Thursday's Early Action
By Brian Edwards
Bettors need to start their handicapping early because three Thursday games will come off the board by 12:35 p.m. Eastern. And the slate is already limited, especially in the American League with just four contests on tap.
The Mets have all sorts of issues but they have quietly won four games in a row. They can really gain some momentum Thursday by sweeping a day/night doubleheader at home. On the other hand, if the Rockies can produce a sweep, it may be the dagger for all intents and purposes.
Jim Tracy’s team is now one-half game behind San Francisco in the NL wild-card hunt. The Giants captured a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh in extra innings Wednesday, taking advantage of another terrific effort from Matt Cain. With the Rockies and Mets raining out, San Francisco took sole possession of first for the wild card.
Let’s touch on a few of the early games for Thursday.
**Rockies at Mets** (Game 1 of day-night doubleheader)
The New York Mets have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in 2009. They have been strapped with injuries galore and find themselves out of the National League East picture and clinging to slim hopes in the wild-card mix. The situation at Citi Field was further exacerbated by GM Omar Minaya’s curious performance at a press conference announcing the dismissal of exec Tony Bernazard, whose job status came in question after media reports of his volatile behavior toward players. Minaya put his job in jeopardy by suggesting a media member was trying to get Bernazard fired in hopes of landing his job. The whole situation is embarrassing for an organization that’s missed the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns due to unfathomable September collapses. Clearly, Minaya still has his job only thanks to a three-year extension signed this past off-season.
With all that said, the Mets bring a four-game winning streak into this spot. They are plus-110 underdogs at most books. The total is 8 ½ ‘over’ (minus-115).
Colorado’s Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 4.48 ERA) owns a 4-0 record and 2.43 ERA in the month of July. The lefty is 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA in eight road assignments. He hasn’t been as effective in day games, going 2-3 with a 7.07 ERA in six appearances (five starts). De La Rosa is 1-0 with a 7.71 lifetime ERA against the Mets.
New York LHP Jonathon Niese (1-0, 4.08) is a 22-year-old rookie who will be making his seventh career start. He has been sharp in two of his three outings since taking over the No. 5 spot in the Mets rotation two weeks ago. New York has prevailed in two of those three starts with its bats scoring 24 combined runs behind Niese.
Jeff Francoeur’s promising career had been in decline for well over 200 games, so the Braves traded the hometown product to the Mets. The change of scenery has been huge for Francoeur, who has 16 RBI’s in his first 14 games with his new club.
The Rockies are 15-15 against southpaws, while the Mets are just 10-13 versus lefties.
The Mets are 27-20 at home this year, while the Rockies are 27-25 on the road.
The ‘under’ is 50-44 overall for the Mets, 25-21 in their road contests.
The ‘under’ is 50-47 overall for Colorado, 29-22 in its road games.
Gamblers need to get their bets in early for this 12:10 p.m. Eastern start at Citi Field.
**A’s at Red Sox**
Most spots are listing Boston as an expensive minus-320 favorite with a total of 9 ½ ‘under’ (minus-120). Bettors don’t have lay quite as much ‘chalk’ by going the run-line route with the Red Sox at minus-150 (risk $150 to win $100).
Boston LHP Jon Lester (9-7, 3.79) is 5-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 10 home starts this season. The southpaw is 2-3 with a 4.74 career ERA against Oakland. The BoSox have emerged victorious from eight of Lester’s last nine assignments.
Oakland LHP Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 7.85) is 2-0 with a 4.43 ERA in five road appearances (two starts) this year. He has never faced Boston before.
Oakland has a 14-20 record when facing left-handers. On the flip side, the BoSox took a 21-12 ledger against southpaws into Wednesday’s showdown against the A’s lefty Brett Anderson.
Before Wednesday’s results were in, Boston had a 34-16 home record compared to Oakland’s 20-32 mark on the road.
The ‘under’ is 52-38 overall for the Red Sox, 27-18 in their home outings.
The ‘under’ is 52-46 overall for the A’s, 26-25 in their road games.
Lester will throw the first pitch at Fenway Park at 1:35 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
I’m pleased to announce that starting this week, Kevin Rogers will begin joining me every week to co-host The Power Hours on VI Radio.
Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke was brilliant in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at San Francisco. The left-hander threw seven scoreless innings, only to see his club lose in 10 innings. Duke’s ERA dipped to 3.26.
