 |
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Brewers (21-33) at Phillies (26-30)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 02, 2013 1:35 PM EDT
The Milwaukee Brewers hadn't won back-to-back games in more than a month before visiting the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend.
They'll have to go through the red-hot Cliff Lee on Sunday, though, to earn their first-ever series sweep in the City of Brotherly Love.
Milwaukee (21-33) entered this set on six-game losing streak before earning an 8-5 victory Friday and a 4-3 win Saturday, marking its first consecutive victories since beating Pittsburgh on April 29 and 30.
Jonathan Lucroy, hitting .432 over his last 10 games, homered again Saturday after going 5 for 5 with two home runs Friday. Logan Schafer had three hits and is 6 for his last 9.
Saturday's win came with a bit of controversy, though, as Phillies' pinch-runner Kyle Kendrick was picked off second base despite shortstop Jean Segura tagging him without the ball for the second out of the inning.
``We got some breaks again today,' Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. ``This game is fun because you're always trying to figure it out. It's frustrating because you can't do anything about it. It really isn't fair.'
The Phillies (26-30) now are on the verge of losing a season worst-tying four straight.
``It's kind of how things have been going for us,' manager Charlie Manuel said.
The Brewers last swept the Phillies from May 16-18, 2006, but they've never done so in Philadelphia. Accomplishing that feat against Lee may be difficult despite their past success against him.
Lee (6-2, 2.34 ERA) has pitched at least seven innings while going 4-0 with a 1.15 ERA over his last five starts. He tossed a three-hitter to beat Miami 3-0 on May 22 before striking out a season high-tying eight and allowing one run in eight innings of Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Boston.
The left-hander, though, hasn't pitched as well versus the Brewers, going 0-1 with a 5.08 ERA in five starts. He gave up career worst-tying four homers and 12 hits while allowing six runs over seven innings in Philadelphia's 7-6 win July 24, then gave up three more long balls - including two to Ryan Braun - and four runs in 7 2-3 innings of a 7-4 defeat the last time he faced them Aug. 16.
Braun is 8 for 16 with three solo homers lifetime off Lee, who also has surrendered three homers to Aramis Ramirez.
Lee looks to help get the Phillies back on track Sunday. They've lost five of seven despite three hits from rookie Cesar Hernandez on Saturday. Domonic Brown went 1 for 4 but is hitting .382 with seven homers and 12 RBIs over his last nine. He homered twice in the series opener.
Milwaukee will give Mike Fiers another start despite pitching poorly in his previous two.
Fiers (1-3, 5.66) gave up six runs in five innings of a 9-2 loss to Arizona on April 6, then allowed four runs and three homers in four innings of a 5-2 defeat to Pittsburgh on May 25.
The right-hander is 0-5 with an 8.56 ERA in six starts dating back to last season. Fiers gave up four runs and walked four in five innings of a 4-3 loss to the Phillies on Aug. 18 in his only outing against them.
----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Brewers at Phillies
Fri, May 31 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Brewers at Phillies
Sat, Jun 1 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Brewers at Phillies
Sun, Jun 2 - 1:35PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
06-02-13 08:31 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Reds (34-21) at Pirates (34-21)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 02, 2013 1:35 PM EDT
The Cincinnati Reds' starters have dominated this series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mat Latos could very well continue that trend Sunday.
Cincinnati goes for an eighth straight victory with the right-hander on the mound and its first road sweep in this NL Central series in three seasons.
After Johnny Cueto's eight strong innings helped the Reds (35-21) limit the Pirates (34-22) to a season-low one hit in Friday's 6-0 victory, Mike Leake followed with six of his own in Saturday's 2-0 win that moved Cincinnati one game up on Pittsburgh for second place in the Central behind St. Louis.
The Reds have won 14 of 19 away from home.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are trying to regroup after getting blanked at home in consecutive games for the first time since May 22 and 24, 2011. They had won a season-best six straight and 10 of 11 at PNC Park heading into this series.
"Opportunities were out there but we couldn't get anything going," said manager Clint Hurdle, whose team has one run and no extra-base hits in its last three at home.
Facing Latos (5-0, 3.01 ERA) may not help the Pirates find their hitting stroke or prevent the Reds from their first sweep at Pittsburgh since May 10-12, 2010. He walked a season-high four in Tuesday's 8-2 victory over Cleveland, but finished allowing one hit in 6 1-3 innings.
"The last two starts, everything has felt good,' Latos said. "My mechanics have been in sync with my arm feeling great."
He's 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts after yielding three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 10-7 loss at Pittsburgh on April 14 that finished a three-game sweep by the Bucs.
The Pirates haven't been swept at home since Sept. 18-20 against Milwaukee, and Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 2.30) will try to keep it that way.
The converted reliever has four consecutive no-decisions, yet his last outing was his best since being inserted into the rotation May 1. Gomez went a career high-tying seven innings in Tuesday's 1-0, 11-inning road win over Detroit, holding one of the majors' best hitting teams to three singles.
"Every one of my pitches was working, so I was working ahead in the count and down in the zone," he said. "That's what made it good.'
The right-hander, 1-0 with a 2.15 ERA in six starts, threw 2 1-3 innings of shutout relief April 14.
Gomez's only start versus Cincinnati was a 7-1 road loss June 12 when he walked four with two runs allowed in five innings.
