Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes expected to be out until July
May 1, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) -Phil Hughes has a stress fracture in one of his ribs, and the New York Yankees' pitcher is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.
The news comes at an inopportune time for the injury-depleted Yankees, also missing three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez, All-Star catcher Jorge Posada and reliever Brian Bruney.
``I say no on crisis mode,'' general manager Brian Cashman said. ``I say this is what every team that wants to get to the promised land has to deal with at one point or another, and deal with it. And if you can't, you're not championship-worthy.''
Hughes, placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, had tests that revealed a stress fracture in the ninth rib on his right side. He will be shut down for four weeks and then re-evaluated. Cashman said the team probably can't expect the 21-year-old right-hander back before July.
Hughes is 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in six outings this year, an alarming start for a touted youngster who was expected to be a key member of New York's rotation.
``His fastball command has been uncommonly off. Now we get an idea why,'' Cashman said.
Still, Hughes refused to offer the injury as an explanation or excuse for his struggles.
``I really don't think it was an issue in my performance,'' he said. ``Subconsciously, I may have been doing something different or whatever. But it's still something that I want to work out as far as performing well when I get back.''
When the Yankees put Hughes on the DL, they initially said he had a strained right oblique muscle. Both he and the team were surprised to receive a more serious prognosis.
``At least for me, I was in disbelief,'' Hughes said. ``I was expecting to get the results of the MRI and have some small muscle strain or something like that. For it to be this, especially with the way things are going pitching-wise and everything else, it's just not a fun time right now.''
Hughes said he has ``no idea'' how he got hurt. He first felt a little discomfort the morning after a two-inning start at Chicago last week, when he didn't come out for the third because of a rain delay.
He was tagged for six runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 6-4 loss to Detroit on Tuesday night.
``It could have been around for a while and it was just so minor that I didn't know it. Or it could have been something that happened overnight. There's no way of knowing,'' Hughes said. ``There wasn't like one specific pitch, like I said, where I felt it. It was just one of those things. I woke up one morning and there was a little discomfort, but nothing major. And then after last night there was significantly more discomfort.''
Right-hander Darrell Rasner, 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, will start in Hughes's spot Sunday against Seattle.
``Disappointed more than anything. But at least I have an answer for what was going on in there,'' Hughes said. ``I was worried about what it was.''
Rodriguez is on the 15-day DL with a strained right quadriceps. The Yankees were waiting for additional opinions on Posada's ailing throwing shoulder before determining whether he needs surgery.
New York manager Joe Girardi said before Thursday night's series finale against the Tigers that Posada is doing strengthening exercises for his shoulder and won't throw for two weeks.
Hughes was working on a no-hitter in his second major league start last May 1 at Texas when he departed after 6 1-3 innings because of a strained left hamstring. He sprained his left ankle while rehabilitating the original injury and didn't return to the Yankees until Aug. 4. He finished the season 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 13 starts.
``His first two years here now in the big leagues he's suffered some setbacks,'' Cashman said. ``But we're hoping that it's going to be a long career. If that's the case, hopefully he's getting it out of the way early.''
Tigers reinstate RHP Francisco Cruceta from restricted list
May 1, 2008
NEW YORK (AP) -The Detroit Tigers reinstated reliever Francisco Cruceta from the restricted list before Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees.
The right-hander was brought up from Triple-A Toledo, where he was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 15 strikeouts in seven innings spanning three games.
Cruceta, from the Dominican Republic, had trouble getting his work visa this spring. He was assigned to Toledo on April 22. He takes the roster spot of right-hander Jason Grilli, traded by Detroit to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday for minor league pitcher Zachary Simons.
Cruceta could provide a boost for a Tigers bullpen missing key relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney because of shoulder injuries.
Rockies SS out at least until All-Star break
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER (AP) -Colorado Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a torn tendon in his left quadriceps and could be out until the All-Star break if not longer, his agent said Thursday.
''Best case scenario is six weeks. The realistic one is a few months,'' agent Paul Cohen told The Associated Press.
He said team doctors will have a better feel for a timeline in a week after swelling and bleeding subside.
Tulowitzki, the runner-up for NL rookie of the year last season, when he led the Rockies to their first World Series, was injured Tuesday night at San Francisco and underwent an MRI on Wednesday.
Bedard vs. Wang matchup incites over/under speculation
COVERS.COM
This is arguably the pitching matchup of the year in the American League.
New York Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang will face Seattle’s prized lefty Erik Bedard at Yankee Stadium Friday night.