The Cubs pounded Mike Hampton and the Astros in a 12-0 victory Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Chicago cashed tickets as minus-200 favorites with Alfonso Soriano going yard again less than 24 hours after beating Houston with a walk-off grand slam on Tuesday night.
vegasinsider.com.
Afternoon Tip Sheet
By Judd Hall
Bettors won’t have to wait long to get their fix on Wednesday with four games going off before they hit their local pub for happy hour. Houston takes on the red-hot Cubs at Wrigley Field to get the action underway. And the Mariners will close out the early slate with a home tilt with Toronto.
Astros at Cubs – 2:20 p.m. EDT
A week ago, the Astros found themselves within a game of the lead in the National League Central. A recent three-game slide has brought them back to reality for the most part. As bad as the losing skid seems, they’re still just four games behind Colorado for the NL Wild Card.
Houston will look to stay relevant with Mike Hampton (6-7, 474 ERA) on the mound. The southpaw has been somewhat spotty this year on the road, going 3-4 with a 4.40 earned run average. Also, the ‘Stros have lost Hampton’s last three outings away from Minute Maid Park this season. Hampton didn’t get much love from his offense in those road starts, scoring a combined six runs.
You have to go back to April 21 for the last time that Chicago was atop the NL Central before this week. That’s what happens when you win five straight contests, but the streak was broken last night in a 11-6 setback to the 'Stros. The Cubbies’ offense has definitely come to play now. In their last four tests, they’re hitting .306 and have crossed the plate 23 times. They could have scored more than that considering that they left just over 19 runners on base each time.
Randy Wells (6-4, 3.10 ERA) hopes he’ll get that type of run support for his start. It’s not like he really needs it though. Wells has six of his last seven decisions, with five of those being quality starts. Wrigley has truly been friendly to him as well, as evidenced by a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.92 in his last four home starts.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants have listed the Cubs as $1.70 home favorites (risk $170 to win $100). Chicago is now listed as $1.77 home faves at most sportsbooks with the total coming in at 8 ½.
This series has been dominated by Chicago this season as they hold a 7-5 advantage. The ‘under’ has gone 7-4-1 in the 12 head-to-head meetings as well.
The Cubs haven’t been dominating against lefties this season, as evidenced by an 11-10 mark in 2009. However, they are a solid 5-1 in six daytime fixtures at home against left-handers this year.
If you fancy playing totals, then you should expect a low scoring affair for this tilt. Chicago has seen the ‘under’ go 26-22 at home this season, while the Astros have gone 28-20.
Blue Jays at Mariners – 4:40 p.m. EDT
Alright, so will this be Roy Halladay’s (11-3, 2.62 ERA) last start for the Blue Jays? I just feel like I should say that because everyone on ESPN keeps wondering the same thing.
Odds are pretty good he’ll be staying put in Toronto. I’m not sure Halladay wants to stay with them since he’s lost five of his last six starts this season. It’s not like he’s having bad outings either, lasting into the seventh inning in his last four starts with a 2.81 ERA.
The Blue Jays’ bullpen has had a hellish go of it when their staff ace is starting. In his last four starts, he’s had the lead in three of those games when he left. The ‘pen blew two of those contests. The only win that Halladay did get out of that stretch is because he tossed a complete game.
Seattle’s dream of getting back into the AL West race is fading almost as fast as the team. The Mariners have dropped four straight games, getting outscored 42-10 in the process. This slump includes a three-game sweep to the Indians. I’m pretty sure that would get most any other team eliminated from playoff contention.
The M’s will send out their Australian connection, Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-1, 3.48 ERA), to help stop the bleeding. The southpaw is coming off of a pretty good start on July 24 against the Tribe in which he gave up four earned runs on five hits in seven innings. As good as the outing was, the offense was the exact opposite in a 9-0 shellacking.
Most betting shops have installed Toronto as a $1.65 road “chalk” with the total coming in low at 7 ½. As of Wednesday morning, the Jays are now $1.70 road favorites with the total holding steady.
Left-handed pitching has been a kryptonite of sorts against the Jays this season. After all, they’re only 15-19 against lefties in 2009. That is surprising when you consider that Toronto is hitting .270 for the season, but .279 against southpaws. One trend to keep mind of is that the Blue Jays are 4-2 when taking on a left-hander in daytime road games.
As bad as Toronto has been against lefties, they have one hell of a weapon in Halladay. The Blue Jays' ace is 56-21 with a 3.39 ERA in 99 career daytime starts.
