Lefties only
- Thread starter BringInTheLefty
- Start date
bloodhound
Sniffing out wins
rooting for U 
rayer
rayer
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap:
Pending Series bets:
Rangers 0-1
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
Blue Jays 0-1
WIN Rangers game +$2,060
LOST Angels game -$1,000
LOST Angels over 8 -$1,200
LOST Blue Jays game -$2,000
LOST Royals game -$1,500
LOST Royals over 9 -$2,000
LOST Rangers RHE under 29 -$1,200
LOST Royals RHE over 28 -$3,300
LOST Angels RHE over 26 -$3,600
1-8
+$2,060 -$15,800 = -$13,740
-$13,740 -$8,420 = -$22,160
Pending Series bets:
Rangers 0-1
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
Blue Jays 0-1
WIN Rangers game +$2,060
LOST Angels game -$1,000
LOST Angels over 8 -$1,200
LOST Blue Jays game -$2,000
LOST Royals game -$1,500
LOST Royals over 9 -$2,000
LOST Rangers RHE under 29 -$1,200
LOST Royals RHE over 28 -$3,300
LOST Angels RHE over 26 -$3,600
1-8
+$2,060 -$15,800 = -$13,740
-$13,740 -$8,420 = -$22,160
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$22,160
Just an awful Monday night
Pending series plays:
Rangers 1-0
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
Blue Jays 0-1
13 Lefties on the hill tonight
Hamels-Rangers
Keuchel-Astros
Matz-Mets
Niese-Pirates
Lamb-Reds
Uras-Dodgers
Huff-Angels
Boyd-Tigers
Manaea-A's
Miley-Mariners
Dean-Twins
Conley-Marlins
Moore-Rays
Hamels vs Keuchel
Charged with the task of ending the skid is reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, who has looked more like himself over the past two starts, despite a disappointing and inconsistent 3-7 beginning to the 2016 season. Keuchel, who has a 5.50 ERA, has had success against the Rangers. In a career-high 16 starts against Texas, he has four victories, tied for most by any pitcher against the Rangers in franchise history. RHP Collin McHugh (4-0), RHP Roy Oswalt (4-6), LHP Wandy Rodriguez (4-3) are the other Astros pitchers with four victories.
Going for Texas is lefty Cole Hamels, who is 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA against the AL West. Hamels has limited Houston to three runs -- two earned -- in two victories this season.
Texas hitters, meanwhile, have hammered Keuchel in two previous starts this season, battering the lefty for 13 runs on 22 hits.
Hamels, 5-1 with a 3.39 ERA this season, is also seeking a career landmark. With six strikeouts, he would reach 2,000 for his career, just the 77th player in history to reach the mark and seventh active player to do it.
Hamels received a no-decision in his last outing, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings against Cleveland. Texas has lost three of its last four games in which Hamels has started after going on a winning streak of 16-1 in his previous 17 starts.
The two teams are among the hottest in baseball.
Despite losing on Monday, Houston is 8-2 in its last 10 while trying to overcome a terrible start. Texas is 10-2 in its last 12 games and appearing poised to assert itself in the AL West.
Texas is four games up on Seattle and eight on Houston with a lot of baseball yet to be played.
"The guys battle their butts off," said Texas closer Sam Dyson. "We're playing hard on defense and our pitching is showing up every day."
Rangers pitchers are 7-0 in the team's last nine games with a 2.96 ERA during that span.
Matz vs Niese
Niese 5-2 4.36 ERA who compiled a 61-61 record with a 3.93 ERA in eight seasons with the Mets, got his Pirates tenure off to a rocky beginning by posting a 5.94 through his first six starts. He's been sharp of late, though, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA over his last four.
The left-hander struck out six while allowing two runs in five innings and not factoring in the outcome of Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Miami.
"I thought he pitched a very good game," manager Clint Hurdle said. "A solid effort."
Niese's first encounter with the Mets comes against a lineup that's been without some of its biggest bats. David Wright and Lucas Duda are on the disabled list with potentially long-term injuries, and Yoenis Cespedes didn't start the final two games of the team's series in Miami due to a sore right hip.
New York (31-25) still put up 12 runs in winning the first two games, but its depleted order was no match for Jose Fernandez in Sunday's finale. The Miami ace matched a career high with 14 strikeouts while yielding four hits in seven innings of a 1-0 win.
"Tough day at the plate," outfielder Michael Conforto said. "It's always going to be tough when you're going up against a guy like him."
Cespedes did pinch-hit Sunday and could be back in the lineup for the opener. The slugger is batting .361 with four homers in 36 at-bats against lefties but is 5 for 29 lifetime at PNC Park.
The Mets may not need much offense if Steven Matz (7-1, 2.60) regains the form he displayed during a seven-start winning streak halted when he was reached for three runs in 5 2/3 innings by the White Sox on Tuesday. The 24-year-old recorded a 1.13 ERA over the streak, working at least six innings and permitting two runs or less in each outing.
Matz still hasn't lost since April 11 and remains unbeaten on the road during his brief career, having amassed a 6-0 record and a 1.82 ERA in eight regular-season starts.
He'll be looking to stop New York's seven-game skid in this series, with the Pirates winning all six 2015 matchups.
Moore
Rays left-hander Matt Moore will face Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke on Tuesday. Greinke is 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his last four starts. He is 3-6 with a 3.42 ERA in 15 career appearances, 12 starts, against Tampa Bay. Moore will make his first career appearance against Arizona.
Arizona got middle-of-the-order bat David Peralta back into the lineup for the first time in a month on Monday, and it did not take him long to adjust to major league pitching. Peralta singled in his second at-bat and homered in his third before being removed for a pinch hitter against a left-hander in the seventh inning.
The addition of Peralta gives the Diamondbacks an excess of corner outfielders, and manager Chip Hale indicated that Peralta may get some time off against left-handers in the near future.
The Diamondbacks struggled to make contact in the past two games, although it did not hurt them in a 3-2 victory over Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta on Sunday. Arizona struck out a franchise-record 18 times Sunday and 15 more times Monday, when Archer had 12 K's in six innings.
"Some of it is pitching, but we have to make a better adjustment," Hale said. "We know that. It is one of those things that you talk about a lot, then guys start thinking about it too much."
Boyd
He was dealt during his rookie season from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Detroit Tigers at last year's trade deadline. The Blue Jays received perennial All-Star ace David Price but that turned out to be a half-year rental when Price signed with Boston during the offseason.
Boyd got a chance to face his old club at Toronto last Aug. 28. He took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings. He will oppose Aaron Sanchez in the second game of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
"It was fun to go back and pitch in the place I made my debut," Boyd said. "How is it different (now)? That first year you don't know anything -- everything is new. I feel like, I don't want to say I'm comfortable, but there is more familiarity now. You develop a routine. I've been here a few more months now."
The 25-year-old left-hander started the season with Triple-A Toledo and worked his way back to the majors. He has a tenuous hold on the No. 5 spot in the rotation after making two starts in which he took a no-decision and a loss. He held the New York Yankees hitless through five innings on Thursday, but their veteran lineup solved him the third time through the order as Boyd wound up allowing four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Just an awful Monday night
Pending series plays:
Rangers 1-0
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
Blue Jays 0-1
13 Lefties on the hill tonight
Hamels-Rangers
Keuchel-Astros
Matz-Mets
Niese-Pirates
Lamb-Reds
Uras-Dodgers
Huff-Angels
Boyd-Tigers
Manaea-A's
Miley-Mariners
Dean-Twins
Conley-Marlins
Moore-Rays
Hamels vs Keuchel
Charged with the task of ending the skid is reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel, who has looked more like himself over the past two starts, despite a disappointing and inconsistent 3-7 beginning to the 2016 season. Keuchel, who has a 5.50 ERA, has had success against the Rangers. In a career-high 16 starts against Texas, he has four victories, tied for most by any pitcher against the Rangers in franchise history. RHP Collin McHugh (4-0), RHP Roy Oswalt (4-6), LHP Wandy Rodriguez (4-3) are the other Astros pitchers with four victories.
