts, Gonzalez allowed a combined three earned runs in 14 innings.Thompson has not had success facing Washington in his young career. The 23-year-old holds an 0-2 record and a 4.87 ERA vs. the Nationals in 20 1/3 innings. On Sept. 8, in an 11-10 Phillies loss at Washington, Thompson was blasted for seven runs (five earned) in five innings.The righty, however, has been dominant in his past two outings. Thompson threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a Sept. 14 win over the Miami Marlins, then followed up with a brilliant performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. He went five innings and allowed just one run on three hits in a no-decision during a 7-5 Philadelphia victory.Another like those would put the Phillies in a good spot. But that also depends which Philadelphia offense shows up. Energized by an influx of youth, the Phillies have been a much different team in the second half. Still, they barely provided a punch against Washington's A. J. Cole on Monday night.The Phillies have scored just seven runs in their past four games."Our bats have gone silent for a few days now," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
 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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9/26/2017 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-124
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-1.5 (+130)
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Over 8.5 (-105)
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+113
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+1.5 (-150)
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Marte making late push as Pirates host Orioles 9h ago• 2 min read PITTSBURGH -- Long removed from postseason contention, the Pittsburgh Pirates have their sights fixed on 2018. Five of the eight position players who started for the Pirates on Sunday were rookies, a few of whom contributed to a 4-1 win over St. Louis that damaged the Cardinals' playoff aspirations.The kids will get further opportunities starting Tuesday when Pittsburgh opens a two-game interleague series against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park. But one source of optimism for next season has been the recent play of a veteran, outfielder Starling Marte.A cornerstone of the franchise, Marte was suspended for 80 games in April after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Not only did the Pirates miss the presence of the 2016 All-Star, he struggled on the field after his return in July.All recent signs, however, point to a turnaround that the club hopes will carry over."I feel like I'm getting my rhythm back," Marte said Sunday after his two-run homer helped beat the Cardinals. "I feel like things are coming back together and I'm feeling great. I'm feeling good on the bases, even my at-bats. I feel like these two months have allowed me to catch back up." Fueled by the current homestand, the improvement has been more steady than striking. Marte currently is hitting .261 with a .696 OPS. The Pirates and Marte himself expect much more, but on Aug. 2 the numbers were .239 and .602."You always love it when a player works hard and pours into something and can find some success with it," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said."What's he's done is continue to show up, continue to work to get a little bit better. He'd be the first one to tell you, that the speed of the game in the box has been challenging. Defense has shown up. Baserunning has shown up. The ability to get good breaks and good reads. The swing is coming along." In the first five games of the homestand, Marte is 8-for-21 with a home run, five RBIs and three stolen bases."It's taken him awhile, and this is the best consistency he's shown in the batter's box -- this homestand," Hurdle said. "With some power and some hard contact, it's been fun to watch." The Orioles also have a veteran who has come on strong in right-hander Kevin Gausman (11-10, 4.61), who has pitched to a 1.71 ERA in his last five starts. And that includes a rough outing when he gave up five runs in three innings against the New York Yankees.Gausman (0-1, 5.40 ERA in one career start against the Pirates) on Tuesday pitched eight scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox last week, yielding one hit with seven strikeouts and one walk in a 1-0 loss."He was outstanding," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said afterward. "That's about as good as it gets against a team operating on all cylinders and giving it their best shot. Kevin was every bit as good." Gausman was asked about the improvement after his gem."I think not trying as hard," he said. "Early on, I was kind of pressing, trying to have a good year right out of the gate, and I think maybe I was just trying to do too much. (I) kind of simplified my delivery and feeling good about my pitches." Rookie right-hander Trevor Williams (6-9, 4.18), who has not faced the Orioles, is scheduled to start for the Pirates.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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9/26/2017 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-108
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-1.5 (+151)
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Over 8.5 (-115)
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-102
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+1.5 (-175)
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Under 8.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Braves' Dickey, contemplating retirement, faces Mets 30m ago• 2 min read NEW YORK -- If the Atlanta Braves have their way, Tuesday night won't be the last or next-to-last time R. A. Dickey pitches for them. If the New York Mets have their way, Tuesday night will be the last time they have to pencil Rafael Montero into the rotation.A pair of right-handers going in opposite directions will square off Tuesday night when the Mets host the Braves in the third game of a four-game series at Citi Field.The teams split a doubleheader Monday, when the Braves won the opener 9-2 and the Mets earned a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.Dickey (10-10, 4.32 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Montero (5-11, 4.32) in a matchup of pitchers separated by 16 years and many more degrees of regard by their teams.Dickey, who turns 43 next month, joined a select group by winning his most recent start last Thursday, when he allowed two runs over