Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
As we enter Round 3 of Interleague Play, the matchups are becoming more intriguing by the day. Plenty of fresh storylines appear with the first battle of the Windy City between the White Sox and Cubs, while the two Texas teams get together in Arlington. There's also potential to see the highest favorite on the board all season when the Yankees host the woeful Nationals. Four matchups catch our eye in the Tuesday Interleague edition of Tip Sheet.
Marlins at Red Sox - 7:10 PM EDT
Two of the top Interleague teams of all-time get together at Fenway Park, as the Marlins try to continue their current hot streak. Florida swept through Toronto this past weekend, outscoring the Jays, 24-11. The Marlins avoid Red Sox ace and ex-Fish righty Josh Beckett in this series, after facing the likes of former Cy Young winners Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter, Randy Johnson, and Barry Zito over the last ten days. Florida takes its 114-93 (55%) lifetime Interleague record into Beantown, facing right-hander Tim Wakefield. The veteran knuckleballer has been money as a home favorite in Interleague play, as the Red Sox have won seven of Wakefield's last nine starts in this situation, dating back to 2006.
Marlins sophomore righty Chris Volstad has been a profitable play on the road, with Florida winning nine of Volstad's 12 career road outings. The 'under' has hit a consistent rate in Volstad's road ventures, going 'under' the total in nine of twelve games, as nine opponents have scored three runs or less in this span. Despite a 3-3 Interleague record this season, the Sox are 119-98 (54.8%) lifetime against the National League, while sporting a 39-13 mark at home in Interleague since 2004. The Red Sox have taken ten of the last 15 meetings against the Marlins since 1999, including a 6-3 mark at Fenway.
According to Sportsbook.com, Boston is a $1.75 home 'chalk,' with the total set at 9.5.
Blue Jays at Phillies - 7:10 PM EDT
Philadelphia avoided a sweep by Boston with an 11-6 victory on Sunday, as the Phillies battle a struggling Blue Jays team at Citizens Bank Park. 1993 World Series this certainly is not, as the Phillies will try to improve on their 13-16 home record. Toronto has been horrible on the road recently, winning just two of their past 12 away from the Rogers Centre, despite taking two of three in their last road series at Texas. The Jays will not have the luxury of the aforementioned Halladay in this series, after he pitched and got hurt Friday night. Toronto sends out southpaw Ricky Romero, who brings in a 3-3 mark, with an ERA of 3.71. The road has not been kind to Romero, as the Jays lefty is 0-2 in three road starts, with Toronto scoring only five runs.
The Phillies roll out ace Cole Hamels, as last year's NLCS and World Series MVP has bounced back following a slow start. Philadelphia has won seven of Hamels' last eight starts, delivering a quality outing in five of his last seven trips to the hill. The Jays are the lone 0-6 team in Interleague play (Astros are other winless team at 0-3), and are just 8-16 since 2008 against the National League. Following a dreadful 3-15 mark in Interleague action last season, the Phillies have equaled their win total already through six games, already playing two solid opponents in the Yankees and Red Sox.
Sportsbook.com has the Phillies installed as a long favorite of $2.20, with the total listed at 8.5.
White Sox at Cubs - 8:05 PM EDT
The annual battle of the Windy City begins on the North Side of Chicago when two underachieving teams tangle at Wrigley Field. The White Sox beat Trevor Hoffman and the Brewers on Sunday, 5-4, to take two of three from Milwaukee. The Pale Hose still sit at 30-34 despite the series victory, trying to end a three-game skid at Wrigley. The Cubs escaped a sweep at the hands of the Twins with a walk-off victory on Sunday, 3-2. However, Lou Piniella's club has tallied only nine runs the last five games, losing four times.
The always fiery Carlos Zambrano takes the mound for the Cubs, coming off three solid starts, allowing two earned runs in the last 21 innings. Zambrano didn't face the Sox last season, but the right-hander shut down Ozzie Guillen's unit on June 22, 2007, striking out 12, and giving up three hits and a run in eight innings of a 5-1 victory. John Danks has struggled to find consistency for the Sox, but is coming off an encouraging effort his last time out, a 2-1 loss to the Tigers. Danks allowed two earned runs and five hits in 7.1 innings, but the lack of run support has done in Danks multiple times this season. The Sox lost Danks' lone start against the Cubs, coming last season at Wrigley Field. Danks registered a quality outing, allowing five hits and one run in six innings, but the Sox came up short, 4-3. The home team won all six meetings last season, while the Cubs have owned the upper-hand in this series, claiming eight of the last 12 meetings.
