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MLB Daily Line Drive: Wednesday's picks, betting odds and analysis
Double-Play Picks
Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals (-300, 8)
The Braves and Nationals meet in D.C. on Wednesday night for the middle game of their three-game series. The Braves rode a brilliant pitching performance by Julio Teheran to a convincing 8-0 victory in the opener and the Nats will be looking for some payback tonight.
While everyone is talking about big winnings streaks and big losing streaks from the other top teams in baseball, nobody is talking about the Washington Nationals. It's the quiet ones you always have to worry about.
The Nats will send their bulldog Max Scherzer to the mound tonight. Their team win/loss in his last 18 starts is 14-4, and they have covered the -1.5 runline in 9 of those 14 victories. The Nationals are also 7-1 in Scherzer's last eight starts against the Braves and have covered -1.5 in five of those seven wins.
There is no more competitive pitcher in the game than Max Scherzer - he hates to lose and he very rarely has back-to-back rough outings. He allowed four earned runs in his last start, against the Phillies. That is only the fourth time this season that "Mad Max" has allowed more than three runs in a start - the previous three times he has rebounded to the tune of a 0.95 ERA and a WHIP of only 0.895, with the Nats covering the runline on all three occasions.
Braves' "gentle giant" Luiz Gohara will get his second major league start on the other side. It's a tough assignment as the Nats are among the top teams in almost every offensive stat category versus left-handed pitching this season, and Gohara was banged around in his first big league outing for six run in four innings of work against the Rangers.
Pick: Nationals -1.5 (-145)
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays (-125, 8.5)
After advancing to the ALCS the past two years, the Blue Jays have been reduced to the roll of spoiler this season and that’s exactly what they’re doing to the Orioles as the Jays look to sweep away Baltimore in Toronto on Wednesday night.
The Blue Jays have embraced their spoiler role, rattling off four straight wins, including the first two games of their series with the O’s, who have dropped six straight games and now sit 4.5 game behind the Twins for the second wildcard spot in the AL.
If there is one guy who might believe the Jays still have a shot at the postseason, it’s Marcus Stroman, who makes the start against the Orioles on Wednesday. The electric right-hander has been a bright spot for Toronto, going 11-7 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 2017. His numbers at home are even more impressive. Despite the 5-5 record, he owns a 2.76 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 15 starts at Rogers Centre.
The Orioles counter with Kevin Gausman. The right-hander has been the epitome of the O’s rotation this season – inconsistent. Look at his last four starts, he has two performances in which he allowed no earned runs in 13.2 innings sandwiched by two starts where he allowed five runs in each and couldn’t get out of the fourth inning.
While one of those good starts was against the Blue Jays, they present good value here. And while it may be too little too late, they are a team that is fun to watch again.
Pick: Blue Jays -125
Yesterday's Picks: 1-1
Season To Date: 140-133-14
Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking: Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians (9-5, 3.30 ERA, $238)
Just like the team he pitches for, Indians' Mike Clevinger is on a streak - although his is a shutout streak.
Clevinger has spun three shutout performances in a row, spanning 18 innings of work. During those three clean performances by Clevinger the Indians are 3-0 and he owns an ERA of 0.00 (of course) and a WHIP of 0.889.
The Indians are big -275 home favorites this afternoon against Buck Farmer and the Tigers as the Tribe look to tie the major league record for most consecutive wins with 21.
Slumping: Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh Pirates (2-6, 7.45 ERA, $-79)
Tyler Glasnow makes his triumphant return to the Pirates' starting rotation after some time away in the minors. Glasnow had a rough go of it at the major league level during the first half on the season, going just 2-6 with an ERA of 7.45 in 12 starts.
In his last three starts he was 0-3 with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 1.86. Hopefully, for himself and Pirates backers, he worked out the kinks during his time riding the bus.
Glasnow and the Pirates are +150 underdogs this evening in Milwaukee against Chase Anderson and the Brewers.
Wednesday's Top Trends
* The Cleveland Indians have won their last 20 games overall. -275 today vs. Tigers.
* The Texas Rangers are 7-0 in Martin Perez's last seven starts. -105 today vs. Mariners.
* The New York Mets are 1-11 in their last 12 games vs. a left-handed starter. +245 today at Cubs (Lester).