When you see a total as low as that, you can guess that runs will be coming at a premium. The numbers don’t suggest that to be the case here as Toronto has seen the ‘over’ go 12-6 in daytime road matches.
vegasinsider.com
Thursday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
The Thursday night card includes five matchups that involve teams either fighting for a Wild Card berth, or trying to solidify their grasp on a division lead. The top three clubs in the NL East will be showcased, including the two teams right behind the Phillies battling it out in South Florida.
Braves at Marlins (7:10 PM EST)
The Marlins have been on fire as of late, winning seven of eight, as they creep closer to the top of the NL Wild Card race. Don't dismiss the Braves, who have won 12 of 19, including five victories over the Rockies and Giants in this stretch.
Florida sends out right-hander Rick VandenHurk (1-0, 2.45 ERA), who made his first two starts of the season on the last road trip at San Diego and Los Angeles. VandenHurk beat the Padres, but picked up a no-decision in a loss to the Dodgers. Can't fault VandenHurk, as he left with a 3-1 lead, but L.A. rallied against the Florida bullpen to capture a 4-3, walk-off win. VandenHurk's last three starts against the Braves have been solid outings, allowing six hits and one run in 16 innings of work.
Javier Vazquez (8-7, 2.98 ERA) has rebounded nicely after some bad luck in June. The Braves righty has won his last four starts, including three against teams in the midst of the playoff race (Phillies, Cubs, Brewers). Vazquez has finished 'under' the total in 12 of 18 starts this season, including eight of the last nine. Vazquez was on the losing end of a 5-1 decision to the Marlins in April, but the veteran struck out 12 batters, a season-high.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants has installed the Braves as a $1.45 favorite, with the total set at 8.
Dodgers at Cardinals (8:15 PM EST)
A pair of struggling right-handers get together for the finale of a four-game set at Busch Stadium. Hiroki Kuroda (3-5, 4.57 ERA) and Kyle Lohse (4-6, 4.35 ERA) have both missed time this season due to injury, and are trying to get back to last season's success. The Cardinals and Cubs continue to see-saw atop the NL Central, while the Dodgers are rolling along inside the NL West.
Kuroda is coming off a no-decision his last time out in a win over Florida, but is seeking his first victory since July 3 at San Diego. The Dodgers haven't given Kuroda much run support, averaging only 3.45 runs/game.
A year removed from winning 15 games, Lohse has picked up one victory since the end of April (nine starts). In Lohse's three July starts, the Cardinals are 0-3, while the righty's ERA is 5.62 in this span. Nighttime hasn't been kind to Lohse, with St. Louis going 1-6 in his seven starts after the sun goes down.
LVSC has listed the Cardinals as a $1.20 home 'chalk,' while the total sits at 9.
Mariners at Rangers (8:15 PM EST)
The Rangers have taken six of nine meetings this season against the Mariners this season, as these teams begin a crucial four-game set at Ameriquest Field. Seattle has won two straight after dropping four in a row. Texas, meanwhile, has heated up with eight wins in its last ten contests, despite getting blasted by Detroit on Wednesday night, 13-5.
The Rangers have allowed three runs or less in eight of their last ten games, sending out lefty Derek Holland (3-6, 6.13 ERA). The Texas southpaw has compiled only one quality start in nine outings this season, while not tossing more than 95 pitches in any start. Despite the high ERA, the 'under' has hit in five of his seven starts.
Fellow left-hander Garrett Olson (3-4, 5.37 ERA) has been anything but effective since the All-Star Break. The former Oriole has allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts (4 IP), both losses to the Tigers and Indians. Prior to this poor stretch, Olson did pick up a pair of victories as a substantial underdog at Boston and Los Angeles.
The Rangers are a $1.50 favorite, with the total listed at 10 ½, according to LVSC.
Yankees at White Sox (8:15 PM EST)
The Yanks and Sox meet up for this first time this season, as New York is slowly walking away with the AL East division. The Bronx Bombers are 11-2 since the break, while helping the White Sox by sweeping the Tigers and Twins over the last month. Since the Mark Buehrle perfect game, the Pale Hose are just 1-6, while getting swept in Minnesota the last three days.
