Monday's Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards
There are nine games on the MLB agenda Monday, including an afternoon affair in Toronto in its wrap-around series with the White Sox. Only two of the nine contests will go down late night on the West coast.
Let’s take a look.
**Twins at Yankees**
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened New York (20-17, -380) as a minus-170 favorite for its series finale against Minnesota. As of early this morning, most sports books had the Yankees at minus-160 with a total of 10 ‘under’ (minus-115). They are available on the run line (minus 1 ½ runs) for a plus-120 return (risk $100 to win $120).
--Joe Girardi’s club has won a season-best five in a row, including three straight over the Twins in walk-off fashion. Johnny Damon took the honors Sunday, blasting a solo shot in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift his team to a 3-2 victory. Damon’s dinger was his 10th of the year, while Alex Rodriguez popped his third homer -- also of the solo variety -- to ignite the Yanks’ rally from a 2-0 deficit in the seventh.
--Minnesota (18-20, -356) has been horrible on the road all season, posting an abysmal 4-11 record. The three losses in the Bronx have dropped the Twins to three games back of the Tigers, who lead the AL Central by one game over second-place Kansas City.
--The Yankees are in third place in the AL East, 4 ½ games back of division-leading Toronto. They are 9-7 at the new Yankee Stadium to date.
--Ron Gardenhire will give the starting nod to LHP Glen Perkins, who has a 1-2 record and 4.27 ERA in seven outings this year. The lefty is 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA in a pair of road starts.
--Andy Pettitte (3-1, 4.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Bronx Bombers. A two-time All-Star and winner of 218 career games, Pettitte is still going strong at the age of 36. The lefty has a 1-0 record and 5.79 ERA in three starts at the new Yankee Stadium.
--The ‘over’ is 20-15-2 overall for the Yankees, 9-5-2 in their home assignments.
--The ‘under’ is 10-3-2 for the Twins in their road games.
--The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern.
**Mets at Dodgers**
--LVSC opened Los Angeles (26-13, +1159) as a minus-145 ‘chalk’ with a total of nine ‘over’ (minus-115). Gamblers can back the Dodgers on the run line for a plus-145 payout (risk $100 to win $145).
--New York (21-16, +87) had won eight consecutive head-to-head meetings against San Francisco until the Giants collected a 2-0 win over the Mets on Sunday night. Nevertheless, Jerry Manuel’s squad still leads the NL East by one-half game over the Phillies.
--Tim Redding will make his season debut for the Mets after missing the first six weeks with a strained right rotator cuff. The veteran right-hander, who has a 34-51 record and 4.92 career ERA, allowed four earned runs over 13 innings in a pair of minor-leauge rehab starts.
--Randy Wolf (2-1, 2.77) will take the ball for the Dodgers, who return home after a 4-2 road trip through Philadelphia and Florida this past week. Wolf picked up a victory against the Phillies with six strong innings, but gamblers should keep in mind that he threw a season-high 113 pitches. The southpaw has three no-decisions in as many home starts with an ERA of 2.60.
--Joe Torre’s team has posted a remarkable 14-3 home record. The Dodgers lead San Francisco by six games in the NL West. They are 5-5 in 10 games since Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance.
--The Mets own a 9-8 record on the road. They are 5-2 against lefties.
VegasInsider.com
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Milwaukee (23-14) at St. Louis (21-16)
The red-hot Brewers go for a series sweep of the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, with Milwaukee’s Braden Looper (3-2, 4.70 ERA) slated to oppose Kyle Lohse (3-2, 4.25) in an N.L. East clash.
Friday’s series opener was rained out, but the Brewers have since posted victories of 1-0 on Saturday and 8-2 on Sunday to run their winning streak to five in a row. Additionally, Milwaukee has won 11 of its last 13 and is 19-5 in its last 24 outings, going 9-2 on the road during this surge. The Brew Crew are on further streaks of 5-1 as an underdog, 13-3 against teams with a winning record and 9-2 versus N.L. Central foes.
St. Louis has now dropped six of its last eight games (all against the N.L. East) and nine of its last 13, and the team is 1-6 in its last seven against winning teams. Still, the Redbirds sport positive streaks of 18-6 at Busch Stadium and 21-7 as a home chalk.
In taking the first two meetings of the season series, Milwaukee continues to own this rivalry, going 9-1 in the last 10 clashes overall and 8-1 in its last nine games in St. Louis.
Looper earned an 8-6 home victory in his most recent outing Wednesday against the Marlins, despite surrendering five earned runs in six innings. Since starting the season 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his first four starts (all Milwaukee wins), Looper is 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in his last three outings. The veteran right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA in two road starts in 2009.
Lohse’s season has taken the same arc as Looper’s, as the right-hander went 3-0 with a 1.97 ERA in his first five starts, but he’s since given up 13 runs (all earned) on 16 hits (three home runs) over 10 1/3 innings in his last two outings, losing 6-1 to the Phillies at home and 8-3 to the Reds on the road. Despite the loss to Philadelphia, Lohse is still 3-1 with 3.20 ERA in four starts at Busch Stadium.