* The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost their last 15 games started by someone other than Clayton Kershaw. -220 today (Darvish) at Giants.
Weather To Keep An Eye On
There should be no precipitation impacting any action on the field today across Major League Baseball.
There will be a 10-13 mile per hour wind blowing out to left-center field tonight at AT&T Park in San Francisco where the Giants will take on the Dodgers. The total is set at 7.5.
Wrigley Field in Chicago will have barely a whisper of wind today at 3-5 miles per hour blowing from right-to-left. The total for Harvey vs. Lester is set at 8.5.
Ump Of The Day
Dan Bellino is the top Under umpire in Major League Baseball and he will be behind the plate for tonight's game in Washington, D.C. between the Nationals and the visiting Braves.
Under is 16-6-4 (72.7 percent) in Bellino's 22 games calling balls and strikes this season and the total for tonight's game has dropped from the opening number of 8.5, down to 8.
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GAME: Detroit Tigers (60-84) at Cleveland Indians (89-56)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 12:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Tigers at Indians
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The rampaging Cleveland Indians posted one historical entry in the record books and can add another when they go for their 21st consecutive victory and a three-game sweep of the visiting Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. Cleveland matched Oakland (2002) for the longest winning streak in American League history with Tuesday's 2-0 victory.
The Indians, who have not lost since Aug. 23 and own the AL's best record, can match the Chicago Cubs (1935) for the second-longest run in major league annals after blanking the Tigers for a second straight game. Shortstop Francisco Lindor provided the only run necessary by leading off the first with his 30th homer -- his third in four games and ninth during the team's tear. Cleveland's starters have combined for a dazzling 1.71 ERA during the record streak, including 18 scoreless innings from right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has allowed one run in beating Detroit three times this season and enters the series finale with a 15-inning scoreless streak against the Tigers. Buck Farmer takes the mound for Detroit, which has scored a total of five runs in losing all six matchups to the Indians in September.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Detroit, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Buck Farmer (4-2, 6.32 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-5, 3.30)
In his third start since his recall from Triple-A, Farmer picked up the victory at Toronto by allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings. He lasted only three innings against Cleveland in his previous turn and took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits. Jose Ramirez is hitless in six at-bats against Farmer, who is 0-3 in five appearances (three starts) versus Cleveland.
Although he started the season in the minors, Clevinger is a mainstay of the rotation as he tossed six scoreless innings for the third consecutive start to beat Baltimore last time out. He has yielded 10 hits during his three-start winning streak and has limited the Tigers to eight hits over 18 innings in the three matchups this season. Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-10 with a homer and five RBIs against Clevinger.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland has posted seven shutouts and yielded only 32 runs in the 20 straight wins.
2. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos is riding a nine-game hitting streak.
3. Lindor tied Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Jose Valentin (2004) for the most homers (30) in a season by a switch-hitting shortstop.
PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 2
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GAME: New York Yankees (78-66) at Tampa Bay Rays (72-74)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Yankees at Rays
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The New York Yankees will try for their fourth straight series win when they conclude a three-game set at Citi Field in Queens against the host Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees managed three hits in dropping a 2-1 decision Tuesday night, evening the set at a game apiece and sinking New York four games behind first-place Boston in the American League East.
They remain atop the heap in the wild-card race and will next head back across town to begin a closing stretch in which they play 14 of their final 17 games at home. The Rays also hope to have some home games on the horizon and plan to return to their hurricane-ravaged city after Wednesday's game. They are scheduled to open a three-game series with the Red Sox on Friday after a day off to check in on their families and homes that may have been impacted by Hurricane Irma. Jaime Garcia gets the start in the finale for New York opposite Chris Archer for Tampa Bay.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jaime Garcia (5-9, 4.43 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (9-9, 4.00)
Garcia is winless in five starts since joining New York at the trade deadline after suffering a hard-luck loss against Cleveland his last time out, allowing one earned run in five innings. He will be pitching for the first time in two weeks and for the third time this year at Citi Field. The 31-year-old is facing the Rays for the first time.