Going for Texas is lefty Cole Hamels, who is 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA against the AL West. Hamels has limited Houston to three runs -- two earned -- in two victories this season.
Texas hitters, meanwhile, have hammered Keuchel in two previous starts this season, battering the lefty for 13 runs on 22 hits.
Hamels, 5-1 with a 3.39 ERA this season, is also seeking a career landmark. With six strikeouts, he would reach 2,000 for his career, just the 77th player in history to reach the mark and seventh active player to do it.
Hamels received a no-decision in his last outing, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings against Cleveland. Texas has lost three of its last four games in which Hamels has started after going on a winning streak of 16-1 in his previous 17 starts.
The two teams are among the hottest in baseball.
Despite losing on Monday, Houston is 8-2 in its last 10 while trying to overcome a terrible start. Texas is 10-2 in its last 12 games and appearing poised to assert itself in the AL West.
Texas is four games up on Seattle and eight on Houston with a lot of baseball yet to be played.
"The guys battle their butts off," said Texas closer Sam Dyson. "We're playing hard on defense and our pitching is showing up every day."
Rangers pitchers are 7-0 in the team's last nine games with a 2.96 ERA during that span.
Matz vs Niese
Niese 5-2 4.36 ERA who compiled a 61-61 record with a 3.93 ERA in eight seasons with the Mets, got his Pirates tenure off to a rocky beginning by posting a 5.94 through his first six starts. He's been sharp of late, though, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA over his last four.
The left-hander struck out six while allowing two runs in five innings and not factoring in the outcome of Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Miami.
"I thought he pitched a very good game," manager Clint Hurdle said. "A solid effort."
Niese's first encounter with the Mets comes against a lineup that's been without some of its biggest bats. David Wright and Lucas Duda are on the disabled list with potentially long-term injuries, and Yoenis Cespedes didn't start the final two games of the team's series in Miami due to a sore right hip.
New York (31-25) still put up 12 runs in winning the first two games, but its depleted order was no match for Jose Fernandez in Sunday's finale. The Miami ace matched a career high with 14 strikeouts while yielding four hits in seven innings of a 1-0 win.
"Tough day at the plate," outfielder Michael Conforto said. "It's always going to be tough when you're going up against a guy like him."
Cespedes did pinch-hit Sunday and could be back in the lineup for the opener. The slugger is batting .361 with four homers in 36 at-bats against lefties but is 5 for 29 lifetime at PNC Park.
The Mets may not need much offense if Steven Matz (7-1, 2.60) regains the form he displayed during a seven-start winning streak halted when he was reached for three runs in 5 2/3 innings by the White Sox on Tuesday. The 24-year-old recorded a 1.13 ERA over the streak, working at least six innings and permitting two runs or less in each outing.
Matz still hasn't lost since April 11 and remains unbeaten on the road during his brief career, having amassed a 6-0 record and a 1.82 ERA in eight regular-season starts.
He'll be looking to stop New York's seven-game skid in this series, with the Pirates winning all six 2015 matchups.
Moore
Rays left-hander Matt Moore will face Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke on Tuesday. Greinke is 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his last four starts. He is 3-6 with a 3.42 ERA in 15 career appearances, 12 starts, against Tampa Bay. Moore will make his first career appearance against Arizona.
Arizona got middle-of-the-order bat David Peralta back into the lineup for the first time in a month on Monday, and it did not take him long to adjust to major league pitching. Peralta singled in his second at-bat and homered in his third before being removed for a pinch hitter against a left-hander in the seventh inning.
The addition of Peralta gives the Diamondbacks an excess of corner outfielders, and manager Chip Hale indicated that Peralta may get some time off against left-handers in the near future.
The Diamondbacks struggled to make contact in the past two games, although it did not hurt them in a 3-2 victory over Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta on Sunday. Arizona struck out a franchise-record 18 times Sunday and 15 more times Monday, when Archer had 12 K's in six innings.
"Some of it is pitching, but we have to make a better adjustment," Hale said. "We know that. It is one of those things that you talk about a lot, then guys start thinking about it too much."
Boyd
He was dealt during his rookie season from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Detroit Tigers at last year's trade deadline. The Blue Jays received perennial All-Star ace David Price but that turned out to be a half-year rental when Price signed with Boston during the offseason.
Boyd got a chance to face his old club at Toronto last Aug. 28. He took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings. He will oppose Aaron Sanchez in the second game of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
"It was fun to go back and pitch in the place I made my debut," Boyd said. "How is it different (now)? That first year you don't know anything -- everything is new. I feel like, I don't want to say I'm comfortable, but there is more familiarity now. You develop a routine. I've been here a few more months now."
The 25-year-old left-hander started the season with Triple-A Toledo and worked his way back to the majors. He has a tenuous hold on the No. 5 spot in the rotation after making two starts in which he took a no-decision and a loss. He held the New York Yankees hitless through five innings on Thursday, but their veteran lineup solved him the third time through the order as Boyd wound up allowing four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$22,160
Back in a deep hole yet again
Pending series plays:
Rangers 1-0
Blue Jays 0-1
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 $2,100/$2,000
1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $2,000/$3,000
Parlay:
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $700/$5,563.88
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $700/$2,716.66
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $800/$2,063.49
1st 5 innings Angels +$150 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $800/$2,866.66
Back in a deep hole yet again
Pending series plays:
Rangers 1-0
Blue Jays 0-1
Royals 0-1
Angels 0-1
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 $2,100/$2,000
1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $2,000/$3,000
Parlay:
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $700/$5,563.88
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Angels +$150 $700/$2,716.66
1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$105 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $800/$2,063.49
1st 5 innings Angels +$150 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$120 $800/$2,866.66
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Adding these:
1st 5 innings Cards -$145 $2,900/$2,000
Cards game -$155 $3,100/$2,000
1st 5 innings Marlins -$120 $3,600/$3,000
Marlins game -$117 $2,340/$2,000
1st 5 innings Brewers -$135 $2,700/$2,000
Brewers game -$130 $3,900/$3,000
1st 5 innings Cards -$145 $2,900/$2,000
Cards game -$155 $3,100/$2,000
1st 5 innings Marlins -$120 $3,600/$3,000
Marlins game -$117 $2,340/$2,000
1st 5 innings Brewers -$135 $2,700/$2,000
Brewers game -$130 $3,900/$3,000
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
LOST 1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$2,100
LOST 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$2,400
LOST 1st 5 innings Angels -$2,000
LOST all 4 parlays -$3,000
0-7
-$9,500
Series plays
LOST Angels,Blue Jays, Royals -$5,800
WON Rangers +$3,000
-$2,800 -$9,500 = -$12,300
-$12,300 -$22,160 = -$34,460
LOST 1st 5 innings Mets GM1 -$2,100
LOST 1st 5 innings Mets GM2 -$2,400
LOST 1st 5 innings Angels -$2,000
LOST all 4 parlays -$3,000
0-7
-$9,500
Series plays
LOST Angels,Blue Jays, Royals -$5,800
WON Rangers +$3,000
-$2,800 -$9,500 = -$12,300
-$12,300 -$22,160 = -$34,460
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
LOST 1st 5 innings Cards -$2,900
LOST Cards game -$3,100
WIN 1st 5 innings Marlins +$3,000
LOST Marlins game -$2,340
WIN 1st 5 innings Brewers +$2,000
WIN Brewers game +$3,000
3-3
+$8,000 -$8,340 = -$340
-$340 -$34,460 = -$34,800
LOST 1st 5 innings Cards -$2,900
LOST Cards game -$3,100
WIN 1st 5 innings Marlins +$3,000
LOST Marlins game -$2,340
WIN 1st 5 innings Brewers +$2,000
WIN Brewers game +$3,000
3-3
+$8,000 -$8,340 = -$340
-$340 -$34,460 = -$34,800
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$34,800
No bother to write how I'm doing it's quite obvious.
