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ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 |
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MLB |
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6/22/2018 |
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FOUND
16
GAMES |
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COMING
UP
4:10 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 4:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-126
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-1.5 (+121)
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Over 9 (-115)
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+114
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+1.5 (-141)
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Under 9 (-105)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSA's, White Sox kick off series with day-night twinbill 4h ago• 3 min read After rain washed out Thursday's scheduled series opener, the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox will play a day-night doubleheader on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field to kick off a four-game series.The A's will go for their season-high fifth win in a row when they finally take the field on Chicago's South Side.Oakland (38-36) has won four straight games on four occasions this season, including its current stretch, but has yet to make it five. The A's have outscored opponents 28-15 during this week's streak, which includes two wins apiece against the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres.A's hitters slugged five homers in a 12-4 rout of the Padres on Wednesday. The team already has four players with double-digit blasts including Khris Davis (20), Matt Olson (15), Jed Lowrie (11) and the injured Matt Chapman (10)."We definitely have some power," A's manager Bob Melvin told the A's official website. "That's one of the strengths of the team." As Oakland is riding a hot streak, Chicago (24-49) is mired in a seven-game losing streak. A loss in the series opener would give the White Sox their worst skid of the season, which is saying something considering the club's ugly record.White Sox manager Rick Renteria's club has been swept in its last two series, against the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. In Wednesday's series finale, Chicago managed only two hits in a 12-0 shutout loss to the Indians."It's tough, but instead of getting frustrated, we have to keep working, use that feeling to work harder," White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada told the team's official website. "There are still plenty of games to play, and we can improve. We can keep getting better, and if it is not this year, then next year. But definitely the games we have this year, we have a chance to improve." The White Sox will turn to right-hander James Shields (2-8, 4.63 ERA) in the first game of the twin bill. The 36-year-old has pitched at least six innings in 11 consecutive starts as part of a bounce-back season atop the club's rotation.In his career against Oakland, Shields is 6-7 with a 4.86 ERA in 19 games (18 starts). He came in as a reliever in the 14th inning of a game against Oakland in April this season, and gave up two hits, two walks and the game-winning run in two-thirds of an inning.The A's will start the doubleheader with left-hander Sean Manaea (6-6, 3.56 ERA), who grew up in Northwest Indiana, not far from Chicago. The 26-year-old is off to a good start this season with 19 walks and 68 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings.Manaea has never faced the White Sox in his career.In the nightcap, White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (4-7, 7.19 ERA) will look to improve in his 15th start of the season. The former first-round pick of the Washington Nationals (No. 16 overall in 2012) has terrific potential but has been unable to produce consistent results in his first full season in Chicago.Poor command has plagued Giolito, who has 45 walks in 71 1/3 innings. He also has hit 10 batters, which is tied for most in the majors along with Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers and Carlos Martinez of the St. Louis Cardinals.This will mark the 23-year-old's first career appearance against Oakland.For the A's, right-hander Chris Bassitt (0-2, 2.45 ERA) will make his third start of the season in the nightcap. The 29-year-old is seeking his first victory since Aug. 4, 2015, against the Baltimore Orioles.Bassitt is quite familiar with the White Sox, who drafted him in the 16th round in 2011 and developed him in the minors. He went 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in six appearances (five starts) as a rookie in Chicago in 2014.Bassitt has faced the White Sox once in his career, giving up eight hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings on April 5, 2016. He did not get a decision in Chicago's 5-4 victory.On Dec. 9, 2014, the White Sox shipped Bassitt, Marcus Semien, Josh Phegley and minor leaguer Rangel Ravelo to Oakland for Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa. The trade did not pan out as hoped for Chicago, which retained Samardzija for one underwhelming season before he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants.This is the first series of the season between the teams. Last year, Oakland won the season series 5-1.
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-124
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-1.5 (+129)
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Over 7.5 (-105)
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+113
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+1.5 (-149)
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Under 7.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSDiamondbacks could use strong outing from Corbin vs. Pirates 2h ago• 2 min read At a time when the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation is in flux, left-hander Patrick Corbin could do well to give them a good start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.Arizona expects several injured starters to return soon, and roster decisions are coming. Corbin's spot would not seem to be in jeopardy, but he is coming off some inconsistent performances.In early May, he was 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA. He goes into Friday's start with a 6-3 record and a 3.48 ERA and is expected to be matched against Pittsburgh's Ivan Nova (4-5, 4.42).Corbin has given up at least five runs in three of his past four starts, including five against the Pirates at home on June 11.In his most recent outing, a 5-1 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday, he gave up all five runs on eight hits in six innings."Just a couple mistakes there," Corbin said of the game against the Mets. "If I locate better, different outcome." Corbin, who is 1-2 with a 5.90 ERA in five career starts against Pittsburgh, hasn't been completely off lately. He has 19 strikeouts in his past 16 2/3 innings.But against the Mets he could not pinpoint his curveball or his fastball."I just thought the pitch sequencing was a little bit off, and I thought there were a lot of fastball mistakes out over the plate that were hit, and they were handled by the Mets," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "Didn't really get to the secondary stuff the way he typically does, and I think it's more a product of the game plan and sequencing." Lovullo hasn't lost confidence in Corbin."Worrisome? No. Not an issue for me whatsoever. We know that the season is going to have good and bad moments," he said.The Diamondbacks (41-33) cruised to a 9-3 win in the series opener Thursday as the Pirates (36-38) lost for the third time in four games.Pittsburgh dropped two of three last week at Arizona.Nova was initially scheduled to start Thursday, but the Pirates opted to move everyone back a day when Wednesday's game against Milwaukee was rained out, rather than do any shuffling with his rotation."This group right here has shown the ability to be flexible, to be resilient and also shown some benefits from an extra day (of rest) every now and then," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.It didn't pan out that way. Chad Kuhl, who started the opener against Arizona after warming up several times Wednesday when there was false hope that the game against Milwaukee would be played, got rocked by the Diamondbacks for eight runs in two-plus innings.Nova is coming off two good starts, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA since he was removed from the disabled list (sprained finger).On Saturday, he struggled with his curveball, but it didn't stop him from allowing just one run and five hits in six innings of a 6-2 win over Cincinnati."Even though I walked a couple guys, the fastball command is better than what it was before I hit the DL," Nova said. "I think I've been able to control it a bit better. I think that's been the key." Nova is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:05 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 7:05 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+136
