Sports World: 04/30/10

Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Live Streaming

Friday, April 30, 2010

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7:00 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

In the NHL playoffs, celebrations sometimes don’t last much longer than a rookie forward’s shift on the ice. The Montreal Canadiens realized that minutes after upsetting Washington 2-1 in Game 7 of their first-round series Wednesday night, when they learned they’d be playing the Penguins less than 48 hours later. What a reward for upsetting the team that was supposed to win the Stanley Cup: a quick turnaround before playing the team that won the Stanley Cup last season. The Eastern Conference semifinals must begin Friday night because Point Park University’s graduation was previously scheduled for Saturday at Mellon Arena. There’s also a short break before Game 2 on Sunday afternoon in a series that will be played every other day. The Canadiens’ reaction? We weren’t supposed to win the opening round, we won’t be favored to win this round. So drop the puck already.

The latest Washington playoff failure looked all too familiar. The Capitals often spent too much time trying to create offense around the perimeter. Alexander Semin disappeared. Ovechkin grew increasingly frustrated as Halak stopped 131 of 134 shots over the final three games. The Penguins—a confident team that’s won eight playoff series to Washington’s one over the last three seasons—told themselves they can’t do the same thing. While the Penguins were 1-2 while taking as many as six days off before a Game 1 the last two seasons, they don’t expect Montreal’s momentum to be a factor. Fatigue could be, with the Canadiens playing a third high-pressure game in five days. The Penguins last played Saturday. Especially from defensemen Hal Gill and Josh Gorges, who were so effective in blocking shots and controlling Ovechkin. Last season, the 6-foot-7 Gill teamed with Rob Scuderi, now of the Kings, to be Pittsburgh’s shutdown combination, and the Penguins still haven’t developed a comparable duo.

Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks Live Streaming

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7:00 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

Brandon Jennings says he’s too busy for press conferences right now. The Bucks rookie point guard is preparing to try to win Game 6 of Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. Jennings’ playful jab was meant for Tyreke Evans after the Sacramento guard won the rookie of the year award on Thursday. Jennings is the only rookie among top candidates in the postseason. Jennings and the Bucks are loose leading the series 3-2. They maintain the pressure is on the Hawks to beat them at the Bradley Center on Friday night after Milwaukee stunned Atlanta 91-87 on the road in Game 5. For the Hawks, it’s been closer to a nightmare. Zaza Pachulia failed to sleep after calling his performance unacceptable in Game 5, when the Hawks squandered a nine-point lead with just over four minutes left and saw their 14-game home winning streak snapped. Pachulia has struggled because Jennings and Luke Ridnour have been taking advantage of Atlanta’s switching on defense to get matched up—or totally mismatched—with the 6-foot-11 center.

The Hawks will be eliminated if they don’t win in Milwaukee, where Josh Smith joked there was nothing to do when they were up 2-0. Atlanta was blown out in Game 3, the team bus was hit by a car before losing Game 4 and the Hawks squandered home-court advantage in Game 5. The Bucks announced early Friday that Game 6 was already sold out in the most anticipated matchup here since Game 6 against Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. Everything is suddenly against the heavily favored Hawks, who have won just one road postseason game in the last three appearances and are on the brink of elimination after one of the bigger collapses in recent NBA postseason history. The Hawks led by double digits in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night and still had an 82-73 lead with 4:09 to play before the Bucks finished the game on an 18-5 run.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Live Streaming

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9:30 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

One dominating performance by the defending NBA champions wasn’t enough to rattle Scott Brooks and his young Oklahoma City Thunder. After appearing vulnerable during the first four games of their playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers regained control with a blowout victory in Game 5 that gave them a 3-2 series lead and chased away talk they were a slow, aging bunch. For an Oklahoma City roster made up almost entirely of players who’ve never experienced the postseason before, the threat of elimination is the latest test of the resiliency they have shown all season. Despite the 111-87 loss on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, Brooks and his players have reason for optimism. The Thunder won both of their home games in the series, including their own blowout victory in Game 4. They will return to the Ford Center on Friday night for a chance to force a decisive final game in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Brooks has had two full days to come up with a response to the Lakers’ decision to use Kobe Bryant to defend point guard Russell Westbrook but he said Thursday he’s not ready to reveal it. The move seemed like genius in Game 5, with Westbrook committing eight turnovers as Oklahoma City’s offense faltered. Westbrook didn’t handle it well the first time around but said he’s undaunted by the prospect of facing that type of defense again. Westbrook said he’s beyond the point in his career where he would be rattled by the prospect of going head-to-head against an NBA superstar. While he might have been had those moments last season as a rookie, Westbrook believes that he now plays no differently against Bryant or LeBron James than he would against Mike Conley or Nate Robinson.

