Saturday's MLB Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Cardinals (Pineiro) at Mets (Knight)**
-Caesars Palace installed New York as a $1.35 home ‘chalk’ over St. Louis, with the total set at 9½. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
-St. Louis hurler Joel Pineiro (3-4, 4.52 ERA) has recorded consecutive no decisions after Monday’s no decision against Milwaukee. The 29-year-old went six innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits (one home run) with a walk and two strikeouts.
-The Cardinals eventually dropped that contest as a $1.18 home favorite, 6-3. The combined nine runs slithered ‘under’ the 9½-run closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 2-1 his last three starts.
-The Puerto Rico native escaped with a no decision against the Mets July 2 after surrendering four runs on 11 hits with a walk and four strikeouts over five innings. The Cardinals eventually triumphed as a $1.10 home ‘chalk,’ 8-7, while the combined 15 runs toppled the nine-run closing total.
-New York left-hander Brandon Knight is back in the big leagues after a hiatus that lasted a couple years in the minors. The 32-year-old pitched for the New York Yankees in 2001 and 2002, but hasn’t been back in ‘the show’ the previous few years.
-Knight went 5-1 this season at Triple-A New Orleans with a 1.60 ERA, appearing in 11 games (five starts) encompassing 39 1/3 innings while yielding eight runs (seven earned) on 23 hits (three home runs) with 10 walks and 49 strikeouts.
**Diamondbacks (Webb) at Giants (Lincecum)**
-Caesars Palace opened Arizona as a $1.15 road favorite over San Francisco, with the total listed at 6½ ‘over’ (minus $1.20). This NL West contest is scheduled to begin at 9:05 p.m. ET.
-Arizona ace Brandon Webb (13-4, 3.11 ERA) picked up Sunday’s no-decision against Los Angeles despite tossing a solid eight innings. The former Kentucky Wildcat was reached for one run on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
-The D’backs eventually dropped that affair as a $1.40 home ‘chalk,’ 6-5, while the combined 11 runs eclipsed the 7½-run closing total. The ‘over’ has gone 3-1 his last four starts.
-The veteran right-hander is 2-0 against the Giants this season in two starts, going a combined 14 innings while allowing four runs on 12 hits with four walks and 12 strikeouts. The D’backs prevailed as a $1.75 road ‘chalk,’ 4-1, and as a $2.50 home favorite, 5-4.
-San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (10-3, 2.80 ERA) has alternated wins and losses his last four starts after Sunday’s setback to Milwaukee as a $1.32 home favorite, 7-4. The two-year veteran went six innings and was tagged for five runs on six hits (two home runs) with four walks and eight strikeouts.
-The combined 11 runs toppled the 7½-run closing total, ending back-to-back ‘under’ outings for the right-hander.
-Lincecum beat the D’backs May 27 as a $1.50 road underdog, 6-3, going 7 1/3 innings while yielding three runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. The combined nine runs went ‘over’ the eight-run closing total.
**Yankees (Pettitte) at Red Sox (Wakefield)**
-Caesars Palace lists Boston as a $1.20 home ‘chalk’ over New York, with the total set at nine ‘under’ (minus $1.20). This American League East matchup is slated to begin at 3:55 p.m. ET.
-New York southpaw Andy Pettitte (11-7) has alternated wins and losses his last five starts after upending Oakland Sunday as a $1.40 home favorite, 2-1. The 6-foot-5 hurler went eight innings, surrendering the lone run on four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.
-The combined three runs never seriously threatened the eight-run closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash his eighth straight start.
-The Louisiana native fell to the Red Sox July 3 as a $1.40 home ‘chalk,’ 7-0, tossing 4 2/3 innings while being reached for six runs (five earned) on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The seven runs went ‘under’ the nine-run closing total.
-Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (6-7, 3.69 ERA) is off Sunday’s setback to Los Angeles as a $1.10 road underdog, 5-3. The crafty right-hander lasted seven innings, yielding four runs on six hits (two home runs) with no walks and a strikeout.
-The combined eight runs went ‘under’ the nine-run closing total, snapping consecutive ‘over’ outings for the veteran hurler.
-Wakefield picked up a no-decision against the Yankees July 6 after surrendering three runs on four hits (one home run) with a walk and five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. The Red Sox eventually dropped that contest as a $1.60 road underdog, 5-4, while the combined nine runs slithered ‘over’ the 8 ½-run closing total.