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+1.5 (-160)
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Over 8.5 (-105)
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-151
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-1.5 (+140)
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSHarper making strides as Nationals host Phillies 1h ago• 2 min read WASHINGTON -- Bryce Harper made some strides at the plate Thursday night just as the Washington Nationals prepare to welcome the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies to town for a weekend series.Moved back to the leadoff spot by manager Dave Martinez, Harper walked twice and had a sacrifice fly and a double in four plate appearances during a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Harper doubled in the eighth inning of a tie game and came in on Juan Soto's two-run double and the Nationals took two of three from the Orioles."I was able to see a lot of pitches tonight," Harper told the Washington Times after the Nationals (40-33) improved to 9-1 with him in the leadoff spot.Harper began the night hitting .133 (8-for-60) in June, with five walks and 23 strikeouts."My swing has felt great," Harper told mlb.com. "I've felt great the past month and a half or so, just chasing pitches. Tonight, I tried to do the best I could to get a ball over the middle (of the plate), and I was able to do that." The 19-year-old Soto just continues to hit. Thursday night he went 1-for-3 with a walk in the cleanup spot and enters the weekend hitting .326 with six homers and 16 RBIs over 92 major-league at-bats."I think we're all amazed every single day," Washington starter Max Scherzer told mlb.com. "He's a great young player. He's just enjoying himself. He's the bat we kind of need in our lineup right now, that's hot. And teams are going to have to figure out how to get him out, because it's tough right now." Friday night that task falls to Philadelphia right-hander Zach Eflin (4-2, 3.43 ERA). He has won three straight starts, allowing four runs over 18 2/3 innings while striking out 17 batters and walking just three after pitching five effective innings Saturday in Milwaukee.Elfin will be making his first career start against Washington, which counters with right-hander Tanner Roark (3-7, 3.87).Roark gave up four runs on eight hits over four innings of in an 8-6 loss at Toronto on Sunday.On May 5 he lost to the Phillies in Washington when he allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings. For his career, he is 6-7 with a 3.98 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) versus the Phillies.The Phillies (39-33) trail the second-place Nationals by one-half game in the NL East and trail the Braves by 3 1/3 games. Philadelphia has won seven of its last 10 games and has taken three straight series -- against Colorado, at Milwaukee and against St. Louis -- as it begins a 10-game stretch against the Nationals and Yankees."I think coming off this series, we anticipate a highly-competitive series against a good ballclub on the road, and it seems like we're ready for that challenge," Philadelphia right-hander Jake Arrieta told mlb.com.Off on Thursday, the Phillies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday.Odubel Herrera hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the seventh inning to go along with a single and a double."It was one of those 'Wow' moments," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told the Courier Post. "He's so hot, but he's such an incredible athlete. It's really elite barrel accuracy. I don't know how to describe it. He just knows how to find the barrel, find the sweet spot." Herrera is hitting .419 (13-for-31) with two doubles, five home runs, eight RBIs in the past seven games. He is 13-for-31 (.419) versus Roark.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-145
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-1.5 (+110)
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Over 8.5 (-105)
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+131
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+1.5 (-130)
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSQuintana, Castillo seeking better results as Cubs face Reds 2h ago• 3 min read Chicago Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana did not want to be leave the game his last time out, but he did. Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo does not want the ball to keep leaving the ballpark against him, but it does.The NL Central rival Cubs and Reds continue their four-game weekend series at Great American Ball Park with an interesting matchup of two pitchers who have done well against their Friday night opponent yet are struggling of late.Quintana (6-5) was nearly flawless his last time out against the Reds, limiting them to a Scott Schebler single over seven innings while striking out seven and walking four during a 10-0 victory in the second game of a May 19 doubleheader.In the first game of that doubleheader, Castillo (4-8) didn't get the decision as the Reds won 5-4 in 11 innings, but he held the Cubs to one run on six hits despite walking six in five innings. He is 0-0 in two career starts against Chicago with an impressive 0.82 ERA while limiting them to eight hits over 11 innings.Similarly, Quintana is very good against the Reds, going 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA while striking out 16 in 16 2-3 innings over three career starts. He could use another good start Friday, as the Reds ran their winning streak to four games they've won seven of nine by overcoming a two-run deficit to beat Chicago 6-2 on Thursday night.That's what's good for the two starting pitchers. Here's what's bad.Quintana is winless in his last three starts, and he was lifted Sunday from a scoreless game against the Cardinals after two runners reached in the sixth. They came around to score against the Cubs bullpen, and Quintana ended up taking the loss as St. Louis went on to win 5-0."All the time, I wanted to keep going," said Quintana, who was removed after throwing 86 pitches. "I feel like I pitched really good. It's a tough game, zero-zero." Most of the Reds' top batters struggle against QuintanaEugenio Suarez is 1-for-9 (.111), Scooter Gennett is 1-for-8 (.125) and Joey Votto is 2-for-8 (.250).Castillo also hasn't been able to win lately, losing his last four starts while giving up an alarming six home runs and 16 earned runs over 20 2-3 innings. His velocity is down from his rookie season a year ago, and his ERA is way up from 3.12 to 5.77.Too many of his pitches have been going up and out of the ballpark and he leads the NL with 17 homers allowed while going winless since May 24.In his last start Saturday, a 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Castillo gave up two homers among his six hits allowed over five innings, one of them on a 93-mph fastball to Elias Diaz. A year ago, Castillo often touched 100 mph with a four-seam fastball that averaged 97.4 mph."I'm trying to do my best," Castillo said through an interpreter. "Every time I go out there, I give up like one or two home runs. I really don't know what's happening right now. I'm just going to keep working down in the bullpen (between starts)." Castillo's slump, and his apparent velocity drop, are concerning to the Reds because he was 3-0 in his previous four starts before beginning his slide.Castillo's low ERA against the Cubs is reflected in some of their top hitters lack of success against him. Javier Baez is 0-for-5 (.000) and Anthony Rizzo is 1-for-6 (.167).?The Cubs didn't do much offensively Thursday, either, as right-hander Matt Harvey (2-5) made the best of his eight starts with the Reds, holding Chicago to two runs and five hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked only one."He was really good. He just shut them down," Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. "He's getting better and better." Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (5-7) breezed through the first five innings without giving up a run but was lifted after walking Suarez with the bases loaded to force in a run. Left-handed reliever Randy Rosario promptly gave up the first career grand slam by the left-handed hitting Jesse Winker, and the Reds added one more run in the inning."Some really great at-bats in the inning," Riggleman said. "And the big hit speaks for itself." The loss dropped the Cubs one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-145
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-1.5 (+110)
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Over 7.5 (+100)
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+131
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+1.5 (-130)
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Under 7.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSDodgers, Mets set for first meeting 3h ago• 3 min read NEW YORK -- The Los Angeles Dodgers aren't currently occupying a playoff spot, but manager Dave Roberts spoke confidently Wednesday about playing in the postseason. New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway, on the other hand, is beginning to sound like a skipper who knows his team will be long forgotten by October.Two teams headed in opposite directions will square off for the first time this season Friday night when the Mets host the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.Right-hander Zack Wheeler (2-5, 4.82 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Mets against Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood (2-5, 4.22).Both teams are coming off series-deciding losses. The Mets suffered their third straight defeat Thursday when they fell to the host Colorado Rockies 6-4 in the finale of a four-game set. The visiting Dodgers were off Thursday after losing to the Chicago Cubs 4-0 in the last game of a three-game series Wednesday afternoon.The series loss was the first in 10 series for the Dodgers (38-35), who are 21-9 since dropping two of three to the Miami Marlins from May 15 to May 17. The hot streak vaulted them from fourth place in the National League West to second place during the surge and gained 5 1/2 games on the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks, who hold a 2 1/2 game lead heading into Friday's action.In addition, Los Angeles has moved two games behind the Washington Nationals in the race for the second NL wild card.The Dodgers did all this despite getting little to no contributions from stars such as Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, all of whom have been on the disabled list for the last five weeks, and Cody Bellinger, who has struggled most of the season. No wonder Roberts sounded so confident after Wednesday's loss."We're going to be somewhere in October," Roberts told reporters. "I can't speak to the opponent, but we're going to be somewhere." It will take a miracle for the Mets (31-41) to be anywhere but a golf course when the playoffs begin. New York, which has lost 40 of 60 since an 11-1 start, is 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East and 8 1/2 games back in the wild-card race.The Mets' slide has been marked by extreme highs and lows on both sides of the ball. They have scored 42 runs in the last six games, a span in which the pitching staff posted a 5.14 ERA.New York scored just 42 runs in 17 games from May 28 through June 15, during which its pitchers posted a 4.13 ERA."There's no magic pill or magic wand to make everything sync up at the same time," Callaway told reporters Thursday afternoon. "I think that's been the tale of our season so far. Even when we're not winning games, we have a part of us that's going good. We just have trouble getting (everything) to sync up at the same time so we can get on a good run again." Wheeler didn't factor into the decision in his most recent start on Sunday, when he gave up two runs in six innings as the Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3. Wood won the last time he took the mound last Saturday when he allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in the Dodgers' 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.Wheeler lost his lone career start against the Dodgers on June 19, 2017, when he surrendered seven runs in two innings as the Mets fell 10-6. Wood is 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in eight career starts against the Mets.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
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6/22/2018 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-157
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-1.5 (+100)
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Over 8 (+100)
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+141
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+1.5 (-120)
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Under 8 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSRed-hot Yanks take on Rays 5h ago• 2 min read ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball at 50-22, and they've rarely been better than against the Tampa Bay Rays this season.The Yankees won their first five meetings with the Rays this season by a combined margin of 31-10 before losing Sunday, and they're back again for a weekend series at Tropicana Field, having won seven of eight overall after a sweep of the Mariners.New York has been dominant for many reasons, but a strong bullpen is certainly one of them, with a collective ERA of 2.86, second only to Houston among American League teams. Part of that has been solid starting pitching requiring less use of relievers. The Yankees' relievers have thrown close to 70 innings fewer than the Rays have in grinding out a 3.73 ERA in a league-high workload."They've been terrific," manager Aaron Boone said of New York's relievers. "They protect each other, because many guys have stepped up. ... It's a big reason. We're built in a lot of ways around that great bullpen. They continue to deliver." The Rays (34-40) have lost five of seven and have sorely missed that continuity in their starting rotation, continuing to rely on relievers working as "openers" on patchwork bullpen days. Such will be the case in Friday's opener, with right-hander Ryne Stanek (1-1, 2.21 ERA) getting the ball first, but expected to go little more than the first inning.Stanek has pitched exceptionally well in that role, however. In eight June appearances, he has an 0.00 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, having allowed only three hits with 12 strikeouts against three walks. Until their recent skid, the Rays had continued to hover around .500 baseball despite trading away major parts of last year's team in exchange for prospects.Stanek started last Saturday's game against the Yankees, and allowed one hit and no runs in 1 1/3 innings in a game New York won 4-1. He has faced the Yankees five times in his career, inclding that one start, and is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA over 4 1/3 innings.The Rays got one key player back after missing two months with injury in center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, whose defense is among the league's best. His bat has yet to come around this season, though. He is 0-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list, lowering his season average to .135."He's fine. He'll get going," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Unfortunately, KK got off to a rough start. Those numbers are going to be ugly for a little while, but I'm confident he'll get going ... I'm very confident." The Rays will face a familiar face Friday in Yankees starter C. C. Sabathia, who is 4-2 this season with a 3.30 ERA, with one of those two losses coming Sunday against the Rays in New York. Sabathia pitched into the eighth but gave up a season-high 10 hits, allowing three runs in a 3-1 loss while striking out a season-high 10 batters and walking only one.Sabathia has faced the Rays 46 times in his career, and no opponent has more wins against him than the Rays -- he's 16-15 all-time, with a 3.76 ERA.New York goes into the series with a considerable head of steam. They're 17-4 in their last 21 games, putting them on pace to challenge the best starts by any team at this stage in the season.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+121