eight innings as the Braves beat the visiting Washington Nationals 3-2.The victory was the 10th of the season for Dickey, who is one of only six pitchers -- along with Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke, Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez and Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer -- to post double-digit wins in each of the past six years.Afterward, though, Dickey said he was uncertain if he would be back to attempt a seventh straight 10-win season. The Braves (71-85) hold an $8 million 2018 option on Dickey, who didn't rule out the possibility of retiring."Theoretically, this could be my last start ever at a home venue," Dickey said. "But we're going to make that decision at the end of the season and see how I feel, what goes on there. But tonight was special for me." The Mets (67-90) are not speaking so glowingly of Montero, who turns 27 next month. Montero continued to madden New York last Wednesday, when he dropped his second straight start after giving up five runs over four innings in a 9-2 loss at Miami.Montero has lasted fewer than six innings in each of his past four starts, a stretch in which he is 2-2 with a 6.16 ERA while producing a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 16:14. He struck out 72 and walked just 30 in 15 games (11 starts) from June 15 through Aug. 30."I really don't have an answer for you," Mets manager Terry Collins said regarding Montero's struggles following a loss to the Braves on Sept. 15. "The bases on balls, probably as they have in the past, hurt him." With the Mets expecting to get back injured starters Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler next year, Montero is likely to be stashed at Triple-A Las Vegas if he remains in the organization.Dickey, who won the National League Cy Young Award with the Mets in 2012, is 4-1 with a 3.55 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against his former club. Montero is 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA in five career appearances (one start) against the Braves.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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9/26/2017 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+182
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+1.5 (-110)
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Over 10 (-101)
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-204
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-1.5 (-110)
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Under 10 (-119)
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GAME PREVIEW
Twins seek to wrap up wild card in Cleveland 1h ago• 3 min read CLEVELAND -- Wild-card-hunting Minnesota is hot, but no team is hotter than the Cleveland Indians, who will host the Twins on Tuesday night at Progressive Field in the opener of a three-game series.The Twins come to Cleveland fresh off a four-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit, and Minnesota's magic number for clinching the second American League wild-card spot is two.Minnesota leads the Los Angeles Angels by five games with six to play.The Twins outscored Detroit 39-12 during the sweep."We're going to go into Cleveland, where they don't lose much," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "We get that, but we've just got to try to keep it going." The Indians are epically hot.Since Aug. 24, Cleveland is 29-2, including an American League-record 22-game winning streak. In the Indians' last 17 games away from home, they went 16-1 en route to setting a franchise record for road wins, going 53-28 away from Progressive Field.The Indians are 45-30 at home, 98-58 overall. They need to win just two of their six remaining games to reach the 100-win mark for only the third time in franchise history.Minnesota reached the century mark last year -- in losses. The Twins went 59-103 in 2016, but they have authored an impressive one-year turnaround and are closing in on their first trip to the postseason since 2010."We've talked a lot since the beginning of the season about trying to get this thing going back in the right direction," Molitor said. "We tried to put last year behind us as best we could, maybe try to use it as motivation. But more than anything, it was a tremendous learning experience, even though it was tough to endure at times. So it's been a lot of curves in the road, some good and some not so good. But here we are, with a chance to extend our season." The Indians have already clinched their second consecutive AL Central title, but they also have something to play for in the final week of the regular season. Cleveland is two games ahead of the Houston Astros (96-60) for the best record in the American League while trying to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers (100-57) for the best record in the majors.The Indians are also trying to break in a new center fielder. Second baseman Jason Kipnis, who has made three trips onto the disabled list for various ailments, is trying to make a late-season conversion to center field. He is replacing rookie Bradley Zimmer, who is not expected to return this year after breaking his left hand.Kipnis played center field in college at Arizona State, but had been a second baseman exclusively in the big leagues.Kipnis has started five games in center, and he has not been greatly tested defensively. At the plate, he went 5-for-15 with three RBIs in those games."You're going to see me get more comfortable every game," Kipnis said. "It's nice to get some good at-bats and get some hits. There's one week left, but I'm happy with where I'm at." The pitching matchup Tuesday night will be Cleveland right-hander Josh Tomlin (9-9, 4.98 ERA) vs. Twins right-hander Bartolo Colon (6-14, 6.63 overall).Colon made his major league debut with the Indians on April 4, 1997. The 44-year-old veteran signed with the Twins as a free agent in early July after being released by Atlanta. In 13 starts with the Braves, he was 2-8 with an 8.14 ERA, and in 13 starts with the Twins, he is 4-6 with a 5.33 ERA.Colon started once against the Indians this year, an 8-1 loss on Aug. 15 in which he gave up three runs on seven hits, including three home runs, in five innings. In 13 career starts against Cleveland, he is 7-5 with 3.90 ERA.Tomlin is 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA in three starts against Minnesota this year. He is 5-6 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 career appearances against the Twins.
