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While his team was extremely generous, Josh Donaldson certainly wasn’t in a giving mood. In fact, Donaldson handed out some punishment with a home run and five RBIs – and even made a sensational defensive stop on Brett Pill in the seventh inning. Despite his heroics, the Athletics fell for the third time in four games.

Athletics Giants Betting

When: 4:05 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CS California (Oakland), CS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-3, 6.25 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.66)

After spending time as a reliever in previous seasons, Ross authored his best start of 2012 in his last trip to the mound. The 25-year-old scattered five hits over six shutout innings in a 5-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Ross allowed two runs in one inning of relief in his lone career outing versus the Giants.

Vogelsong permitted one earned run for the third straight outing, but his penchant for walking batters left him with only one victory in that span. He scattered three hits Monday, but five free passes ran up his pitch count and he did not receive a decision in San Francisco’s 3-2 win over Colorado. Vogelsong has faced the Athletics on two occasions, but received a pair of no-decisions after registering a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.

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1. San Francisco’s Buster Posey was a spectator for Friday’s series opener, but is expected back in the lineup Saturday. Posey, who has three multi-hit games in his last four outings, has tripled in his lone career at-bat versus Ross.

2. Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick entered Friday’s tilt with a sizzling .366 batting average in interleague play. Reddick, who went 0-for-4 in the opener, has yet to face Vogelsong in his career.

3. Pitcher Brad Penny agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Giants. He will report to extended spring training Monday.

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Friedrich will face a Mariners’ team that hasn’t provided much run support for Jason Vargas with seven runs in his last four starts. Seattle, which won for only the second time in 14 road games with a 4-0 victory on Friday, hasn’t scored much at all for anyone with 23 runs during its 2-6 road trip.

Mariners Rockies Betting

When: 4:10 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (4-3, 3.28 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Christian Friedrich (1-0, 1.38)

Vargas allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings in a 6-1 loss at Boston in his last outing. He had allowed four runs in his three previous starts (1-1, no-decision). Vargas is 0-2 with an 18.00 ERA in two outings at Coors Field while with the Mets. The Rockies’ roster is hitting .241 against him, but Michael Cuddyer is 4-for-11.

Friedrich’s first two outings came at Petco Park in San Diego and AT&T Park in San Francisco – both pitcher-friendly venues with home teams lacking offensive punch. He has two walks and 17 strikeouts, including 10 on Monday in a no-decision against the Giants, and threw only 93 pitches in seven innings, 69 for strikes.

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1. Seattle second baseman Dustin Ackley went 0-for-4 on Friday to snap his 13-game hitting streak.

2. Mariners left-hander Lucas Luetge has a team-record 15 straight appearances to begin his major league career without allowing an earned run.

3. The Rockies entered Friday with a 5.67 ERA at home, the worst in the majors.

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Ryan Braun is up to .317 and hit his 11th homer Friday but is getting little help from the rest of the Milwaukee offense. Rickie Weeks went 1-for-3 on Friday to raise his average to .159. The Twins got Justin Morneau back in the lineup Wednesday and immediately began to take off. The former MVP has driven in six runs in the past two games and has combined with Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham to form a strong middle of the order.

Twins Brewers Betting

When: 4:10 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (2-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (2-4, 5.04)

Pavano has allowed four earned runs in three of his last four starts and has not made it through seven innings in any of his last five turns. The veteran right-hander has issued only six walks in 49 total innings but has surrendered 56 hits – seven home runs. Pavano is 2-4 with a 4.77 ERA in 14 career games – 12 starts – against Milwaukee. Ryan Braun is 5-for-14 with a pair of homers off Pavano.

Gallardo has taken the loss in three of his last four turns. He yielded only two runs on two hits last time out but walked six in six innings. The 26-year-old is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in four career starts against Minnesota but Mauer and Morneau are a combined 9-for-16 off Gallardo.

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1. Pavano had deep tissue work done on his right shoulder this week back in Minneapolis before rejoining the team Friday.

2. Twins outfielder Ryan Doumit (calf) was available Friday but did not get into the game.

3. Weeks was dropped to sixth in the batting order Friday. He had hit first, second or third in the first 36 games.

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Friday’s loss dropped the Rays two games behind Baltimore in the American League East. Injuries have ravaged Tampa Bay’s roster as nine Rays are currently on the disabled list. The Tampa Bay Rays start right-hander Alex Cobb, promoted to take the place of Jeff Niemann in the rotation. Niemann suffered a small fracture in his right leg in his last start against Toronto. The Braves lead the National League East by 1½ games and have won six of their past eight.

Braves Rays Betting

When: 4:10 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Peachtree TV (Atlanta), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79 ERA) vs. Tampa Bay RH Alex Cobb (2011: 3-2, 3.42)

Delgado has pitched far better than his record indicates. The 22-year-old has allowed only three runs over 20 1/3 innings in his past three starts, but is 0-1 with two no-decisions thanks in large part to poor run support. Delgado has not won since beating the Mets on April 17. Cobb made nine starts for Tampa Bay last season, striking out 37 in 52 2/3 innings. He was 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A Durham this season.