6 Lefties on the mound
Price-Red Sox
Bumgarner-Giants
Chen-Marlins
Rusin-Rockies
Garcia-Cards
Pomeranz-Padres
Price vs Bumgarner
Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is on another roll, and he will try to continue the streak Wednesday when he takes the mound in the series finale with the Red Sox.
Bumgarner has won six straight decisions, matching his career best, and the Giants have won each of his last eight starts.
Boston left-hander David Price has also been impressive lately, turning in quality starts in each of his past five starts, though he lost his last time out. He has a 2.62 ERA over his last five starts.
"Two of the premier left-handers in baseball," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I liked the way David has pitched his last four starts. He's going up against one of the best pitchers in the game."
Giants catcher Buster Posey is questionable for Wednesday's game. He didn't start Tuesday's game with irritation in his right thumb. Posey is 3-for-7 with a home run against Price.
Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez is batting just .179 (5-for-28) against Bumgarner.
Red Sox left fielder Chris Young, who has hit safely in each of his last 13 starts, is a .350 hitter (7-for-20 with a home run) against Bumgarner.
The Red Sox have won each of their past five starts against left-handers after losing their first three.
Chen
Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.25 ERA) looking to break out of a slump. The Marlins have won one of their last four, and slugger Giancarlo Stanton is struggling mightily, having gone 1-for-19 at the plate in June.
"That's the kind of games we've been playing, we're in one-run games," Mattingly said after Tuesday's come-from-ahead loss. "We really haven't left ourselves a lot of room for error. We put a lot of pressure on our pen to absolutely hold teams there."
Garcia
Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia, whose 10 victories against Cincinnati are tied with Oliver Perez for most among active pitchers.
Garcia is 10-4 with a 3.50 ERA against the Reds over 19 appearances including 17 starts.
In the last 21 series against St. Louis, the Reds have gone 7-14, including a 3-7 mark in the last 10 series played at Great American Ball Park.
No bother to write how I'm doing it's quite obvious.
6 Lefties on the mound
Price-Red Sox
Bumgarner-Giants
Chen-Marlins
Rusin-Rockies
Garcia-Cards
Pomeranz-Padres
Price vs Bumgarner
Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is on another roll, and he will try to continue the streak Wednesday when he takes the mound in the series finale with the Red Sox.
Bumgarner has won six straight decisions, matching his career best, and the Giants have won each of his last eight starts.
Boston left-hander David Price has also been impressive lately, turning in quality starts in each of his past five starts, though he lost his last time out. He has a 2.62 ERA over his last five starts.
"Two of the premier left-handers in baseball," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I liked the way David has pitched his last four starts. He's going up against one of the best pitchers in the game."
Giants catcher Buster Posey is questionable for Wednesday's game. He didn't start Tuesday's game with irritation in his right thumb. Posey is 3-for-7 with a home run against Price.
Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez is batting just .179 (5-for-28) against Bumgarner.
Red Sox left fielder Chris Young, who has hit safely in each of his last 13 starts, is a .350 hitter (7-for-20 with a home run) against Bumgarner.
The Red Sox have won each of their past five starts against left-handers after losing their first three.
Chen
Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.25 ERA) looking to break out of a slump. The Marlins have won one of their last four, and slugger Giancarlo Stanton is struggling mightily, having gone 1-for-19 at the plate in June.
"That's the kind of games we've been playing, we're in one-run games," Mattingly said after Tuesday's come-from-ahead loss. "We really haven't left ourselves a lot of room for error. We put a lot of pressure on our pen to absolutely hold teams there."
Garcia
Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia, whose 10 victories against Cincinnati are tied with Oliver Perez for most among active pitchers.
Garcia is 10-4 with a 3.50 ERA against the Reds over 19 appearances including 17 starts.
In the last 21 series against St. Louis, the Reds have gone 7-14, including a 3-7 mark in the last 10 series played at Great American Ball Park.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$34,800
Trying one afternoon game
1st 5 innings Blue Jays +$115 $1,000/$1,150
1st 5 innings under 5 -$110 $2,200/$2,000
Blue Jays game +$122 $3,000/$3,660
Blue Jays race to 3 runs -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Blue Jays Runs-Hits-Errors under 29 -$120 $3,600/$3,000
Trying one afternoon game
1st 5 innings Blue Jays +$115 $1,000/$1,150
1st 5 innings under 5 -$110 $2,200/$2,000
Blue Jays game +$122 $3,000/$3,660
Blue Jays race to 3 runs -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Blue Jays Runs-Hits-Errors under 29 -$120 $3,600/$3,000
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap:
I actually caught a break in this game on the under RHE's bet, could my luck be turning? Stay tuned
WIN 1st 5 innings Blue Jays +$1,150
LOST 1st 5 innings under Blue Jays -$2,200
WIN Blue Jays game +$3,600
WIN Blue Jays race to 3 runs +$2,000
WIN Blue Jays RHE under 29 ended up at 27 +$3,000
4-1
-$2,200 +$9,750 = +$7,550
+$7,550 -$34,800 = -$27,250
I actually caught a break in this game on the under RHE's bet, could my luck be turning? Stay tuned
WIN 1st 5 innings Blue Jays +$1,150
LOST 1st 5 innings under Blue Jays -$2,200
WIN Blue Jays game +$3,600
WIN Blue Jays race to 3 runs +$2,000
WIN Blue Jays RHE under 29 ended up at 27 +$3,000
4-1
-$2,200 +$9,750 = +$7,550
+$7,550 -$34,800 = -$27,250
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$27,250
Astro's team total under 4 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Cards game -1 1/2 -$115 $2,300/$2,000
Brewers/A's over 9 -$115 $2,300/$2,000
Astro's team total under 4 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Cards game -1 1/2 -$115 $2,300/$2,000
Brewers/A's over 9 -$115 $2,300/$2,000
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
WIN Astros team total under 4 +$3,000
WIN Cards game -1 1/2 +$2,000
LOST Brewers/A's over 9 -$2,300
2-1
-$2,300 -$5,000
+$2,700 -$27,250 = -$24,550
WIN Astros team total under 4 +$3,000
WIN Cards game -1 1/2 +$2,000
LOST Brewers/A's over 9 -$2,300
2-1
-$2,300 -$5,000
+$2,700 -$27,250 = -$24,550
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$24,550
4 Lefties on the hill today
Perez-Rangers
Gonzalez-Nats
Locke-Pirates
Finnegan-Reds
Perez
Rangers are11-3 in its past 14 games. The three games prior to Wednesday's loss were each one-run victories.