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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9/26/2017 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+207
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+1.5 (-101)
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Over 8 (-110)
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-233
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-1.5 (-119)
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Under 8 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Blue Jays-Red Sox Preview 22m ago• 3 min read BOSTON -- To say Chris Sale has dominated the Toronto Blue Jays this season would be a gross understatement.Three starts, no runs, 11 hits, two walks and 35 strikeouts. The Blue Jays are hitting .143 against the Boston Red Sox ace, who has a WHIP of 0.59 against them -- and he faces Toronto on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Fenway Park.This season extends positive career numbers for the skinny left-hander against the Jays -- 6-2 with a 1.50 ERA in 11 appearances. That ERA is the lowest of any pitcher ever against Toronto (minimum 50 innings).Sale, 17-7 with a 2.75 ERA and already the 14th pitcher in the modern era with 300 strikeouts in a season, may or may not be behind Cleveland's Corey Kluber (18-4, 2.27 ERA) in the Cy Young Award race as he steams toward the first postseason game of his career.Boston's magic number for clinching its second straight American League East title remained at three when the New York Yankees won on Monday afternoon and the Red Sox lost 6-4 to Toronto on Monday night."Tonight's game. Nothing beyond tonight," Boston manager John Farrell, asked to look ahead at what's coming, said before the Monday game. "That's the attitude that this team has had the entire season. There is no reason to suggest that would change during this final homestand. We love the fact that we are back home." However, the Monday loss raised reason for concern -- 16-game winner Drew Pomeranz lasted just two-plus innings, and Mookie Betts and Eduardo Nunez both left with injuries. More will be known Tuesday on the injured pair, but Betts said after the game he didn't think his painful left wrist was a serious problem.Sale will pitch against left-hander J. A. Happ, who has followed a 20-4 season by going 9-11 with a 3.64 ERA this year. He is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox in 2017. Happ is 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 16 career outings -- 15 starts -- against Boston.Happ gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings on Thursday but took a 1-0 loss against the Kansas City Royals."I think he's throwing the ball just like he did last year," Toronto manager John Gibbons said after that game. "There was a stretch where he might have been missing his two-seamer a little bit, but I think he's starting to get a feel for that a little bit more. Other than that, he has been the same guy. He had to get built up when he came back (from injury), but since then, he's having a nice season." Gibbons likes the way his last-place team, which has battled serious injuries all year, is playing out the schedule. Toronto took two out of three against the Yankees over the weekend before winning Monday night."That was never a concern of mine," Gibbons said. "But at the end of the season when you're out of it, you never know. But not with this group."We'd like to win a couple games here and maybe put a little heat on them over there and if the Yanks keep winning, maybe that'll be -- I don't know if it's gratification, but we'd like it." Neither of the teams has had much success against the lefties who will start Tuesday night.The current Toronto roster is batting .176 against Sale -- Russell Martin 0-for-12, Jose Bautista 1-for-17 (.059), Darwin Barney 1-for-13 (.077), Ryan Goins 1-for-7 (.143), Kevin Pillar 3-for-19 (.158) and Josh Donaldson 5-for-24 (.208).Boston's roster is hitting a cumulative .202 against Happ. Andrew Benintendi is 0-for-7, Xander Bogaerts 1-for-21 (.048), Rajai Davis 1-for-13 (.077), Jackie Bradley Jr. 1-for-12 (.083), Betts 5-for-26 (.192), Dustin Pedroia, who rested his sore knee Monday, 7-for-32 (.219) and Brock Holt 2-for-9 (.222).