Even with these two top-tier pitchers on the mound, oddsmakers have set the total at a relatively high 8 ½ runs, but almost any number would be tough to reach if these starters are on top of their games.
Wang is 5-0 and is the No. 2 money pitcher in baseball. Even with names like Mussina and Pettitte in the New York rotation, the Taiwanese right-hander has emerged as the ace of this staff with impressive power and a nasty sinker.
Aside from one terrible performance against Boston in which he gave up eight runs in four innings on April 16, Wang has been unbeatable. In his other five starts this season, he has allowed a total of just five runs in 35 innings.
Wang has not lost to the Mariners in six career meetings and he has a 2.55 ERA in those games, including a 1.62 ERA in the last three.
Bedard spent the first month of this season dealing with a few injury issues, which may have worried Mariners management after they traded away five players to bring Bedard to Seattle and forked over $7 million for one year. But judging by his latest start, he’s feeling just fine now and there's nothing to worry about.
After coming off the 15-day DL earlier this week to make his first start in nearly three weeks, Bedard looked as though the inflamed hip which put on the shelf was fully recovered. He allowed just two hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Orioles, giving him a 2-0 record and a 2.04 ERA in three starts this season.
Obviously the Yankees’ lineup will be a much tougher test for Bedard than that outing against his former club (Baltimore), but his recent history against the Bronx Bombers has been impressive. He’s won his last four starts against New York, including a pair of seven-inning shutouts in the last two.
On top of that, the vaunted New York lineup has been struggling mightily so far this season, no matter who's on the mound. Partly due to injuries to players like Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada – both currently on the DL – the Yankees are hitting just .255 as a team and are ranked 19th in the majors in runs scored.
Not surprisingly, New York’s over/under record is a shocking 8-20-1.
With these two pitchers on the mound, both looking to be in top form, and the Yankees’ bats darn near the freezing mark, it’s probably worth a look at the under for baseball bettors.
Friday's NL Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards
All 16 National League teams are in action tonight under the lights. The Cubs and Cardinals will start their series tonight with first place in the NL Central going to the winner. Also, the Mets head out west to take on the red-hot Diamondbacks.
**Cubs at Cardinals**
--Most books are listing St. Louis (18-11, +495) as a minus 120 home favorite. The total is 8½ flat (minus 110 either way). Bettors can get super-generous odds of plus 170 (risk $100 to win $170) for backing the Cardinals on the run line (minus 1½ runs).
--Chicago (17-11, +309) fell one-half game back of the division-leading Cardinals when Kerry Wood blew a save chance Thursday. Milwaukee captured a 4-3 win as a plus 135 underdog thanks to a three-run explosion off Wood in the top of the ninth.
--Tony Larussa will give the starting nod to Adam Wainright (3-1, 2.79 ERA) in this spot. The right-hander has been awful against the Cubs, posting a 0-3 record and 7.50 ERA in four career starts. Wainwright has been money at home this year with a 3-0 record and 2.19 ERA.
--Rich Hill (1-0, 3.79) has a pair of no-decisions and 5.63 ERA in two road starts this season. The southpaw is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in three lifetime starts against St. Louis.
--St. Louis owns a 12-6 home record compared to Chicago’s 6-5 mark on the road. The Cardinals are 5-4 against left-handed pitching.
--Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano came off the disabled list Thursday, but he went 0-for-4 against the Brewers. Soriano is hitting just .164 through 64 at-bats.
--The 'under' is 11-9 in St. Louis home games, but the 'over' is 8-6 for the Cubs in their road games.
--WGN will provide television coverage for the first pitch at 8:15 p.m. Eastern.
**Mets at Diamondbacks**
--Most spots are listing Arizona (20-8, +1027) as a minus 125 favorite with a total of nine ‘over’ (minus 120). Gamblers can back the D-backs on the run line for a plus 170 return.
--Bob Melvin’s team was off Thursday after taking the rubber game of the Houston series on Wednesday. The D-backs beat the Astros 8-7 despite trailing by four runs at one point. In the sixth, Melvin turned to Micah Owings as a pinch hitter with a runner on and two outs. Owings belted a two-run homer to tie the game.
--Fresh off his heroics at the plate, Owings (4-0, 3.48) will toe the slab Friday in the series opener against the Mets. The right-hander has only faced New York once, giving up three earned runs in six innings of a no-decision.
--New York (14-12, -156) is in a second-place tie with Florida in the National League East. Both teams trail division-leading Philadelphia by one-half game.
--John Maine (2-2, 3.58) is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in a pair of career starts against Arizona. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.40 in a pair of home starts this season.