"Any time you win tough games, it breeds confidence," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Probably not as much confidence, though, as when you win by seven or eight, but there's a certain toughness or grit that you develop."
Texas would set a new club record with 10 consecutive home series wins should the Rangers take the last of the four-game set.
The Rangers are sending Martin Perez (4-4, 3.24 ERA) to the mound Thursday. The 25-year-old lefty has quality starts in three consecutive starts and five of his last six outings. Perez is 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA in six career starts against Houston.
Houston counters with right-hander Collin McHugh, who is making his first start of the season against Texas. McHugh (5-4, 4.97 ERA) is 4-0 in his career against Texas. His 31 wins since Aug. 1, 2014 are tied for fourth in the majors.
The Rangers will have infielder Jurickson Profar back in the starting lineup for the finale. Profar, who was taking ground balls at third base Wednesday afternoon, is starting there for Adrian Beltre.
The club's everyday third baseman left Wednesday night's game in the eighth inning with tightness in his left hamstring. Profar came in for Beltre, who was scheduled to be off Thursday.
Beltre wasn't the only concern for Texas, as starter Yu Darvish left after the fifth with shoulder tightness. The initial exam didn't reveal any issues, but Darvish will be reevaluated.
Profar has kept himself in the lineup thanks to his red-hot bat, especially with Moreland and Prince Fielder slumping. Profar, batting .380 with an 11-game hitting streak, has played second, first, designated hitter and now third since being called up.
Wednesday also marked the one-year anniversary of Carlos Correa's major league debut. Houston's 21-year-old shortstop, currently hitting .254, had 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first full year with the Astros.
"The expectations have been sky high, so it's hard for anybody in his shoes to live up to them or exceed them," Hinch said. "But he's been remarkable in his year in the big leagues. He's done things that we take for granted now."
Gonzalez
Gonzalez (3-4, 3.94 ERA) won his first two interleague starts of the season against Kansas City and Minnesota. During those starts, he allowed two earned runs in 12 innings for a 1.50 ERA. He walked three and fanned nine.
Gonzalez will look to extend his dominance against American League foes to three straight starts. The 30-year-old southpaw will take the ball for the Washington Nationals (36-23) as they look to complete a three-game sweep
Locke
Jeff Locke, Pittsburgh's scheduled Thursday starter, has a 3.75 ERA in four starts at Coors Field, including an outing April 25 in which he pitched six scoreless innings during Pittsburgh's 6-1 win.
Locke has been very good lately. He threw a three-hit shutout May 30 at Miami for his first career complete game and shutout in a 10-0 win. In his last start, Locke gave up three runs in seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels and won 8-7.
Locke is 5-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts overall. He has won his past four starts while posting a 2.76 ERA in that stretch.
4 Lefties on the hill today
Perez-Rangers
Gonzalez-Nats
Locke-Pirates
Finnegan-Reds
Perez
Rangers are11-3 in its past 14 games. The three games prior to Wednesday's loss were each one-run victories.
"Any time you win tough games, it breeds confidence," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Probably not as much confidence, though, as when you win by seven or eight, but there's a certain toughness or grit that you develop."
Texas would set a new club record with 10 consecutive home series wins should the Rangers take the last of the four-game set.
The Rangers are sending Martin Perez (4-4, 3.24 ERA) to the mound Thursday. The 25-year-old lefty has quality starts in three consecutive starts and five of his last six outings. Perez is 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA in six career starts against Houston.
Houston counters with right-hander Collin McHugh, who is making his first start of the season against Texas. McHugh (5-4, 4.97 ERA) is 4-0 in his career against Texas. His 31 wins since Aug. 1, 2014 are tied for fourth in the majors.
The Rangers will have infielder Jurickson Profar back in the starting lineup for the finale. Profar, who was taking ground balls at third base Wednesday afternoon, is starting there for Adrian Beltre.
The club's everyday third baseman left Wednesday night's game in the eighth inning with tightness in his left hamstring. Profar came in for Beltre, who was scheduled to be off Thursday.
Beltre wasn't the only concern for Texas, as starter Yu Darvish left after the fifth with shoulder tightness. The initial exam didn't reveal any issues, but Darvish will be reevaluated.
Profar has kept himself in the lineup thanks to his red-hot bat, especially with Moreland and Prince Fielder slumping. Profar, batting .380 with an 11-game hitting streak, has played second, first, designated hitter and now third since being called up.
Wednesday also marked the one-year anniversary of Carlos Correa's major league debut. Houston's 21-year-old shortstop, currently hitting .254, had 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first full year with the Astros.
"The expectations have been sky high, so it's hard for anybody in his shoes to live up to them or exceed them," Hinch said. "But he's been remarkable in his year in the big leagues. He's done things that we take for granted now."
Gonzalez
Gonzalez (3-4, 3.94 ERA) won his first two interleague starts of the season against Kansas City and Minnesota. During those starts, he allowed two earned runs in 12 innings for a 1.50 ERA. He walked three and fanned nine.
Gonzalez will look to extend his dominance against American League foes to three straight starts. The 30-year-old southpaw will take the ball for the Washington Nationals (36-23) as they look to complete a three-game sweep
Locke
Jeff Locke, Pittsburgh's scheduled Thursday starter, has a 3.75 ERA in four starts at Coors Field, including an outing April 25 in which he pitched six scoreless innings during Pittsburgh's 6-1 win.
Locke has been very good lately. He threw a three-hit shutout May 30 at Miami for his first career complete game and shutout in a 10-0 win. In his last start, Locke gave up three runs in seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels and won 8-7.