**Twins (Baker) at Indians (Carmona)**
-Caesars Palace installed Cleveland as a $1.25 home favorite over Minnesota, with the total set at 8½. This AL Central matchup is scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. ET.
-Minnesota pitcher Scott Baker (6-3, 3.26 ERA) had won three of his last four starts before Sunday’s setback to Texas as a $1.40 home ‘chalk,’ 1-0. The Oklahoma State product was reached for the lone run on just two hits (one home run) with a walk and eight strikeouts over eight innings.
-The lone run never seriously threatened the nine-run closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 7-3 his last 10 starts.
-Baker is 0-1 against the Indians this season in two starts, going a combined 14 innings while surrendering two runs on 13 hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. The Twins prevailed as a home ‘pick,’ 2-1, while losing as a $1.63 road underdog, 1-0. The ‘under’ cashed both times.
-Cleveland right-hander Fausto Carmona(4-2, 3.10 ERA) was roughed up by Texas in his last start May 23 as a $1.55 home ‘chalk,’ 13-9. The Dominican Republic native lasted just two innings, surrendering six runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout.
-The combined 22 runs soared ‘over’ the 8½-run closing total, snapping a string of three straight ‘under’ outings for the 24-year-old.
-The three-year veteran was put on the disabled list after that game and out nine weeks with a left hip strain.
-Carmona went 3-1 against the Twins last year in four starts, going a combined 31 innings while allowing five runs on 23 hits with 11 walks and 15 strikeouts. The Indians prevailed as a $2.10 road underdog, 5-3, a $1.20 home ‘dog, 2-0, and as a $1.17 road favorite, 6-2, while losing as a $1.25 road ‘chalk,’ 1-0. The ‘under’ went 3-0-1 during those four outings.
vegasinsider.com.
Lawrence's MLB Weekend Cheat Sheet
By MARC LAWRENCE
Don’t look now but here come the Yankees. And just like that there is a three-way race for the American League East division pennant chase.
New York’s visit to Boston this weekend highlights a card filled with exciting playoff possibilities. Let’s take a look at some of the more intriguing matchups on the card in this edition of the MLB Weekend Cheat Sheet. Remember, all results are those from within each series. Enjoy the games!
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Most Recent Series Result: Yankees 10-6 last 16 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Yankees 12-7 last 19 here
Key Day/Month Stat: Red Sox 8-0 home Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Beckett 4-0, 3.25 ERA last four games
Worst Arm in the Series: Wakefield 0-5, 9.00 ERA last five games; Mussina 1-5, 6.48 ERA last six games
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Most Recent Series Result: Tigers 3-0 last three games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Tigers 11-6 last 17 here
Key Day/Month Stat: Tigers 8-0 Sundays; White Sox 0-3 away Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Floyd 5-1, 2.43 ERA career
Worst Arm in the Series: Contreras 1-4, 8.81 ERA last five games
NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets
Most Recent Series Result: Mets 7-4 last 11 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Mets 7-4 last 11 here
Key Day/Month Stat: Cardinals 15-4 on Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: Lohse 3-0, 3.43 ERA last three games
Worst Arm in the Series: Martinez 0-2, 5.25 ERA last two games
Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs
Most Recent Series Result: Marlins 10-0 last 10 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Marlins 6-4 last 10 here
Key Day/Month Stat: Marlins 2-8 Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Zambrano 5-0, 2.50 ERA last five games
Worst Arm in the Series: Lilly 0-4, 6.24 ERA last 4 games
Saturday's streaking starting pitchers
COVERS.com
Streaking
Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks (13-4, 3.11)
Webb has been lights out for the Diamondbacks. In fact, the right-hander has been sensational since joining the club in 2003.
Webb has won at least 13 starts in each of his last three seasons and he is on pace to extend that streak this season. He is 1-0 in his last three starts with a 1.29 ERA and is 7-3 on the road with a 2.71 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. In 16 career starts against the San Francisco Giants, Webb is 11-5 with a 3.22 ERA. He is also 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA against the Giants this season.
The Diamondbacks are 20-9 in their last 29 Saturday games and the Giants are 9-21 in their last 30 at AT&T Park.
Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets (8-6, 3.81)
The Mets have climbed to the top of the NL East and Pelfrey is partly responsible for their success. The right-hander is 2-0 with a remarkable 2.05 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in his last three starts and is undefeated in his last 10.
Pelfrey has conceded just three earned runs in his last four home starts, including back-to-back shutouts over the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants. He is 4-4 at home this season and is 1-0 with a 1.29 career-ERA against the St. Louis Cardinals.
New York is 9-1 in its last 10 home games and 13-3 in its last 16 overall.
Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (8-9, 3.95)
Verlander is 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in his past three starts and has not surrendered more than two earned runs in eight straight starts.
The right-hander has lost just two of his last 10 and is 3-1 in his last three home starts. He is also 23-11 with a 3.67 career-ERA in the Motor City.
The Tigers are 4-0 in their last four against the AL Central and 20-8 in their last 28 at U.S. Cellular Field.
Slumping
Jo-Jo Reyes, Atlanta Braves (3-9, 4.95)
It’s been a rough couple of months for Reyes. The lefty has just one win in his last 10 starts and is 0-3 in his last three outings with a lofty 10.12 ERA.
In his last three starts, Reyes has surrendered 12 earned runs in just 10.2 IP and has a mere four strikeouts in that span. Reyes is winless in two starts against the Philadelphia Phillies this season and has a 5.19 career-ERA against the club.
The Braves are 3-8 in Reyes’ last 11 road starts. They are also 5-16 in their last 21 against the Phillies and are 1-4 in their last trips to Philadelphia.
Yankees acquire Nady, Marte from Pirates
BOSTON (AP) -The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, bolstering their offense and bullpen ahead of next week's trade deadline.
Nady and Marte were coveted by several teams, and New York parted with top outfield prospect Jose Tabata and three other minor leaguers to complete the deal one day after team executives met at the club's facility in Tampa, Fla.
Two people familiar with the deal confirmed the trade on condition of anonymity because physicals were still pending.
``I can't speak to something that hasn't happened yet,'' Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said after New York's 1-0 win at Boston on Friday night.
But several Yankees spoke glowingly of Nady and Marte.
``There's so many unexpected things (that) happen this time of year,'' Alex Rodriguez said, ``but when you hear those names, I don't think anyone can expect to get two quality players like that in the middle of their prime to help our team.''
Nady is batting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs in 88 games. Marte is 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 2-3 innings.
``They were two special guys in our clubhouse and two special guys on the field, and obviously they will be dearly missed,'' Pirates manager John Russell said.
The Yankees have won seven straight to pull within 2 1/2 games of AL East-leading Tampa Bay pending the Rays' game at Kansas City.
Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline is July 31.
The Yankees, with Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada on the DL and possibly lost for the year, needed another right-handed bat for their lefty loaded lineup. Their bullpen had a 1.71 ERA over their last 22 games before Friday's win over Boston, and adding Marte gives them one of the top lefty specialists in baseball.
``The Yankees ownership always gives us an opportunity to win so it's really not surprising,'' Derek Jeter said. ``It seems like every year if they feel as though we need some different pieces to help us win they go out and get them.''
Pittsburgh, 48-55 and in fifth place in the NL Central after a 6-5 loss to San Diego, is trying to rebuild and avoid a 16th consecutive losing season at the same time.
In addition to Tabata, the Pirates acquired right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and George Kontos, and left-hander Phil Coke.
``We felt that this was the best move for the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as being a very good move for X and Damaso,'' Russell said.
Ohlendorf was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA in 25 games with the Yankees this season. He was demoted on June 27, and had a 1-1 record with a 4.03 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Tabata, Kontos and Coke all were with Double-A Trenton. Tabata was batting .248 with three homers and 36 RBIs entering play Friday, and Coke was 9-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 20 games, 19 starts. Kontos was 3-9 with a 3.77 ERA in 20 starts.
High-ranking Yankees officials gathered for meetings at their spring training complex Thursday. After a three-hour meeting, co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner confirmed one of the topics was indicted home run king Barry Bonds.
Steinbrenner wouldn't say if the Yankees are interested in Bonds, but it appears highly unlikely the team will pursue him after acquiring Nady.