Gavin Floyd (8-6, 4.24 ERA) gets the ball for the Sox, going for his fifth home victory. The Sox right-hander has significantly better numbers on the South Side, owning a 2.70 home ERA, while Chicago is 7-2 in his home starts. The 'under' has been a profitable play when Floyd starts at home, going 'under' in six of nine starts. The Sox beat the Yankees in Floyd's two starts last season, including a seven-inning effort in the Bronx.
Andy Pettitte (8-6, 4.87 ERA) hasn't been sharp as of late, dropping three of his last four decisions. The nail in the bettor's coffin was a loss as a home favorite of $3.00 against the A's his last trip to the mound. Pettitte's best role has been on the road this season, putting together a 4-2 mark, while the Yanks have won six of his eight away outings.
The Yankees are 15-2 their last 17 games against a right-handed starter, while the Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 versus a left-handed starter. The Bombers claimed five of seven meetings last season, including two of three at U.S. Cellular Field.
LVSC has listed the Yankees as road 'chalk' at a $1.30, with the total is listed at 9 ½.
Phillies at Giants (10:15 PM EST)
The Phillies have been red-hot since the break, going 10-2, while winning 19 of their past 22. Philadelphia added another ace on Wednesday by acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, bolstering a pitching staff that could use another reliable arm. The Giants and Rockies, meanwhile, continue to go back-and-forth atop the Wild Card standings.
Jonathan Sanchez (3-9, 4.92 ERA) is best known for tossing a no-hitter against the Padres back on July 10, but his record won't indicate any sort of dominance. Sanchez has compiled only four quality starts in 16 trips to the mound, but is 3-1 at home this season.
The Phillies have won all four of Rodrigo Lopez's (3-0, 3.09 ERA) starts this season. Lopez has not made a road start yet, as the Phils have given the righty 8.5 runs/game.
Philadelphia and San Francisco split six meetings last season, while the 'over' hit four times. The Phillies are a $1.20 road favorite according to LVSC, with the total set at 9.
vegasinsider.com
Thursday's streaking and slumping starters
By Covers.com
Streaking
Gavin Floyd (Chicago White Sox)
The 26-year-old right-hander appears to be hitting his stride at the right time for Chicago.
Floyd (8-6, 4.24 ERA) has struck out at least seven batters in each of his past three starts, proving the command that made him one of the best pitcher’s in the AL last season is returning. If he can cut down on his walks – 46, the 11th-most in the league – he will be back among the elite.
In his most recent start, he allowed only one earned run on six hits in 6 2-3 innings against the Tigers. Overall, he has yielded just four earned runs in the past 13 2-3 innings. He also has won four of his past five decisions.
"Outstanding," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Floyd to the Associated Press. "The last three or four starts he has been great.”
Javier Vasquez (Atlanta Braves)
Don’t let it fool you that Vasquez allowed four runs in his most recent start against the Brewers. He still managed to strike out nine against just three walks and went seven strong innings.
Vasquez (8-7, 2.98 ERA) has won each of his past three starts and the team is finally starting to give him the run support he's lacked.
The right-hander is second in the NL in strikeouts (150) and fourth in WHIP (walks + hits over innings pitched) at 1.07. Over the past 40 2-3 innings, he has allowed just nine earned runs and struck out 38.
Slumping
Derek Holland (Texas Rangers)
A move back into the starting rotation may not have been the best thing for the young lefty.
Holland (3-6, 6.13 ERA) has struggled to the point where Dustin Nippert is ready to take his spot in the rotation if he is unable to come up with at least a quality outing. In each of his past two starts, he has failed to make it out of the fifth inning.
In his most recent outing, a 6-3 loss to the Royals, he gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 2-3 innings. He also allowed a home run and walked two. He has allowed a home run in eight of his nine starts this season.
"It's frustrating, but also it's a learning process," Holland told reporters. "I'm only 22. These guys have been around and they know what to expect. I'm still learning.”
Kyle Lohse (St. Louis Cardinals)
After missing nearly all of June on the disabled list, Lohse was supposed to bolster the Cardinals rotation during the stretch run. Instead, he is helping to blow up the team's postseason hopes.
Lohse (4-6, 4.35) has given up 10 earned runs in his past 16 innings and picked up the loss in three of his past four starts. In his most recent outing, a 14-6 loss to the Phillies, he gave up three runs on four hits and three walks in just four innings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers (62-39) at St. Louis (56-48)
The Cardinals gun for a four-game sweep of the Dodgers when they send right-hander Kyle Lohse (4-6, 4.35 ERA) to the Busch Stadium mound against Hiroki Kuroda (3-5, 4.57) and the Dodgers.
