Sunday’s Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Wandy Rodriguez (6-10, 5.00 ERA), Houston Astros
This 31-year-old lefty is starting to pitch the way he did in his career season a year ago. Rodriguez, like the rest of his Houston teammates, did not get off to the best start and his numbers are still pretty ugly.
But over his last three starts, the southpaw hurler is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA with 19 strikeouts to just four walks. This quality pitching seemed to come from nowhere. Rodriguez had allowed 14 runs in his last two starts before he turned it around.
C.J. Wilson (7-4, 3.24 ERA), Texas Rangers
You could make the case that this former closer was the Rangers’ staff ace before Texas acquired Cliff Lee. Wilson is having no trouble with the transition from the bullpen to the rotation. He’s riding a six-game stretch where he’s allowed two runs or less in each start.
The Rangers, not surprisingly, are 6-1 in Wilson’s last seven trips to the bump.
Slumping
Cole Hamels (6-7, 4.05 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies
This former World Series MVP really hasn’t been pitching that bad lately. It just seems like his team is destined to lose every time Hamels takes the mound. Philly is 1-5 in the lefty’s last six starts even though he sports a respectable 4.02 ERA over the stretch.
The Phillies average 4.8 runs per game this season but have given Hamels three or fewer runs in six of his last eight outings.
Jeff Francis (2-3, 5.12 ERA), Colorado Rockies
This Canadian left-hander has not been enjoying the 2010 campaign. It got off to a bad start when he had to sit out the first two months because of an injury and it hasn’t got much better since he returned to action.
Francis has allowed 13 runs in the last seven innings he’s tossed and the over is 4-1 in his last five starts.
Sunday Night Baseball: Cubs at Dodgers
By Marc Lawrence
The final game before the 2010 MLB All-Star game takes place Sunday night at Chavez Ravine where the Dodgers host the Cubs. Let’s see how this game shapes up.
Furcal en fuego
After going 3-for-3 in the Thursday night series opener against the Cubs, shortstop Rafael Furcal was hitting .429 with a 1.201 slugging percentage since returning from his bereavement leave on June 23.
Furcal, who lost his father in a tragic equine accident, was named NL Player of the Week and is enjoying a career year. He was extremely close to his dad and is dedicating the rest of the season in his honor.
After the leadoff man’s 12-game streak of scoring a run - the longest since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles - and 10-game hit streak ended Wednesday, he bounced right back with the big performance Thursday.
"He's made such a big difference in our ballclub," said Los Angeles manager Joe Torre.
Man power shortage
Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 30 with a strained right hamstring. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class-A Inland Empire on July 10.
Barring a setback, Ramirez will likely be activated from the disabled list when he's eligible July 15, the day the Dodgers return from the All-Star break.
"To me, there's no reason to gamble. We already had lost him for six games. For the tradeoff of having him as a pinch-hitter, I thought this was safer. When the second half starts, we won't have time to nurse him," said Torre.
Clearing house
Several baseball sources have confirmed that the Cubs are ramping up their efforts in the trade market to start clearing the books of unwieldy salaries.
The problem is, who wants what the Cubs are selling?
• A sore-armed spot starter/middle reliever with more than $30 million left on his contract and a reputation as a hothead (Carlos Zambrano).
• A broken-down corner infielder due $14.6 million next season, hitting .204 with nine homers and 30 RBIs (Aramis Ramirez).
• A former All-Star first baseman who has only what's left on his $13 million contract for this season, but is hitting .230 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs (Derrek Lee).
• A .276 hitting outfielder with 15 homers and 43 RBIs, but a major liability in any defensive position that is under contract through 2014 at $18 million per year - with a full no-trade clause (Alfonso Soriano).
"It has been very difficult for the family and the team the first half of the season," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts told season ticket holders Thursday at Wrigley Field. "This is not where the family wanted to be in the first half of the season.”
Arms race
Chicago right-hander Carlos Silva worked 6.0 innings in his last start, snapping a four-game, team start loss skid in a 6-4 win at Arizona.
Silva left after experiencing some pain behind his knee. He has had various aches and pains for most of the season but has been able to pitch through them for the most part.
The Cubs are 11-5 in Silva’s 16 starts this season, including 5-2 on the road.
Silva, 2-5 in his last seven-team starts during July, is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in his career starts against the Dodgers.
After a rugged 1-5 effort in his first six-team starts for the Dodgers this season, veteran right-hander Vicente Padilla is 2-0 in his last two outings.
Padilla has been in commanding strikeout-walk ratio with 33 strikeouts and three walks in his last five starts. He has cashed in four of six-career team starts against the Cubs.
Parting thought
The Dodgers have ruled this series of late, going 12-6 the last 18 games entering the weekend, including 5-1 at home.
Chicago had won 14 of its previous17 road games in July prior to its series opening defeat to the Dodgers Thursday night.