Looper, who pitched for St. Louis from 2007-2009, has faced his former mates 16 times, all in relief, and he’s delivered 17 consecutive scoreless innings while notching three saves. Meanwhile, Lohse is 3-3 with a 5.22 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against the Brewers. Last year, Lohse faced Milwaukee three times and posted a 4.26 ERA, with St. Louis losing all three games.
Although Sunday’s game barely crept over the posted total, the under is still 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings between these division rivals and 6-2-1 in the last nine battles at Busch Stadium. Also, St. Louis carries “under” trends of 4-1 overall (all against divisional opponents) 4-2 at home, 4-1 on Monday and 5-1 as a favorite. Finally, the Brewers are on “under” streaks of 7-3 as a road underdog and 6-1 in the third game of a series, though the over is 5-1 in their last six road games and 4-0 in their last four on Monday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
N.Y. Mets (21-16) at L.A. Dodgers (26-13)
After completing a successful first road trip without suspended slugger Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers return home to greet the Mets in the opener of a three-game series. Tim Redding is scheduled to make his 2009 debut and be matched up against L.A.’s Randy Wolf (2-1, 2.77).
The Dodgers started their six-game journey with a 5-3 loss at Philadelphia, but rebounded to win four of the last five contests, including Sunday’s 12-5 rout of the Marlins in which young left-hander Clayton Kershaw took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Despite not having Ramirez, Los Angeles averaged 6.3 runs per game on the trip. Joe Torre’s club enters this contest on a slew of positive runs, including 23-10 overall, 40-14 at Dodger Stadium (14-3 this season), 17-6 following a victory, 21-10 on Mondays and 35-16 as a favorite.
New York came up short in its attempt for a four-game weekend sweep in San Francisco, losing 2-0 to the Giants on Sunday night to snap a three-game overall and five-game road winning streak. The Mets remain on impressive runs of 11-3 overall, 4-0 after a loss, 23-10 as an underdog and 13-4 against the N.L. West.
New York won four of the final five meetings against the Dodgers last year and is 9-5 in the last 14 head-to-head battles, including 4-3 at Dodger Stadium.
Wolf was fantastic in Wednesday’s contest in Philadelphia, scattering a run on three hits and three walks over six innings while striking out eight en route to a 9-2 road victory that snapped a sting of five consecutive no-decisions. Los Angeles is 8-2 in Wolf’s last 10 home starts and 8-3 in his last 11 as a favorite, including his first go-round with the team in 2007. This season, the veteran southpaw has yet to record a decision in three home outings, posting a 2.60 ERA in 17 1/3 innings.
Wolf has made 28 career starts against the Mets, going 11-5 with a 3.34 ERA. The 28 starts and 11 victories are the most for Wolf against any opponent, as are his 149 strikeouts and 175 innings.
Redding’s season has been delayed because of a shoulder injury. Last year with the Nationals, he went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA in 33 starts, including 4-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 15 road games. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.64 ERA in six career appearances (four starts) against the Dodgers. However, the one victory came last year when he was with Washington and yielded three runs (all solo homers) in six innings of a 5-4 home win.
New York is riding “over” streaks of 9-2 overall, 6-2-1 on the road, 35-16-8 as an underdog, 24-9-4 as a road pup, 6-1-1 against the N.L. West and 6-0 when facing a southpaw starter. Similarly, the Dodgers are on “over” stretches of 16-5-1 against right-handed starters, 8-3-1 versus the N.L. East, 26-12-3 on Monday and 5-0 when Wolf faces N.L. East foes. Lastly, the over is 9-3-1 in the last 13 series meetings between these clubs at Dodger Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. DODGERS and OVER
GAMETIMEPICKS.COM
Monday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
By Covers.com
Slumping
Scott Richmond (4-2, 4.28 ERA), Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays could use a rebound from rookie starter Scott Richmond as they try to sweep a four-game home series over the struggling Chicago White Sox on Monday.
The 29-year-old rookie won four straight quality starts April 15-May 3, but has since lost his last two outings while allowing five runs in each. The right-hander didn't make it out of the second inning of Wednesday night's 8-2 home loss to the New York Yankees, giving up seven hits and walking two in the shortest outing of his 12 career starts.
"He just couldn't locate his fastball. If you can't locate your fastball, you're in trouble," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston told the team's official Web site. "Hopefully, he'll get past that and come back and pitch a good game for us."
Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 7.78), Florida Marlins
Arizona's sleeping bats could come alive today against Nolasco could be in for a test, however, against Florida's Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 7.78).
Although he has had success in his career against the D-backs (4-0 with a 2.12 ERA) the right-hander is struggling this season after winning a career-high 15 games in 2008.
Nolasco had his worst outing of the season Wednesday in an 8-6 loss at Milwaukee, giving up eight runs and seven hits in 3 2-3 innings.
"I'm trying to do a lot more than I need to do," Nolasco told the Marlins' official Web site. "I should slow down a little. I've felt close for a really, really long time now. The results aren't completely translating to where I'd like them to be."