He may have caught a break with Brandon Phillips out Sunday. The second baseman, the Reds' leader with eight hits, three homers and eight RBIs against Pittsburgh this season, left Saturday's game in the eighth inning with a bruised left forearm after being hit by a pitch from Tony Watson. X-rays were negative.
"I'm still having a hard time closing my hand but I'm very thankful it wasn't broken and that I won't be out for very long," Phillips said.
Alex Presley struck out with runners on first and second to end Saturday's contest, but he may have earned himself more playing time with a career high-tying three hits Saturday in place of Starling Marte.
Travis Snider and Neil Walker, a combined 1 for 13 in this series, each had two hits off Latos on April 14. Snider had a pair of doubles.
Pittsburgh hasn't dropped three straight at home since a 2-1 victory over the Reds on Sept. 29 ended a season-worst seven-game skid.
---------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Reds at Pirates
Fri, May 31 Final 6 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Reds at Pirates
Sat, Jun 1 Final 2 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Reds at Pirates
Sun, Jun 2 - 1:35PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:34 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Mariners (24-32) at Twins (24-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 02, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
Jeremy Bonderman will be back in the big leagues for the first time in three years.
Out of baseball since the end of the 2010 season, Bonderman will make his Seattle Mariners debut Sunday in a road matchup against the Minnesota Twins.
Bonderman, perhaps best remembered for being mentioned in Michael Lewis' 'Moneyball' than for his work on the mound, was drafted by Oakland before spending his entire career to this point with Detroit between 2003-10.
The right-hander is 67-77 with a 4.89 ERA in a career that consists of 193 starts among 207 appearances. He was signed to a minor-league deal this offseason, and went 2-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Tacoma after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last year.
"He's under control, but you can tell he's excited to be here," manager Eric Wedge told the Mariners' official website. "For a 30-year-old, he's been through so much. He's worked so hard to get back here, that's been evident here for the last year. So, good for him. He deserves the opportunity."
The only Minnesota hitters with more than three at_bats against Bonderman are Justin Morneau (7 for 29) and Joe Mauer (8 for 27). Morneau, however, was held out of Saturday's 5-4 victory due to the flu.
Bonderman is taking the spot in the rotation left by rookie Brandon Maurer, who was sent to the minors after allowing six runs over 5 2-3 innings in his fourth straight loss, 6-1 to San Diego on Tuesday.
The Mariners (24-32) remained without Justin Smoak and Michael Morse on Saturday.
Morse is expected to miss a fifth straight game Sunday with a strained quadriceps muscle while Smoak has not started since last Saturday's loss to Texas due to tightness in his right oblique muscle.
Wedge believes Smoak could return to the lineup Sunday, although the timing may not be perfect since the slugger is hitting .125 against left-handers as the Mariners get ready to face Twins starter Scott Diamond (3-4, 5.22 ERA). Smoak, though, is 2 for 6 with a homer against the lefty.
Diamond may not be too tough. He is 0-2 with an 8.41 ERA in his last four outings, surrendering four runs over 4 2-3 innings Tuesday in a 6-5, 14-inning victory at Milwaukee.
He went 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA in two starts against Seattle last year, with Brendan Ryan going 5 for 6 with two doubles against him.
Minnesota (24-29) won for the fifth time in six games Saturday by rallying for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning capped by Ryan Doumit's two-run triple off closer Tom Wilhelmsen. The Twins won for the fourth time in their last 16 meetings with the Mariners.
Doumit went 3 for 5 to raise his batting average 12 points to .230. He's 6 for 16 with a homer, triple, two doubles and six RBIs in the last four games.
"Some guys get up there to try to get on base. Some guys get up there to try to do some damage. I was hitting cleanup today. I was up there to do some damage,' Doumit said.
Jason Bay homered twice for Seattle, giving him four over his last five games.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Mariners at Twins
Fri, May 31 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Mariners at Twins
Sat, Jun 1 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Mariners at Twins
Sun, Jun 2 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:35 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Giants (29-26) at Cardinals (36-18)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 02, 2013 2:15 PM EDT
Tyler Lyons has dominated in his short stay with the St. Louis Cardinals.
That could continue for the rookie left-hander given the San Francisco Giants' struggles at the plate.
Lyons will make his first start at Busch Stadium on Sunday when the NL Central leaders go for their first five-game win streak against the Giants in two decades.
Called up from Triple-A Memphis on May 22 due to injuries to Jake Westbrook and Jaime Garcia, Lyons (2-0, 1.29 ERA) has thrown seven innings of one-run ball in each of his first two starts. He set down 17 straight between the two hits he surrendered in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Kansas City.
"He had a little trouble at first finding his fastball, but he had his breaking ball going today and that kept them off balance,' manager Mike Matheny said.
Lyons, though, isn't going to get too overconfident.
"Everyone's goal is to get here," he told the Cardinals' official website. "But at the same time, you want to get here and do well. Hopefully, I can keep it going."
St. Louis (37-18) starters have allowed three or fewer runs in 13 consecutive games, a streak that continued after Shelby Miller and Adam Wainwright gave up one total run in 16 innings Saturday in a doubleheader sweep.
"It was a tough day, no getting around it,' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after his team was outscored 15-1. "We scored one run. They played great. We didn't pitch great. We didn't hit the ball great. That's a good team over there.'
The Cardinals, 23-7 since a season-worst three-game skid in late April, have won 12 of 16 at home.