--Arizona is threatening to run away with the NL West early. The D-backs are five games in front of the second-place Dodgers.
--Arizona is 11-3 at home, while New York is 5-7 in its road games.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--Dodgers RHP Brad Penny will get the ball tonight against the Rockies. The hard-throwing righty has a 13-2 record and 2.97 career ERA vs. Colorado. Joe Torre’s team has won six in a row.
--Colorado will counter Penny with LHP Jeff Francis, who is 4-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 10 lifetime starts against the Dodgers. L.A. is 6-3 in nine previous games against southpaws.
--The 'over' is an MLB-best 23-10 in Pittsburgh games.
--There are only two NL teams showing a winning record for the 'under,' Houston (17-16) and Atlanta (16-14).
--The Braves are winless in nine one-run games this season. They return home tonight in hopes of snapping a four-game losing streak. Tim Hudson (3-2, 3.74) will get the ball as a minus 135 favorite against the Reds, who will go with Edinson Volquez (4-0, 1.23).
-Florida was glad to see the Dodgers leave South Florida after they swept the Fish in a three-game set. The Marlins hope Mark Hendrickson (4-1, 3.68) can pick up his fifth win when he takes the mound tonight against San Diego. The Padres are an abysmal 2-6 against lefties.
vegasinsider.com
Baseball Today
Seattle at the New York Yankees (7:05 p.m.). Erik Bedard and the Mariners take on Chien-Ming Wang and the Yankees. Bedard (2-0, 2.04 ERA) won his first game back from the disabled list last Saturday, while Wang (5-0, 3.23) struck out nine in a 1-0 victory over Cleveland on Sunday.
STARS
- Ryan Braun, Brewers, homered and drove in three runs in a 4-3 win over the Cubs.
- Sidney Ponson, Rangers, pitched eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Royals, earning his first win in exactly a year.
- Juan Pierre, Dodgers, went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins. He also was hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored a run.
- Matt Garza, Rays, allowed two runs and three hits over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Orioles that kept the surprising Rays atop the AL East.
- A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays, scattered three hits over 7 2-3 innings in a 3-0 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out five and walked five.
OUCH!
Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has a torn tendon in his left quadriceps and could be out until the All-Star break. ... B.J. Upton left Tampa Bay's 4-2 victory over the Orioles with a strained left shoulder. Upton said he should be fine in a day or two.
POWER PITCHER
Carlos Zambrano pitched 6 1-3 innings in the Cubs' 4-3 loss to Milwaukee, allowing one run and seven hits. He also helped himself with his 13th career homer - tying the team record held by Ferguson Jenkins.
SWEEPING GIANT
The Dodgers completed their second consecutive series sweep by beating Florida 5-3. The Dodgers have won six in a row, their longest winning streak since taking seven straight to close the 2006 season.
SPREAD THE WEALTH
The Athletics pounded out 20 hits in a 15-6 rout of the Angels, highlighted by an eight-run fifth inning. Everybody got in on the act, too, with five different A's driving in a pair of runs each and every player in the starting lineup getting a hit.
SEXSON'S SWING
The Mariners' Richie Sexson hit the first pitch he saw from Masa Kobayashi for his 300th career homer in a 3-2, 11-inning loss to Cleveland. It was his sixth of the season and 100th since signing with Seattle as a free agent after the 2004 season. The first baseman reached the Seattle milestone in 463 games, quickest in team history.
BURNING BOSTON
Toronto starter A.J. Burnett improved to 4-0 against Boston by scattering three hits over 7 2-3 innings in a 3-0 victory. He's allowed one run in 16 innings over two starts at Fenway Park.
HOWARD CONNECTS
Slumping slugger Ryan Howard homered off Joe Thatcher leading off the eighth inning, pulling a 2-0 fastball into the right field seats and helping Philadelphia to a 3-2 win over the Padres. The 2006 NL MVP, who is batting just .184 with six homers and 14 RBIs, also had an RBI double.
SPEAKING
``Fundamentally sound baseball - it sounds simple and boring, but you put yourself in position to win a game.'' - Dodgers manager Joe Torre, whose team scratched out two runs in the ninth for a 5-3 victory over the Marlins.
MLB WRITE-UP
Hot Pitchers
-- Hendrickson is 4-0, 3.98 in his last five starts.
-- Volquez is 4-0, 1.21 in five starts this season.
-- Oswalt is 2-0, 3.15 in his last three starts. Villanueva has 2.77 RA in his last couple starts.