Locke is 5-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts overall. He has won his past four starts while posting a 2.76 ERA in that stretch.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$24,550
Going to take a stab with two afternoon games
1st 5 innings Rangers under 5 -$110 $2,200/$2,000
1st 5 innings Rangers +$110 $1,100/$1,000
1st 5 innings Pirates -$105 $3,150/$3,000
1st 5 innings under 7 Pirates -$115 $1,150/$1,000
Pirates game +$100 $3,000/$3,000
Pirates under 12.5 -$110 $1,100/$1,000
Going to take a stab with two afternoon games
1st 5 innings Rangers under 5 -$110 $2,200/$2,000
1st 5 innings Rangers +$110 $1,100/$1,000
1st 5 innings Pirates -$105 $3,150/$3,000
1st 5 innings under 7 Pirates -$115 $1,150/$1,000
Pirates game +$100 $3,000/$3,000
Pirates under 12.5 -$110 $1,100/$1,000
bloodhound
Sniffing out wins
GL today Lefty
GL Lefty
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Night Games
1st 5 innings Angels +$115 $3,000/$3,450
1st 5 innings over 5 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Game Angels +$118 $2,000/$2,360
Angels team total over 4 -$140 $4,200/$3,000
Orioles team total over 4 -$125 $3,750/$3,000
Brewers team total under 4 +$105 $2,000/$2,100
1st 5 innings Angels +$115 $3,000/$3,450
1st 5 innings over 5 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Game Angels +$118 $2,000/$2,360
Angels team total over 4 -$140 $4,200/$3,000
Orioles team total over 4 -$125 $3,750/$3,000
Brewers team total under 4 +$105 $2,000/$2,100
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
I'm going to ride with Mr Hound on these plays
Seattle game -$129 $3,870/$3,000
Seattle over 7.5 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Seattle team total over 4 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Seattle NO score 1st inning -$130 $2,600/$2,000
10:10pMatchup
[TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: visitor"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]961[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]Cleveland Indians
Josh Tomlin -R[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"]+1½ -175[/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]+119[/TD]
[TD="class: total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]7½[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-115 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]-105 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]3½[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-130 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]+100 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: home"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]962[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]Seattle Mariners
Nathan Karns -R
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"]-1½ +155[/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]-129[/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-120 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]-110 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Show Props
American League
[h=3]Score in 1st Inning[/h][h=4]Thu, Jun 09, 2016 EST[/h][TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: headers"]
[TH="class: rot, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Rot[/TH]
[TH="class: team, bgcolor: #A3A3A3"]Team[/TH]
[TH="class: points, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Run Line[/TH]
[TH="class: money, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Moneyline[/TH]
[TH="class: total, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Total[/TH]
[TH="class: team-total, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Team Total[/TH]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
10:10p
[TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: visitor"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]1961[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]CLE/SEA Score in 1st Inning - Yes
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]+100[/TD]
[TD="class: total, align: right"] [/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: home"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]1962[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]CLE/SEA Score in 1st Inning - No
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]-130[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Seattle game -$129 $3,870/$3,000
Seattle over 7.5 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Seattle team total over 4 -$120 $2,400/$2,000
Seattle NO score 1st inning -$130 $2,600/$2,000
10:10pMatchup
[TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: visitor"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]961[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]Cleveland Indians
Josh Tomlin -R[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"]+1½ -175[/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]+119[/TD]
[TD="class: total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]7½[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-115 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]-105 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]3½[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-130 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]+100 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: home"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]962[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]Seattle Mariners
Nathan Karns -R
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"]-1½ +155[/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]-129[/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"][TABLE="class: box-line"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR]
[TD="class: tall"]4[/TD]
[TD="class: wide"]-120 o[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: wide"]-110 u[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Show Props
American League
[h=3]Score in 1st Inning[/h][h=4]Thu, Jun 09, 2016 EST[/h][TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: headers"]
[TH="class: rot, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Rot[/TH]
[TH="class: team, bgcolor: #A3A3A3"]Team[/TH]
[TH="class: points, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Run Line[/TH]
[TH="class: money, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Moneyline[/TH]
[TH="class: total, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Total[/TH]
[TH="class: team-total, bgcolor: #A3A3A3, align: center"]Team Total[/TH]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
10:10p
[TABLE="class: game-tbl, width: 523"]
<tbody style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[TR="class: visitor"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]1961[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]CLE/SEA Score in 1st Inning - Yes
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]+100[/TD]
[TD="class: total, align: right"] [/TD]
[TD="class: team-total, align: right"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: home"]
[TD="class: rot, align: center"]1962[/TD]
[TD="class: team"]CLE/SEA Score in 1st Inning - No
[/TD]
[TD="class: points, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: money, align: right"]-130[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap:
LOST 1st 5 innings Rangers under 5 -$2,200
WIN 1st 5 innings Rangers +$1,100
LOST 1st 5 innings Pirates -$3,150
LOST 1st 5 innings under 7 Pirates -$1,150
LOST Pirates game -$3,000
LOST Pirates under 12.5 -$1,100
1-5
+$1,100 -$10,600 = -$9,500
-$9,500 -$24,550 = -$34,050
LOST 1st 5 innings Rangers under 5 -$2,200
WIN 1st 5 innings Rangers +$1,100
LOST 1st 5 innings Pirates -$3,150
LOST 1st 5 innings under 7 Pirates -$1,150
LOST Pirates game -$3,000
LOST Pirates under 12.5 -$1,100
1-5
+$1,100 -$10,600 = -$9,500
-$9,500 -$24,550 = -$34,050
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$34,050
Recap:
LOST 1st 5 innings Angels -$3,000
WIN 1st 5 innings over 5 +$2,000
LOST game Angels -$2,000
LOST Angels team total over 4 -$4,200
WIN Orioles team total over 4 +$3,000
WIN Brewers team total under 4 +$2,100
3-3
+$7,100 -$9,200 = -$2,100
-$2,100 -$34,050 = -$36,150
Recap:
LOST 1st 5 innings Angels -$3,000
WIN 1st 5 innings over 5 +$2,000
LOST game Angels -$2,000
LOST Angels team total over 4 -$4,200
WIN Orioles team total over 4 +$3,000
WIN Brewers team total under 4 +$2,100
3-3
+$7,100 -$9,200 = -$2,100
-$2,100 -$34,050 = -$36,150
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$36,150
Recap:
LOST Seattle game -$3,870
WIN Seattle over 7.5 +$3,000
LOST Seattle team total over 4 -$2,400
LOST NO score in 1st inning -$2,600
1-3
+$3,000 -$8,870 = -$5,870
-$5,870 -$36,150 = -$42,020
Recap:
LOST Seattle game -$3,870
WIN Seattle over 7.5 +$3,000
LOST Seattle team total over 4 -$2,400
LOST NO score in 1st inning -$2,600
1-3
+$3,000 -$8,870 = -$5,870
-$5,870 -$36,150 = -$42,020
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$42,020
7 Lefties on the mound tonight
Kershaw-Dodgers
Sale-White Sox
Sabathia-Yankees
Holland-Rangers
Santiago-Angels
Corbin-D'Backs
Nicolino-Marlins
Kershaw vs Cueto
Kershaw (8-1) has been almost unhittable on the road in his last five starts, allowing just one run and 15 hits in 43 innings, striking out 49.
He's 17-7 in his career against the Giants, including 9-3 with a 1.23 ERA in 15 starts at AT&T Park.
The Dodgers are 11-1 in his 12 starts this season.
Cueto (9-1), meanwhile, has not allowed a run at home in his last three starts, covering a total of 26 1/3 innings. Like with the Dodgers and Kershaw, the Giants are 11-1 when Cueto has been the starting pitcher.
The Giants expect to get star catcher Buster Posey back for the series opener. The former National League Most Valuable Player hasn't played since last Saturday because of a nerve irritation in his right thumb.
occasions -- April 9 and 15 -- the Giants extracted a measure of revenge the next day when Cueto pitched victories in games started by the Dodgers' No. 2, Scott Kazmir.
Something will have to give Friday night, when Kershaw (1-0 against the Giants this season) and Cueto (2-0 vs. the Dodgers) go head-to-head for the first time since June 14, 2011, when Cueto was pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.
Sale
Sale (9-2, 2.54 ERA) earned the victory in each of his first nine starts before enduring several turbulent outings. In his past three starts, the 27-year-old hurler is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA.
White Sox left-hander Chris Sale will look to snap a three-game winless drought when he takes the mound Friday night to open a weekend series in Chicago against the Kansas City Royals.
Holland
Rangers will also start two left-handers in the series, with Derek Holland scheduled to go Friday and Cole Hamels on Sunday. Right-hander Colby Lewis is scheduled to start Saturday.
Iwakuma owns strong career numbers against Texas, 8-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).
Holland has been equally sharp against Seattle, posting an identical 3.35 ERA to go with a 12-4 mark in 23 games (19 starts). He beat the Mariners last Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits in seven innings.
Sabathia
New York's success over Detroit at Yankee Stadium also includes CC Sabathia (3-4, 2.58 ERA), who is 7-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 starts against the Tigers since joining the Yankees in 2009. Overall he is 20-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 38 starts against Detroit and is one of four active pitchers with 20 wins over an opponent.
Sabathia also has had success in the last 10 months as he is 5-6 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 starts since Aug. 1. He last pitched Sunday when he took a no-decision in Baltimore after allowing two hits in five scoreless innings of a 3-1 loss.