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+1.5 (-165)
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Over 9.5 (+100)
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-134
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-1.5 (+144)
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Under 9.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSMariners visit Red Sox for second series matchup in a week 2h ago• 3 min read BOSTON -- Last Saturday in Seattle, Mariners left-hander Wade LeBlanc pitched what had to be the game of his journeyman career in outdueling Steven Wright and handing the Boston Red Sox a 1-0 defeat.The Mariners haven't won since as they head into Friday night's rematch between the two pitchers in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night at Fenway Park.The Red Sox won the Sunday game in Seattle and then lost the first two games in Minnesota before rebounding a 9-2 win and Rick Porcello's ninth win of the season on Thursday.After losing the game Sunday, the Mariners were swept in a three-game series by the Yankees in the Bronx -- to start a difficult 10-game swing through the East that concludes with a four-game series in Baltimore.LeBlanc, who has been pitching well in his latest role, is 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA and has yielded only 11 earned runs in nine starts -- capped by 7 2/3 shutout innings (two hits, no walks, nine strikeouts) against the Red Sox.He is just 33-35 with a 4.23 ERA in his career, but much of the negative numbers are in the past -- at least for now.After beating the Red Sox, he said, "That's a stout lineup over there, but the fact that me and Z (catcher Mike Zunino) were able to mix things up and put them in the rocking chair makes things easier. Everything was executed and that's really all I can say. It's the most important thing for me -- it's to execute pitches. Today, me and Z were able to do that." But the team has faltered since, blowing a 5-0 lead in Wednesday's game before losing 4-3 on Thursday."Coming in here, we have been playing very good baseball," said Seattle manager Scott Servais, whose team has dropped five of its last seven. "We know what kind of ballclub they have with the power and the bullpen. I thought we were right in the game the last couple of days."But you have to hit on the road. You have to get big hits on the road. We just didn't get it done. It doesn't detract or take away from anything that we've done to this point. Our guys are not down at all." The Boston bats snoozed through the first two games in Minneapolis, wasting starts by Chris Sale and David Price. The bats broke out Thursday, avoiding the sweep and leaving the Red Sox (50-26) as one of three American League teams with 50 wins."I think it was just a couple of tough days," Mookie Betts, who hit is 19th homer of the season Thursday, said after the game. "We came out ready to swing it and it just showed what we can do." Wright has been outstanding since making his delayed 2018 debut (after knee surgery and a 15-game MLB suspension). He is 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA and gave up just the one losing run in the matchup with LeBlanc."He's been great. Outstanding, really," Cora said. "I heard a lot of good things about him before I got here and he's showed why." He is 2-2 with a 1.31 ERA in four games (two starts) against the Mariners. Kyle Seager is 3-for-9 and Nelson Cruz 2-for-6 (both .333), and Zunino is 1-for-8 (.125) and Dee Gordon 1-for-6 (.167) against the knuckleballer.LeBlanc is 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three career starts against Boston. The Current Red Sox roster is a combined 3-for-16 against him. J. D. Martinez is 2-for-3 (.667) and no one has with more than three at-bats against him.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 7:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+179
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+1.5 (-123)
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Over 9.5 (-105)
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-200
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-1.5 (+103)
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Under 9.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSBieber, Indians take on Tigers 5h ago• 2 min read CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians have spent much of the first half of the season looking for a dependable No. 5 starter for their rotation to slot in behind Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger.The Indians think they might now have found their No. 5, and he will be on the mound Friday night at Progressive Field against the Detroit Tigers.He's 23-year-old right-hander Shane Bieber. A fourth-round pick by the Indians in the 2016 draft out of UC Santa Barbara, Bieber (1-0, 3.97 ERA) will be making his third start for the Indians, which he landed with his strong performance in the minor leagues this year.In a combined 12 starts at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, Bieber was 10-5 with a 1.29 ERA. In 76 innings, he struck out 72 and only walked six.Bieber is a premier strike thrower. In 2017, pitching at three minor league levels, he was 10-5 with a 2.86 ERA. In 173 innings, he had 162 strikeouts and only 10 walks.Bieber's last major league start came June 17, a 4-1 win over Minnesota, in which he pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run, 10 hits, with seven strikeouts and one walk."He comes as advertised. He threw a lot of strikes, with one walk. He gave up a lot of hits, but because he didn't walk anyone, and executed a lot of good pitches with men on base, he came away allowing just one run," Indians manager Terry Francona said.Bieber has made two spot starts for the Indians this year, but after his last one, team officials decided to give Bieber a longer look in the rotation."This is the first time he's pitched for us and not gone back down (to the minors) after he pitched," Francona said. "I think settling into a routine at the big-league level will be good for him. To be able to watch guys like (Corey) Kluber during the week will really help. The people in our player development department rave about his temperament, his makeup and his work ethic." The Indians come into Friday's game riding a four-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opposition 28-6. That includes a three-game sweep of the White Sox in which they outscored Chicago 24-5.Bieber's mound opponent Friday night will be right-hander Mike Fiers, who has pitched well against Cleveland during his career.In two starts against the Indians this year, Fiers is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, having allowed two runs and eight hits in 13 innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks. In six career starts against Cleveland, Fiers is 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA.Fiers' last start was a 4-3 Tigers win over the Chicago White Sox on June 15. Fiers worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk. He did not get the decision.Although the Tigers are three games below .500 at 36-39, they come into Friday's game in second place in the American League Central, five games behind the division-leading Indians. Detroit had a five-game winning streak snapped by losing both games of a brief two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday with Cincinnati.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