Baseball Today
Arizona at San Francisco (9:05 p.m. EDT). Two of baseball's top pitchers square off when Brandon Webb (13-4) and the Diamondbacks face Tim Lincecum (11-3) and the Giants in a matchup of NL All-Stars.
STARS
- Mike Pelfrey, Mets, won his seventh straight decision by giving up just one run and seven hits over seven innings, with five strikeouts and no walks in a 7-2 rout of the Cardinals.
- Aaron Cook, Rockies, improved to 13-6 by giving up one run and five hits over eight innings in a 7-2 win over the Reds.
- Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks, homered, doubled and drove in three runs in a 10-2 win over San Francisco.
- Cliff Lee, Indians, gave up two runs and six hits with 10 strikeouts in eight innings, outpitching Livan Hernandez in a 5-4 win over the Twins.
- Jair Jurrjens, Braves, gave up three hits and a walk in eight scoreless innings, striking out six in an 8-2 win over the Phillies.
- Joba Chamberlain, Yankees, limited Boston to three hits in seven innings, striking out nine before Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera finished off a 1-0 victory over Boston.
- Wandy Rodriguez, Astros, limited the Brewers to a run and three hits over six innings, striking out seven in a 3-1 victory.
GOING SHOPPING
The Yankees acquired outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte from the Pirates in an attempt to bolster their offense and bullpen for the stretch run. They didn't come cheap though. Pittsburgh picked up top outfield prospect Jose Tabata, right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and George Kontos, and left-hander Phil Coke.
TEMPER, TEMPER
Joba Chamberlain fanned nine in seven innings of the Yankees' 1-0 win over Boston, but his strikeout of Kevin Youkilis provided the most drama. Chamberlain threw one high and tight that ricocheted off Youkilis' bat and sent him to the ground, drawing a warning from plate umpire Marty Foster. In Boston's 5-4 loss at New York on July 7, Youkilis scored on a wild pitch on which he slid into Chamberlain, who was covering home. One inning later, Youkilis stared at Chamberlain after a pitch behind his thigh. Chamberlain also was suspended for two games last August for throwing consecutive 98-99 mph pitches over Youkilis' head.
PHILLIES FALLING
Philadelphia was a season-high 13 games over .500 and had a season-best four-game lead in the division after a 20-2 win at St. Louis on June 13. After its 8-2 loss to Atlanta on Friday night, the Phillies are 13-21 since and have scored two runs or fewer 13 times in those 34 games.
BE LIKE MIKE
Mike Pelfrey won his seventh consecutive decision, a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals, helping the Mets to their 14th win in 17 games. New York is a season-high nine games above .500 thanks to the big right-hander, who hasn't lost in 11 outings since May 26 against Florida.
GENERAL LEE
Cliff Lee stayed on pace to become Cleveland's first 20-game winner in 34 years, becoming baseball's first 14-game winner and avenging one of his only two losses this season in a 5-4 win over the Twins. Lee allowed six hits and struck out 10 in eight dominant innings without a walk to improve to 6-0 at home. He retired the side in order five times.
PROUD PAPA
Aaron Cook went eight solid innings in the Rockies' 7-2 win over the Reds, but it wasn't nearly as memorable as the previous day. That's when the All-Star and his wife, Holly, welcomed 8-pound, 3-ounce Colton into the world. Colton arrived about 1:30 p.m., giving dad plenty of time to rest before his start Friday night.
ROAD WINNERS
The Rays moved one game in front of Boston in the AL East with a 5-3 win over the Royals, their first since June 29 at Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay had lost seven straight on the road and much of their division lead to the Red Sox and surging New York Yankees.
CRAZY EIGHT
Texas blew open a close game with an eight-run ninth inning in its 14-6 win over Oakland. Chris Davis started it with a two-run homer, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ian Kinsler were the next to score. Hank Blalock drove in Michael Young and Josh Hamilton, and Marlon Byrd's double to deep right scored Milton Bradley. David Murphy, who scored on Davis' homer, finished up the inning by driving in Blalock with a ground out.
SPEAKING
``Could we sabotage the physicals? We played Pittsburgh this year. Those two are really good players. (The Yankees) made a nice trade. They made themselves better.'' - Rays manager Joe Maddon, after learning the division-rival Yankees picked up Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh for a package of four minor leaguers - pending physicals.