They last posted five consecutive victories over San Francisco (29-27) from Sept. 5-12, 1993.
The Giants don't appear to be in a good position to prevent that from happening, as they've dropped five of six and are on the verge of their first 0-8 stretch away from home since May 12-20, 2000.
San Francisco has scored seven runs in its last six road games.
If those struggles continue, that won't leave much room for error for Chad Gaudin (0-1, 2.05) in his first start of the season. The Giants will turn to the veteran right-hander with Ryan Vogelsong out with a fractured right hand. Rookie Mike Kickham took Vogelsong's spot in Tuesday's 6-3 loss at Oakland, but he was sent down the following day.
Gaudin threw three innings of one-run relief in that contest.
"He has experience as a starter, and it's nice to have a guy as versatile as Chad," Bochy told the Giants' official website.
This will be Gaudin's second start against St. Louis, with the last one coming in 2005 while with Toronto. He tossed three shutout innings in a 14-3 home loss to the Cardinals on April 7.
Gaudin should be throwing to Buster Posey after the reigning NL MVP was replaced by Guillermo Quiroz in Saturday's nightcap, a 7-1 defeat.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina hit safely in his sixth straight in that contest after Tony Cruz got the start in the first game, finishing with two doubles and two RBIs.
St. Louis' David Freese extended his hitting streak to 11 on Saturday night. He's batting .368 (14 for 38) during that stretch.
Giants center fielder Angel Pagan (strained left hamstring) could return for the first time in eight games, while Brett Pill is expected to spell Brandon Belt at first base.
St. Louis has outscored the Giants 35-7 since a 1-0 loss April 5.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Giants at Cardinals
Fri, May 31 Final 0 to 8
Recaps
GAME 2
Giants at Cardinals
Sat, Jun 1 Final 1 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Giants at Cardinals
Sun, Jun 2 - 2:15PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:40 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Royals (23-30) at Rangers (34-21)
Game: 3
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: June 02, 2013 3:05 PM EDT
Yu Darvish isn't concerned with personal accomplishments. He simply hopes he can pitch well enough to help the Texas Rangers win ballgames.
That may be difficult if the offense repeats its most recent performance.
Darvish seeks his first victory in three starts as Texas concludes this three-game series with the visiting Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
The Rangers won eight of Darvish's first nine starts with him posting a 1.65 ERA in the initial five. He has a 4.10 ERA in six outings since, though, and Texas (34-21) has dropped his last two starts.
Darvish (7-2, 3.03 ERA) struck out 14 for the third time this season while giving up four runs in 7 2-3 innings Monday, but the Rangers fell 5-4 at Arizona.
He's the first since Arizona's Randy Johnson in 2004 to have at least three starts with at least 14 strikeouts in a single season, though it's an accomplishment he would have rather achieved in a victory.
``Baseball's not a competition about getting strikeouts,' Darvish said. ``It's about winning.'
Darvish will be pitching on five days' rest and said he's ready for a long outing.
"If I have four days rest, I think I can throw 130 (pitches), but if I have five days of rest, I can throw 150," Darvish told the team's official website.
The right-hander faced the Royals once last season, allowing three runs and striking out six in seven innings of an 8-4 victory Sept. 3. The Rangers hope to provide that type of run support this time around after mustering only six hits in a 4-1, 10-inning loss Saturday.
Their only run came on a fourth-inning RBI single from Mitch Moreland, who is 3 for his last 16.
Texas' offense looks to get back on track against Ervin Santana, who has struggled lately and hasn't had much success versus the Rangers.
Santana (3-5, 3.33) has lost four straight starts while posting a 4.72 ERA after going 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his first six outings. He's received only eight runs of support in his current rough stretch, though, and allowed four runs in 7 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 4-1 loss to St. Louis.
"We were just a matter of a hit away from probably winning every one of his starts," manager Ned Yost told the team's official website. "He's the one guy that ... hasn't gotten much run support. You can't really try to figure out how he's throwing based on his win-loss record."
The right-hander made 27 starts versus the Rangers during his days with the Los Angeles Angels and has a 7.47 ERA in 16 career outings in Arlington. He's 2-5 with an 8.06 ERA in his last eight overall starts against them.
The Royals (23-30), though, have won two of three following an eight-game losing streak, scoring three runs in the 10th inning Saturday. Eric Hosmer had three hits and scored on George Kottaras' two-run double in the final frame.
David Lough was hit on the wrist with a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run.
``I had the X-rays and a lot of strength came back in my arm after that,' Lough said. ``I'm glad we got the win more than anything.'
The Royals have won three of the last four road games versus the Rangers.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Royals at Rangers
Fri, May 31 Final 2 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Royals at Rangers
Sat, Jun 1 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Royals at Rangers
Sun, Jun 2 - 3:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:42 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: White Sox (24-29) at Athletics (33-24)
Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: June 02, 2013 4:05 PM EDT
Inclement weather earlier this week allowed Chris Sale to keep his shutout streak intact.
However, the left-hander's focus must be on trying to help the Chicago White Sox avoid a season-high sixth straight loss.
Trying to prevent his team from being swept in Oakland for the first time since 2007, Sale also looks to keep the surging Oakland Athletics from an eighth consecutive home victory Sunday.