The Cubs are a $1.60 favorite, according to Sportsbook.com
Tigers at Cardinals - 8:10 PM EDT
The rematch of the 2006 World Series (and 1968 for you old-timers) takes place at Busch Stadium, as an outstanding pitching matchup takes center-stage in the series opener. Both teams dropped two of three on the road in their respective weekend series, as Detroit fell at Pittsburgh, while St. Louis stumbled in Cleveland. Justin Verlander has been outstanding recently, putting together nine consecutive quality starts, allowing only eight earned runs in this stretch. To put things in perspective on how great Verlander has been, the righty allowed 21 earned runs in his first four starts of the season, and two of his losses in this current stretch have come by a run each. Verlander's Interleague numbers are spectacular, as Detroit has won nine of his ten regular season matchups with NL competition. Notice the key words, regular season, as Verlander lost two starts against the Cardinals in the '06 Fall Classic (Verlander did rebound in 2007, beating St. Louis, 6-3 at home).
St. Louis counters with Adam Wainwright, who is coming off a win in his last outing against the Marlins, his sixth victory of the season. Wainwright, the former closer, hasn't been as consistent this season, compiling quality starts at a rate of only 46%. Wainwright will go deep into games, tossing over 100 pitches in each of his last seven starts, pitching past the seventh inning five times in this stretch. No such thing as too little, too late, but since losing the World Series in 2006, the Tigers have won five of the past six meetings with the Cardinals, with five of those games flying 'over' the total.
The Tigers are road 'chalk,' with Sportsbook.com listing Detroit as $1.20 favorites. A pitcher's duel is expected at Busch, as the total is set at 7.
Things to Watch For:
CC Sabathia is listed as a higher favorite than his actual weight, when the Yankees host the Nationals. New York is a $3.60 home favorite, according to Sportsbook.com, by far the highest number posted all season. The Bombers are coming off a series victory over the Mets, now taking on the worst team in baseball. Washington is 1-5 in IL play, and will send out righty Shairon Martis, who is winless in his last three starts.
The Astros return to Interleague action after taking two of three at Arizona, traveling back to the Lone Star State to take on the Rangers. Houston has hit the 'over' in eight of their last 11 games, including all three against the Diamondbacks. Two pitchers with ERA's below 3.00 take the mound, as Wandy Rodriguez and Kevin Millwood each are coming off solid outings. Rodriguez rebounded from two awful starts to shut down the Cubs, while Millwood pitched seven scoreless innings in a victory over the Blue Jays. The Rangers swept a three-game series from the Astros in late May at Minute Maid Park.
The hottest team in baseball, the Colorado Rockies, go for their 12th straight victory, hosting the defending AL Champion Rays. Colorado has found its offensive "pop," averaging 7.1 runs/game during this hot streak. The normally inconsistent Jorge De La Rosa has won his last two starts, both on the road at St. Louis and Milwaukee. The Rockies are 0-5 in De La Rosa's home starts this season, while getting outscored by four runs a game. Jeff Niemann looks for a bounce-back effort against Colorado, after getting racked at home against the Angels. The road has been kind to Niemann, with Tampa Bay winning five of his seven road outings.
For the traditionalists out there, the Braves and Reds represent the lone National League matchup. Jair Jurrjens and Aaron Harang take the mound, as both teams are coming off embarrassing weekends. Atlanta dropped two of three at Baltimore, while Cincinnati was swept at Kansas City, the first sweep all season by the Royals. With the struggles of both these offenses, the 'under' may warrant a strong look. The 'under' has hit in nine of Jurrjens' 12 starts this season, while Harang has nailed the 'under' in eight of 12 starts.
I'm still failing to understand how the Blue Jays were such heavy favorites ($2.50) on Friday night against the Marlins. Obviously, Halladay has been spectacular. But, Ricky Nolasco is coming off a 15-win season in 2008, and the Fish came into Friday's contest five games worse than Toronto. Halladay got hurt, but the Marlins won the game, 7-3. It goes back to the old discussion regarding line value. There was absolutely none in Toronto, and very little if you took the Jays on the run-line. I'm not going to tell you to side with the Nationals every time they are a heavy 'dog, but teams as $2.00 underdogs or more should consider a second look moving forward.