-- Cubs won three of four Hill starts (1-0, 3.79).
-- Wainwright is 2-0, 2.66 in his last three starts.
-- Francis has 2.57 RA in his last three starts. Penny is 3-0, 2.41 in his last three starts.
-- Owings is 4-0, 3.48 in five starts this season. Maine is 2-1, 2.66 in his last four starts.
-- Buchholz has 1.29 RA in his last couple starts. Jackson is 2-2, 3.86 in five starts this season, last four of which were home.
-- Wang is 5-0, 3.23 in six starts this season. Bedard is 3-0, 3.18 in his three starts this season.
-- Sabathia has 0.64 RA in last two starts, after he had 13.50 RA in his first four starts.
-- Detroit is 3-0 in Galarraga starts (2-0, 2.50).
-- Texas is 4-0 with Padilla if it scores four or more runs.
Cold Pitchers
-- Misch is making first start of season for Giants.
-- Germano is 0-2, 11.15 in his last three starts.
-- Chico is 0-4, 7.29 in his last four starts. Dumatrait is making first start of season for Pirates.
-- Kendrick has 7.52 RA in five starts this season.
-- Hudson is 1-2, 7.11 in his last three starts.
-- Buehrle is 0-2, 4.50 in his last three starts. Marcum is 0-2, 4.97 in his last two starts.
-- Hochevar is 1-1, 5.91 in two starts this season.
-- Hernandez is 0-1, 9.82 in his last three starts.
-- Guthrie is 0-2, 5.40 in his last three starts. Weaver is 1-2, 5.87 in his last four outings.
-- Blanton is 0-4, 4.13 in his four home starts.
Hot Teams
-- Phillies won eight of their last eleven games. Giants won four of last six road games.
-- Nationals won four in row, six of last seven games.
-- Brewers won five of last seven road games.
-- Cardinals won four of last five games.
-- Dodgers won their last six games, scoring 47 runs.
-- Arizona is 11-3 at home this season. Mets won three of their last four games, but lost four of last five away from Shea.
-- Rays won eight of last nine games.
-- Indians won seven of their last ten games.
-- Tigers won eight of their last ten games. Minnesota won its last four home games.
-- Angels won six of their last nine games.
-- A's won five of their last six home games. Rangers won three of their last four games.
Cold Teams
-- Marlins lost four of their last five games. Padres lost twelve of last fifteen games.
-- Pirates lost seven of last eight road games.
-- Braves lost their last four games, scoring 11 runs. Reds lost eight of last 12 road games.
-- Astros lost four of their last five games.
-- Cubs lost three of their last four games.
-- Rockies lost nine of last eleven games.
-- Red Sox lost six of last eight games, scoring four runs in last five contests.
-- Bronx lost three in row, six of last seven games. Mariners lost six of their last eight games.
-- White Sox lost four of last six road games. Blur Jays are 2-8 in their last ten games.
-- Royals lost five of last six road games.
-- Orioles lost four of their last five games.
Totals
-- Under is 8-3 in last eleven games at Philadelphia.
-- Over is 10-4-1 in Florida home games.
-- Over is 12-5 in last seventeen Pirate games.
-- Under is 6-2 in last eight Atlanta games.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Houston games.
-- Under is 7-3 in Cubs' last ten games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Dodger games.
-- Five of last seven New York games went over the total.
-- Last six Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-4 in last dozen games played in the Bronx.
-- Four of last five White Sox games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Sabathia starts went over the total.
-- Five of last six Detroit road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Angel home games.
-- Four of last five Texas road games went over the total.