Sunday MLB Tips
By Kevin Rogers
The final day before the All-Star Break still has plenty of drama on the table with all six second-place teams sitting less than four games behind the leader of their respective division. Three of the top four teams in the NL West play late games on Sunday, as we'll start at Coors Field with the streaking Rockies battling the first-place Padres.
Padres at Rockies - 3:10 PM EST
The cardiac kids from Colorado look to wrap up the first half on a winning note, winning seven of eight games on this current homestand. The Rockies decided that leading a game from start to finish wasn't very fun, so Colorado has rallied for a victory in three of the last four wins. The Padres try to spoil the fun after blowing a late 8-5 advantage in Friday's 10-8 setback.
Jeff Francis (2-3, 5.12 ERA) looks to bounce back following two shaky starts against the Cardinals and Padres, allowing 13 earned runs and 13 hits in just seven innings. Francis only received a loss at San Diego in a 13-3 setback, as the Rockies rallied from a seven-run deficit to shock St. Louis, 12-9. Colorado has managed to win each of Francis' last three home starts, with each game finishing 'over' the total.
The Padres counter with southpaw Clayton Richard (6-4, 3.00 ERA), who was on the winning end of that 13-3 blowout of the Rockies on June 30. Richard turned in his best start of the season in that victory, striking out 10 and scattering five hits in seven innings of work. The left-hander has actually pitched well on the road, compiling an ERA of 2.98 away from Petco Park, but his lack of run support has resulted in San Diego going 3-4 in his seven away starts.
The Rockies have claimed seven of the 10 meetings this season, including three of four at Coors Field. The 'over' has cashed in five straight matchups, with double-digit runs scored between the clubs in four of those contests.
Angels at Athletics - 4:10 PM EST
A pair of eight-game winners takes the mound in Oakland as the Halos try to close the 4 ½-game gap in the AL West behind division-leading Texas. The A's are sliding quickly after a respectable start, as Bob Geren's squad looks to end a four-game skid.
The Angels put a stop to a four-game slide in Friday's extra-inning win over the A's, as ace Jered Weaver (8-4, 2.82 ERA) tries to rebound from a subpar effort at Chicago. Weaver allowed four earned runs and two homers in a 4-1 setback to the White Sox, the first non-quality start for the righty since a 10-1 loss at Oakland on June 8. In that defeat to the A's, Weaver gave up a season-high six earned runs and 12 hits in six innings, while being listed as a $1.40 road favorite. The Angels are 9-3 since last June when Weaver lost as 'chalk' in his last start.
The surprising Trevor Cahill (8-3, 3.17 ERA) suffered his first loss since May 16 when the Yankees beat the righty on Tuesday, 6-1. Cahill allowed six earned runs on only four hits in six innings, halting a five-game winning streak for Oakland in his previous five outings. The defeat Cahill endured two months ago came in a 4-0 loss in Anaheim as a $1.45 underdog, despite putting together a quality start. Cahill has turned into a great 'under' play, cashing in 10 of 13 outings.
The Angels have won six of the last eight meetings after the A's claimed two of the first three in April. Los Angeles is 6-2 the previous eight games at the Oakland Coliseum, with six of those contests finishing 'under' the total.
Yankees at Mariners- 4:10 PM EST
Two teams that have been going in completely different directions all season meet at Safeco Field as the Bombers look to keep up their winning ways heading to the break. New York has been on fire on its current West Coast swing by grabbing the first five games, but the Yanks couldn't claim the biggest prize by losing out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, with the former Cy Young Award winner getting dealt to Texas.
Lee's former teammate CC Sabathia (11-3, 3.19 ERA) has the accolades to win the top pitcher's award this season, grabbing seven straight victories. Sabathia has allowed three earned runs combined in his last four outings, including a 10-strikeout effort in his native Northern California as the Yanks stomped the A's, 6-1. The southpaw is 6-1 his previous seven starts in Seattle, as New York picked up two blowout wins at Safeco last season with Sabathia starting.
Ryan Rowland-Smith (1-8, 5.74 ERA) has turned in a pair of solid starts his last two times out, but the Mariners failed to give the left-hander substantial run support in losses to the Royals and Yankees. Rowland-Smith was a $3.20 road underdog against Sabathia and the Yankees on July 1, scattering five hits and two earned runs in six innings as Seattle fell, 4-2. The Aussie hasn't beaten the Yankees in three career starts, despite all three outings being quality ones.
The road team is 4-1 this season, while the Yanks are 6-3 the last nine meetings at Safeco Field. Even though it's dangerous to lay at least $2.00 on the road, New York is 17-4 in Sabathia's last 21 starts in this price range.
Cubs at Dodgers - 8:05 PM EST
The final game on the card comes from Chavez Ravine as Los Angeles and Chicago close out the first half. The Cubs swept a three-game set at Arizona, but fell short in the first two games in L.A., continuing a miserable first 3 ½ months. The Dodgers have claimed eight of 11 to stay within arms-length of the Padres in the NL West race.