Sale (5-2, 2.53 ERA) did not allow a run in 23 straight innings over three starts until he gave up a two-run homer in the second inning against the Cubs on Tuesday. He threw 37 pitches in three innings before the rains came and ultimately postponed the contest.
The team decided to keep Sale on regular rest after his previous start was skipped due to mild tendinitis.
"To give him an extra day is continuing with taking care of him and making sure he feels good when he goes out there," manager Robin Ventura told the White Sox's official website.
Sale has four straight wins and is 4-1 with a 1.40 ERA in six starts since he allowed eight runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 9-4 loss at Cleveland on April 13.
He went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 16 strikeouts and no walks in two starts against the A's (33-24) last season.
Chicago (24-29), which has been outscored 31-9 during its five-game skid, rallied from a two-run deficit Saturday only to lose 4-3 on Josh Reddick's bases-loaded walk in the 10th.
"There was progress, if there's a silver lining to it, but then again we're here to win games,' Ventura said of the White Sox, who have not dropped six straight since a seven-game slide Sept. 11-17, 2011.
Oakland, meanwhile, has won 13 of 15 overall and in the midst of its longest home winning stretch since a 10-game run Aug. 11-Sept. 1, 2006.
Jed Lowrie had four of Oakland's 16 hits, and Reddick added two in his second game since missing more than three weeks with a wrist injury. The A's stranded 18 runners and failed to score with the bases loaded and nobody out in the ninth, but still prevailed Saturday.
"You keep putting guys on base and somebody's going to score at some point,' manager Bob Melvin said.
Lowrie is batting .400 (14 for 35) in his last nine games, and 2 for 4 versus Sale.
Reddick was hitting .152 at the time of his injury, but is 3 for 8 with two RBIs in the series.
Scheduled Oakland starter Jarrod Parker (3-6, 5.40) is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander has lasted seven innings in three straight starts, and yielded two runs in seven innings of a 6-3 win over San Francisco.
"His stuff's always been there. It's a matter of going out there and doing it,' Melvin said.
Parker allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-4, 14-inning home win over Chicago last season.
Chicago's Paul Konerko, who may miss this game with a stiff neck, is 2 for 3 against Parker.
With two RBIs on Saturday, White Sox leadoff hitter Alejandro De Aza has drove in half of his team's 12 runs over the last six contests.
--------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
White Sox at Athletics
Fri, May 31 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
White Sox at Athletics
Sat, Jun 1 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
White Sox at Athletics
Sun, Jun 2 - 4:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:43 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Dodgers (23-31) at Rockies (29-27)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 02, 2013 4:10 PM EDT
Injuries continue to mount for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and that includes Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Carl Crawford's status is also a question mark.
While Crawford likely will be out, Ryu will try to overcome a foot injury and build on his best performance yet for the Dodgers against the Colorado Rockies in the finale of this three-game set Sunday.
Last-place Los Angeles (23-31) has a disabled list that includes most of its top players, including Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley.
It's unclear if Crawford will join them after suffering a left hamstring cramp while legging out his second double in two at_bats during Saturday's 7-6, 10-inning loss to Colorado (29-27). He has a .340 average in 12 meetings with the Rockies.
"It's kind of getting ridiculous," manager Don Mattingly said. "The last couple of days, two outfielders (Kemp went on the DL two days ago), kind of our main guys."
Ryu (6-2, 2.89 ERA) is also nursing an injury, stemming from a comebacker off his foot during Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Still, the left-hander tossed a two-hitter for his first complete game.
The decision to start Ryu will be left up to Mattingly and GM Ned Colletti.
``I think Donnie and Ned are going to make the decision,' Ryu said through a translator. ``I never want to take the mound putting my team in jeopardy, so if I'm not fully confident I can be the pitcher I am I wouldn't want to step out there unless I'm 100 percent.'
If Ryu can't go, the Dodgers will possibly recall rookie Matt Magill (0-0, 5.50) from Triple-A Albuquerque. The right-hander last started for Los Angeles on May 19, yielding one run with eight strikeouts in five innings of a 5-2 loss at Atlanta.
Clearly, Los Angeles would be better off with Ryu on the mound. He's 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA over his last four starts and continues to show why the team spent $25.7 million on a posting fee combined with a six-year, $36 million contract to lure him away from South Korea's Hanwha Eagles.
The Rockies may prefer to avoid Ryu, who struck out a season-high 12 and allowed two runs and three hits in six innings of a 6-2 win in Los Angeles on April 30.
Colorado will send Jorge De La Rosa (6-3, 3.16) to the mound looking for back-to-back wins after Dexter Fowler's walkoff single scored Yorvit Torrealba on Saturday.
De La Rosa has been very good lately, going 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last five starts. He hasn't won five consecutive decisions since a seven-game run June 21-July 30, 2009.
The left-hander could have climbed closer to that mark with a little help Tuesday at Houston after yielding one run in seven innings before leaving without a decision in a 2-1 win.
De La Rosa has never beaten the Dodgers, going 0-8 with a 6.75 ERA in 14 games - 10 starts. This will be his first start versus Los Angeles at Coors Field since Aug. 27, 2009.
-----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Dodgers at Rockies
Fri, May 31 Final 7 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Dodgers at Rockies
Sat, Jun 1 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Dodgers at Rockies
Sun, Jun 2 - 4:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:45 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Red Sox (33-23) at Yankees (31-23)
Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: June 02, 2013 8:05 PM EDT
The Boston Red Sox are trying to create some breathing room atop the AL East, and getting Clay Buchholz back could help them do that.