VegasInsider.com
Game of the Day: Tigers at Cardinals
By The Prez
Detroit Tigers at St. Louis Cardinals
The series
Both contending teams enter having lost two of three in interleague series over the weekend to clubs with losing records. Detroit dropped two in Pittsburgh, while St. Louis fell twice in Cleveland. This visit to St. Louis concludes an 11-game road trip for Detroit, which is a game below .500 away from the Motor City.
This is the fourth straight regular season that these teams have met but the first time in St. Louis since the 2001 regular season. Of course, Detroit’s last visit there was in the 2006 World Series.
The Tigers are 8-1 against the Cards in the past three years and 44-16 in interleague play since 2006, among the top marks in baseball. Detroit is just 2-4 against the NL this year.
The pitchers
The matchup on the mound tonight is probably the best in baseball on Tuesday as Justin Verlander opposes Adam Wainwright.
Verlander (7-2, 3.02 ERA) is certainly among the early favorites for AL Cy Young. The fireballer has been untouchable of late, going 7-0 with a 1.10 ERA over his past nine starts. He has struck out an AL-high 106 batters this season, making him the quickest Tigers starter to fan 100 since Mickey Lolich in 1969. And he loves facing the NL, going 8-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 10 career starts during the regular season. But Detroit is just 1-5 in Verlander's last six starts on the road against teams with a winning record.
Wainwright (6-4, 3.49) won his last start against Florida but hasn’t been super sharp of late, allowing 32 baserunners and 10 runs over his last 20 innings. He has earned a decision in six straight starts, going 3-3.
St. Louis has lost six straight series openers.
Struggling Mags
There have been rumors of the Tigers shopping or even cutting Magglio Ordonez, who is definitely not playing to his contract ($15 million-plus this year). Mags was given the day off Sunday by manager Jim Leyland, who is hoping two days off the field (Detroit was off Monday) will rejuvenate the former AL batting champ.
Ordonez is hitting just .276 with two homers and only 11 extra-base hits this year. His slugging percentage is a Juan Pierre-esque .348. Actually, that’s an insult to Pierre, who is slugging about 90 points higher.
"I've got to try and get him going," Leyland said of Ordonez’s off day. "Right now, it's just not happening."
Leyland did say that Ordonez would play in all three games vs. the Cards. Ordonez has just 21 RBIs this season, and the Tigers are last in the league in RBIs from the No. 5 spot that Ordonez occupies. Ordonez does have the second-best average among major leaguers all-time in interleague play.
Because the Tigers face three Cardinals right-handers in this series and won’t have the DH, it’s possible that Marcus Thames, one of the team’s hottest hitters, will be on the bench.
Detroit has been held to three runs or fewer in five straight games for the first time since August 2006.
No help coming?
With third baseman Troy Glaus possibly out for the year, fans in St. Louis are clamoring for a trade to boost the lineup. With little protection for Albert Pujols (who has the batting highest average of any player ever in interleague play), the Cards have scored three or fewer runs in 21 of their past 31 games, winning just six of those.
Cliff Lee held them hitless into the eighth inning Sunday, with the Cards getting shut out for the third time this season. There has been talk of the Cardinals looking at Houston’s Miguel Tejada.
“There are possibilities here and there, but nothing compelling," team chairman Bill DeWitt said to reporters about trade possibilities. "There remain some clubs that now perceive themselves in the race that may fall out and move talent. But you can't be certain of the market."
There is one move for sure that the club is going to make: shifting shortstop Khalil Greene to third. Greene is currently in Triple-A on a rehab assignment with social anxiety disorder. Manager Tony La Russa likes how Brendan Ryan and rookie Tyler Greene have performed at shortstop, and Khalil Greene played third in college.
INTERLEAGUE
Chicago White Sox (30-34) at Chicago Cubs (30-30)
The Cubs and White Sox renew their Windy City rivalry at Wrigley Field, with ace Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.39 ERA) scheduled to pitch for the home team opposite John Danks (4-5, 4.81) in the opener of a three-game series.
The Cubs put the brakes on a four-game losing skid and salvaged a weekend series against Minnesota with a 3-2, walk-off victory Sunday. The Cubs are 24-8 in their last 32 home games against lefty starters and 5-2 in their last seven after an off day, but they remain in slumps of 1-6 in interleague action, 1-5 versus the A.L. Central (all this season) and 1-4 versus southpaw starters.