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz Live Streaming

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10:00 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

The Utah Jazz hope their latest trip to Denver is their last for a while. Utah has a chance to knock out the Nuggets on Friday when the Jazz host Game 6 of the Western Conference playoff series. A victory by Denver opens up a lot of possibilities that the Jazz didn’t want to consider after another late night of travel. The Jazz still lead the series 3-2 after the Nuggets’ 116-102 victory at home on Wednesday. It was a discouraging reminder to the Jazz of the many reasons they don’t want to make another flight across the Rocky Mountains for a winner-take-all Game 7, which would be Sunday. The Jazz returned for an afternoon workout mostly shrugging off their performance the night before. Utah had won the last three games in the series and stumbled as the Nuggets regrouped while playing their best game of the series. Carmelo Anthony finally got the help he was asking for as five other Denver players scored in double figures.

The Jazz had room for the off-night, knowing the series was headed back to Utah for Game 6. But the Jazz don’t want the Nuggets to get on any more of a roll and ride the momentum back home for a decisive game. It’s still Utah’s series to clinch, but the Jazz know they have a much better shot at ending it at home if they play better than they did Wednesday. Utah coach Jerry Sloan said his players can’t count on the home court alone. The Nuggets showed the Jazz how dangerous they can be and are easily capable of winning a game in Utah, where the Nuggets went 1-1 during the regular season. The Nuggets’ first win in the series since the opener came after some infighting that went public. Anthony’s pleas that he needed more help and couldn’t beat the Jazz by himself weren’t well received.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Chicago Cubs Live Streaming

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2:20 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

With Kelly Johnson leading the way, the Arizona Diamondbacks are enjoying their best stretch at the plate this season. Johnson, coming off yet another strong game, leads the Diamondbacks as they try to win three straight for the first time this season Friday night in a matchup with the Chicago Cubs. Arizona has won six of nine following a five-game losing streak. The Diamondbacks have overcome some lackluster pitching over that stretch with stellar performances at the plate, scoring 25 runs en route to winning their last two games. Four different players homered for Arizona as it opened this four-game series with a 13-5 win Thursday. The Diamondbacks are 8-0 when homering at least twice and 0-6 when failing to go deep. Arizona has a major league-best 33 homers.

LaRoche drove in five runs with two homers and a double, and Johnson also connected for Arizona. Johnson has nine home runs, hitting six over his last seven games.Johnson also had three singles to raise his average to .320. It has been an unexpectedly strong start for the second baseman, who hit .224 with eight homers in 303 at-bats last season. Johnson is hitting .371 at Wrigley Field. LaRoche is batting .455 with three homers and 11 RBIs in his last six games there. He’s coming off his 13th career multihomer game, and his five RBIs matched a career high. Arizona’s lineup had a big game the last time Rodrigo Lopez took the mound. Lopez is set to start for the first time since surrendering six runs and 10 hits in six innings before the Diamondbacks rallied to beat Philadelphia 8-6 on Sunday. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 7.59 ERA in two starts versus the Cubs.

Chicago White Sox vs New York Yankees Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

The New York Yankees eased Andy Pettitte into spring training with hopes the 37-year-old would still be strong for a playoff push. As it turns out, the early rest for the veteran is having an immediate impact. Off to the best start of his 16-year career, Pettitte looks to win his fourth consecutive start Friday night when the Yankees open a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox in the Bronx. Although Pettitte pitched well in last year’s playoffs to help New York win its 27th World Series, the left-hander seemed to tire down the stretch in the regular season. To combat that problem, the Yankees decided to lighten his spring-training work. The left-hander didn’t make his preseason debut until March 17, and totaled 8 1-3 innings pitched in two Grapefruit League games. That strategy seems to be paying dividends. Pettitte has yielded only four runs in 28 innings, and his ERA is his lowest ever through four starts. The two-time All-Star is coming off his best outing, allowing one run, six hits and no walks with a season-best eight strikeouts in eight innings of Saturday’s 7-1 win at Los Angeles.