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1. Since losing their first four games this season – all on the road – the Braves are 25-11 overall and 15-4 on the road.

2. Cobb struck out eight in five shutout innings for Triple-A Durham in his last start.

3. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman drove in two runs in Friday’s series opener, giving him 32 for the season.

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Adam Jones may have saw his consecutive homers streak end at three contests, but recorded his third 10-game hitting streak of the season with an RBI infield single in the first inning. Ian Desmond did homer, but that was all Washington could muster en route to its fourth loss in seven games.

Orioles Nationals Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (4-1, 2.68 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (3-2, 2.75)

Hammel has won all three career decisions versus Washington, handcuffing the team with a 1.18 WHIP and .248 batting average against. The 29-year-old has improved upon the latter two numbers against every team in 2012 – posting a 1.10 WHIP and .214 batting average against. Hammel’s last outing was not indicative of that, however, as he yielded five runs in as many innings in a no-decision versus the New York Yankees on Monday.

Detwiler matched Hammel’s effort Monday by posting the same statistics in a no-decision versus San Diego. The sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft, Detwiler dropped his lone career decision to Baltimore. In two starts against the Orioles, he has allowed six runs on 10 hits in 11 innings.

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1. Baltimore isn’t just belting the ball out of the park – it’s doing it with timely effectiveness. The Orioles lead the majors with 62 homers – 27 of which have come in the seventh inning or later. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Baltimore has won 13 of 16 games decided in the seventh inning or later.

2. Ryan Zimmerman, who had two hits in the series opener, is 5-for-14 with a homer and three RBIs in his career versus Hammel.

3. With Friday’s heroics fresh in his mind, Markakis could continue to swing a hot bat when he faces Detwiler. The Orioles’ star is 3-for-6 with an RBI in his career against him.

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The Phillies have won six straight games while the Red Sox have lost two of three after winning five in a row.

It could shape up to be a pitchers’ duel as the Red Sox’ Jon Lester is coming off his best start of the season while Blanton has three wins and a no-decision in his last four outings. Red-hot Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, who had a two-run single in Philadelphia’s 6-4 victory on Friday and is 11 for his last 17, is 0-for-7 against Lester. Ruiz has 19 RBIs in 16 May games and has five multi-hit games in his last eight.

Red Sox Phillies Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (2-3, 3.71 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Joe Blanton (4-3, 2.96)

Lester pitched a complete game in the Red Sox’ 6-1 victory over Seattle in his last outing on Monday. In three career starts against Philadelphia, Lester is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings. The Phillies’ roster is batting .209 against him, with former American Leaguer Ty Wigginton having the most experience and success at 8-for-20 with a homer, two RBIs and four walks.

Blanton allowed one run, six hits and struck out seven in seven innings in a 5-1 victory over Houston on Monday in his last outing. Blanton is 3-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 10 career starts against Boston, including 1-1 and a no-decision in three outings with Philadelphia. The Red Sox’ roster is batting .307 against him, with Ortiz 8-for-26 with two homers and three RBIs.

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1. Boston’s Daniel Nava hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues – against Blanton – in the Red Sox’ 10-2 victory June 12, 2010.

2. The Red Sox’ Cody Ross, who has homered in two straight games, was 7-for-20 with three homers and five RBIs to help the Giants defeat the Phillies in the 2010 NL Championship Series in six games.

3. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel returns to the dugout after a one-game suspension for his involvement in an altercation with umpire Bob Davidson in Tuesday’s game against Houston.

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Young’s return can only help Montero and Justin Upton, who are beginning to pull out of a season-long slumps. Upton homered Thursday and had two hits and an RBI on Friday, raising his average to .234. Friday marked Montero’s first multi-RBI game since April 27. Kansas City is still waiting for its young slugger, Eric Hosmer, to turn it around. Hosmer got a second straight day off Friday and is batting .174. He has not homered since April 25.

Diamondbacks Royals Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-3, 3.81 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (2-4, 4.34)

Kennedy has lost three straight starts while getting a total of three runs of support. The right-hander was charged with two earned runs in six innings at Los Angeles on Monday. He has allowed three of his five home runs in the last two starts. Kennedy has made three appearances – two starts – against the Royals, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.21 ERA.

Chen has won his last two starts and is coming off a 6 2/3-inning effort at Texas in which he held the top lineup in the majors to one run on five hits while striking out seven. The well-traveled left-hander has made nine career appearances – three starts – against Arizona, going 1-2 with a 5.24 ERA. Jason Kubel is 4-for-11 with a home run off Chen in his career.

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1. Diamondbacks right-hander Daniel Hudson (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Monday.

2. Royals left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Blake Wood each had their elbows examined Friday and will undergo Tommy John surgery.