Buchholz returns from a brief injury absence looking to become the first Red Sox starter to go 8-0 in five years Sunday night in the conclusion of this three-game set with the slumping New York Yankees.
Boston (34-23) regained a two-game lead in the East with an 11-1 victory Saturday after falling 4-1 in the series opener a day earlier.
Sending Buchholz (7-0, 1.73 ERA), owner of the AL's lowest ERA, to the mound should improve the team's chances of winning its second consecutive series at Yankee Stadium.
The right-hander is also trying to become the first Red Sox starter to win his first eight decisions in a season since Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2008.
Buchholz missed his latest attempt at his eighth victory Monday, when he was scratched from his scheduled start with irritation in his collarbone area. The layoff seems to have helped.
"The place I originally felt the stiffness, it's pretty much gone," said Buchholz, who last pitched May 22. "It's just the soreness from, like I said Wednesday, from messing around and pulling and tugging with the muscles in the training room, but no, it just feels muscular. In the bullpen, I threw pretty much max effort. The ball came out of my hand a lot better there too.
"I'm ready to get back out there. It's hard sitting around watching your team battling and trying to win games and not being a part of it."
He was outstanding in his most recent start in the Bronx, allowing one run over seven innings of a 7-4 win April 3. However, he's 3-2 with a 6.34 ERA in six career outings there.
"It's a tough place to pitch sometimes, but when you can go out there and win two out of three games, it definitely gives your team a boost," said Buchholz, who is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in four road starts this year.
Boston's offense rebounded Saturday after it was shut down by CC Sabathia on Friday, collecting a season-high 18 hits with four doubles and three homers. Mike Napoli accounted for three of those hits, including his second grand slam of the season.
Daniel Nava matched career highs with four hits and four RBIs. He's batting .328 with 13 RBIs over his past 16 games.
Saturday's loss was the sixth in seven games for the Yankees (31-24), who have averaged 2.1 runs and hit .224 during that span.
Robinson Cano can't be blamed for the anemic offense since he's 9 for 28 (.321) over the past seven games. However, he's 2 for 18 in five season meetings with Boston.
With the bats scuffling, New York could use another strong performance from Hiroki Kuroda (6-3, 2.39), who has won four straight home starts behind a 0.90 ERA.
The right-hander was superb on the road Tuesday, striking out seven over seven scoreless innings against the Mets. He was in line for the win before Mariano Rivera faltered in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss.
Kuroda is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, but he exited his most recent after being hit in the hand by a line drive April 3. He allowed two runs while hitting two batters in 1 1-3 innings opposite Buchholz.
One of those hit batters was Nava, who is 3 for 9 against Kuroda while being plunked three times.
Dustin Pedroia is 7 for 15 with a home run off Kuroda.
-------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Red Sox at Yankees
Fri, May 31 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Red Sox at Yankees
Sat, Jun 1 Final 11 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Red Sox at Yankees
Sun, Jun 2 - 8:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 08:46 AM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Diamondbacks (31-24) at Cubs (23-31)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 02, 2013 2:20 PM EDT
Now that the Arizona Diamondbacks managed to cool off the Chicago Cubs, they'll try to remain undefeated with Patrick Corbin on the mound.
Looking to go 9-0 and match the team record for consecutive wins to open a season, the left-hander faces the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field.
Corbin (8-0, 1.71 ERA) became the third Arizona pitcher to start 8-0 after he battled through six innings, allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings of a 6-5 win over San Diego last Sunday. The NL West-leading Diamondbacks (31-24) are 10-0 when he takes the ball in 2013.
Brandon Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young award winner, started 9-0 for the Diamondbacks in 2008.
"Corbin, you can see why his stats are what they are,' Padres manager Bud Black said. "That is a live left arm, it really is. A live fastball, good slider and occasionally a solid changeup."
This will be Corbin's first start against the Cubs (23-31), but he did throw a scoreless inning during an 8-1 loss at Wrigley on July 13.
Chicago outscored its opponents 36-12 during a season-high five-game winning streak that ended with a 12-4 loss Saturday in a game that started after a 2-hour, 21-minute rain delay.
Paul Goldschmidt hit his first career grand slam and Jason Kubel delivered a three-run double as the Diamondbacks erased a two-run deficit by scoring 11 times over the final three innings. Arizona set a season high for runs and recorded 17 hits for the second time this year while snapping a four-game road slide.
The Diamondbacks totaled five runs while losing their previous four at Wrigley, where they won for the second time in 11 contests.
Goldschmidt, who hit .376 with seven homers and 23 RBIs in May, struck out his first three times versus Jeff Samardzija on Saturday before going deep off Carlos Marmol.
"Samardzija's stuff was really good, but you get a chance to win the game in the eighth or ninth you can't live in the past,' Goldschmidt said. "It's a game of failure. It's what the game is all about.'
Arizona's Willie Bloomquist went 3 for 4 with two runs scored in his season debut that was delayed by a strained oblique. He's hit .423 (11 for 26) in his last six games against the Cubs.
Nate Schierholtz homered for one of his two hits for the Cubs, who were held to three after they averaged 9.6 hits in the previous five games.
Rain has interrupted the last two outings by scheduled Chicago starter Edwin Jackson (1-7, 6.11).