Pettitte pitched well in his only start against the White Sox last season, giving up two runs, five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings, but didn’t receive a decision in a 3-2 loss July 30. The White Sox arrive in New York after defeating Texas 7-5 on Thursday to snap a six-game road losing streak. Avoiding the sweep against the Rangers was an important step for a struggling White Sox team, especially with this series looming. Chicago was outscored 23-5 in losing all three games at Yankee Stadium last season, and is 2-11 in New York since 2006. Paul Konerko once again led the way for the White Sox on Thursday, hitting two homers. Konerko leads the majors with 10 home runs and is 8 for 19 with five homers and eight RBIs in his last six games.

New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

It’s much too early to tell if the New York Mets can be legitimate contenders in the NL East. Besides, a potential race with the Philadelphia Phillies might not be decided until the final days of the season. With a strong Mets run rekindling their rivalry with the Phillies, these teams play for first place Friday night in the opener of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. While Philadelphia easily won the NL East last season en route to its second consecutive NL pennant, New York was decimated by injuries and finished 23 games behind. In each of the previous two seasons, the Phillies overtook the Mets late to win the NL East. Philadelphia clinched the division with one game remaining in 2008, it and needed a victory on the final day of the season to secure it in ’07. Philadelphia may have New York to contend with again this year.

New York had a strong run at the plate in a three-game series with Los Angeles, winning 10-5 on Tuesday night in the finale of a doubleheader and 7-3 the next day. Mets third baseman David Wright got off to a slow start, but is 6 for 10 with four RBIs in his last three games. Wright, though, hit .176 with nine strikeouts in nine games at Philadelphia last season. Jonathon Niese would certainly welcome another productive game from the Mets’ lineup. The left-hander has gotten one or no runs of support in three of his four starts. Niese overcame wildness in his last outing, walking five but giving up one run and striking out six in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-1 victory over Atlanta. This is Niese’s first appearance against the Phillies. Philadelphia will counter with Kyle Kendrick, who gave up five runs, eight hits and four walks in five innings of an 8-6 loss to Arizona on Sunday.

Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Indians Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

The Cleveland Indians hoped Fausto Carmona’s first three starts were a sign he was primed for a turnaround after two disastrous seasons. His latest outing seemed to be an even better indicator that he’s back. Carmona looks to continue his impressive start when the Indians begin a three-game home set with the first-place Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Carmona finished fourth in the 2007 AL Cy Young Award voting after going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA, but the right-hander struggled with his control in going 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA the past two seasons.He gave up only 12 hits in his first three outings in April but also walked 12 before regaining his command Saturday at Oakland. Carmona allowed seven hits and one run over 7 1-3 walk-free innings in a 6-1 win. Carmona is 22-12 with a 3.78 ERA in the 42 starts where he’s walked two or fewer since 2007.

Any lapses in his control could turn out to cost Carmona against the Twins. He’s 0-4 with a 10.80 ERA in his last five starts versus Minnesota, walking 14.Two of the Twins’ big bats have thrived against Carmona. Jason Kubel is 10 for 26 with two homers, while Joe Mauer has reached base in 11 of 21 plate appearances. Justin Morneau, the majors’ leader with a .495 on-base percentage, hasn’t been as successful against Carmona, and he’s banged up heading into this series. Morneau tweaked his back Tuesday in Detroit and was kept out of the lineup for the series’ final two games. Mauer also got a day off Thursday, but the struggling Kubel and the rest of the lineup couldn’t pick up the slack. The Twins lost their first series after managing four singles in a 3-0 loss.Cleveland returns home from a nine-game road trip that began at Target Field, where it lost two of three. The Indians repeated that feat in Oakland and again dropped two of three in Los Angeles, where the Angels capped the series with a 4-3 victory Wednesday.

Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

A week ago, the Boston Red Sox were trying to turn around a sluggish start to the season. A timely series with the team owning the worst record in baseball provided the spark they needed. The now-surging Red Sox look to continue their dominance of the Baltimore Orioles as they open a three-game series at Camden Yards on Friday night. Boston was six-hit in a 3-0 loss to Texas on April 22, falling to 6-10 for its worst start in 14 years. The Red Sox, though, began to regroup by taking two of three from the Orioles at home last weekend to improve to 25-4 against them since July 11, 2008. They’ve won 10 of 12 at Camden Yards, including eight in a row.
Boston carried the momentum created against Baltimore into the next series by sweeping a three-game series at Toronto, capped by a 2-0 win Wednesday.

John Lackey is trying to put together a strong stretch of his own. The right-hander beat the Orioles on Saturday, allowing three runs and a season-high 10 hits in seven innings of a 7-6 win. The performance was a vast improvement from his previous outing five days prior, when he was pulled after allowing eight runs in 3 1-3 innings of an 8-2 loss to Tampa Bay. Lackey might be in for another solid effort against Baltimore. He’s 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA in eight starts versus the Orioles. The Red Sox’s surge has coincided with the recall of Darnell McDonald from Triple-A Pawtucket on April 20. The center fielder, who was drafted 26th overall by Baltimore in 1997, is hitting .333 with two doubles, two homers and six RBIs to help Boston win seven of nine.

Los Angeles Angels vs Detroit Tigers Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

Back in Detroit for the first time since signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Fernando Rodney says he’s happy with his current role in the bullpen. With Jose Valverde closing out games, the Tigers may not miss Rodney. Boasting the top bullpen in the majors, the Tigers seek their third straight victory both overall and against the Angels when the teams open a weekend series Friday night at Comerica Park. Rodney, who spent his first seven seasons in Detroit, got his chance to be a full-time closer in his 2009 contract year. He took full advantage, converting 37 of 38 opportunities. In the offseason, he bolted the Tigers for Los Angeles - a team with an established veteran closer in Brian Fuentes. Perhaps lured by the Angels’ offer of $11 million over two years, Rodney insists he’s content to serve in any capacity for a three-time reigning division champion and perennial contender.

Rodney spent some time in the closer’s role earlier this month when a back strain sidelined Fuentes. He took full advantage, converting all five save opportunities including two against the Tigers. Opponents are batting .108 against him on the season. Meanwhile, even without Rodney, the bullpen has emerged as Detroit’s biggest strength. Anchored by Valverde - Houston’s former closer and a free-agent acquisition - the Tigers have a major league-best 2.22 relief ERA. Valverde earned his seventh save and lowered his ERA to 0.82 with a scoreless ninth inning Thursday afternoon, helping the Tigers beat Minnesota 3-0 to take two out of three from the AL Central leaders. After Dontrelle Willis threw six innings of four-hit ball in Detroit’s first shutout of the season, the relief corps may need to prepare for heavier work with Rick Porcello on the mound Friday. The second-year right-hander has given up six runs in each of his last two starts and yielded 10 hits in four innings of Sunday’s 8-4 loss at Texas.

Oakland Athletics vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Streaming

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7:07 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

John Buck isn’t known for his hitting, let alone his power. However, becoming the first catcher in almost six years to hit three homers was just what the Toronto Blue Jays needed to snap a season-high five-game losing streak. Buck looks to build on his outburst at the plate Friday night when the Blue Jays attempt to continue their home success against the Oakland Athletics. Buck is a career .233 hitter over six-plus seasons with Kansas City and Toronto. He entered this series batting .155 with one homer and six RBIs in 18 games, and mired in a 2 for 33 slump over 11 contests. He broke out of that slump in a big way Thursday, connecting for homers in his first three at-bats and collecting five RBIs to power a 6-3 win over the Athletics in the opener of this four-game series. Buck became the first catcher to hit three homers in a game since Victor Martinez did it for Cleveland at Seattle on July 16, 2004. He’s also the first Blue Jay to accomplish the feat since Darrin Fletcher on Aug. 27, 2000.