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:40 PM EST |
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9/26/2017 7:40 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+179
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+1.5 (-115)
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Over 9.5 (-104)
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-200
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-1.5 (-105)
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Under 9.5 (-116)
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GAME PREVIEW
Brewers begin series vs. Reds with eyes on wild card 32m ago• 3 min read MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers got some help from the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs on their day off Monday, but they still have little room for error as they try to chase down a playoff berth for the first time in six years.The Brewers kick off their stretch run Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series at Miller Park.The Reds stunned the Brewers earlier this month, sweeping a three-game series in Cincinnati by a combined score of 21-8, but revenge isn't the mindset Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell is looking for when the teams meet again this week."I don't think it's about payback," Counsell said. "Obviously, they beat us in three games. We're certainly aware that we have to play well and it's not something we can take lightly."The day off is important for us to get some guys rested. It's an important day, and it's another big series." Perhaps the biggest in what has been a month of big series for the Brewers, who were supposed to be running out the string on another season of rebuilding.Milwaukee's chances of overtaking Chicago for first place in the National League Central all but disappeared over the weekend when the Brewers dropped three of four to the Cubs. Chicago holds a six-game lead on Milwaukee with six to play after beating the St. Louis Cardinals 10-2 on Monday night.The Brewers would have to win out and the Cubs would have to lose their final six games just to force a one-game playoff for the division title.With that scenario unlikely, the focus now is on catching Colorado for the last remaining National League wild-card spot. The Rockies' lead was trimmed to 1 1/2 games over the Brewers when Colorado lost 5-4 to Miami on Monday, but catching up might take a near-perfect finish. The Cardinals are still in the mix, 2 1/2 games behind the Rockies."We just have to win," Counsell said. "We're close enough, to me, where if we take care of our business, there will be a good result." Zach Davies gets the start for Milwaukee in the series opener. He has faced Cincinnati three times this season, going 1-1 with a 2.30 ERA. He held the Reds to two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings during the sweep earlier this month."No matter who we're playing, all of these games matter right now," Davies said, "We just have to play winning baseball now, no matter who it is." He has a 4.50 ERA in three stars since facing Cincinnati. Two of those were seven-inning efforts in which he held the Cubs to three combined runs, sandwiched around a blowup outing against the Marlins, when he allowed six runs in four innings.Like most of his teammates, Davies is pitching in his first-ever playoff race."It's been a fun September already, and now it's going to be a race to the end," Davies said.Cincinnati right-hander Deck McGuire will make his first big league start on Tuesday. A September call-up after going 9-9 with a 2.79 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) for Double-A Pensacola, McGuire has made four relief appearances for the Reds, allowing two hits while striking out four in 5 2/3 scoreless innings."We're certainly aware of the type of season he had in the Southern League," Reds manager Bryan Price said of the 28-year-old Virginia native. "He looks like a capable swing guy -- swing relief, spot starter, or maybe better than that."It is a small sample size, but he is coming off a really nice year in Double-A and coming up and showing his competitiveness and his inherent ability to throw strikes with a full set of pitches. That is attractive. He has opened our eyes."Maybe he is just one of those guys who blooms late." The Reds have won four of their past six meetings with the Brewers, who lead the season series 9-7.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:05 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 8:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-132
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-1.5 (+120)
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Over 9 (-120)
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+119
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+1.5 (-140)
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Under 9 (+100)
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GAME PREVIEW
Astros prepare for playoffs while facing Rangers 1h ago• 2 min read ARLINGTON, Texas -- The final week of the season isn't without its usefulness for the Houston Astros. The American League West champions must settle on a pitching staff and bench with the playoffs on tap.After two more games against the Texas Rangers, there is the issue of facing Boston in the final series of the regular season before a probable matchup with the Red Sox in the AL Division Series. How the Astros approach the series that starts Thursday at Fenway Park could be interesting."Exposing guys to different matchups and things like that is a little tricky, but you can overthink that, too," Houston manager A. J. Hinch said. "You really just need to play the games and compete and let whatever happens happen and not get too caught up in that stuff. We'll address how we're going to attack the Boston series as we get closer to it." Houston (96-60) first must finish up with Texas, which saw its fleeting playoff hopes essentially erased with an 11-2 loss Monday. The two Lone Star State rivals meet Tuesday night in the second of three games at Globe Life Park.The Astros may be without AL hit leader Jose Altuve, who left the Monday game in the eighth inning with a left foreman contusion after getting hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative.The Rangers (76-80) enter Tuesday six games behind Minnesota (82-74) in the race for the second AL wild card with six games to play. Texas will be eliminated from playoff contention with one loss or one Twins win."It's been a must-win for us for the last two weeks," said Andrew Cashner, the losing pitcher for Texas on Monday. "We've put ourselves in the hole at different times this season and responded different. We have to come out and