Bla Bla » pitcher to avoid on Saturday, so i

ST. LOUIS -- Jung Ho Kang is playing while under investigation for sexual assault , and the Pirates infielder helped Pittsburgh climb in the standings Wednesday night.Kang drove in two key runs with a seventh-inning double a day after Chicago police announced their investigation, and Pittsburgh beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-5 on Wednesday night for its sixth straight comeback win.Kangs double off Jonathan Broxton (1-1) put the Pirates up 6-5 after they trailed 5-1.Kang, through an interpreter, declined to comment on the assault allegations after the game in his first public remarks. He did talk about the latest comeback victory, which gave Pittsburgh seven consecutive wins overall and leapfrogged them past St. Louis for second place in the NL Central.Not only myself but also all the teammates and the team as a whole unit, we always think positive and keep our heads in the fight, Kang said. And thats what we did today and the last couple of days.In a statement Tuesday, police said a 23-year-old woman reported being assaulted by Kang inside a hotel. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the Chicago woman met Kang through a dating app. Kang invited the woman to his hotel room on June 17, after the Pirates played the Cubs.The woman said she blacked out, then drifted in and out of consciousness as he sexually assaulted her. The womans name has not been released.Kang has not been charged, and Major League Baseball said in a statement it would respond fully as additional facts emerge.The Pirates have won three straight series at Busch Stadium after dropping their previous seven in St. Louis.Pirates relievers combined for five scoreless innings. A.J. Schugel (2-2) got the win and Mark Melancon picked up his 26th save.Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke lasted just four innings and had his three-start winning streak snapped.Typically you dont get away with starts like that, Locke said. Four innings from your starter, five runs and you probably dont have a good chance to win the game. But the guys dont give up. You know its kind of inspiring.Rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz went 3 for 5. His 12th homer of the season tied the game 1-1 in the third and his single in the fourth capped a four-run rally for the Cardinals.Jaime Garcia exited after giving up a pair of walks to start the sixth. Both walks came around to score.The Cardinals have lost three straight and fell to 18-26 at home. They have lost 10 games in a row at home to teams with winning records.UPON FURTHER REVIEWCardinals manager Mike Matheny successfully challenged first base umpire Dan Iassognas out call on Kolten Wong that wouldve ended a four-run rally in the fourth. After a 1 minute, 35 second review, Wong was ruled safe on his bunt attempt. The Cardinals added two extra runs due to the challenge as Jedd Gyorko scored on Wongs hit and Diaz followed with an RBI single.CARPENTER INJUREDCardinals All-Star second baseman Matt Carpenter left the game in the third inning with a right oblique injury after swinging awkwardly at one of Lockes pitches. Carpenter was replaced by Wong.Matheny said Carpenter was in the MRI tube as he spoke to reporters after the game.I have a high level of concern because Ive felt that injury and Ive seen it, Matheny said. It can be tough, but Im not going to make any conclusions until we hear from the people that know what theyre talking about.MUSICAL CHAIRSThe Pirates recalled LHP Kyle Lobstein and optioned LHP Steven Brault to Triple-A Indianapolis. It is the fourth roster move in as many days for the Pirates.STAGE FRIGHTFans that bought a special theme ticket received a John Goodman bobblehead, commemorating his character in The Big Lebowski. Goodman, a St. Louis native, threw out the first pitch.I immediately was scared and I was going to say no, but I thought it might be fun, Goodman said. I dont deserve this.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: An MRI on C Chris Stewarts knee showed wear and tear and could require surgery, but Stewart hopes to rehab and play through it. ... RHPs Gerrit Cole (triceps) and Ryan Vogelsong (facial fractures) will throw bullpens Thursday.Cardinals: C Brayan Pena (knee) was placed on the 15-day DL and C Alberto Rosario was called up from Triple-A Memphis. 3B Jhonny Peralta (thumb) sat Wednesday and is day-to-day.UP NEXTPirates: RHP Tyler Glasnow will make his major league debut. He went 7-2 with a 1.78 ERA at Indianapolis.Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (7-5, 4.70 ERA) pitched seven shutout innings in his last start and St. Louis is 10-3 in his last 13 outings. Air Max 97 Shanghai . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Air Max 97 2020 . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. http://www.outletairmax97.com/cheap-air-max-97-ultra-17.html .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Air Max 97 Fake . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Air Max 97/1 Sean Wotherspoon Fake . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. The first Saturday of the second half is a dud. There are no elite options to speak of, and while there are some quality mid-range options, its hard to find many names you feel completely comfortable building your cash daily fantasy lineups around. Oh well. That just means theres more money to spend on big bats!PitchingEliteZero. Zip. Zilch.SolidA road matchup against Detroit is far from an ideal spot for Danny Duffy, but its not as bad as you might think. Despite featuring a right-handed-heavy lineup with plenty of thump, the Tigers have basically been an average offense versus left-handed pitching this season. They also strike out a decent amount (22 percent) and have been scuffling so far in July, putting up a wRC+ of 84, which ranks bottom-five in the AL. For his part, Duffy sports a 3.11 ERA in 11 starts this year to go along with a 10.3 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9. Hes allowed more than three runs in a start only once. Hes in the conversation in both cash and tournaments.Jeff Samardzija opens the second half with a road matchup against San Diego. Just in case your memory is a little fuzzy following the break, the Padres have been abysmal versus right-handed pitching this season, sporting a 78 wRC+ that ranks bottom-three in baseball to go along with a 24 percent strikeout rate. Shark, meanwhile, has breezed through the Padres order the last two times hes faced them, surrendering just two runs over 14 2/3 frames with 15 whiffs. The 6-foot-5 right hander also owns a career 1.54 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in four games at Petco Park. Hes a solid cash play.While the Rays have been one of the best offenses against left-handed pitching this season, theyve been one of the worst against right-handed pitching, ranking in the bottom three in the AL with an 88 wRC+ and dead last in whiff rate at 25 percent. That sets things up rather well for Chris Tillman, who sports a career-best 7.8 K/9 and posted Game Scores of 68 and 69 in his last two starts before the break.Since the start of June, Trevor Bauer owns a 2.44 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Hell take those pristine numbers to Minnesota to square off against a Twins team that strikes out at a healthy 22 percent clip versus righty pitching while posting a below average 91 wRC+. On a day without many top-tier options, Bauer is cash-game viable.After being sidelined for more than a month with a triceps injury, Gerrit Cole returns from the disabled list for a road outing against the Nationals, a team that doesnt strike out much (20 percent) but has also been below average versus righties this year. Cole rarely qualified for elite status prior to his injury, as his lackluster 7.2 K/9 (down from 8.7 K/9 in 2015) keeps his ceiling in check. However, he offers a relatively safe floor, as hes allowed three or fewer runs in all but one start this season. Keep in mind, though, that the Pirates may limit his pitch count in his first start back.Also returning from the DL is Yu Darvish, who has been sidelined since early June with discomfort in his neck and right shoulder. Hes made only three starts this season after missing April as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Darvish finds himself in a tough spot upon his return, heading to Wrigley Field to face a Cubs lineup thats one of the most dangerous in baseball. On the bright side, the Cubs do whiff at a 23 percent clip versus righties, which Darvish, with his career 11.2 K/9, can exploit. Im avoiding the Rangers righty in cash games, but he definitely carries GPP appeal.Adam Wainwrights 4.49 ERA and 1.32 WHIP this season are uninspiring. However, when you look at what hes accomplished since the start of June -- 2.76 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 in seven starts -- his numbers look like vintage Wainwright. With the Cardinals hosting the Marlins on Saturday, it also helps that the former Cy Young winner