7:35 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 7:35 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+162
|
+1.5 (-135)
|
Over 8.5 (-105)
|
|
|
-180
|
-1.5 (+115)
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Under 8.5 (-115)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSBest meets worst as Braves host Orioles 2h ago• 2 min read The Atlanta Braves, tied for the best record in the National League, return home from their brief two-game road trip to host the Baltimore Orioles, the team with the worst record in baseball.The three-game interleague series begins on Friday at SunTrust Park.Baltimore will start right-hander Alex Cobb (2-9, 7.14) against Atlanta left-hander Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70) in the series opener.The Braves (43-30) split two games at Toronto and return home having won seven of their last 10 games. Atlanta has a three-game lead over Washington in the National League East.The Orioles (21-52) have lost eight of their last 10 games. They dropped two of three games at Washington, although all of the games were within three runs.Newcomb has made enjoyed a breakthrough season in his second year in the majors. Newcomb has posted two scoreless starts over his last three appearances, most recently on June 16 against San Diego. He struck out seven and allowed two hits in that six-inning start, which he won. That was a bounce-back for the southpaw, who had allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings against Los Angeles in his previous start."After you have a good one, you've got to be able to clear it and look forward to the next one," Newcomb said. "You've got to treat each start as kind of a new thing, whether you had a good one or a bad one. That allows you to go out fresh every time." Newcomb leads the team in wins and has allowed two or fewer runs in ten of his 14 starts. He has never faced the Orioles."It's good to see that maturity and confidence in him now," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "There's no panic. I love how he stays pitch-to-pitch during a game. It's just a young pitcher who is confident in what he's doing and has faith in himself." Cobb has made five quality starts in 12 previous outings but has not pitched well in his last two starts, both losses. He allowed five runs in seven innings against Miami on June 16 and was rocked for nine runs in 3 2/3 innings against Toronto in June 10."Being out there and feeling comfortable is such a thing you take for granted," Cobb said. "I'm just really comfortable where I'm at. I'm able to execute a high amount of pitches. That's going to lead to some success." He has one career start against the Braves in 2012. He allowed two runs in seven innings and struck out six in earning the victory.With the series in Atlanta, Baltimore will not be able to use a designated hitter. That may be OK with Mark Trumbo, who is hitting .349 (15-for-43) in 13 games playing in the field, compared to hitting .233 in 27 games as the DH.Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman has been among the league leaders all season. He leads the National League total bases (162) and is second in on-base percentage (.420) and slugging percentage (.579). His 93 hits are tied with teammate Nick Markakis for the league lead. His .332 batting average is second only to Scooter Gennett's .336 mark.The Orioles are expected to get slugger Chris Davis back in the lineup on Friday. He has missed eight games while making offensive adjustments after hitting .150 with 86 strikeouts in 57 games."I'm really looking forward to getting him back on the field," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "I'm really looking forward to getting the impactful player he's capable of being."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 8:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+109
|
+1.5 (-210)
|
Over 8.5 (+100)
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|
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-119
|
-1.5 (+176)
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Under 8.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSThames adjusting to left field as Brewers host Cardinals 2h ago• 3 min read Seven years after making his major league debut as an outfielder, Eric Thames is getting reacquainted with the position for the Milwaukee Brewers.Normally Milwaukee's first baseman, Thames has started three straight games in the outfield -- including two in a row in left -- and has seen the bulk of his action there since returning from a 41-game stint on the disabled list earlier this month.Manager Craig Counsell has Thames in the outfield as he tries to keep Thames left-handed power bat in the lineup alongside right-hander slugger Jesus Aguilar.Thames will likely stay in the outfield Friday night as the Brewers continue a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park.Thames played left field and drove in three runs as Milwaukee began the series with an 11-3 win on Thursday.Aguilar took over as the everyday first baseman when Thames suffered a thumb injury April 25 and has thrived ever since. Aguilar is tied with Travis Shaw for the team lead with 14 home runs.With the benefit of added offense also comes liability: Thames spent three years playing first base in the Korean League and made just 15 outfield appearances when the Brewers brought him back to the major leagues last season, so there is a little fine-tuning with Thames' defensive skills."It's not new for him but it is unfamiliar, and we recognize that," Counsell said. "We understand this isn't a regular position at this point. There's going to be some rough edges there, but he's shown that he can handle the basics."There was a ball he misplayed in Pittsburgh, but he came back and made two very nice plays. That's what we're going to get and that's what we've got to be willing to live with." Counsell is willing to sacrifice a little on defense if it means getting the kind of pop Aguilar and Thames are capable of."I think having both of those bats in the lineup is reward enough for that," Counsell said.Junior Guerra (3-5, 2.89 ERA) will make a second consecutive start a day after the Brewers scored 10 runs or more. He's hoping Friday turns out better than the last time, when Milwaukee followed an 11-run outburst against Philadelphia with a 4-1 loss.Guerra pitched well in that outing. He allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings but took the loss for the second time in three starts and is looking for his first victory since May 14 despite posting a 2.67 ERA in the six starts since.Guerra has already started two games against the Cardinals this season, and is 1-0 in those games while allowing just one run over 11 1/3 innings. He gave up one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 victory over the Cards on April 11. Guerra did not get a decision when he faced St. Louis on May 30, although he pitched shutout ball in his six innings, and the Brewers eventually won 3-2.He is 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA in six career starts against the Cardinals.St. Louis has dropped eight of 11 after committing four errors on Thursday and will start right-hander Jack Flaherty (3-2, 2.66).Flaherty has allowed just one earned run over his last two starts, spanning 11 1/3 innings and has held opponents to no more than a run in six of his nine starts this season.He held the Cubs scoreless over five innings his last time out on Sunday, striking out nine but didn't take a decision in the Cardinals' 5-0 victory."I was able to battle and execute when I needed to," Flaherty said. "I threw a lot of pitches in a short amount of time. I was hoping to go deeper, but that's how it goes sometimes." Flaherty is facing Milwaukee for the second time this season and the third time in his short career.He made his first start against the Brewers in the 2017 finale at Busch Stadium, going five innings and giving up five hits and four runs and taking the loss. Flaherty made his 2018 debut at Miller Park back in April. He held Milwaukee to a run on six hits while striking out nine but took no decision in the Cardinals' 5-4 loss.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 8:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+268