win tomorrow. I knew it was a big game and I tried to do my job and wasn't able to do that today." Houston sends Dallas Keuchel (13-5, 2.96 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday. He is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts against the Rangers this season. In 18 2/3 innings vs. Texas, he has 21 strikeouts and eight walks.The left-hander is 7-8 with a 4.12 ERA in 21 career starts against the Rangers. He lost his most recent outing, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.Keuchel lines up to face Boston on Sunday in the regular-season finale, but it is unlikely he will pitch that day as Hinch sets up the order of his playoff rotation."There's still a lot that we have to sort through before we decide what starters are going to go, what kind of matchups we're going to go with," Hinch said. "To be honest with you, until things are solidified on all fronts, we're not going to spend a ton of time exhausting the what-ifs." Cole Hamels (11-4, 3.80 ERA) looks to continue his mastery of the Astros on Tuesday in his second start against Houston this season. For his career, the 33-year-old lefty is 7-3 with 3.78 ERA in 15 starts against Houston, including a win on Aug. 11 in Arlington in which he tossed seven shutout innings.Hamels is also a perfect 5-0 against the Astros in a Texas uniform. He hasn't lost to the Astros since Sept. 13, 2011, at Houston as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:15 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 8:15 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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+101
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+1.5 (-210)
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Over 8 (-110)
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-111
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-1.5 (+176)
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Under 8 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Cubs look to clinch division title against Cardinals 1h ago• 2 min read ST. LOUIS -- The champagne will be on ice Tuesday night in Busch Stadium when the Cubs face the St. Louis Cardinals, with Chicago trying to clinch its second straight National League Central title.It is taking the Cubs (88-68) much longer to reach this point than it did a year ago, when they poured the bubbly in mid-September and won the division by 17 1/2 games. However, manager Joe Maddon feels his team has finally reached the level of play he has asked for all season."We're definitely arriving at the same mental level we've had the last two seasons," he said Monday night after the Cubs' 10-2 rout of St. Louis. "The guys have been there, done that. They know what it's about." The Cubs can wrap things up Tuesday with a win or a the Milwaukee Brewers loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43 ERA) will try to make sure they walk in through the front door. The right-hander will make his second start since a stint on the 10-day disabled list caused by a hamstring injury.Arrieta returned to the rotation Thursday night in Chicago's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Brewers, pitching five innings and allowing just one run on a solo homer. Arrieta settled for a no-decision.In his career, Arrieta has been tough on the Cardinals, going 8-3 with a 2.06 ERA over 16 starts. That is the lowest ERA by any active pitcher against St. Louis. Arrieta is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA this year in three starts against the Cardinals.Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63 ERA) will oppose Arrieta. It will be Martinez's fifth start of the year against Chicago. Martinez is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in the previous four outings, although his two games in St. Louis have been considerably better than the two at Wrigley Field. He is 4-4 with a 4.55 ERA in 23 career appearances, including 13 starts, against the Cubs.Martinez last pitched Thursday night, notching an 8-5 win in Cincinnati despite giving up nine hits and four runs over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and whiffed six.The Cardinals hope Martinez will have regular batterymate Yadier Molina behind the plate Tuesday. Molina left the Monday game in the seventh inning after taking consecutive foul balls off the mask. He successfully passed the concussion protocol."The first one gave us some concern," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "He said everything was OK and he just needed a second. Unfortunately, the second one got him a little better. At that point, there was not going to be a conversation. We have to get him out." The Monday night defeat officially eliminated the Cardinals (81-75) from the division race. They did manage to stay within 2 1/2 games of Colorado for the NL's second wild-card spot, getting help from Miami, which edged the Rockies 5-4 at Coors Field.St. Louis has a game in hand on Colorado but will need the Rockies to lose at least two more games to have a shot at getting into the wild-card game. The Cardinals also trail Milwaukee by a game in the wild-card race, and St. Louis hosts the Brewers over the weekend to finish the season.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:15 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 8:15 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
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+153
|
+1.5 (-135)
|
Over 9.5 (-119)
|
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-170
|
-1.5 (+115)
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Under 9.5 (-101)
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GAME PREVIEW
Royals limp into final homestand with opener vs. Tigers 7h ago• 3 min read KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals will open their final homestand on Tuesday with the first three games against the Detroit Tigers.Barring a miracle of Biblical proportions, the Royals will not rise to extend their season into the playoffs. Their "tragic" number is one after their Monday loss to the New York Yankees, meaning one loss or one Minnesota victory will result in Kansas City being official eliminated.The Royals went 4-7 on their four-city final trip and ended with a 37-44 road record. They are four games below .500.The list of Kansas City free agents this offseason include Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar, part of the core of the club's back-to-back American League championships and the victorious 2015 World Series team. Also, Jason Vargas, who starts Tuesday, will be a free agent.While the games might be essentially meaningless, manager Ned Yost recognizes the Kansas City fans will want to see their star players again before they likely bolt for greener pastures."You're definitely aware of the possibility that could happen," Yost told the club's website. "These guys have been going so hard this year and they're all beat down. You would really like to just give them a couple days off, but it's hard to do because our fans are going to want to see them."We'll pick spots and give them a day off -- but multiple days off, probably not. We'll just try to balance it so they get a bit of a break, but it doesn't take away from giving our fans a chance to see them play." Yost will get no sympathy from lame-duck Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on a team being beat up.Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera has two bulging disks in his back, a Sunday MRI exam revealed."He's already indicated to me that he wants to go on the road," Ausmus said. "We're certainly not ruling out the possibility that he can play again. I would imagine if he did it would be in a DH role. It really depends on the treatment." Ausmus believes Cabrera should be utilized more as the DH and play fewer games at first base in future seasons."Not only do I think it would benefit him, I think that's probably going to happen. But that's not my call," said Ausmus, who did not have his contract renewed for 2018.Other wounded Tigers are third baseman Jeimer Candelario (swollen right knee) and outfielders Tyler Collins (intercostal muscle issue) and Mikie Mahtook (groin strain). Candelario is expected to return Tuesday, while Mahtook is finished for the season.The Tigers have lost seven straight and are 4-20 in September. One of those victories was a 13-2 rout of the Royals in a game started by Vargas.Anibal Sanchez will start the opener of the series for Detroit. Sanchez will be making his 27th appearance and 16th start this season. He is 3-5 with a 6.68 ERA. Sanchez has thrown six innings and allowed one run in each of his last two starts.Sanchez is 6-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 17 career appearances, 15 of them starts, against Kansas City. He is 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA in two appearances against Kansas City this season. He is 3-3 with a 2.49 ERA in eight career appearances at Kauffman Stadium.Melky Cabrera is 18-for-42 and Hosmer 14-for-40 with one home run off Sanchez.Vargas is 17-10 with a 4.03 ERA in 30 starts this year. Only Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians, each with 18 victories, have won more. Vargas' 17 wins are the most by a Royal since Paul Byrd also won 17 in 2002.Vargas has not fared well against the Tigers this season. He is 0-2, permitting 13 runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:40 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 8:40 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+144
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+1.5 (-130)
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Over 11.5 (-115)
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-160
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-1.5 (+110)
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Under 11.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Rockies face challenge in Marlins' Urena 29m ago• 3 min read DENVER -- Jose Urena, who began the season in the Miami bullpen before becoming the Marlins' best starter, will face the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.The Rockies (84-73) hold a 1 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (82-74) and a 2 1/2-game edge on the St. Louis Cardinals (81-75) in the race for the second National League wild-card berth.The Marlins (74-82) will be trying to clinch the three-game series after their 5-4 victory Monday.Miami manager Don Mattingly said the club was fortunate Urena has emerged, considering only Dan Straily and Adam Conley are left from an Opening Day rotation that already lacked Jose Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident exactly one year ago Monday.When it was suggested that Urena (14-6, 3.55 ERA) has been a godsend, Mattingly quickly agreed. The Marlins are 17-9 in games started by the right-hander, who will be opposed Tuesday by Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson (5-6, 5.24 ERA).Urena, 26, began the season with seven relief appearances before joining the rotation May 7. He is 5-5 with a 3.08 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) in Miami, 9-1 with a 4.08 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) in outings elsewhere."I think he's become less of a thrower," Mattingly said. "He's pitched more. He's always been a guy with a power arm, power stuff. Was still getting to the next level of basically being able to try to get the ball to both sides of the plate, use his breaking ball more often, use his off-speed (stuff), not just trying to overpower guys." Urena's changeup is his best secondary pitch. His slider has improved, and he can sit at 96-97 mph with his fastball. Mattingly said Urena works hard and has a desire to be great."He keeps you in every game, pretty much," Mattingly said. "But sometimes it was 100 pitches in five innings, and we were trying to push him to: 'Hey, you don't have to try and strike everybody out. You can let them put the ball in play. Just make quality pitches, you're going to get outs.'"In four starts this month, Urena is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA. While winning his latest start, Wednesday against the New York Mets, Urena allowed two runs in a season-high-tying eight innings, throwing a season-high 107 pitches in Miami's 9-2 victory.He is 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies, including a no-decision Aug. 11 at Miami when he allowed six hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings and left trailing 3-1 before the Marlins won 6-3. Urena is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one start at Coors Field. He allowed one run and three hits in six innings on June 7, 2015."Guys like playing behind him," Mattingly said. "He works fairly quick. We know he's going to be aggressive. He's not afraid. He's going to attack, no matter who it is and who we're playing." Anderson, who is 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in one career start against the Marlins last year, has given the Rockies' staff a late-season lift. In three games, including two starts, since being reinstated Sept. 10 following left knee surgery in July, Anderson is 2-1 with a 1.72 ERA. In that span, he allowed nine hits, three runs and three walks in 15 2/3 innings with 13 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to a .173 batting average."He's come back with a renewed vigor to contribute," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "I think that's the main thing. He's pitching with a high degree of focus, and physically he's fresh. Velocity's returned, and that's a function of just repetition and being out there."He's built to throw strikes. His intent is to throw strikes. He doesn't work around the zone even though his strength is hitting the glove and hitting spots. He's doing really well, very pleased with where he is."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