has been very effective at home this season (2.93 home ERA, compared to 6.23 road ERA). While the Marlins dont offer much in terms of strikeout upside (19 percent), they arent a big threat, either (98 wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching). Wainwright is in the cash-game discussion Saturday.StreamersPitching in Chase Field is no picnic, but Saturdays start against the Diamondbackss still sets up rather well for Brandon McCarthy.dddddddddddd The right-hander has looked good since making his return from Tommy John surgery, putting up a 2.70 ERA and 12.6 K/9 in two starts. Against a D-backs team that sports a 23 percent whiff rate and 91 wRC+ versus righties, McCarthy makes for a fine streaming option. Hes available in 58 percent of ESPN.com leagues.The White Sox rank in the bottom three in the AL with a wRC+ of 87 against right-handed pitching, which puts Matt Shoemaker in an interesting spot on Saturday. The right-hander owns a 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 over his last 10 outings, yet his ownership percentage is just 38 percent. Hes a worthy streaming option and also carries some SP2 appeal in DFS.A free agent in 63 percent of ESPN leagues, Jerad Eickhoff draws a home start against the Mets. The righty got lit up his last time out (8 ER in 5 1/3 innings), but that was a Coors Field start, so you shouldnt have been starting him anyway. Prior to that, hed gone seven straight starts allowing three or fewer runs. He should find success against a Mets team thats been below average against righties this year with a healthy 23 percent strikeout rate.AvoidOn one hand, Eduardo Rodriguez, whos long had intriguing potential, is in a good spot to start the second half on the right foot as he travels to the Bronx to face the Yankees, who have been the worst lineup in the American League against lefty pitching this season (87 wRC+). On the other hand, Rodriguez has been a liability this season, as hes allowed five or more runs in half of his six starts this year, including getting walloped by the Rays for nine runs in just 2 2/3 innings his last time out. The matchup is good, but the upside isnt worth the risk.Hitting While Tyler Duffey has pitched a little better than his 5.20 ERA suggests, hes still had trouble keeping the ball in the park and is allowing lots of hard contact (33 percent). Hes also shown little ability to get right-handed hitters out, as theyve put up a .381 wOBA against him. Clevelands lineup is filled with left-handed bats and switch-hitters, so this isnt a great stacking opportunity. However, Mike Napoli, whos clubbed 15 of his 18 homers this year off righties, and Rajai Davis, whos actually fared better against right-handers the last couple of years, are both in play.The Royals make for an intriguing stack with Mike Pelfrey toeing the rubber for the Tigers. The rightys whiff rate (4.2 K/9) is barely above his walk rate (3.5 BB/9), and while left-handed batters have been the real thorn in his side this year (.384 wOBA), righty swingers have hit him hard, too (.365 wOBA).Jimmy Nelson has had trouble with lefty bats in his career, so with the Reds on tap, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce should both be on the radar. The duo has swatted 26 of their combined 32 homers this season against right-handed pitching.We highlighted Eduardo Rodriguez as a pitcher to avoid on Saturday, so it makes sense to target hitters against him. Although left-handed hitters have gotten to the lefty this year (.376 wOBA), righty swingers have really knocked him around (.421 wOBA). Switch-hitter Carlos Beltran is a prime play, while Starlin Castro also deserves consideration.Its not a Coors Field game, but left-handed Rockies hitters are still in play against Mike Foltynewicz, who has surrendered a .384 wOBA to lefty bats this season. Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez are both high-end plays.Logan Verrett has shown reserve splits for the Mets this season, as right-handed swingers have tattooed him for a .396 wOBA. With the Phillies on tap, Maikel Franco and Cameron Rupp deserve some love.Most likely to go yard: Mike NapoliTyler Duffey has trouble with right-handed hitters, and Napoli has hit most of his homers against righties this season. Lets not overthink it.Most likely to swipe a bag: Billy HamiltonJimmy Nelson has struggled against lefties in his career and is not good at keeping runners close, as evidenced by the 13 steals hes allowed this season. Hamilton should be off to the races on Saturday. ' ' '