The White Sox took Monday off after winning the final two games of a weekend series in Milwaukee, prevailing 7-1 on Saturday and 5-4 on Sunday. Ozzie Guillen’s squad enters this series on streaks of 5-1 on the road, 4-1 after an off day, 8-2 in interleague contests and 7-2 versus the N.L. Central.
The Cubs have won nine of the last 13 meetings in this rivalry, including six of the last seven at Wrigley Field. Last year, the teams split a pair of three-game series, with the host winning all six games.
Zambrano scattered a run on three hits over eight innings at Houston on Tuesday, but got a no-decision in his team’s 2-1 loss. The right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in all but one of his 10 starts this season, going 1-0 with a 0.86 ERA in his last three trips to the mound and 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in four home efforts this season.
With Zambrano on the hill, the Cubs are on upticks of 7-3 overall, 26-11 when playing on grass, 4-1 against the A.L. Central and 10-2 in series openers. Against the White Sox in his career, Big Z is 5-2 with a 4.45 ERA over 11 appearances (nine starts).
Danks was a tough-luck loser in Detroit on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings, but falling 2-1. The left-hander has just three quality starts in his last nine outings, with his team losing five of those contests. He’s 3-2 with a hefty 5.79 ERA in six road games in 2009.
The White Sox are 5-2 in Danks’ last seven road starts, but 2-5 in his last seven against the N.L. and 3-7 in his last 10 Tuesday outings. His only start against the Cubs came last June, and he gave up just a run in six innings, but the White Sox lost 4-3 at Wrigley.
Zambrano’s last four starts have stayed under the total, but otherwise with the veteran pitching, the “over” is on streaks of 8-3 at home, 7-1 in interleague play, 4-0 on Tuesday and 5-2-1 when he pitches against the White Sox. Also, the over is 4-1 in Danks’ last five road outings.
The White Sox are riding “under” streaks of 11-3-1 overall, 5-1-1 in interleague play (all on the road), 7-1-1 against right-handed starters and 10-4-1 in series openers. The Cubs carry “under” trends of 22-8 overall, 7-2 at home, 4-1 on Tuesday, 5-1 after an off day, 5-1 against lefty starters and 9-3-1 when opening a series. Conversely, the over is 6-2 in the last eight Sox-Cubs clashes at Wrigley.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Detroit (34-29) at St. Louis (34-30)
Justin Verlander (7-2, 3.02 ERA) guns for his eighth consecutive victory when he leads the Tigers against the Cardinals and Adam Wainwright (6-4, 3.49) in the opener of a three-game interleague series at Busch Stadium.
Detroit is 4-4 on its current 11-game road trip, losing consecutive games at Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday by scores of 9-3 and 6-3, respectively. The Tigers have scored exactly three runs in four straight games and a total of 14 runs in their last five. Still, they’re on runs of 45-19 in interleague play, 13-6 in interleague road games, 23-11 against the N.L. Central, 16-5 as a favorite, 23-7 as a road favorite and 41-10 as a chalk against the National League.
St. Louis is coming off Sunday’s 3-0 loss at Cleveland, dropping to 3-7 in its last 10 games. Despite the presence of slugger Albert Pujols, the Cardinals have scored three runs or fewer in 22 of their last 32 games, including seven of the last 10. Tony LaRussa’s club has dropped four straight home games, six consecutive series openers and four in a row after an off day.
Since losing to the Redbirds in five games in the 2006 World Series, Detroit is 5-1 against St. Louis, all in interleague action the past two seasons. However, all six of those games were played in Motown. Since the start of the 2006 season, the home team has won 12 of the last 14 head-to-head clashes, with only three of those contests – Games 3, 4 and 5 of the ‘06 World Series – played in St. Louis.
Verlander has been as dominant as any pitcher in baseball over the past seven weeks, stringing together nine straight quality starts while going 7-0 with a 1.10 ERA (eight earned runs in 65 1/3 innings) with 83 strikeouts against just 16 walks. He’s tossed two complete games during this stretch, including a 2-1 victory at the White Sox on Wednesday when gave up just six hits, including a solo home run, and a walk while whiffing nine.