Carlos Silva (9-2, 2.96 ERA) has turned into the ace of the Chicago staff, as the righty ended a four-start winless streak by winning at Arizona his last time out. Silva's road numbers are superb, putting together a 5-0 mark and ERA of 3.05 on the highway. Silva hasn't faced the Dodgers since 2006, while not pitching in Los Angeles since 2005 as a member of the Twins.
Veteran Vicente Padilla (3-2, 4.72 ERA) has pitched well off the disabled list, winning his last two starts against the Giants and Marlins. Padilla struck out 14 and walked only one in those victories, as each finished 'over' the total. The 'over' is now 6-2 in Padilla's eight starts this season, as the righty sees the Cubs for the first time in three seasons.
The Dodgers are 6-1 the last seven home meetings with the Cubs, with the 'under' going 5-1-1 in that span. Chicago is 5-1 to the 'over' the previous six games on the road, while scoring at least six runs five times in this current stretch.
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Tips and Trends
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
Twins (-125, O/U 9.5): Minnesota is slumping, as they've lost 4 consecutive games and 7 of 10 overall. As a result, the Twins have fallen 4 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central. The pitching staff of the Twins has let them down, as they have allowed each of their opponents to score at least 6 runs in each of their last 7 games. Minnesota is -4.09 and -14.86 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. P Carl Pavano will take the mound today, as he is 9-6 with an ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.06 this year. The Twins are 41-18 in their last 59 games against the American League Central. The Twins are 15-38 in their last 53 road games against a left-handed starter. Minnesota is 2-9 in their last 11 during game 3 of a series. Minnesota is 1-6 in their last 7 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. Twins are 5-1 in Pavano's last 6 starts overall. The Twins are 4-1 in Pavano's last 5 starts as a favorite. Minnesota is 7-3
in Pavano's last 10 starts against the American League Central.
Twins are 1-4 last 5 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 games against the American League Central.
Key Injuries - 1B Justin Morneau (concussion) is doubtful.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Tigers: Detroit has won their past 5 games, all as the listed favorite. With a win this afternoon, the Tigers will sweep the Twins. Detroit has scored 7 runs in the first 2 meetings in this series, and they will look to keep that going today. The Tigers have scored at least 6 runs in 6 of their last 8 games overall Detroit is 48-37 SU this season, 1 game ahead of the White Sox in the American League Central. Detroit is an incredible 32-12 SU at home this season. Lefty Andrew Oliver will make his 3rd start of the season, as he is 0-2 with an ERA of 5.93 and a WHIP of 1.54. The Tigers are 4-0 in their last 4 games against a right-handed starter. The Tigers are 10-1 in their last 11 home games against a right-handed starter. Detroit is 6-2 in their last 8 games during game 3 of a series. Detroit is 3-7 in their last 10 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Tigers are 3-8 in their last 11 games as an underdog.
Tigers are 19-7 last 26 home games against a team with a losing road record.
Over is 4-1 last 5 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (Side of the Day)
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers
Cubs: Chicago is likely to be a seller at the All-Star break, as they very well might be the most disappointing team in baseball this season. The Cubs are 10 games under .500 at 39-49 SU this year. Chicago is -20.90 and -8.91 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. The offense of Chicago has warmed up a bit, as they've scored at least 6 runs in 5 of their last 6 games overall. P Carlos Silva is expected to make the start tonight, and he's been the best pitcher for Chicago this season. Silva is 9-2 with an ERA of 2.96 and a WHIP of 1.07 this season. The Cubs are 10-3 in their last 13 games against the National League West. The Cubs are 5-13 in their last 18 road games against a right-handed starter. Chicago is 1-4 in their last 5 games during game 4 of a series. Chicago is 1-5 in their last 6 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Cubs are 5-1 in Silva's last 6 road starts overall. Chicago is 1-4 in Silva's last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The Cubs are 1-4 in Silva's last 5 starts overall.
Cubs are 1-5 last 6 games against a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-1 last 5 games against the National League West.
Key Injuries - LF Alfonso Soriano (elbow) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Dodgers (-145, O/U 7.5): Los Angeles will try to win their series with the Cubs tonight, in the final game before the All-Star Break. Each and every win is vital for the Dodgers, as they are competing in the competitive National League West division. Los Angeles is 48-39 SU this season, including 27-18 SU at home. The Dodgers are +1.38 and -1.63 units both SU and on the RL this year. P Vicente Padilla will make the home start for the Dodgers tonight, and he is 3-2 with an ERA of 4.72 and a WHIP of 1.13 this season. The Dodgers are 7-1 in their last 8 games against the National League Central. The Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 games against a right-handed starter. Los Angeles is 6-2 in their last 8 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Dodgers are 35-16 in their last 51 home games against a right-handed starter. Los Angeles is 4-1 in Padilla's last 5 starts against a team with a losing record. The Dodgers are 4-1 in Padilla's last 5 home starts.
Dodgers are 19-7 last 26 home games against a team with a losing road record.
Over is 7-3 last 10 home games against a team with a losing road record.
Key Injuries - LF Manny Ramirez (hamstring) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (OVER - Total of the Day)