9:40 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 9:40 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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|
|
+188
|
+1.5 (-110)
|
Over 9.5 (+100)
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|
-210
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-1.5 (-110)
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Under 9.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
D-backs keep eye on wild-card game with Giants in town 45m ago• 3 min read PHOENIX -- Zack Greinke will start the National League wild-card game for Arizona on Oct. 4, the Diamondbacks announced Monday.Water is wet.Sun rises in east.Still, how the Diamondbacks and No. 1 starter Greinke, 17-8 with a 3.18 ERA, get there is something else again.After Arizona clinched the top NL wild-card spot on Sunday and home-field advantage for the winner-take-all wild-card playoff game, manager Torey Lovullo gave most of his regulars a day off on Monday for what wound up being a 9-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. He said that will be the exception as the team points to the postseason.The Giants and Diamondbacks play the middle game of a three-game series Tuesday at Chase Field.Arizona mainstays Paul Goldschmidt, J. D. Martinez, Jake Lamb and David Peralta will play most if not all of the final five regular-season games, Lovullo said."It is my thought not to take anything for granted or ho-hum our way through the next several games, because no team is good enough to just turn that switch on and be ready for such an important game," Lovullo said. "It's going to be a dress rehearsal for the most important game of the year." The rotation, however, will change this week, Lovullo said, as the date for Greinke's next start is finalized.Greinke was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday in the finale against San Francisco, but Lovullo said Monday night that the ace would not make that start.If Greinke started the Wednesday game, he would have six days of rest before the Oct. 4 wild-card game. He has made one start on six days' rest this season, an 8-4 loss at Colorado on June 20 in which he gave up four runs in 7 1/3 innings. The Rockies are the Diamondbacks' most likely wild-card opponent.So it now appears almost certain that Greinke will start the opener of the final three-game series in Kansas City on Friday, a move that would put Greinke on normal four days' rest for the wild-card game. He is 8-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 14 starts on four days' rest. He is 9-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 14 starts on five days' rest, but that choice is not available because the Diamondbacks do not play Thursday."(Greinke) might be the most important piece in this, but we have four other pitchers we have to talk to and walk through certain things with," Lovullo said. "We are trying to do our absolute best to win (the wild-card) game."We want to make sure that Zack is in the right place, and we are going to get a lot of input from him. Zack is very good at expressing himself accurately. He knows exactly how he is feeling and exactly where he wants to get to. We would be fools if we didn't rely on his input." Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray (14-5, 2.95 ERA) is set to face Giants left-hander Matt Moore (6-14, 5.20) on Tuesday.Ray is 5-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his past six starts since missing 26 days with a concussion. He is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three starts against the Giants this season, with 24 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.83 in seven starts against San Francisco in his career.Moore is coming off his best outing of the season, when he threw six shutout innings in a 4-0 victory over Colorado last Thursday. He gave up six hits, struck out six and walked two in his first scoreless outing of the season."With that team having a lot to play for right now, and for us to pick up (the win), it feels good," Moore said after the game. "We don't have much (we're) playing for this time of year. For us to go out there and compete and not take no for an answer, I think it says a lot." Moore is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts against Arizona this season, and those are his only career appearances against the Diamondbacks.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:05 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 10:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-131
|
-1.5 (+125)
|
Over 8.5 (-105)
|
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|
+118
|
+1.5 (-145)
|
Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
Mariners hope to seal series win over A's 2h ago• 2 min read OAKLAND, Calif. -- A couple of hot-hitting young players will duel a hot young pitcher when the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics square off for the second time in their three-game series Tuesday night.The Mariners (76-81) moved 3 1/2 games ahead of the A's (72-84) in their battle for last place in the American League West with a 7-1 victory on Monday night.Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez reached the 2,500-innings milestone by throwing six strong innings in the win.A Seattle win on Tuesday night would clinch no worse than a tie for fourth place in the West.The Mariners will send left-hander James Paxton (12-5, 3.03 ERA) to the mound to face A's righty Daniel Mengden (2-1, 3.30).Mengden will be seeking his third consecutive impressive effort since being promoted from Triple-A Nashville earlier this month.The 24-year-old gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings during an 11-4 win over the Houston Astros in his first back at the major league level on Sept. 9. He then shut out the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers over a combined 16 innings in his past two starts.Mengden has not walked a batter while allowing just nine hits and striking out 11 in his past two outings.If he is to continue his shutout string, he will have to keep Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger and catcher Mike Zunino in the ballpark. They contributed three home runs to Monday's win.Haniger belted his sixth and seventh homers of September, during which he is hitting .354 (34-for-96).Zunino, meanwhile, got the Mariners rolling Monday night with a three-run shot in the second inning. The homer was his 24th of the season. It also was his 48th extra-base hit of the season, allowing him to pass Dan Wilson (47 in 1997) as the all-time franchise leader for a single season among catchers."It's good to see those guys finish strong," Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Haniger and Zunino, a pair of 26-year-olds. "They're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They're a big part of this organization." Mendgen's goal Tuesday night: Avoid a performance like right-hander Daniel Gossett's in the series opener.The Mariners belted four homers off Gossett in the easy win.Paxton got a home run from Nelson Cruz in a 7-2 win over the A's on July 7. It ran his record to 3-0 with a 3.77 ERA against Oakland in five career starts.The 28-year-old has struck out 30 in his 31 innings against the A's.Paxton won't have to deal with the hottest Oakland hitter, first baseman Matt Olson, who strained his left hamstring on Sunday in the Athletics' win over the Texas Rangers.Olson has homered in six of his past nine games.A's manager Bob Melvin ruled his slugger out of the entire Seattle series, adding that Olson likely is done for the season."He's having a tough time moving around right now," Melvin said. "If I'm handicapping it, there's probably a tough chance for him to come back. Usually these things can be upward of a couple of weeks. Based on the fact that we only have six games left, it's going to be tough for him." The A's finish with four games at Texas starting Thursday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:10 PM EST |
|
9/26/2017 10:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+205
|
+1.5 (-105)
|
Over 7.5 (-115)
|
|
|
-230
|
-1.5 (-115)
|
Under 7.5 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
Dodgers' Puig set to rejoin lineup vs. Padres 1h ago• 3 min read LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers went through a surreal streak of success this summer, followed by a freefall from grace that saw them lose 16 of 17 games.Understandably, there was great relief when the team snapped the slide and clinched the National League West last weekend.The focus subsequently was expected to be on locking down home field for the postseason, but one player interrupted those plans.Right fielder Yasiel Puig, a source of drama since he reached the majors in 2013, was benched for the last two games by manager Dave Roberts for disciplinary reasons.Puig is expected to be back in the lineup Tuesday for the second game of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.On Saturday, Puig tried to steal second on his own in the ninth inning, failed to slide and was thrown out to end a 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.Roberts benched the 26-year-old on Sunday, for that as well as a few other unmentioned lapses in discipline.The emotional outfielder dug the hole deeper Monday when he was late for a mandatory pregame workout. Roberts scratched Puig from the lineup, and Puig didn't play in Los Angeles' 100th victory of the season, a 9-3 decision over the Padres."It has to be clear in the clubhouse that it's about finishing strong as a team. No one player is bigger than the team," the manager said. "He made this decision, not me." Puig has been a lightning rod since he reached the majors. An immensely talented player, he was also regularly undisciplined on and off the field, things reaching a height last season when the Dodgers sent him to the minors, in essence saying it was time for him to get his act together.Puig had been a model citizen in 2017 until the recent incidents."He has made tremendous strides," Roberts said. "It's unfortunate. We talk a lot about accountability as a team. When someone shows up late, there are consequences, as there should be." Roberts said after the Monday win that he and Puig spoke and the situation had started to mend, with the manager adding that Puig should be back in action Tuesday.Puig has been a big part of the team's division-winning season, hitting .259 with a career-high 26 home runs and 70 RBIs to go with Gold Glove-worthy defense.Dodgers lefty Alex Wood (15-3, 2.71 ERA) starts Tuesday, and it could be his last start of the regular season with just five games remaining. At most he might make a brief start in the season finale.In 11 career appearances against the Padres, including seven starts, Wood has a 3-2 record with a 2.57 ERA. This season he is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three appearances, including two starts, against San Diego.Dinelson Lamet will start Tuesday for the Padres. The rookie is 7-7 with a 4.45 ERA this season, but he has a 3.08 ERA and .195 opponents average in his past 11 starts.He was terrific in his first start against the Dodgers earlier this month. Facing Clayton Kershaw, Lamet allowed six hits and a run in six sharp innings but wound up with a tough-luck, 1-0 loss."It was a pleasure to face Kershaw. It definitely motivated me," Lamet said. "I knew I was going to have to give my best effort, and I knew he was going to make pitches, so I had to do the same.Padres manager Andy Green said, "You don't want to lose a game, but to see somebody square off against Kershaw and for the most part match him is terrific. You can't ask for anything more."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2017 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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NHL |
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|
9/26/2017 |
|
FOUND
1
GAME |
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|
POSTPONED |
|
9/26/2017 7:08 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-110
|
OFF
|
Over 4.5 (+451)
|
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OFF
|
-1 (-169)
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Under 4.5 (-666)
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NO PICKS AVAILABLE |
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SOCCER |
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9/26/2017 |
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FOUND
8
MATCHES |
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TENNIS |
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| 9/26/2017 |
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FOUND 1 PICK |
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OTHER |
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| 9/26/2017 |
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FOUND 4 PICKS |
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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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