The right-hander gave up four runs and six hits in three innings when the skies opened up in a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh on May 23. Jackson was much sharper Tuesday while throwing 2 1-3 scoreless innings and had a 2-0 lead when rain ultimately postponed that contest against the White Sox.
"It's just one of those things," Jackson told the Cubs' official website. "Sometimes when you have a season like I'm having, that's how it is. You feel good and something happens, and you feel bad and something happens. It's kind of awkward - back-to-back rainouts. That might be a first."
In Jackson's last uninterrupted start at Washington on May 11, he yielded two runs in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-2 win.
The ex-Diamondback is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts against his former team.
---------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Fri, May 31 Final 2 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Sat, Jun 1 Final 12 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Cubs
Sun, Jun 2 - 2:20PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 04:21 PM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Preview: Astros (19-37) at Angels (25-31)
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 02, 2013 3:35 PM EDT
The Los Angeles Angels may own one of the highest payrolls in baseball, but they also own a losing record to the thrifty Houston Astros.
The Angels will try to begin changing that Sunday against the Astros, who are looking for their longest winning streak in over a year.
Los Angeles (25-31) is expected to be a pennant contender with one of the highest payrolls in baseball at $148.5 million. Instead, the club is third in the AL West, 9 1/2 games behind first-place Texas.
The Angels are also having a hard time with the newest member of the division - Houston (19-37). They've dropped five of eight to the team with the lowest payroll in the majors at $27 million.
Los Angeles is batting .226 and averaging 3.2 runs while losing four of the previous five matchups, including the first two of this four-game wraparound series.
Those offensive issues were at the forefront Saturday, when the Angels were held to seven hits in a 2-0 loss - their fourth in six games.
``Tonight we had some chances with runners in scoring position and couldn't get it done,' manager Mike Scioscia said.
Mark Trumbo, who is hitting .270 with a team-high 12 homers and 37 RBIs, has been a major culprit of their hitting woes against last-place Houston. He's hitting .226 with one homer and five RBIs over eight meetings, and he's 4 for 20 in the past five.
Production at the plate may be needed since C.J. Wilson (4-3, 3.95 ERA) is looking to rebound from his worst - and shortest - outing of the season. The left-hander was tagged for season highs of six runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings while not getting a decision in an 8-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
Wilson struggled greatly in his last meeting with the Astros, surrendering seven runs - two earned - despite striking out a season-high 12 in 6 1-3 innings of a 7-6 road loss May 7.
He was much better against them at home April 14, yielding one run with four walks in six innings of a 4-1 victory.
The Astros are trying to extend their winning streak to five games for the first time since April 30-May 5, 2012.
Chris Carter and Jose Altuve will likely play a part in matching that run.
Carter is a career .217 hitter, but he owns a .327 average with six homers and 13 RBIs in 18 meetings with the Angels. However, he's been vital to Houston's success against them this year, going 9 for 25 (.360) with four homers and 10 RBIs after connecting for a two-run shot Saturday.
He's also 4 for 9 with a homer off Wilson.
Altuve is batting .364 against them this year, hitting safely in seven of the eight games.
Jordan Lyles (2-1, 4.50) could use the help if he's going to win for the second time in three starts. The 22-year-old right-hander is 1-0 while allowing two runs in 13 innings over his last two outings, but he was backed by one run in his most recent Tuesday.
Lyles allowed one run in seven innings while the offense mustered five hits in a 2-1 loss to Colorado.
"I think he's learned from his time last year," manager Bo Porter said. "I think he's learned from early on this year, and he was able to make quality pitches to get himself out of some tough jams and got the big strikeout when he needed it."
Lyles had six strikeouts while allowing three runs in five innings of a 7-6 win over Wilson last month.
---------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Astros at Angels
Fri, May 31 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Astros at Angels
Sat, Jun 1 Final 2 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Astros at Angels
Sun, Jun 2 - 3:35PM EDT
GAME 4
Astros at Angels
Mon, Jun 3 - 10:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 04:26 PM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
Armadillo: Sunday's six-pack
-- Horrendous call on pickoff at 2B ended Brewer-Philly game; instant replay is needed in the big leagues, the sooner the better.
-- Over their last ten road games, Giants were outscored 44-8 in the first three innings- their starting pitching has slipped noticeably.
-- Eric Mangini left ESPN to become a consultant with the 49ers, who are breaking in a new offensive coordinator this year. Interesting.
-- Eldrick Woods shot 44 for his first nine holes Saturday, playing holes 15-18 in +7. Thats seven over par for four holes. Yikes.
-- Toronto-San Diego game is 10pm first pitch Sunday night because of a Rock 'n Roll Marathon in San Diego during the day Sunday.
-- Mark Buehrle's 26 interleague wins are most in MLB history.
*****
Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Some late spring college hoop knowledge........
Its never too early to start thinking college basketball; the rankings we use in this article are from 2013 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings. Here are some conference-related notes we came up with this weekend:
13) Over last 12 years, the eventual national champ is 11-1 vs spread in its second tournament game, with ’07 Florida Gators (W74-67, -11.5) the only exception to that trend.
12) Big East has become more of an NBA-style league, ranking 26th in offensive efficiency LY, by 2nd in offensive rebounding %age, meaning there’s lot of brute force on display under the basket, and less skill on the perimeter. This was the 4th year in row Big East ranked in top 2 in offensive rebounding.