St. Louis continued its dominance of Los Angeles with a 3-2, 15-inning victory Wednesday, coming from behind in both the bottom of the ninth and 11th innings to tie the game then winning it on Albert Pujols’ two-out RBI single in the 15th. Not only have the Cardinals taken the first two games of this series by a combined score of 19-3, but they’re now 44-20 in its last 64 meetings with Los Angeles and 27-8 in its last 35 clashes against the Dodgers at Busch. The Redbirds are on additional positive surges of 7-1 at home, 7-1 against the N.L. West, 18-4 against teams with a winning percentage above .600 and 14-2 on Thursday.
L.A. has now lost four in a row for the first time all season and five of its last six. Joe Torre’s squad is also on slides of 1-5 against right-handed starters and 1-5 as an underdog
St. Louis has lost four in a row and eight of nine behind Lohse, including Saturday’s ugly 14-6 setback at Philadelphia, in which the veteran allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in just four innings. It was Lohse’s third start since a stint on the disabled list, and he hasn’t pitched the Cards to a win since May 23.
Lohse is 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA in seven home starts this year, and he’s 1-2 with a 4.95 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against Los Angeles. Additionally, the Cardinals are 13-6 in Lohse’s last 19 home starts, but they’ve lost six straight games when the 30-year-old has faced a winning opponent.
The Dodgers have come out on top in Kuroda’s last two starts and four of his last six. On Saturday against Florida, he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings, with nine strikeouts against just one walk, getting a no-decision in L.A.’s 4-3 walk-off home victory. Kuroda is 3-2 with a 4.99 ERA in six road appearances (five starts) this season, and this will be his first career start against St. Louis.
L.A. is 5-0 in Kuroda’s last five outings against N.L. Central squads, but it has dropped five straight road games against winning teams behind the right-hander.
The Dodgers are on “over” runs of 5-3-1 overall, 10-4 on the road and 12-7 against right-handed starters, but with Kuroda throwing, the under is on streaks of 8-3 overall, 5-0 against winning teams and 14-6-1 on the highway. The Cardinals are on “under” streaks of 10-4 overall, 21-9 at home (7-1 in their last eight at Busch) and 6-1 against the N.L. West. Finally, the under has been the play in eight of the last 12 meetings in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ST. LOUIS and UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (62-39) at Chicago White Sox (51-51)
The streaking Yankees give the ball to southpaw Andy Pettitte (8-6, 4.67 ERA) to open a four-game weekend set against the White Sox, who will counter with right-hander Gavin Floyd (8-6, 4.24) at US Cellular Field.
New York finished off a three-game set at Tampa Bay on Wednesday with a 6-2 victory, getting eight shutout innings from starter Joba Chamberlain. The Yanks are on hot streaks of 11-2 since the All-Star break, 47-22 overall, 10-4 on the road and 16-2 against right-handed starters, and they’ve also won 16 of their last 21 series openers.
Chicago returns home after concluding a seven-game road trip to Detroit and Minnesota, going 1-6 in that stretch, capped by Wednesday’s 3-2 loss. Despite the rough road trip, the Sox are on upswings of 10-3 against lefty starters and 9-3 at home.
This marks the first series of the season between these clubs. New York has owned this rivalry lately, going 10-3 in the last 13 clashes overall and 5-1 in the last six meetings in Chicago, but the Bronx Bombers are just 1-4 in Pettitte’s last five starts against the White Sox in the Windy City.
The Yankees have followed up a three-game win streak behind Pettitte with losses in three of his last four starts. On Saturday against Oakland, the left-hander allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings of a 6-4 home loss. Over his last four starts, Pettitte has twice allowed six runs, and he’s 0-3 with a 6.37 ERA in that stretch.
Pettitte is 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA in eight road starts this year, and he’s 11-9 with a 4.48 ERA in 22 career starts against Chicago. With the veteran on the hill, the Yanks are on runs of 5-0 in series openers, 4-1 on the road and 20-7 against the A.L. Central
The Sox are 7-3 in Floyd’s last 10 starts, but they were dealt a tough 4-3 setback at Detroit on Saturday, blowing a 3-2 ninth-inning lead. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings in getting a no-decision. Floyd is 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA in nine home starts this season, and he’s 1-0 despite a bloated 6.75 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against New York. Behind Floyd, Chicago is on runs of 22-6 at home and 4-0 at home against winning teams.