3. Kansas City second baseman Irving Falu has hit safely in each of his first seven major league games.

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The Cubs have gotten much better pitching than they did a year ago, but have wasted that improvement – Saturday starter Ryan Dempster is still looking for his first win despite allowing eight earned runs all year. The White Sox have also gotten some strong starting pitching, but left-hander John Danks, who takes the mound Saturday, has been the weak link in an otherwise impressive rotation. White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who was hit in the head by a pitch Friday, will be evaluated again before Saturday’s game but is unlikely to play.

White Sox Cubs Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox (national)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (2-4, 6.46 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (0-1, 1.74)

Though the White Sox have won his last two starts, Danks has struggled for much of the season, allowing 35 runs (34 earned) in 47 1/3 innings. He lasted only three innings in his last trip to the mound (nine hits, five runs, three walks versus Detroit on May 14), the fifth time this season Danks has allowed at least four runs. He is 2-1 with a solid 2.88 ERA in four starts against the Cubs.

Dempster’s teammates totaled only eight runs in losing his first five starts. The veteran right-hander gave up only four earned runs in those games, and even after a rough outing at St. Louis on May 14 (six innings pitched, nine hits, four runs), he still ranks second in the NL in ERA. In 13 career games (six starts) against the White Sox, Dempster is 2-4 with a 4.89 ERA and three saves.

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1. The White Sox have been outstanding against the National League in recent years, winning 43 of their last 59 interleague contests overall with a 21-6 mark in their last 27 away games against NL opponents.

2. Cubs right fielder David DeJesus is 8-for-23 (.348) with two doubles and five RBIs against Danks. His teammates, though, are a combined 5-for-27 (.185) with no runs batted in.

3. The White Sox are 24-for-80 against Dempster. Designated hitter/first baseman Adam Dunn is 5-for-17 (.294), but has homered twice and drawn 10 walks. Shorstop Alexei Ramirez is 6-for-14 (.429) with a home run.

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Despite going only 1-for-5 Friday, Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton is still the American League’s runaway leader with a .392 batting average, 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. Hamilton has 11 homers, eight doubles, two triples and 31 RBIs in 32 interleague games since the start of the 2010 season. Houston has totaled only 26 homers, eight more than Hamilton, but they have put together an effective small-ball lineup led by diminutive second baseman Jose Altuve (.315).

Rangers Astros Betting

When: 7:15 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (3-2, 3.78 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (2-3, 4.40)

Holland has recovered from a rough patch at the end of April, giving up only one earned run (four unearned) in his last three trips to the mound – two starts and an inning of scoreless relief May 14. He has been much more effective on the road this year, going 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in three away starts. Holland is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts against the Astros.

Like Holland, Harrell was roughed up at the end of last month, giving up 11 runs (10 earned) in 11 innings, but has settled down somewhat, allowing seven earned runs in his last 16 1/3 frames. He has been solid in three starts at home, going 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, but Houston has lost six of his last seven starts, averaging fewer than three runs per game with Harrell on the mound.

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1. Beltre (1-for-1, double, RBI) is the only player on the Texas roster to face Harrell, who has never pitched against the Rangers.

2. The Astros are a combined 1-for-16 (.063) against Holland, with an RBI single by Carlos Lee the only hit.

3. Texas will likely go into Saturday’s game without the option of going to closer Joe Nathan, who made his fourth appearance in as many days on Friday.

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Los Angeles was 13-5 against the National League in 2011 and is a major league-best 63-28 in interleague play since 2007.

The Angels, who have won three of their last four games, will need Saturday’s starter to get going. Dan Haren has lost his last three outings and allowed 14 runs (12 earned) in 16 2/3 innings during that span. The Padres counter with left-hander Eric Stults, acquired off the waiver wire from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

Angels Padres Betting

When: 10:05 PM ET, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, California
TV: 10:05 p.m. FS West (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Dan Haren (1-4, 4.41 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Stults (0-0, 2.70)

Haren walked a season-high four in his last outing, a 5-0 loss to Oakland on Monday. Haren is 5-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 14 career appearances against the Padres (13 starts). The San Diego roster is hitting .252 against him, with Nick Hundley (9-for-23) and Chase Headley (8-for-27, homer, four RBIs) having the most success.

Stults replaces Tim Stauffer, who went on the disabled list Friday with a sprained right elbow. Stults made two appearances with Chicago, including one start when he allowed two runs and four hits in six innings and received a no-decision in a 4-2 loss at Cleveland on May 7. He is 0-1 in two appearances against the Angels and hasn’t faced anyone on the active Los Angeles roster.

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1. San Diego is averaging 3.2 runs per game – only the Pittsburgh Pirates are worse at 2.8.

2. Los Angeles’ Mark Trumbo has a nine-game hitting streak and is 17-for-32 during that span.

3. The Padres have played 26 of their 40 games at home.

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