Detroit is 8-2 in Verlander’s last 10 starts overall, 5-1 in his last six on the road, 6-1 in his last seven against the National League and 7-1 in his last eight as a favorite. The veteran right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in his last five roadies and 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA in four career starts (two regular season, two in the World Series) against St. Louis.
Wainwright knocked off Florida 13-4 on Wednesday, yielding all four runs and 11 hits in seven innings. The right-hander has completed at least six innings in 11 consecutive starts, allowing two earned runs or fewer in six of those contests and in eight of his 13 starts overall this season.
With Wainwright on the bump, the Cardinals are on streaks of 18-7 overall, 17-6 at home, 7-0 as an underdog, 5-1 on Tuesday and 21-5 against opponents that have a winning record.
Wainwright is just 2-3 in seven games at home this season despite a sterling 2.74 ERA. He’s never started against Detroit before, but he earned the save in the World Series-clinching 4-2 home win back in 2006, pitching one scoreless inning.
The Tigers are on a bunch of “under” streaks, including 20-7 overall, 4-1 on the road, 11-3-1 in interleague road games, 21-6 against right-handed starters, 11-2 on Tuesday, 4-0 as a favorite and 13-3-1 in series openers. Also, St. Louis is on “under” tears of 10-4 at home, 14-6-1 against right-handed starters, 5-0-1 against the American League, 6-0 in interleague home games, 37-18-5 after a day off and 7-1-2 in series openers.
Lastly, the under is 4-1 in the last five Tigers-Cardinals meetings at Busch Stadium.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DETROIT and UNDER
Gametimepicks.com
Late-Night Action
By Brian Edwards
Interleague action continues Tuesday with a full slate of games. Gamblers have three late-night options out West, so let’s take a look at all three of those matchups.
**Mariners at Padres**
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Seattle (30-33, -334) as a minus-140 road favorite with a total of seven ‘over’ (minus 115). Gamblers can back the Mariners on the run line (minus 1 ½ runs) for a plus-125 return (risk $100 to win $125).
--Seattle has lost three in a row to fall 5 ½ games back of division-leading Texas in the American League West. The M’s were swept by the red-hot Rockies in the Mile High City over the weekend.
--San Diego (28-34, -167) has lost three consecutive games after getting swept by the Angels over the weekend. The Halos outscored the Padres by a combined score of 26-7 in the three-game set.
--San Diego has played outstanding baseball at home this year, compiling a 19-11 record. On the flip side, the Mariners are just 14-19 on the road.
--Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (6-3, 3.06 ERA) will get the ball in this spot. The fifth-year hurler owns a 3-1 record with a 2.36 ERA in seven road assignments. Hernandez is 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in four career starts against San Diego.
--The Padres will counter Hernandez with RHP Kevin Correia, who is 3-4 with a 4.80 ERA in 12 starts. Correia is 2-1 with a 4.97 ERA in seven home outings.
--Seattle perennial All-Star Ichiro Suzuki is leading the AL in hitting with a .360 batting average. The ninth-year veteran outfielder is only 108 hits away from hitting a career total of 2,000.
--San Diego closer Heath Bell leads the majors in saves with 18 in 19 chances. Bell is 2-1 with a 1.32 ERA.
--Since May 20, the M’s have watched the ‘under’ cash at an incredible 18-4-1 clip. For the season, the ‘under’ is 37-25 overall for Seattle, 20-13 in its road games.
--The ‘over’ is on a 7-2 run for the Padres. They have watched the ‘over’ go 31-28 overall, but the ‘under’ is 14-13 in their home outings.
--The first pitch is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. Eastern.
**A’s at Dodgers**
--LVSC opened Los Angeles (42-22, +1738) as a minus-160 ‘chalk’ with a total of 7 ½ ‘over’ (minus 120). Bettors can dodge the expensive straight price to back the Dodgers on the run line for a plus-140 payout (risk $100 to win $140).
--Joe Torre’s club has the best record in baseball and most importantly for our purposes, the best money tally by more than seven units (the Rangers have the second-best money total, +1013). The Dodgers, who have a seven-game lead over the Giants in the NL West (pending San Fran’s Monday result), have been especially dominant at home with a 23-9 ledger.
--Oakland (27-35, -584) is in the AL-West cellar, trailing the loop-leading Rangers by eight games. The A’s bring an 11-20 road record to Tinseltown.
--Oakland LHP Dallas Braden will toe the rubber in the series opener. The 25-year-old southpaw is 1-3 with a 3.72 ERA on the road this year. Braden hasn’t lost since May 16, covering a five-start span.
