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Texas starter Yu Darvish returned from a quad injury in his last start and it might have been his best of the season as he blanked Tampa Bay over seven innings while striking out 10. Monday’s start will be the first of his career vs. Kansas City. Bet on Rangers-Royals and every game at WagerWeb.com.
Cleveland at Detroit – Indians RHP Corey Kluber (0-3, 5.16) vs. Tigers RHP Anibal Sanchez (7-11, 4.24): Kluber lost Wednesday after giving up four runs (three earned) in six innings against the A’s. He struck out seven with no walks. The rookie has a 2.25 ERA in his last three turns. … Sanchez pitched his best game since joining the Tigers last time out against the Royals — going seven innings and allowing one run on seven hits. He was outdueled by Bruce Chen, though, and took his 11th loss of the year.
Baltimore at Toronto – Orioles LHP Joe Saunders (6-11, 4.46) vs. Jays LHP J.A. Happ (10-10, 4.77): Saunders had an unimpressive Orioles debut, giving up four first-inning runs in Wednesday’s loss to the White Sox. The left-handed veteran, acquired from the D-backs, will make his first road start for Baltimore on Monday. … Happ surrendered four runs while tying a season high with five walks against the Yankees in his last start. He is now 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA in five starts with the Blue Jays after coming over in a 10-player deal prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline.
NY Yankees at Tampa Bay – Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (13-4, 3.40) vs. Rays RHP James Shields (12-8, 3.91): Sabathia struggled his last time out after a strong return from the disabled list. Sabathia said he felt good after allowing five runs (two earned) over seven innings against the Blue Jays, but he surrendered two Yankees leads in a loss. … Shields put forth his sixth consecutive quality start Tuesday against the Rangers when he allowed one run on three hits, but took his eighth loss of the season. He is 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA in four starts against the Yankees this season.
Texas at Kansas City – Rangers RHP Yu Darvish (13-9, 4.31) vs. Royals LHP Bruce Chen (10-10-10, 5.13): Darvish won his last time out and set the Rangers’ rookie record for wins in a season. He needs eight more K’s for 190 and another Rangers rookie record. He is 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA in his last three starts and 4-7 with a 4.52 ERA in 12 away starts. … Chen pitched his best game of the season on Wednesday night against the Tigers, holding them scoreless for eight innings on four hits. He made 100 pitches, issued just one walk and used his variance of speeds to optimal effect.
LA Angels at Oakland – Angels LHP C.J. Wilson (10-9, 3.86) vs. A’s LHP Tommy Milone (11-9, 3.73): By keeping it simple and pounding the strike zone, Wilson was able to snap an 11-start winless streak against the Red Sox on Wednesday, giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings. In that 11-game skid, Wilson carried a 6.09 ERA. … Milone admitted he didn’t have his best stuff on Tuesday, but he still held Cleveland scoreless for six innings. In the process, the southpaw picked up his team-high 11th win of the season.
Boston at Seattle – Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (11-4, 4.50) vs. Mariners LHP Jason Vargas (13-9, 3.90): Buchholz had his streak of six consecutive quality starts snapped with a pair of outings against the Angels where he gave up a total of 11 runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched. He leads the Red Sox with 11 wins. … Vargas has had just three outings of less than five innings this year, but two of those have been in his past two starts at Chicago and Minnesota. He’ll be glad to be back at Safeco Field, where his ERA is 2.63 this year compared to 4.84 on the road.
Minnesota at Chicago White Sox – Twins RHP Samuel Deduno (5-2, 3.72) vs. White Sox LHP Hector Santiago (2-1, 3.91): Deduno turned in the best start of his Major League career against Seattle on Wednesday. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings while allowing only two hits with nine strikeouts to earn his fifth win. … Dylan Axelrod is not yet eligible to return after being reassigned to Double-A Birmingham and the Barons’ season ending Monday afternoon. So, the nod will go to the rookie southpaw, who was stretched out at Triple-A Charlotte.
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