Buck attributed his success to taking early batting practice with hitting coach Dwayne Murphy watching and pitching coach Bruce Walton throwing. While Buck is trying to build on that performance, Toronto will give the ball to Brandon Morrow. The right-hander labored through six innings Sunday, allowing two runs and three hits with eight strikeouts and six walks on a season-high 108 pitches in a 6-0 loss at Tampa Bay. Morrow is 2-0 with a 4.19 ERA in three starts against the A’s. He dominated them the last time he faced them Sept. 30, yielding one hit while fanning nine in eight innings of a 7-0 victory with Seattle. The Blue Jays have won seven of eight against Oakland at Rogers Centre. The A’s have dropped seven of 10 and are trying to halt a five-game road losing streak.

Washington Nationals vs Florida Marlins Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

One respectable month is hardly enough to establish the Washington Nationals as contenders in the NL East. After finishing with the worst record in the majors the last two years, however, the Nationals’ best April since they moved to the nation’s capital would certainly be progress. Washington can achieve that feat with a victory Friday night as the club continues its road trip against the struggling Florida Marlins. The Nationals are ensured of finishing with a winning record for the first time in any month since going 15-12 in September 2007. This is their first winning April since they were 13-11 in their first month in Washington in 2005. The club can better that mark with a third straight win after it took two in a row from Chicago at Wrigley Field. Adam Dunn’s fourth home run was the difference in a 3-2 victory Wednesday.

Washington is playing without All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has not started since April 21 due to a hamstring problem. Pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg, meanwhile, remains with Double-A Harrisburg. Despite awaiting the right-hander’s major league debut, the Nationals have received strong pitching. Washington, last in the NL with a 5.00 ERA in 2009, has allowed 12 runs in going 4-2 in the last six games. Craig Stammen contributed a strong outing during that stretch, giving up three runs in seven innings of a 4-3, 13-inning loss to Los Angeles on Saturday. It was the second straight quality start for Stammen since the right-hander allowed seven runs over 1 1-3 innings of a 14-7 defeat at Philadelphia on April 14. Stammen had a 10.29 ERA in two starts against Florida as a rookie last year, and he may be especially careful with star Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who went 4 for 5 with a double and a home run against him.

Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

Sparked by the majors’ most potent offense, the Tampa Bay Rays are off to baseball’s best 22-game start in seven years. Continuing their four-game series with the struggling Kansas City Royals could help the AL East-leading Rays add another victory to their lofty total. Tampa Bay looks to extend its team record for April victories on Friday when it closes out the month at Tropicana Field. Jason Bartlett and Reid Brignac each knocked in three runs, and every starter hit safely as the Rays pounded out a season-high 15 in Thursday’s 11-1 victory. Tampa Bay’s 17-5 record is the best in franchise history and the best 22-game start in the majors since the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees opened 18-4 in 2003. The Royals were 17-5 that season.

The Rays’ first two hitters - Bartlett and Carl Crawford - have been the catalysts for this surge. Bartlett is batting .444 during the winning streak while Crawford is hitting .415 with a .468 on-base percentage in the last 10. He went 4 for 5 on Thursday, a homer shy of the cycle. The Rays, who are batting .347 and outscoring opponents 44-13 during their five-game winning streak, have won 12 of 14 overall against the Royals and 23 of 29 at home. Having Jeff Niemann on the mound could help Tampa Bay improve that mark. The 6-foot-9 right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA in two career starts against the Royals. In a 7-1 victory over Kansas City on Aug. 1, Niemann allowed four hits in eight innings of one-run ball.

Houston Astros vs Atlanta Braves Live Streaming

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7:35 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

It’s been hard enough for Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox to observe his team playing so poorly. Now, he’s watching his players get hurt. Coming off their worst trip of seven or more games in 61 years, the Braves look to avoid their first 10-game slide in four seasons Friday when they face the slumping Houston Astros. Atlanta (8-14) returns to Turner Field following an 0-7 trip that ended with Thursday’s 10-4 loss to St. Louis. It is the Braves’ longest winless trip of at least this length since the team was based in Boston and dropped eight in a row in September 1949. In addition to the grind of losing, the Braves lost starter Jair Jurrjens to a strained left hamstring after one inning Thursday, and shortstop Yunel Escobar left the game with a strained left groin muscle. Escobar said through a translator that he could be out for a few games.