|
+1.5 (+134)
|
Over 8.5 (+100)
|
|
|
-305
|
-1.5 (-154)
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Under 8.5 (-120)
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSAstros stick with short bullpen against Royals 4h ago• 2 min read HOUSTON -- Houston Astros manager A. J. Hinch occasionally bristles at conventional methodology, particularly given the availability of superior data and how its dissemination shapes decisions.For instance, last Friday in Kansas City, the Astros (50-26) recalled first baseman Tyler White to take the roster spot of left-handed reliever Reymin Guduan, who made one appearance two days earlier before being placed on the paternity list for the birth of his child.That move left the Astros one arm short in the bullpen and, when Guduan exhausted his time on the paternity list, the organization returned him to Triple-A Fresno instead of recalling him to Houston.The Astros have completed two series with an extra position player on their bench, a move that some might consider unorthodox but one Hinch is reticent to harp on, despite being asked about his roster configuration more than once in the past week."In the heat in Kansas City, it was nice to have an extra guy when we won by a lot," Hinch said of a 10-2 victory on June 16. "Maneuvering some pinch-hit opportunities has been key. Obviously, it allowed us to start an all right-handed lineup (Tuesday against Rays left-hander Blake Snell) and give (second baseman Jose) Altuve most of the day off."Our starters have gone pretty deep ... the last two outings, which has allowed the bullpen to get rested. It feels a little different to have seven relievers, but in actuality, that's too many. I'd have five position players on the bench if I could." The Astros, who will open a three-game series with the Royals on Friday at Minute Maid Park, will stand pat with seven relievers for the immediate future.Right-hander Joe Smith, currently on the 10-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation, has begun a throwing program and is poised for a return to the active roster that could reset the bullpen balance.Left-hander Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 4.15 ERA) will start the opener for Houston. He is 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals and picked up the win over Kansas City in his last start, allowing two unearned runs, six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings in a 10-2 victory on June 16.Keuchel had been 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA in his previous five starts.The Royals will counter with left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7, 5.55 ERA) on Friday. Duffy surrendered seven runs (six earned), seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings of his previous start, a 10-2 loss to the Astros on June 16. He is 2-3 with a 5.29 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against Houston.Kansas City (22-52) has dropped nine consecutive games and 15 of 16 overall, including all three games during a series against the Astros last weekend at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals are batting .188 this month, their worst record in any month under ninth-year manager Ned Yost.The Royals last won a road series on May 21-23, taking the final two games of a three-game set at St. Louis.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 8:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-109
|
+1.5 (-225)
|
Over 9 (-115)
|
|
|
-101
|
-1.5 (+188)
|
Under 9 (-105)
|
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSBanged-up Twins visit Rangers 3h ago• 2 min read The Minnesota Twins head into the weekend riding high after taking consecutive series from Cleveland and Boston but could be shorthanded Friday night when they open a three-game set with the Texas Rangers at Target Field.Eduardo Escobar left in the fourth inning of Minnesota's 9-2 loss to the Red Sox Thursday after he took a Rick Porcello fastball to the right elbow.The AL leader with 32 doubles this season, Escobar has been red-hot this month, batting .386 with an .800 slugging percentage in 70 June at-bats.Manager Paul Molitor said Escobar would be re-evaluated Friday."He's sore and swollen," Molitor said. "I think it got the bottom of the triceps more than on the elbow. We tried to see if he was able to continue, and he gave it a go, but you could tell he was having trouble swinging in that second at-bat." Eddie Rosario was scratched prior to the game Thursday with soreness in his right shoulder. He leads the team with 16 homers this season and has been having a good month as well, batting .357 with a .757 slugging percentage.Rosario said he'd be back in the lineup against Texas and Molitor admitted resting the 26-year-old was a precautionary move."I just think we're trying to keep the big picture in mind," Molitor said. "So, we're gonna back him off. It's just one of those things where you think what you're doing is best for the player for the long term." The Twins are already without second baseman Miguel Sano, who was optioned to Class A Fort Meyers to work on hitting the slider, and center fielder Byron Buxton, whose fractured toe has shown improvement but not enough to return from a minor league rehab assignment.Missing all that firepower will leave right-hander Fernando Romero a much smaller margin for error as he takes the mound for his 10th career start.Romero has cooled off since going 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA through his first four big league outings, going 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA over his last five. That number is somewhat skewed by an eight-run disaster at Kansas City back on May 30, but Romero's strikeout rate has plummeted from 9.11 per nine innings to 5.95 over his last four starts."Gosh, there's still a lot to like," Molitor said. "The way that he's been able to get the ball on the ground pretty consistently, especially the way he can get in on righties." In his first start against Texas, Romero will face a Rangers' lineup that is feeling good after sweeping the Royals earlier in the week and has won five in a row overall.Rougned Odor has been a catalyst for the Rangers' recent success. He was hitting .169 exactly one month ago but has batted .267 with a .761 OPS in the 26 games since to raise his average to .226."I believe he's progressively gotten better," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "He's showed progress where we need him to show progress. Odor has been a significant player on this team and will continue to be a significant player." Left-hander Mike Minor gets the start for Texas.He held the Rockies to two runs over seven innings in his last outing, giving him a second consecutive quality start for the first time since earning six in a row for the Braves back during the 2014 season.Friday will mark Minor's first career start against the Twins.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:10 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 8:10 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-131
|
-1.5 (+120)
|
Over 9 (-120)
|
|
|
+118
|
+1.5 (-140)
|