Streaking
Randy Wolf (2-1, 2.77 ERA), Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers will turn to Randy Wolf, who is 5-0 with a 3.60 ERA in his last seven starts against the Mets.
The left-hander has only recorded one win despite being impressive over his last four starts, posting a 1.16 ERA.
Wolf was solid again Wednesday, allowing one run and three hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of a 9-2 win at Philadelphia. However, he threw a season-high 113 pitches.
"I didn't think I was very efficient," Wolf said after getting his first win in six starts.
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, May 18
Pittsburgh at Washington (7:05 p.m. EDT). Shairon Martis (5-0) of the Nationals provides a reason to watch a matchup of two of the worst teams in baseball.
STARS
Sunday
-Prince Fielder, Brewers, hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning of an 8-2 victory at St. Louis.
-Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners, singled under the glove of third baseman Mike Lowell to score Ronny Cedeno with two outs in the ninth inning to give Seattle a 3-2 win over Boston.
-Johnny Damon, Yankees, hit a game-winning homer in bottom of the 10th inning to lift New York to a 3-2 win over Minnesota.
-Jake Peavy and Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres. Peavy pitched a four-hitter and Kouzmanoff had a solo homer and an RBI single in San Diego's 3-1 win over Cincinnati.
-Ramon Santiago and Curtis Granderson, Tigers, each hit three-run homers to rally Detroit from six runs down in an 11-7 win over Oakland. Santiago finished with four hits, including an RBI triple, and scored three runs.
-John Buck, Royals, hit a tiebreaking RBI triple in the eighth inning of a 7-4 win over Baltimore.
-Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, gave up two runs in seven innings to win his fifth straight start as Toronto beat the Chicago White Sox 8-2.
-Scott Feldman, Rangers, gave up four hits in six innings of a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
-Ivan Rodriguez and Lance Berkman, Astros. Rodriguez hit his 300th career home run, a two-run shot, and Berkman had two hits and an RBI in Houston's 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs.
-Nate McLouth, Pirates, had three of his four RBIs during a 10-run seventh inning as Pittsburgh rallied for an 11-4 win over Colorado.
WALK-OFF WIN STREAK
Johnny Damon's homer in the 10th inning Sunday gave the Yankees a 3-2 win over Minnesota for their third straight comeback win over the Twins that was capped by a game-ending hit. The last time New York had three consecutive walk-off wins was August 27-29, 1972.
BALKY
Mets starter Mike Pelfrey balked three times in a 2-0 loss against the Giants, matching a dubious franchise record. The last pitcher in the majors to have three balks in a game was Al Leiter for Toronto against Minnesota on April 23, 1994. It was only the second time in Mets franchise history that a pitcher had three balks. Don Rowe did it on April 27, 1963, at Philadelphia. Bob Shaw holds the NL record with five balks for the Milwaukee Braves against the Cubs on May 4, 1963 - and he had three in one inning.
QUICK RETURN
Los Angeles Angels starter John Lackey will return to the mound on Monday night following an early exit from his season debut two days earlier, when he was ejected after throwing two pitches at Rangers leadoff man Ian Kinsler. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Sunday's series finale against the Rangers that Lackey will get the call Monday night in the opener of a four-game road series against Seattle.
WELL, THAT WORKED OUT
After a pregame lineup mistake cost Tampa Bay its designated hitter for the game, Andy Sonnanstine hit an RBI double and gave up five runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings in the Rays' 7-5 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. The Rays listed both Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria as the third baseman. Longoria was supposed to be DH, but Tampa Bay lost that position because of the mistake and was forced to put Sonnanstine in the third spot of the lineup.
DAY OF REST
San Diego's Jake Peavy pitched a four-hitter to lead the San Diego Padres to a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 3-1 victory Sunday. Peavy gave the Padres' bullpen a much needed rest after the club used eight pitchers in Saturday night's 6-5 win. That one took 5 hours, 14 minutes, exactly three hours longer than Sunday afternoon.
PERFECT 10
Nate McLouth had three of his four RBIs during a 10-run seventh inning of the Pirates' 11-4 win over Colorado. The first 11 batters reached in the seventh for Pittsburgh, which trailed 4-1 entering the inning but scored at least 10 runs in an inning for the first time since Aug. 20, 2003.
THE THRIL OF VICTOR-E-E-E-E
The Royals beat Baltimore 7-4 despite committing four errors. It was the first time the Royals had committed four errors in a game and still won since April 10, 2003 at Detroit.
FALLIN' ANGELS
Texas swept the Los Angeles Angels with a 3-0 win Sunday, giving the Rangers their seventh straight win, the Rangers' longest streak since winning nine straight from May 20-31, 2005.
SPEAKING
"If you'd told me we were going to commit four errors and still have a chance to win the ballgame, and win it by the margin we did, I'd have told you you were crazy. It took us a while to wake up.'' - Royals manager Trey Hillman on Kansas City's 7-4 win Sunday after trailing by three runs.