--L.A. LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-5, 4.50) will get the call for the home team. The lefty is 1-2 with a 2.25 home ERA in 2009.
--Oakland first baseman Jason Giambi is "questionable."
--L.A. owns a 14-6 record against southpaws, while the A's are just 8-14 versus lefties.
--Totals have been a wash for the Dodgers (30-30 overall, 15-15 in their home outings). With that said, we should note that the ‘under’ has cashed in each of L.A.’s last four games and 12 of its last 16.
--The ‘under’ is 33-29 overall for the A’s, 16-15 in their road games.
**Angels at Giants**
--Most spots had this game off the board due to Monday’s pitching change. The Angels will now go with rookie RHP Sean O’Sullivan, who is making his major-league debut. O’Sullivan has a 5-2 record and 6.02 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Salt Lake. He is a 21-year-old native of San Diego who led L.A.’s farm system with 16 wins in 2008.
--Los Angeles (33-29, +537) won a 9-7 decision over the Giants in last night’s series opener. The Angles cashed tickets as favorites in the minus-130 range. Juan Rivera was the offensive catalyst with three hits and a pair of runs scored.
--San Francisco (34-29, +511) fell 7 ½ games back of the NL West-leading Dodgers with last night’s defeat. The Giants will try to bounce back with LHP Jonathan Sanchez (2-6, 4.84) on the mound. Sanchez walked a career-high seven batters in his last outing. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in his home assignments this season.
--The Giants are one-half game ahead of St. Louis in the NL wild-card hunt. They are 21-10 at home.
--The Angels are 16-17 on the road, 11-9 against southpaws. With last night’s victory, they pulled to within two games of Texas for the AL-Central lead.
--Angels OF Torii Hunter left last night’s game with bruised ribs after a violent collision with the wall on an attempt to catch a long fly ball. Hunter, who is hitting .319 and is one of the majors’ premier defensive outfielders, is “questionable” (at best) for tonight’s matchup.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--As of early this morning, Sportsbook.com’s updated future odds had the Red Sox and Yankees as the co-favorites to win the World Series. Both teams had plus-450 odds (risk $100 to win $450). The next-shortest odds belonged to the Dodgers (+500), Phillies (+800), Angels (+1000), Cubs (+1100) and Tigers (+1200).
--Sportsbook.com also has a prop bet available for the player who will hit the most homers in 2009. St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols is the current favorite (+200), followed by the likes of Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard (+300), New York’s Mark Teixeira (+350) and Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena (+800). Going into Tuesday’s games, three players lead the majors in dingers with 22 apiece. They are Pujols, San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez and Philly’s Raul Ibanez. Gonzalez has plus-1500 odds (risk $100 to win $1,500) and Ibanez is interestingly off the board (actually, he’s part of the plus-1000 “field” bet).
--Milwaukee maintained its ever-so-slim lead in the NL Central thanks to Monday’s 14-12 win at Cleveland. The Brewers are one game in front of second-place St. Louis, while the Reds and Cubs are both three games off the pace. Pittsburgh and Houston are each 4 ½ games back of the division leaders.
--The 'under' has cashed in nine consecutive Texas games. The Rangers are looking at a total of nine for tonight's series-opening game against the Astros in Arlington. Kevin Millwood (6-4, 2.72) will get the ball for Texas, while Houston counters with Wandy Rodriguez (5-5, 2.82).
--Baseball's hottest teams will square off tonight in Denver. The Rays bring a five-game winning streak to Coors Field to face the Rockies, who have ripped off 11 straight victories. Colorado is a minus-125 favorite.
--Bettors should expect White Sox slugger Jim Thome to be available only as a pinch-hitter tonight against the Cubs. That's because the game is at Wrigley Field without the DH rule.
vegasinsider.com
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, June 16
Tampa Bay at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EDT). The Rockies try to set a franchise record with their 12th straight win.
STARS
Monday
-John Lackey, Angels, struck out a season-high 10 over seven innings to help Los Angeles beat San Francisco 9-7.
-Prince Fielder, Brewers, hit his first career grand slam and finished with a career-best six RBIs in Milwaukee's 14-12 victory at Cleveland.
-Victor Martinez, Indians, hit a two-run homer and had four RBIs in Cleveland's 14-12 loss against Milwaukee.