Under 9 (+100)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSA's, White Sox kick off series with day-night twinbill 10h ago• 3 min read After rain washed out Thursday's scheduled series opener, the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox will play a day-night doubleheader on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field to kick off a four-game series.The A's will go for their season-high fifth win in a row when they finally take the field on Chicago's South Side.Oakland (38-36) has won four straight games on four occasions this season, including its current stretch, but has yet to make it five. The A's have outscored opponents 28-15 during this week's streak, which includes two wins apiece against the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres.A's hitters slugged five homers in a 12-4 rout of the Padres on Wednesday. The team already has four players with double-digit blasts including Khris Davis (20), Matt Olson (15), Jed Lowrie (11) and the injured Matt Chapman (10)."We definitely have some power," A's manager Bob Melvin told the A's official website. "That's one of the strengths of the team." As Oakland is riding a hot streak, Chicago (24-49) is mired in a seven-game losing streak. A loss in the series opener would give the White Sox their worst skid of the season, which is saying something considering the club's ugly record.White Sox manager Rick Renteria's club has been swept in its last two series, against the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. In Wednesday's series finale, Chicago managed only two hits in a 12-0 shutout loss to the Indians."It's tough, but instead of getting frustrated, we have to keep working, use that feeling to work harder," White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada told the team's official website. "There are still plenty of games to play, and we can improve. We can keep getting better, and if it is not this year, then next year. But definitely the games we have this year, we have a chance to improve." The White Sox will turn to right-hander James Shields (2-8, 4.63 ERA) in the first game of the twin bill. The 36-year-old has pitched at least six innings in 11 consecutive starts as part of a bounce-back season atop the club's rotation.In his career against Oakland, Shields is 6-7 with a 4.86 ERA in 19 games (18 starts). He came in as a reliever in the 14th inning of a game against Oakland in April this season, and gave up two hits, two walks and the game-winning run in two-thirds of an inning.The A's will start the doubleheader with left-hander Sean Manaea (6-6, 3.56 ERA), who grew up in Northwest Indiana, not far from Chicago. The 26-year-old is off to a good start this season with 19 walks and 68 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings.Manaea has never faced the White Sox in his career.In the nightcap, White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (4-7, 7.19 ERA) will look to improve in his 15th start of the season. The former first-round pick of the Washington Nationals (No. 16 overall in 2012) has terrific potential but has been unable to produce consistent results in his first full season in Chicago.Poor command has plagued Giolito, who has 45 walks in 71 1/3 innings. He also has hit 10 batters, which is tied for most in the majors along with Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers and Carlos Martinez of the St. Louis Cardinals.This will mark the 23-year-old's first career appearance against Oakland.For the A's, right-hander Chris Bassitt (0-2, 2.45 ERA) will make his third start of the season in the nightcap. The 29-year-old is seeking his first victory since Aug. 4, 2015, against the Baltimore Orioles.Bassitt is quite familiar with the White Sox, who drafted him in the 16th round in 2011 and developed him in the minors. He went 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in six appearances (five starts) as a rookie in Chicago in 2014.Bassitt has faced the White Sox once in his career, giving up eight hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings on April 5, 2016. He did not get a decision in Chicago's 5-4 victory.On Dec. 9, 2014, the White Sox shipped Bassitt, Marcus Semien, Josh Phegley and minor leaguer Rangel Ravelo to Oakland for Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa. The trade did not pan out as hoped for Chicago, which retained Samardzija for one underwhelming season before he signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants.This is the first series of the season between the teams. Last year, Oakland won the season series 5-1.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
8:40 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 8:40 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+205
|
+1.5 (+105)
|
Over 11 (-105)
|
|
|
-230
|
-1.5 (-125)
|
Under 11 (-115)
|
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSRockies look to stay hot vs. visiting Marlins 4h ago• 3 min read DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies begin a weekend series Friday with the Miami Marlins, hoping to finish a homestand by taking advantage of another National League East laggard.A 6-4 win over the New York Mets on Thursday enabled the Rockies to take three of four games in that series. The Marlins (29-46), who were off Thursday, have the worst road record (15-25) in the NL but have won nine of their past 16 games overall. They are 3-3 on a road trip that included stops in Baltimore and San Francisco and will end in Denver."This has been a good little three-game swing for us," Rockies manager Bud Black said after his team beat the Mets for the third straight time. "We were scuffling a little bit on the mound. We were starting to hit. So collectively, these three hopefully produce a little momentum going forward." The Rockies (37-38) broke their major-league record-tying string of allowing at least eight runs in nine consecutive home games but have won a season-high tying three straight games at Coors Field where they are 14-20.Jon Gray (6-7 5.89) will start for the Rockies against Marlins left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (2-3, 5.91). Gray is 0-2, 7.36 in his past two starts, the most recent Sunday at Texas where he gave up one run in five innings and left after giving up five runs and facing four batters in the sixth. The last was Jurickson Profar, who hit a two-run homer that gave the Rangers a 6-5 lead. Gray ended up with a no-decision in what became a 13-12 loss to the Rangers.Gray is 1-2, 6.75 in four starts against the Marlins and 3-3, 6.45 in seven starts at home this season.Chen gave up three runs in six innings Saturday at Baltimore and won 5-4. It was his first victory in nine starts since he made his 2018 debut against the Rockies in Miami and held them to one run in 5 1/3 innings.Chen is 1-3, 8.88 in six starts on the road this season. He's 1-1, 7.07 in three starts against the Rockies and will be pitching at Coors Field for the first time.The Marlins scored three runs in the ninth Monday to beat the Giants 5-4. They are coming off a 6-5 loss Wednesday to the Giants. In that game, Miami came back from a 5-1 deficit and scored two runs in the seventh and two more in the ninth before J. B. Shuck struck out to end the game with runners on first and second. For a young team in a total rebuild like the Marlins, a stirring comeback win followed two games later by a close-but-not-quite effort can help."If we're going to grow," veteran Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin said after Wednesday's game, "these are the kinds of series that you need to be in. The type of series where the fans come at you. I think series like this can help a young team like us grow, more than anything." Unlike the Marlins, the Rockies, an NL wild-card team last year, have realistic aspirations of returning to the postseason, something they have never done in consecutive seasons.A series win against Miami would complete a 5-2 homestand for the Rockies, a series sweep would make it 6-1 Regardless, a stumble against the Marlins would be ill-advised."We know that we're a good team that's got to take care of business, especially when we play at home and play teams that everybody will say on paper we're going to win those games," Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "I think we're making progress. We're hitting the ball well. Pitching is making progress, too. We believe in each other. I think this is the perfect time for us to continue to play good baseball and finish strong the first half."