The under is 9-3-1 in New York’s last 13 games, and with Pettitte pitching, the under is on tears of 37-16-1 overall, 16-5 in series openers, 19-7 on the highway and 8-3 against winning teams. Likewise, Chicago has stayed under the total in 11 straight games overall and four straight against A.L. East foes, and the under is also on stretches for the Pale Hose of 19-7-1 in series openers, 37-16 at U.S. Cellular (4-0 last four) and 5-1 with Floyd starting at home.
Conversely, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in the last four meetings in Chicago, and with Pettitte facing the Sox, the over is on runs of 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the Windy City.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Gametimepicks.com
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, July 30
L.A. Dodgers at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EDT). Hiroki Kuroda matched a season high with nine strikeouts in his last start for the Dodgers. The Cardinals send Kyle Lohse to the mound in this match up of division leaders.
STARS
Wednesday
-Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners, doubled twice and drove in the decisive runs in the seventh inning, and Seattle beat the Blue Jays 3-2.
-Matt Cain, Giants, pitched nine scoreless innings for the Giants in a 1-0, 10-inning win over the Pirates.
-Josh Johnson, Marlins, hit a three-run homer and allowed three runs in six solid innings, lifting Florida to a 6-3 victory over the Braves.
-Joba Chamberlain, Yankees, pitched eight scoreless innings to lead New York to a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay.
-Curtis Granderson and Justin Verlander, Tigers. Granderson led off the game with a home run and connected again in the second inning, and Verlander equaled a career high by striking out 13 as Detroit beat the Rangers 13-5.
-Randy Wells, Cubs, gave up six hits in eight, leading Chicago to a 12-0 victory over Houston.
-Justin Upton, Diamondbacks, homered and drove in three runs as Arizona defeated the Phillies 4-0.
-Albert Pujols, Cardinals, lined an RBI single over the head of center fielder Matt Kemp with two outs in the 15th inning, giving St. Louis a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers.
SWAP MEET
Looking for an ace to bolster their so-so rotation, Philadelphia acquired Cliff Lee from the Indians. The defending World Series champions also received outfielder Ben Francisco. The Indians got Triple-A pitcher Carlos Carrasco, infielder Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson along with Class-A pitcher Jason Knapp. ... The Giants acquired infielder Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh. The teams announced the trade right after the Giants beat Pittsburgh 1-0 in 10 innings. San Francisco sent minor league pitcher Tim Alderson to the Pirates. ... The Pirates also sent shortstop Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell to Seattle for shortstop Ronny Cedeno, Triple-A catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement and three minor league pitchers in return.
TAKE THAT
Tampa Bay's Matt Garza hit New York Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira with a fifth-inning pitch in a 6-2 loss, then said he did it because he's tired of opposing pitchers throwing at Rays All-Star Evan Longoria. "I hate to be that guy, but someone had to take a stand and say we're tired of it,'' Garza said.
ALL PUTOUTS
Kansas City did not have an assist in a 7-3 loss to the Orioles. The last team to go a game without an assist was Tampa Bay on May 17, 2003, also in a loss - eight innings in the field - to Baltimore, according to STATS LLC. Only five teams in big league history have done it for at least nine innings. Cincinnati was the last, in 1997.
CLOSE
Rookie Mat Latos and two relievers combined on a one-hitter and San Diego beat the Reds 7-1. Greg Burke and Mike Ekstrom both pitched one inning to complete the Padres' second one-hitter this year. Matos allowed only Jerry Hairston Jr.'s homer in the fourth inning.
DEJA VU
The AL West-leading Angels beat Cleveland 9-3 and reached the 100-game mark with a 60-40 record, one win shy of last season at this stage. They have played better than .500 ball during the first 100 games in each of Mike Scioscia's 10 seasons as manager, reaching 60 wins three times.
GOOD FIT
Alfonso Soriano, the Cubs' former leadoff hitter, has settled in nicely as Chicago's No. 6 hitter. Batting sixth exclusively the last 12 games, he has a .383 average with five homers and 15 RBIs, including Monday's 13th-inning grand slam. He hit a three-run homer in Chicago's 12-0 win over the Astros on Wednesday.
BALKY BACK
Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt has received an injection to treat an irritated disk in his lower back and could have his next start pushed back. Oswalt left Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning with lower back discomfort. Officials hope he responds well to the injection and can make his scheduled start Sunday, but caution that it may have to be postponed depending on his progress.