7 Lefties on the mound tonight
Kershaw-Dodgers
Sale-White Sox
Sabathia-Yankees
Holland-Rangers
Santiago-Angels
Corbin-D'Backs
Nicolino-Marlins
Kershaw vs Cueto
Kershaw (8-1) has been almost unhittable on the road in his last five starts, allowing just one run and 15 hits in 43 innings, striking out 49.
He's 17-7 in his career against the Giants, including 9-3 with a 1.23 ERA in 15 starts at AT&T Park.
The Dodgers are 11-1 in his 12 starts this season.
Cueto (9-1), meanwhile, has not allowed a run at home in his last three starts, covering a total of 26 1/3 innings. Like with the Dodgers and Kershaw, the Giants are 11-1 when Cueto has been the starting pitcher.
The Giants expect to get star catcher Buster Posey back for the series opener. The former National League Most Valuable Player hasn't played since last Saturday because of a nerve irritation in his right thumb.
occasions -- April 9 and 15 -- the Giants extracted a measure of revenge the next day when Cueto pitched victories in games started by the Dodgers' No. 2, Scott Kazmir.
Something will have to give Friday night, when Kershaw (1-0 against the Giants this season) and Cueto (2-0 vs. the Dodgers) go head-to-head for the first time since June 14, 2011, when Cueto was pitching for the Cincinnati Reds.
Sale
Sale (9-2, 2.54 ERA) earned the victory in each of his first nine starts before enduring several turbulent outings. In his past three starts, the 27-year-old hurler is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA.
White Sox left-hander Chris Sale will look to snap a three-game winless drought when he takes the mound Friday night to open a weekend series in Chicago against the Kansas City Royals.
Holland
Rangers will also start two left-handers in the series, with Derek Holland scheduled to go Friday and Cole Hamels on Sunday. Right-hander Colby Lewis is scheduled to start Saturday.
Iwakuma owns strong career numbers against Texas, 8-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).
Holland has been equally sharp against Seattle, posting an identical 3.35 ERA to go with a 12-4 mark in 23 games (19 starts). He beat the Mariners last Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits in seven innings.
Sabathia
New York's success over Detroit at Yankee Stadium also includes CC Sabathia (3-4, 2.58 ERA), who is 7-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 12 starts against the Tigers since joining the Yankees in 2009. Overall he is 20-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 38 starts against Detroit and is one of four active pitchers with 20 wins over an opponent.
Sabathia also has had success in the last 10 months as he is 5-6 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 starts since Aug. 1. He last pitched Sunday when he took a no-decision in Baltimore after allowing two hits in five scoreless innings of a 3-1 loss.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$42,020
Not much room for error, fastly approaching my budget for the season.
Will give it my best effort tonight
Mets game -$127 $3,810/$3,000
Marlins game +$130 $3,000/$3,900
Tigers game +$145 $3,000/$4,350
Blue Jays game -$140 $5,600/$4,000
Not much room for error, fastly approaching my budget for the season.
Will give it my best effort tonight
Mets game -$127 $3,810/$3,000
Marlins game +$130 $3,000/$3,900
Tigers game +$145 $3,000/$4,350
Blue Jays game -$140 $5,600/$4,000
bloodhound
Sniffing out wins
BOL my friend...Mets,Tigs and Jays for me and on DBacks small and that Ov
:shake:
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
WIN Mets game +$3,000
WIN Marlins game +$3,900
LOST Tigers game -$3,000
WIN Blue Jays game +$4,000
3-1
-$3,000 +$10,900
+$7,900 -$42,020 = -$34,120
WIN Mets game +$3,000
WIN Marlins game +$3,900
LOST Tigers game -$3,000
WIN Blue Jays game +$4,000
3-1
-$3,000 +$10,900
+$7,900 -$42,020 = -$34,120
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$34,120
6 Lefties on the hill today
Kazmir-Dodgers
Happ-Blue Jays
Liriano-Pirates
Quintana-White Sox
Paxton-Mariners
Rodriguez-Red Sox
Quintana
Left-hander Jose Quintana (5-6, 2.58) will start for the White Sox on Saturday. He has lost five consecutive starts and allowed a season-worst five runs in 4 2-3 innings against the Detroit Tigers in his last start. After he went 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA in April and 2-4 with a 2.61 ERA in May, Quintana is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in June.
"I have a lot of confidence in all my pitches at this moment, but I missed a spot a couple of times," Quintana told the Chicago Tribune after his last game.
The White Sox (31-30) have made a flurry of moves to try to revive their season. They designated veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins for assignment and promoted top prospect and shortstop Tim Anderson from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. A day earlier, the White Sox designated right-hander Mat Latos for assignment and signed veteran first baseman Justin Morneau to a one-year deal. The White Sox beat the Royals 7-5 Friday to win two out of their last seven.
Kazmir
Kazmir (5-3) had Dodgers fans wondering if the club's $48 million, three-year investment in the left-hander might have been wasted money when he struggled twice in head-to-heads with the Giants over the first two weeks of the season.
Matched up in those games against Cueto, the Giants' No. 2 starter, Kazmir never saw the fifth inning in either start, allowing six runs in a 9-6 defeat in San Francisco and four runs in a 4-3 home loss.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is willing to excuse those lapses, noting that June games carry greater significance than April.
"This is a big three-game series for us," he assured after Friday's narrow win. "Everyone in the clubhouse knows how important this win was. We're chasing these guys."
The Giants have taken two different approaches to beating Kazmir, a veteran who fashioned a fine 3.10 ERA in 31 starts for the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros in 2015.
Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan all homered in the home win, whereas the Giants used a double, six singles and four walks to knock Kazmir from the box after he'd faced just 23 batters in the rematch.
The successive losses dropped Kazmir's career record against the Giants to 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA in four starts.
Liriano
Liriano (4-5, 5.25 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday against St. Louis, and he's been struggling. He allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings in Pittsburgh's 9-2 loss to the Angels on June 3 and has lost back-to-back starts.
Liriano is 7-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 14 career starts against the Cardinals. But there is little question he will need to get past his recent control issues.
Happ
Happ will be out to make amends for his outing in the 11-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Monday when he allowed six hits (including two home runs), two walks and six runs in five innings. In nine career outings, including eight starts, against the Orioles, he is 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA.
6 Lefties on the hill today
Kazmir-Dodgers
Happ-Blue Jays
Liriano-Pirates
Quintana-White Sox
Paxton-Mariners
Rodriguez-Red Sox
Quintana
Left-hander Jose Quintana (5-6, 2.58) will start for the White Sox on Saturday. He has lost five consecutive starts and allowed a season-worst five runs in 4 2-3 innings against the Detroit Tigers in his last start. After he went 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA in April and 2-4 with a 2.61 ERA in May, Quintana is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in June.
"I have a lot of confidence in all my pitches at this moment, but I missed a spot a couple of times," Quintana told the Chicago Tribune after his last game.
The White Sox (31-30) have made a flurry of moves to try to revive their season. They designated veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins for assignment and promoted top prospect and shortstop Tim Anderson from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. A day earlier, the White Sox designated right-hander Mat Latos for assignment and signed veteran first baseman Justin Morneau to a one-year deal. The White Sox beat the Royals 7-5 Friday to win two out of their last seven.
Kazmir
Kazmir (5-3) had Dodgers fans wondering if the club's $48 million, three-year investment in the left-hander might have been wasted money when he struggled twice in head-to-heads with the Giants over the first two weeks of the season.