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:07 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 10:07 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+135
|
+1.5 (-160)
|
Over 8.5 (+100)
|
|
|
-150
|
-1.5 (+140)
|
Under 8.5 (-120)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSTrout rolling as Angels face Blue Jays 22m ago• 2 min read Already the owner of two American League Most Valuable Player awards by age 25, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout is showing there's always room for improvement.Trout is having the best offensive month of his major-league career heading into the second game of a four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.The Angels (40-35) won the series opener 8-5 on Thursday night at Angel Stadium, getting two home runs from Luis Valbuena and another from Kole Calhoun for the second straight game.Trout went 0-for-2 but drew three walks and scored two runs against the Blue Jays (34-40).Trout is hitting .433 in June with five home runs and 12 RBIs. His on-base percentage rose to .471 for the season.Trout's previous best batting average for a month was .392 in July of 2012, his first full season in the majors. He also had 10 home runs and 23 RBIs during that stretch.A big difference in Trout's game this season has been his walk-to-strikeout ratio. He had 12 walks and 21 strikeouts in July 2012 but has 17 walks and 13 strikeouts so far this month."I'm just trying to look for my pitch, and if it's not there, I'm just taking my walks," Trout told reporters earlier this week. "For me, if I try to expand the strike zone, that's when I get in trouble." Trout has also done well in his career against Toronto's scheduled starter on Friday night, Marco Estrada. Trout is 4-for-10 with two home runs off the right-hander.Estrada (4-6, 4.66 ERA) will try to stay on a roll after winning his past two starts. He went eight consecutive outings without earning a win before this latest stretch.His last start may have been his best of the season. He threw 6 2/3 shutout innings in a 2-0 win on Saturday against the visiting Washington Nationals, out-dueling right-hander Max Scherzer, who leads the National League with 10 wins.Estrada faced the visiting Angels during his winless stretch four weeks ago and surrendered four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Toronto went on to lose 8-1.Estrada is 1-2 in his career against the Angels with a 6.95 ERA, his highest against any AL team.Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is 4-for-10 in his career against Estrada, and shortstop Andrelton Simmons is 6-for-12."For four years now, every single day, when Marco Estrada's time comes around, he gives all he has," Toronto second baseman Devon Travis told Sportsnet after the win against the Nationals last weekend.Angels starter Andrew Heaney was matched against Estrada in his only career appearance against the Blue Jays and it didn't go well for the left-hander. He gave up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings of the 15-3 loss in Anaheim on Aug. 22, 2015.Heaney (3-5, 3.64) was in line to win his last outing after allowing three runs and three hits in eight innings against the Oakland A's on Sunday, but the bullpen gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth before Oakland won in the 11th.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
10:15 PM EST |
|
6/22/2018 10:15 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+120
|
+1.5 (-185)
|
Over 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-133
|
-1.5 (+160)
|
Under 7.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
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GAME PREVIEW
TICKETSTICKETSGiants, Padres looking healthier in four-game series 27m ago• 2 min read SAN FRANCISCO -- Two teams that looked a bit more like they hoped to look all season Thursday night will go head-to-head for the second straight game when the San Diego Padres take on the San Francisco Giants on Friday.On the same night when the Padres were able to put Wil Myers and Eric Hosmer in the lineup together for just the ninth time this season, the Giants had their 1-2 pitching combination of Madison Bumgarner and Mark Melancon going strong in a 3-0 victory in the opener of a four-game series.The Giants' third straight victory was more than just a streak-extender, catcher Buster Posey insisted afterward."Bum is such a presence," he said of the left-handed ace. "Even when he's not pitching that night, he's lurking. The other team knows he's there. It's a nice advantage for us to have." Bumgarner recorded his first win of the season Thursday in the same game in which Melancon notched his first save of the year.The duo, who were viewed as a potential high-powered tag-team act when Melancon was signed as a free agent before the start of the 2017 season, worked the win/save thing for the first time as teammates.Melancon was pressed into ninth-inning duties because of the broken finger sustained by closer Hunter Strickland earlier in the week.If all goes well, the Giants might be afforded the luxury of moving Strickland back to a set-up role when he returns in August, presuming Melancon can continue to display the stuff that overpowered the top of the San Diego order on just 13 pitches to complete Thursday's shutout.Among the guys Melancon set down were Myers, who grounded out, and Hosmer, who struck out.They combined to go 0-for-7 in their new setting -- atop the San Diego order.Myers, who suffered arm and oblique injuries in spring training and the first month of the season, was playing Thursday for the first time since April 28."They're our guys," Padres manager Andy Green assured. "Every single team has a couple guys you look to rely on offensively to anchor you. They're our guys. They are the two guys that we expect to anchor us, and when you're missing part of that anchor it can be tough." The anchor looked a bit rusty against Bumgarner, who worked eight three-hit innings, but they will get a shot at Giants right-hander Chris Stratton (8-4, 4.22 ERA) in the second game of the series.With Myers out of the lineup, Stratton threw seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit, in a 7-0 win over the Padres in April. It improved his career numbers to 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA against them in three games, including two starts.Stratton enters the game on a nice roll, having lost just once in his last seven starts dating back to May 9.He will be opposed by Padres left-hander Clayton Richard (6-6, 4.31), who has won three in a row, allowing just six earned runs in 20 innings.But the 34-year-old has struggled in his career against the Giants, going 6-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 22 games, including 19 starts.He has pitched 13 times (10 starts) in San Francisco, going 4-4 with a 5.75 ERA.Among those who have teed off on Richard are Posey, who has gone 12-for-32 (.375) with two home runs, and Andrew McCutchen, who also has homered twice in just 12 at-bats.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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SOCCER |
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6/22/2018 |
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FOUND
3
MATCHES |
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FINAL |
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6/22/2018 8:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+1814
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+1.5 (+119)
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Over 2.5 (-118)
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-475
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-1.5 (-134)
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Under 2.5 (+103)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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IN PROGRESS |
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6/22/2018 11:00 AM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+170
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OFF
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Over 2 (+104)
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+204
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OFF
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Under 2 (-119)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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IN PROGRESS |
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6/22/2018 2:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+201
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OFF
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Over 2 (-115)
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+178
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OFF
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Under 2 (+100)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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OTHER |
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| 6/22/2018 |
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FOUND 8 PICKS |
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