-Ryan Braun, Brewers, homered and drove in five runs to help Milwaukee win 14-12 at Cleveland.
-Erick Aybar and Bobby Abreu, Angels, hit back-to-back homers to lead Los Angeles to a 9-7 victory at San Francisco.
-Pablo Sandoval, Giants, homered twice and drove in four runs in San Francisco's 9-7 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
HOLD THE OFFENSE
There were only two games in the majors Monday, but there was still plenty of offense. Prince Fielder hit a go-ahead grand slam in Milwaukee's six-run eighth inning and the Brewers rallied for a 14-12 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The teams combined for six homers and 26 hits. The Angels and San Francisco Giants combined for seven homers and 31 hits in Los Angeles' 9-7 victory.
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
John Lackey allowed three runs and 10 hits in seven innings, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-7 victory over the San Francisco Giants and ending a four-start winless stretch. Lackey, who struck out a season-high 10, was booed when he was announced before the game. He was the Game 7 starter for the wild-card Angels when they beat the Giants in the 2002 World Series for the franchise's first championship.
THAT HURTS
Angels center fielder Torii Hunter bruised his ribs when he crashed into the wall trying to catch a double by Bengie Molina in the fourth inning of Los Angeles' 9-7 victory over the San Francisco Giants. X-rays on his right rib cage were normal. He was to be re-evaluated Tuesday to determine when he could play again.
SPEAKING
"Everybody feels better about themselves after a game like this. It's a special night, one of those nights you have to enjoy. They don't come around very often.'' - Brewers slugger Ryan Braun after Milwaukee rallied with six runs in the eighth inning of a 14-12 win at Cleveland.
Tuesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers
By Covers.com
Streaking
Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)
Verlander lost both starts versus St. Louis in that World Series, but after getting off to a slow start in 2009, he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past seven weeks.
The right-hander went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in his first four starts, but is 7-0 with a major league-low 1.10 ERA in nine outings since April 27, yielding one run or fewer in seven of them. Verlander pitched his second complete game of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, allowing six hits while striking out nine and walking one.
"It's hard to describe how well he pitched," manager Jim Leyland told the Tigers' official Web site. "Just absolutely tremendous."
Although Verlander struggled in the World Series, he's had no trouble against the NL lately.
He's 8-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 10 career interleague starts, including two wins and a 3.86 ERA versus St. Louis.
Kevin Millwood (Texas Rangers)
Texas has gotten solid efforts nearly every time Kevin Millwood (6-4, 2.72) has pitched, but he's been even better in his last two starts. Millwood hasn't allowed an earned run over 14 2-3 innings in those outings, and Thursday he held Toronto to five hits over 7 2-3 innings in a 1-0 victory.
Millwood gave up seven runs and 12 hits in five innings in his last start in Houston, as Rodriguez limited the Rangers to a run in eight innings while striking out nine in a 7-2 win June 26.
Dallas Braden (Oakland Athletics)
Dallas Braden (5-5, 3.33) is set to make his first career interleague appearance in the series opener.
Braden allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings of Wednesday's 6-3 loss to Minnesota, but didn't get the decision. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in his last five starts since allowing six runs in five innings of 9-1 loss to Detroit on May 16.
Slumping
Glen Perkins (Minnesota Twins)
In a piece of positive injury news, the Twins are expected to activate Glen Perkins (1-3, 5.36 ERA) from the disabled list to start Tuesday's series opener.
The left-hander has been sidelined with elbow inflammation since May 18, when he lasted just two-thirds of an inning while giving up six runs and seven hits - including two homers - in a 7-6 loss at the New York Yankees. He was 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA in his final five starts before landing on the DL.
Perkins showed strong improvement during his second rehabilitation start at Class-A Fort Myers last Tuesday, yielding two hits with four strikeouts and a walk in seven shutout innings to get the victory.
Debuting
Sean O'Sullivan (Los Angeles Angels)
Sean O'Sullivan will make his major league debut for the Angels in place of Ervin Santana, who will have his turn skipped while he nurses a strained muscle in his forearm. O'Sullivan will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, where he went 5-2 with a 6.02 ERA in 10 starts this year.
"He's a sinker-slider guy with a pretty good change," catcher Jeff Mathis told the Angels' official Web site. "He's like (Jered) Weaver - not overpowering but good command, moving his fastball in and out."