Matched up in those games against Cueto, the Giants' No. 2 starter, Kazmir never saw the fifth inning in either start, allowing six runs in a 9-6 defeat in San Francisco and four runs in a 4-3 home loss.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is willing to excuse those lapses, noting that June games carry greater significance than April.
"This is a big three-game series for us," he assured after Friday's narrow win. "Everyone in the clubhouse knows how important this win was. We're chasing these guys."
The Giants have taken two different approaches to beating Kazmir, a veteran who fashioned a fine 3.10 ERA in 31 starts for the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros in 2015.
Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan all homered in the home win, whereas the Giants used a double, six singles and four walks to knock Kazmir from the box after he'd faced just 23 batters in the rematch.
The successive losses dropped Kazmir's career record against the Giants to 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA in four starts.
Liriano
Liriano (4-5, 5.25 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday against St. Louis, and he's been struggling. He allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings in Pittsburgh's 9-2 loss to the Angels on June 3 and has lost back-to-back starts.
Liriano is 7-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 14 career starts against the Cardinals. But there is little question he will need to get past his recent control issues.
Happ
Happ will be out to make amends for his outing in the 11-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Monday when he allowed six hits (including two home runs), two walks and six runs in five innings. In nine career outings, including eight starts, against the Orioles, he is 2-3 with a 3.56 ERA.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$34,120
Red Sox game -$154 $4,620/$3,000
Pirates/Cards over 8 -$125 $2,500/$2,000
Nats game -$165 $4,950/$3,000
Red Sox game -$154 $4,620/$3,000
Pirates/Cards over 8 -$125 $2,500/$2,000
Nats game -$165 $4,950/$3,000
bloodhound
Sniffing out wins
good work today and yesterday
Continued success Lefty
Continued success Lefty
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Adding this game, I like it A LOT
Giants/Dodgers over 7.5 -$115 $4,600/$4,000
Giants/Dodgers over 7.5 -$115 $4,600/$4,000
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
WIN Red Sox game +$3,000
LOST Pirates/Cards over 8 -$2,500
WIN Nats game +$3,000
2-1
+$6,000 -$2,500 = +$3,500
+$3,500 -$34,120 = -$30,620
WIN Red Sox game +$3,000
LOST Pirates/Cards over 8 -$2,500
WIN Nats game +$3,000
2-1
+$6,000 -$2,500 = +$3,500
+$3,500 -$34,120 = -$30,620
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$30,620
Recap
WIN Dodgers/Giants over 7.5 +$4,000
+$4,000 -$30,620 = -$26,620
Recap
WIN Dodgers/Giants over 7.5 +$4,000
+$4,000 -$30,620 = -$26,620
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$26,620
Gave myself a little breathing room, still awful for the season.
17 Lefties on the hill today that's a new season high. In fact I don't think I've ever seen 17 in one day.
Hamels-Rangers
Lester-Cubbies
Matz-Mets
Keuchel-Astros
Niese-Pirates
Lamb-Reds
Miley-Mariners
Huff-Angels
Dean-Twins
Rodon-White Sox
Moore-Rays
Uras-Dodgers
Anderson-Rockies
Friedrich-Padres
Ray-D'Backs
Conley-Marlins
Morgan-Phillies
Hamels vs Miley (both lefties)
Rangers will send Cole Hamels (5-1) to the mound against a Seattle starter, Wade Miley, that Texas already roughed up twice this season.
Working in Seattle's favor is the fact that Miley is coming off one of his better games, having thrown seven shutout innings in a win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
Hamels is looking for his first win since May 22. His Sunday start could include a milestone. He is two strikeouts from 2,000 in his career -- a number that only 76 pitchers have achieved in major league history.
Hamels is the Rangers' top starter, at least until Texas gets a 100 percent healthy Yu Darvish up and running. Darvish is battling shoulder and neck stiffness and the Rangers announced Saturday that he'll skip his scheduled start Monday in Oakland.
Hamels beat the Mariners on Opening Day, allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings in the Rangers' 3-2 win. Conversely, Miley gave up 11 total runs in two starts against Texas in the opening two weeks of the season.
Lester
This is the finale of the three-game series will feature Chicago left-hander Jon Lester (7-3, 2.08), a three-time All-Star who has played in four league championship series and two World Series.
Lester has been outstanding again this season, his second with the Cubs. In his last two starts, Lester has struck out at least nine and not walked a batter, becoming the team's first lefty to do that since 1913. Over his last three starts he's 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA.
Lester has gone at least six innings and allowed one or fewer earned runs in eight of his 12 starts. The Cubs are 9-3 in games that Lester has started.
Keuchel vs Moore (both lefties)
Sunday's finale pits two starters who have been much better than their records would suggest -- Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8, 5.44 ERA) and Rays lefty Matt Moore (2-4, 5.56). The Rays' bullpen has been overworked in the first half of the season -- relievers allowed as many runs in getting four outs Saturday as starter Chris Archer did in getting 23.
"He has been great for us 95 percent of the time he takes the hill," Archer said of reliever Erasmo Ramirez, whose bases-loaded wild pitch brought in the go-ahead run in the eighth. "When he comes into the game, you feel confident, and when he comes into the game Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we are going to feel the same amount of confidence."
There are concerns that Rays manager Kevin Cash only trusts part of his bullpen -- he brought in Dana Eveland in a one-run game in the ninth, and the only batter he faced hit a solo home run, which ended up being the deciding run. Eveland's ERA is 6.75, and the Rays already have two relievers who have made their MLB debuts in the last month, so the alternatives are very unproven.
"He has been used heavily," Archer said of Ramirez. "Baseball is a sport where there are a lot of ups and downs, and this is one that wasn't necessarily positive for him, but obviously we fully believe and know what he's capable of."
Houston is in a different place -- its relievers have an ERA under 2.00 over the last 23 games, with Harris making a strong case to take over as closer. Luke Gregerson has 13 saves and pitched a perfect eighth Saturday, but Harris is the one with a 0.63 ERA, with 30 strikeouts against just six walks. A formal anointing as closer hasn't come yet, but might not be far off either.
Matz
The left-hander has only allowed five runs -- three earned -- in his last two starts, but the Mets managed to score only four runs in those contests.
Prior to that, Matz had been on fire. He was shelled in his first outing of the season (seven earned runs, 1 2/3 innings) but went 7-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his next seven starts, allowing just six earned runs while striking out 49 in 48 innings of work.
He will be facing Milwaukee for the second time this season; he held the Brewers to two runs in a seven-inning, eight-strikeout performance May 20 at Citi Field.
Conley vs Ray (both lefties)
D-backs will start left-hander Robbie Ray on Sunday as they attempt to win their third home series of the season. They are 2-7-1 in 10 home series, although both of their series wins have come in the last four.
Miami will counter with left-hander Adam Conley. The two opposed each other May 5, when Conley gave up two hits and struck out six threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings of a 3-0 victory in Miami on May 5.
Niese
Jonathan Niese (6-2, 3.93 ERA) is scheduled to go against St. Louis right-hander Mike Leake (4-4, 4.22 ERA) Sunday.
Niese is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in his past five starts.
Gave myself a little breathing room, still awful for the season.
17 Lefties on the hill today that's a new season high. In fact I don't think I've ever seen 17 in one day.
Hamels-Rangers
Lester-Cubbies
Matz-Mets
Keuchel-Astros
Niese-Pirates
Lamb-Reds
Miley-Mariners
Huff-Angels
Dean-Twins
Rodon-White Sox
Moore-Rays
Uras-Dodgers
Anderson-Rockies
Friedrich-Padres
Ray-D'Backs
Conley-Marlins
Morgan-Phillies
Hamels vs Miley (both lefties)
Rangers will send Cole Hamels (5-1) to the mound against a Seattle starter, Wade Miley, that Texas already roughed up twice this season.