11) Losing VCU hurt the CAA, as it slipped to the #18 league (out of 32) its lowest ranking in over a decade; 28 of its 99 games were decided by 4 or less points or in OT, the highest %age of close games of any conference.
10) Six of 108 Pac-12 games were decided by 20+ points, a surprisingly low number.
9) Mountain West home teams were 51-21 SU LY; they had so many good teams, they were all tough at home. MWC took a huge hit with graduation this spring though- lot of those teams will be rebuilding this fall.
8) Atlantic Sun lost Belmont to the OVC and slipped from #15 to #24 league, even with Florida Gulf Coast’s fun run to the Sweet 16.
7) Look at it this way though; if Belmont stays in the A-Sun, they probably win that league again, and Andy Enfield still lives in Fort Myers, while USC has a different coach. Funny how USC’s fortunes were indirectly tied to Belmont (Bruins of all people!!!) switching leagues.
6) I’m surprised the Ivy League has played slowest games in country two years in a row; why hasn’t one of those teams adopted the Paul Westhead run-‘n-gun style and tried to create a unique niche for itself? Ivy teams made 72.8% of their FTs this year (#1 in country), 36.9% of its 3-pointers (#2 in country).
5) Only three of 56 Ivy League games were decided by 20+ points. I’m telling you, if one of these teams committed to a breakneck pace, they could make a dent in this league.
4) MEAC teams press a lot; they played 2nd-fastest games in country. 22 of its 90 games were decided by 20+ points, indicating a lack of balance, but the #’s 1-4 teams in MEAC all lost their first conference tournament game, so go figure.
3) WCC home teams were only 36-36 SU; talent gap in this league, with Gonzaga/St Mary’s so dominant, they win just about all their road games too.
2) Patriot League jumped to the #16 league this year, first time in 12+ years it has been in top 20. Only 8 of their 56 games were close games, decided by 4 or less points or in OT.
1) Ken Pomeroy’s ratings favor teams that protect the ball well, so its no surprise the Big Dozen ranked #1 in the country for third year in a row; for the 8th time in last 10 years, Big Dozen games ranked last or 2nd-to-last in average tempo.
Reply With Quote
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 04:30 PM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Sunday, June 2
Hot pitchers
-- Harvey is 1-1, 2.09 in his last six starts.
-- Latos is 5-0, 3.10 in his last eight starts. Pittsburgh is 6-0 when Gomez starts (2-0, 2.76).
-- Phillies won last five Lee starts (4-0, 1.15).
-- Lyons is 2-0, 1.29 in his first two MLB starts.
-- Arizona is 10-0 when Corbin starts (8-0, 1.83).
-- Ryu is 3-0, 1.61 iun his last four starts. Colorado won last five de la Rosa starts (4-0, 2.08).
-- Porcello is 1-0, 2.89 in his last three starts.
-- Darvish is 4-1, 2.89 in his last seven starts.
-- Parker is 2-1, 2.96 in his last four starts. Sale is 4-0, 1.54 in his last six.
-- Lyles is 1-0, 1.38 in his last couple starts.
-- Kuroda is 4-0, 0.90 in his last four home starts. Red Sox are 9-1 when Buchholz starts (1-0, 2.05 in last three).
Cold pitchers
-- Slowey is 0-3, 8.00 in his last four starts.
-- Maholm is 3-3, 5.94 in his last seven starts. Karns allowed three runs in 4.1 IP in his first MLB start.
-- Fiers is 0-2, 10.00 in two starts this season.
-- Gaudin is making first '13 start; he has 75 big league starts, but none since '09. He's pitched 30.2 innings (0-1, 2.05) in 18 relief appearances this year.
-- Jackson is 1-4, 7.00 in his last six starts.
-- Volquez is 1-2, 5.30 in his last three starts. Ortiz is 1-2, 3.77 in his three starts this season.
-- Hellickson has a 6.83 RA in his last four starts. McAllister is 1-1, 4.18 in his last four starts.
-- Gausman is 0-2, 11.00 in his first two MLB starts.
-- Diamond is 0-2, 8.41 in his last four starts. Bonderman has made 193 starts in big leagues, but was last in MLB in 2010 (8-10, 5.53 in 29 starts)- he was 2-4, 4.52 in 11 AAA starts this season.
-- Santana is 0-4, 4.76 in his last four starts.
-- Wilson is 1-3, 5.23 in his last five starts.
Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Harvey 2-11; Slowey 3-11
-- Karns 0-1; Maholm 2-11
-- Latos 4-11 (3 of last 4); Gomez 2-6
-- Fiers 2-2; Lee 1-11
-- Gaudin 0-0; Lyons 1-2
-- Corbin 2-10; Jackson 5-11
-- Ryu 3-11; de la Rosa 3-11
-- Ortiz 1-3; Volquez 3-11 (0 of last 7)
-- Hellickson 7-11; McAllister 3-10
-- Porcello 2-9; Gausman 1-2
-- Bonderman 0-0; Diamond 4-9
-- Santana 6-11; Darvish 5-10
-- Lyles 4-6; Wilson 3-11
-- Sale 4-10; Parker 4-11
-- Buchholz 1-10; Kuroda 5-11
Totals
-- Seven of last ten Arizona road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Milwaukee games went over the total.