STATS
San Diego won two straight games for the first time since June 27-28. ... In 17 games since his return from a three-week demotion to Triple-A Salt Lake, Howie Kendrick is batting .383 (23 for 60) with 14 RBIs. ... Mike Lowell hit a three-run homer and had five RBIs in an 8-6 loss to Oakland. ... In the first innings of his 18 starts this season, Mike Hampton has allowed 24 runs - an ERA of 12.00, compared to 4.04 from the second inning on. He allowed six Wednesday in a 12-0 loss to the Cubs. ... Aarong Harang hasn't won since May 25, going 0-8 in 12 starts. It's the longest losing streak of his career and the longest by a Reds pitcher since Danny Graves lost eight straight decisions in 2003.
SPEAKING
"Our offense is not such that we can come right back and score a lot of runs. He settled down, but it was too late. That's totally unacceptable. It's embarrassing. It's pitiful to watch. It's terrible. We've got to get after them. They're taking it to us right now. They're not a good club, and they're beating us, so what does that make us?'' - Manager Dusty Baker after the Reds were one-hit in a 7-1 loss to the Padres.
Road Warriors!!
By SportsPic
Nobody has played better this month in the majors than the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. Despite the 4-0 loss at D'Backs last night the Phillies remain an MLB-best 19-6 in July stuffing +$1160 in betting accounts. Tonight they look to bounce back in the first of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Phil's a major league best 31-16 (+$1748) on the highway count on Rodrigo Lopez (3-0, 3.09) in the opener. Lopez making his 5th start of the season wearing a Philadelphia uniform has not faced Giants as a starter since the '04 season. Meanwhile, Giants one of the best in front of the home are off a sweep of the Pirates moving the mark to an impressive 34-15 (+$1774) at AT&T Park. Giants counter with southpaw Jonathan Sanchez (3-9, 4.92 ERA) who's off a loss at Colorado giving up 5 hits, 5 runs over 5 innings of work in the 8-2 defeat. It is well to note Giants are 2-9 with Sanchez vs. a team with a winning record, 2-8 with the lefty starting a series and 1-5 with Sanchez vs. an National East opponent. Phi's 8-1 last nine as favorites of -$1.10 to -$1.50, 6-0 last six facing a left-handed starter and 4-1 last five on the road facing a lefty have been pegged -$1.15 to -$1.25 faves depending on locale.
Phillies head West
By SBGGlobal.com
Philadelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants
Thursday, 10:15 pm Eastern
SBG Global Opening Line: Phillies -120 , Total 8.5 Over - 120
Baseball’s best road team faces the league’s best home team as the Philadelphia Phillies are at the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. Rodrigo Lopez is set to go for the Phillies while the Giants counter with Jonathan Sanchez.
SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Phillies on the Road.
Lopez could be making his last start for the Phillies for a while. He has done everything he can to stay in the starting rotation. He is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA this season. With the Phillies getting Cliff Lee and with Pedro Martinez just about ready, it could be that Lopez’s time in the starting rotation is coming to an end.
Sanchez is 3-9 with a 4.92 ERA for San Francisco this season. He had his one great start when he threw the no-hitter against the Padres but other than that he hasn’t been very good. He gave up five runs on five hits in an 8-2 loss to Colorado last time out.
The Giants continue to play great ball at home. They are coming off a sweep of the Pirates as Randy Winn singled with two outs in the 10th to give them a 1-0 win on Wednesday. It was the first sweep of the Pirates for the Giants since 2005. Brian Wilson got the win although Matt Cain did all the work, throwing nine scoreless innings. Cain leads the league in ERA at 2.12.
Here are the MLB Betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Phillies are 22-5 in their last 27 games as a road favorite. The Phillies are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Phillies are 21-8 in their last 29 vs. the National League West. The Phillies are 4-0 in Lopez’s last 4 starts.
The Giants are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home underdog. The Giants are 35-16 in their last 51 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Giants are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. the National League East. The Giants are 7-19 in Sanchez’s last 26 starts as an underdog.
SBG Global Current Line: Phillies -112 , Total 8.5 Over - 120
The Under is 5-1-1 in the Phillies last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 6-1 in the Giants last 7 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Giants last 5 home games. The Over is 9-2-2 in Sanchez’s last 13 home starts. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in San Francisco between the two teams.