Working in Seattle's favor is the fact that Miley is coming off one of his better games, having thrown seven shutout innings in a win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
Hamels is looking for his first win since May 22. His Sunday start could include a milestone. He is two strikeouts from 2,000 in his career -- a number that only 76 pitchers have achieved in major league history.
Hamels is the Rangers' top starter, at least until Texas gets a 100 percent healthy Yu Darvish up and running. Darvish is battling shoulder and neck stiffness and the Rangers announced Saturday that he'll skip his scheduled start Monday in Oakland.
Hamels beat the Mariners on Opening Day, allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings in the Rangers' 3-2 win. Conversely, Miley gave up 11 total runs in two starts against Texas in the opening two weeks of the season.
Lester
This is the finale of the three-game series will feature Chicago left-hander Jon Lester (7-3, 2.08), a three-time All-Star who has played in four league championship series and two World Series.
Lester has been outstanding again this season, his second with the Cubs. In his last two starts, Lester has struck out at least nine and not walked a batter, becoming the team's first lefty to do that since 1913. Over his last three starts he's 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA.
Lester has gone at least six innings and allowed one or fewer earned runs in eight of his 12 starts. The Cubs are 9-3 in games that Lester has started.
Keuchel vs Moore (both lefties)
Sunday's finale pits two starters who have been much better than their records would suggest -- Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (3-8, 5.44 ERA) and Rays lefty Matt Moore (2-4, 5.56). The Rays' bullpen has been overworked in the first half of the season -- relievers allowed as many runs in getting four outs Saturday as starter Chris Archer did in getting 23.
"He has been great for us 95 percent of the time he takes the hill," Archer said of reliever Erasmo Ramirez, whose bases-loaded wild pitch brought in the go-ahead run in the eighth. "When he comes into the game, you feel confident, and when he comes into the game Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we are going to feel the same amount of confidence."
There are concerns that Rays manager Kevin Cash only trusts part of his bullpen -- he brought in Dana Eveland in a one-run game in the ninth, and the only batter he faced hit a solo home run, which ended up being the deciding run. Eveland's ERA is 6.75, and the Rays already have two relievers who have made their MLB debuts in the last month, so the alternatives are very unproven.
"He has been used heavily," Archer said of Ramirez. "Baseball is a sport where there are a lot of ups and downs, and this is one that wasn't necessarily positive for him, but obviously we fully believe and know what he's capable of."
Houston is in a different place -- its relievers have an ERA under 2.00 over the last 23 games, with Harris making a strong case to take over as closer. Luke Gregerson has 13 saves and pitched a perfect eighth Saturday, but Harris is the one with a 0.63 ERA, with 30 strikeouts against just six walks. A formal anointing as closer hasn't come yet, but might not be far off either.
Matz
The left-hander has only allowed five runs -- three earned -- in his last two starts, but the Mets managed to score only four runs in those contests.
Prior to that, Matz had been on fire. He was shelled in his first outing of the season (seven earned runs, 1 2/3 innings) but went 7-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his next seven starts, allowing just six earned runs while striking out 49 in 48 innings of work.
He will be facing Milwaukee for the second time this season; he held the Brewers to two runs in a seven-inning, eight-strikeout performance May 20 at Citi Field.
Conley vs Ray (both lefties)
D-backs will start left-hander Robbie Ray on Sunday as they attempt to win their third home series of the season. They are 2-7-1 in 10 home series, although both of their series wins have come in the last four.
Miami will counter with left-hander Adam Conley. The two opposed each other May 5, when Conley gave up two hits and struck out six threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings of a 3-0 victory in Miami on May 5.
Niese
Jonathan Niese (6-2, 3.93 ERA) is scheduled to go against St. Louis right-hander Mike Leake (4-4, 4.22 ERA) Sunday.
Niese is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in his past five starts.
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
-$26,620
I'm going for it today
Mets 1st 5 innings -$130 $2,600/$2,000
Mets game -$127 $3,810/$3,000
Marlins 1st innings +$105 $2,100/$2,000
Marlins game +$112 $2,000/$2,240
Astros 1st 5 innings -$130 $3,900/$3,000
Astros game -$128 $3,840/$3,000
Rangers 1st 5 innings -$105 $2,100/$2,000
Rangers game +$100 $3,000/$3,000
Will post my picks on Cards/Pirates later game starts 5:05
I'm going for it today
Mets 1st 5 innings -$130 $2,600/$2,000
Mets game -$127 $3,810/$3,000
Marlins 1st innings +$105 $2,100/$2,000
Marlins game +$112 $2,000/$2,240
Astros 1st 5 innings -$130 $3,900/$3,000
Astros game -$128 $3,840/$3,000
Rangers 1st 5 innings -$105 $2,100/$2,000
Rangers game +$100 $3,000/$3,000
Will post my picks on Cards/Pirates later game starts 5:05
GL Lefty
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Add ons
Cards 1st 5 innings -$105 $2,100/$2,000
Cards game +$105 $3,150/$3,000
1st 5 innings Dodgers -$115 $3,450/$3,000
1st 5 innings over 4 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Dodgers over -$113 $3,390/$3,000
Dodgers game over 7.5 -$115 $4,600/$4,000
Cards 1st 5 innings -$105 $2,100/$2,000
Cards game +$105 $3,150/$3,000
1st 5 innings Dodgers -$115 $3,450/$3,000
1st 5 innings over 4 -$115 $3,450/$3,000
Dodgers over -$113 $3,390/$3,000
Dodgers game over 7.5 -$115 $4,600/$4,000
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
LOST Mets 1st 5 innings -$2,600
LOST Mets game -$3,810
LOST 1st 5 innings Marlins -$2,100
LOST Marlins game -$2,000
LOST 1st 5 innings Astros -$3,900
LOST Astros game -$3,840
WIN 1st 5 innings Rangers +$2,100
WIN Rangers game +$3,000
2-6
+$5,100 -$18,250 = -$13,150
-$13,150 -$26,620 = -$39,770
LOST Mets 1st 5 innings -$2,600
LOST Mets game -$3,810
LOST 1st 5 innings Marlins -$2,100
LOST Marlins game -$2,000
LOST 1st 5 innings Astros -$3,900
LOST Astros game -$3,840
WIN 1st 5 innings Rangers +$2,100
WIN Rangers game +$3,000
2-6
+$5,100 -$18,250 = -$13,150
-$13,150 -$26,620 = -$39,770
BringInTheLefty
Pretty much a regular
Recap
WIN Cards 1st 5 innings +$2,000
WIN Cards game +$3,000
LOST 1st 5 innings Dodgers -$3,450
LOST 1st 5 innings over 4 -$3,450
LOST Dodgers game -$3,390
LOST Dodgers game over 7.5 -$4,600
2-4
+$5,000 -$14,890 = -$9,890
-$9,890 -$39,770 = -$49,660
WIN Cards 1st 5 innings +$2,000
WIN Cards game +$3,000
LOST 1st 5 innings Dodgers -$3,450
LOST 1st 5 innings over 4 -$3,450
LOST Dodgers game -$3,390
LOST Dodgers game over 7.5 -$4,600
2-4
+$5,000 -$14,890 = -$9,890
-$9,890 -$39,770 = -$49,660
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