-- Ten of last fourteen Pirate games stayed under the total.
-- 11 of Mets' last 16 games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine Washington games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight St Louis games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Ryu starts.
-- Seven of last ten Toronto games went over the total.
-- Over is 13-3-1 in Baltimore's last seventeen games.
-- Over is 24-8-1 in last 33 Tampa Bay games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Kuroda starts.
-- Last three Darvish home starts stayed under the total.
-- Last three Diamond starts went over the total.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in Angels' last nine games.
-- Seven of last eight Oakland home games stayed under total.
Hot teams
-- Cubs won five of their last six games.
-- Reds won 16 of their last 21 games.
-- Atlanta won 11 of its last 15 games.
-- Cardinals won 23 of their last 30 games.
-- Padres won four of their last five games.
-- Orioles won six of their last nine games.
-- Rays won five of their last six games.
-- Twins won six of their last eight games.
-- Houston won five of their last six games.
-- A's won 13 of their last 15 games.
Cold teams
-- Arizona lost four of its last five road games.
-- Pittsburgh lost its last two games, scoring zero runs.
-- Brewers lost 13 of their last 18 games, but won last two. Philly is 3-6 in its last nine games.
-- Marlins won last two games, after losing previous nine. Mets lost last two games, after winning previous five.
-- Nationals lost five of their last eight games.
-- Giants lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Dodgers lost 10 of their last 13 road games. Rockies lost six of their last eight games overall.
-- Toronto lost eight of its last eleven road games.
-- Detroit lost four of its last five games.
-- Indians lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Bronx lost six of its last seven games. Boston lost three of last five.
-- Royals lost 13 of their last 16 games. Texas lost four of last six.
-- Mariners lost 11 of their last 15 games.
-- Angels lost four of their last six games.
-- White Sox lost their last five games, allowing 31 runs.
Umpires
-- NY-Mia-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Kellogg games.
-- Mil-Phil--Under is 19-5-1 in last 25 Kulpa games.
-- SF-StL-- Three of last four TWelke games stayed under.
-- LA-Col-- Underdogs are 6-5 in last eleven Knight games.
-- Az-Chi-- Basner is a rookie ump; two of his three games LY went over.
-- Cin-Pitt-- Underdogs/over are both 7-1 in last eight Davidson games.
-- Wsh-Atl-- This is Gorman's first game this year; under was 12-7-2 in last 21 games LY.
-- Tor-SD-- Favorites won last ten Hernandez games.
-- TB-Cle-- Six of last eight BWelke games stayed under total.
-- Sea-Min-- Underdogs won four of last five Hudson games.
-- Chi-A's-- Home team won seven of last eight Muchlinski games.
-- KC-Tex-- Seven of last ten Miller games stayed under total.
-- Det-Balt-- Favorites won nine of last twelve Porter games.
-- Bos-NY-- Over is 3-0-1 in last four Carapazza games.
-- Hst-LA-- Home team won eight of last ten Marquez games.
Reply With Quote
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 04:34 PM |
|
|
| |
|
CNOTES
FoxDen Hall of Famer
Registered: Feb 2006
Posts: 10543
|
MLB
Sunday, June 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox at Yankees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Night Baseball comes to New York as the Yankees host the Red Sox.
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (-115, 8)
MOLDING WINS FROM CLAY
Clay Buchholz is back after missing a start due to soreness in his right AC joint. The righty is 7-0 with a 1.73 ERA while holding opponents to a .194 batting average. This will be his second start against the Yankees after picking up a win against them on April 3 in New York. In that game, Buchholz allowed one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out four while walking two. The righty has been spectacular on the road, allowing just four total runs in his four starts away from Boston. His one weakness may be a lack of control, but even that hasn't been too bad with exactly three walks in each of his past three outings.
KURODA KEEPING IT GOING
Hiroki Kuroda has been one of the best pitchers for his team this season. The Yankees’ starter is 6-3 with a 2.39 ERA. He got a no-decision his last time out in a pitcher's duel with Matt Harvey when Mariano Rivera blew his first save of the season. Kuroda had a rough outing against Boston at home back on April 3 when he gave up two runs and four hits in just 1 1/3 innings before getting hit by a line drive. The righty has allowed only five earned runs in five starts at home.
INJURY REPORT
The injury situation is steadily improving for the Yankees who just recently got Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira back from injuries. The lineup is still awaiting the return of Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. They are also without Eduardo Nunez and Francisco Cervelli. Andy Pettitte is going to return from his neck injury on Monday against the Indians. Michael Pineda is also potentially coming back in June as he returns from a shoulder injury. Boston’s list is a lot shorter with Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks on the DL. Both are expected back early this month. The loss of Joel Hanrahan to Tommy John surgery could make things interesting for Boston’s bullpen.
TRENDS
The under is 8-2 in Buchholz’s last 10 Sunday starts.
Red Sox are 9-1 in Buchholz’s last 10 starts
The over is 9-4-1 in the Yankees’ last 14 Sunday games.
Yankees are 7-3 in Kuroda’s last 10 starts
HITTERS TO WATCH
Robinson Cano 12-for-28 vs. Buchholz
Lyle Overbay 7-for-25 vs. Buchholz
Stephen Drew 8-for-24 vs. Kuroda
Dustin Pedroia 7-for-15 vs. Kuroda
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
|
|
06-02-13 04:36 PM |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