Trend Sheet
7:05 PM KANSAS CITY vs. CLEVELAND
Kansas City is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kansas City's last 11 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
Cleveland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
7:05 PM SAN FRANCISCO vs. PHILADELPHIA
San Francisco is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
7:05 PM SEATTLE vs. NY YANKEES
Seattle is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home
NY Yankees are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games
7:05 PM TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 4-20 SU in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
7:07 PM CHI WHITE SOX vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
7:10 PM SAN DIEGO vs. FLORIDA
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego's last 7 games on the road
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 6 games
7:35 PM CINCINNATI vs. ATLANTA
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cincinnati's last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
7:35 PM PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Washington
Pittsburgh is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Washington is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
8:05 PM MILWAUKEE vs. HOUSTON
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games
8:10 PM DETROIT vs. MINNESOTA
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
8:15 PM CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
Chi Cubs are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
9:05 PM LA DODGERS vs. COLORADO
LA Dodgers are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
9:40 PM NY METS vs. ARIZONA
NY Mets are 16-4 SU in its last 20 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
10:05 PM BALTIMORE vs. LA ANGELS
Baltimore is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Angels are 6-2-1 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games
10:07 PM TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games
Tips and Trends
Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox [7:05 PM ET]
Rays: Tampa Bay's Edwin Jackson will be making only his second road start of the season and first since visiting Yankee Stadium back on April 5th. Jackson dazzled New York in that appearance, earning the win after allowing just 1 run and 5 hits in 6 innings with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. He is coming off a solid start vs. Boston last time out, walking away with a no-decision after giving up 1 run and 5 hits in 7 innings with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Rays are 9-1 in their last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 8-1 in Tampa Bay's last 9 series openers.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
Red Sox (-165, O/U 9): Boston's Clay Buccholz has been outstanding at Fenway Park this season, allowing only 1 run in 12 innings for a 0.75 ERA. Buccholz is coming off a tough loss to the Rays on Saturday despite giving up just 2 runs and 3 hits in 8 innings and notching a season-high 9 strikeouts. He will be going for his second straight win at Fenway.
The OVER is 14-5-2 in Boston's last 21 Friday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (Side Play of the Day)
Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees [7:05PM ET]
Mariners: Seattle ace Erik Bedard has looked great in his 3 starts this season - all resulting in wins. Bedard made his first start in more than 2 weeks on Saturday due to a hip injury, allowing just 2 hits in 6 scoreless innings of a 5-3 home win over the A's. He was a bit rocky in his lone road start though, surrendering 5 runs and 4 hits in 6 innings of a 6-5 win at Tampa Bay back on April 8th. The southpaw has walked 4 batters in each of his starts.
Mariners are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings at New York.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
Yankees (-135, O/U 8.5): New York's Chien-Ming Wang may be the early favorite for the American League Cy Young award after getting off to a 5-0 start. Wang also has a 3.23 ERA so far this season and only once has he hit up for more than 3 earned runs. However, he is 2-0 in 3 home starts with a 5.29 ERA and surrendered 8 runs in his last outing at Yankee Stadium.
The UNDER is 16-5-1 in New York's last 22 games as a favorite.
The UNDER is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
Key Injuries - C Jorge Posada (shoulder) on 15-day DL.
3B Alex Rodriguez (quad) on 15-day DL.
PROJECTED SCORE: 5
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals [WGN | 8:15 PM ET]
Cubs: Chicago southpaw Rich Hill will make his fifth start of the season after having his spot skipped against the Brewers. Hill is 1-0 at home in 2 starts with a 2.45 ERA, but he has gone more than 5 innings just once this season. That came in his first start back on April 4th, as he allowed 2 runs and 4 hits in 6 innings of a 4-3 loss.
Cubs are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings at St. Louis.
The UNDER is 10-1-1 in Chicago's last 12 Friday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 2 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Cardinals (-125, O/U 8.5): St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainright will try to stay perfect at home in his 4th start there this season. Wainright is 3-0 so far with a 2.19 ERA, his only loss has taken place on the road. He notched a complete-game victory last time out against Houston, allowing 3 runs and 5 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. All the runs came courtesy of the long ball. The 6-foot-7 right-hander is 0-3 lifetime vs. Chicago though with a 7.50 ERA in 4 starts.
Cardinals are 26-12 in their last 38 games as a favorite.
The UNDER is 10-4-1 in Wainright's last 15 home starts.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks [10:05 PM ET]
Mets: New York's John Maine will try to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season when he faces the Diamondbacks. Maine is coming off a win against Atlanta last time out at home, allowing 2 runs and 3 hits in 5 innings with 3 walks and a season-high 7 strikeouts. He is 0-2 on the road this season with a 5.40 ERA and 1-1 lifetime vs. Arizona with a 2.25 ERA.
Mets are 13-3 in the last 16 meetings at Arizona.
Mets are 7-3 in their last 10 Friday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Diamondbacks (-120, O/U 9): Arizona's Micah Owings is 4-0 with a 3.48 ERA and will be making his scheduled start despite a sore ankle. Owings threw a 55-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday after pitching 5 innings in an eventual 8-7 loss at San Diego on Saturday. "There were no problems out there," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "He has three more days, and by then he'll be fairly close to 100 percent." Owings was forced to leave the game in the sixth inning after he turned his ankle on an RBI double.
Diamondbacks are 19-7 in their last 26 games overall.
The OVER is 7-3-1 in Arizona's last 11 home games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 5