It also might be a good thing for Atlanta that Tommy Hanson is getting the ball. The 23-year-old right-hander has the lowest ERA among Braves starters and is looking to build off a solid outing. Hanson had a season-high eight strikeouts and allowed one run in five innings of a rain-shortened, 1-0 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday. Hanson took another hard-luck loss in his only career appearance against the Astros, a 2-1 defeat in Houston on Sept. 9. After pitching eight innings of five-hit ball, Hanson was denied the victory after Miguel Tejada delivered a game-winning, two-run single in the ninth off reliever Rafael Soriano. While Hanson tries to help Atlanta win its first game in 10 days, the Astros are looking to get back on track after losing three straight at home to Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals Live Streaming

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8:15 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols was just given his first day off of the season. Considering the way he’s hit Cincinnati pitching at Busch Stadium, the Reds probably wish the three-time NL MVP had been given a rest in this series instead. Pujols looks to continue to batter Cincinnati pitching and help the Cardinals win their sixth in a row Friday night in the opener of a three-game set between the top two teams in the NL Central. Defending division champion St. Louis defeated Atlanta 10-4 on Thursday, reaching double figures in runs for the first time since an 11-6 opening-day victory at Cincinnati. Pujols had two homers in the season opener, but didn’t play in the finale against the Braves. With the eight-time All-Star out of the lineup, rookie David Freese performed a reasonable impersonation, hitting his first career home run and driving in six runs.

Pujols probably won’t sit again in this series, and that doesn’t bode well for Cincinnati. Pujols, 9 for 15 with a homer, two doubles and three RBIs in his last four games overall, is batting .429 with five home runs, five doubles and 12 RBIs in his last 10 home contests against the Reds. St. Louis is 7-3 in those games. The Cardinals, who have outscored their opponents 27-11 during a five-game winning streak, are trying for six consecutive victories for the first time since Sept. 23-28, 2008. With a revitalized Brad Penny taking the hill for the opener, they seem to have a good chance. A two-time All-Star who’d stumbled to a 17-18 record and 5.37 ERA in 2008 and 2009, Penny is suddenly back at the top of his game, having yielded four runs and three walks over 28 2-3 innings in his four starts. He had his best performance of the year Sunday, scattering eight hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 2-0 win at San Francisco.

Milwaukee Brewers vs San Diego Padres Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

The last time the San Diego Padres finished April atop the NL West, they went on to reach the World Series. They’re already assured of leading the division after the opening month in 2010, and their play at Petco Park is a big reason why. The Padres look to extend their home winning streak to eight Friday night when they face the struggling Milwaukee Brewers. San Diego, which leads the West by 1 1/2 games over second-place San Francisco, will enter May in first place for the first time since 1998. That season, the Padres went 19-7 in April and won the division and their second NL pennant before falling to the New York Yankees in the World Series. While serious playoff talk remains premature, San Diego has fueled its success with an 8-2 record at Petco, tying St. Louis for the best home mark in the NL. They Padres have outscored opponents 34-10 during their current seven-game home winning streak, which includes three shutouts after Thursday’s 9-0 rout of Milwaukee to open this four-game series.

Clayton Richard will take the mound for a fifth chance at his first win of the season. The left-hander didn’t earn a decision Sunday, when he allowed three runs and seven hits with four walks in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-4 loss at Cincinnati. Richard is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts against the Brewers. The win came Aug. 11, when he allowed four runs in six innings of a 13-6 victory in Milwaukee. The Padres have won 13 of 18 home meetings with the Brewers. Milwaukee, which has dropped six of seven overall, will turn to Dave Bush, who is trying to rebound from by far his worst performance of the young season. The right-hander surrendered nine runs and 10 hits, including a career-high four homers, in 3 2-3 innings of a 12-2 home loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming

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10:10 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

Although Los Angeles is mired in an awful slump, the Dodgers aren’t panicking. This could change, however, if the team can’t generate any offense against Pittsburgh’s Charlie Morton. Trying to avoid their sixth loss in a row, the sputtering Dodgers hope to get things turned around Friday night when they face Morton, who has been knocked around in each of his four outings. Los Angeles led the league in batting average and on-base percentage last season, but it has been a struggle for the two-time defending NL West champions lately. The Dodgers seem to have a good opportunity to end their slump against a Pirates team with a major league-worst 6.84 ERA, but the club came out flat Friday, managing a season-low four hits in a 2-0 loss.

Los Angeles has now been shut out three times during a five-game slide, batting .177 while going 4 for 40 with runners in scoring position in those games. The Dodgers lost for the 14th time Friday, a mark they didn’t reach last season until May 22 - their 43rd contest. Despite all these struggles, the Dodgers again appear to have a good chance at getting their offense back on track in this four-game series. Morton has the major’s worst ERA and opponent batting average for any pitcher with at least 11 innings. He has yielded at least five runs in each of his four starts, and has only made it out of the fourth inning once. Against Houston on Sunday, the right-hander allowed five runs and five hits in three innings of a 10-3 loss. Although Morton is scuffling, Pittsburgh is planning on sticking with him.

Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners Live Streaming

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10:10 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

With Cliff Lee finally set to make his Seattle debut, Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers was supposed to be all about the Mariners’ new left-handed co-ace. Lee, however, won’t be the only potential impact player in the AL West to make his first appearance of 2010 at Safeco Field. Standout second baseman Ian Kinsler will make his return to Texas’ lineup in hopes of spoiling the former Cy Young Award winner’s party, as each promising club tries to close its mediocre April with a victory. The Mariners created perhaps the most intimidating pairing of pitchers in the majors when they acquired Lee from the Phillies in the offseason to go along with emerging star Felix Hernandez, but the southpaw has spent the last several weeks recovering from a strained abdomen.

Lee, who went 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA with Cleveland and Philadelphia last year after winning the 2008 AL Cy Young Award with the Indians, may have expedited his return by undergoing experimental platelet-rich plasma injections on his injury. Lee will be on a pitch count of around 100, a fact that may affect the Rangers’ approach against him. He has a 7.09 ERA in eight starts versus Texas, his highest against any AL opponent. It will certainly help Texas having Kinsler in the lineup after he started the season on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle. Kinsler is 7 for 13 against Lee. Kinsler hit a career-low .253 last year but had career highs with 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases, and the Rangers hope his presence in the middle of their lineup will solidify an offense that is without injured slugger Nelson Cruz.

Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants Live Streaming

Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants Live | Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants | Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants Streaming | Colorado vs Francisco MLB Live Stream | Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants Live Webcast

10:15 pm EDT Fri Apr 30, 2010

Having put together the best April of his career, San Francisco Giants left-hander Barry Zito is finally living up to his contract. Zito looks to continue his outstanding start and turn in another dominant performance against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night at AT&T Park. Zito is finally pitching to his Cy Young Award-winning form, which led the Giants to ink him to a $126 million deal after the 2006 season. He came into this year with a 4.82 ERA prior to May 1, but has turned in the best first month of his career through four outings. Zito, who went 31-43 with a 4.30 ERA in his first 98 starts with the Giants, had his best performance yet his last time out. He held St. Louis to three singles over eight innings while striking out 10 - tying his high with San Francisco - in a 2-0 victory Saturday.

He is certainly making it difficult on opposing hitters, holding opponents to a .161 average - lowest in the NL. There’s plenty of reason to believe Zito can continue his roll in a matchup with Colorado. He’s 4-2 against the Rockies in 11 career starts with a 1.98 ERA - easily his best against any opponent - and went 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in the last four matchups, winning the last two. Colorado scored 23 runs in the past two games, but after a 12-1 victory over Arizona on Tuesday, it couldn’t close the series with a win. The Rockies rallied from a 6-0 deficit in the first inning to take an 11-6 lead, but lost 12-11 in 10 innings. Tulowitzki, hitting .400 over his last 10 games, is 5 for 29 with eight strikeouts against Zito.

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