Archer has hit a wall in September, first giving up a pair of home runs to the only batters he faced in Chicago before leaving with a forearm issue and then getting throttled at Fenway Park. The Red Sox got to him for eight runs (six earned) and nine hits in three innings, bumping Archer's ERA to 4.00 for the first time in 2017. The 28-year-old has 27 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings over three starts against the Yankees this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rays SS Adeiny Hechavarria hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning Tuesday and is 4-for-7 with three extra-base hits in the series.
2. Yankees OF Clint Frazier was activated from the 10-day disabled list (oblique) Tuesday and went 0-for-2.
3. New York has won 14 of its last 19 series against Tampa Bay.
PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Rays 4
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GAME: Chicago White Sox (57-87) at Kansas City Royals (72-72)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: White Sox at Royals
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017
The Kansas City Royals hope to contain Chicago's Jose Abreu one more time when they host the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of their three-game series. Abreu was 10-for-13 with three home runs, eight RBIs, two triples and two home runs in his last three contests, including 4-for-5 with two RBIs in Monday's 11-3 victory in Kansas City, but was 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss that snapped a three-game winning streak.
Brandon Moss' grand slam accounted for the Royals' runs as they remain on the periphery of the American League wild card race, three games behind Minnesota for the final spot. Kansas City hopes to have center fielder Lorenzo Cain (quads) and 3B Mike Moustakas (right knee) back in the lineup after neither played Tuesday. "We've had an off day planned for Cain and Moose for four or five days because this is a quick turnaround," Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters about the day game after a night game. Chicago's Lucas Giolito was ejected from his last start -- his fourth of the season since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte -- and opposes rookie Eric Skoglund, who returns to the rotation after his first career relief appearance.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (2-2, 2.84 ERA) vs. Royals LH Eric Skoglund (1-2, 10.29)
Giolito allowed five runs (three earned), three hits and four walks while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings of a 9-2 loss to San Francisco on Friday. The 23-year-old Californian won his previous two starts, yielding one run and six hits over 14 innings in victories over Tampa Bay (10 strikeouts) and Detroit. Giolito, who makes his first road start of the season and second of his career, has never faced Kansas City or any of its players.
Skoglund permitted three runs, three hits and three walks in three innings of relief in the Royals' 17-0 loss at Minnesota on Sept. 2. The 24-year-old Floridian made his major-league debut May 30 versus Detroit, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of a 1-0 victory. Skoglund yielded 13 runs in 4 2/3 innings over three starts in between, with two coming in June and the other Aug. 27 -- a 12-0 loss at Cleveland in which he permitted seven runs in 1 1/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago rookie Nicky Delmonico (.281 batting average, seven home runs, 15 RBIs in 96 at-bats) recorded his second two-hit game in the last three contests Tuesday after going 0-for-17 in his previous five games.
2. Kansas City claimed RHP Mike Morin (0-0, 6.91 ERA in 10 relief appearances this season) off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.
3. Abreu needs eight RBIs in the last 16 games to reach 100 for the fourth time in his four-year career.
PREDICTION: Royals 6, White Sox 5
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GAME: Atlanta Braves (65-78) at Washington Nationals (88-56)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Braves at Nationals
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Washington Nationals already have clinched the National League East title, and Max Scherzer gets the start for Wednesday’s home contest against the Atlanta Braves looking to sharpen himself heading into the postseason. The Nationals hope to chase down the Dodgers for home-field advantage in the NL, but the Braves dominated the series opener Tuesday in an 8-0 victory that marked Atlanta’s fifth victory in eight games at Washington this season.
The Braves pounced on Washington in the first game of the series, collecting nine extra-base hits among their 14 hits in the victory. Rookie second baseman Ozzie Albies finished with three hits in the opener, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. In a losing cause, Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman recorded two hits and is hitting .343 in 10 games in September. The Nationals fell Tuesday for just the second time in their past eight games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Luiz Gohara (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (14-5, 2.32)
Gohara makes his second major-league start after losing his debut, in which he allowed six runs in four innings Sept. 6 against Texas. The 21-year-old struggled with his control, walking four hitters, but struck out six. Acquired from Seattle in an offseason trade, Gohara went 7-4 with a 2.62 ERA at three stops in the Atlanta minor leagues in 2017.
Scherzer again is a favorite for the NL Cy Young, starting the week leading the NL with 239 strikeouts and topping the majors in WHIP (0.875) and hits per nine innings (5.6). He is 6-0 in his past 12 starts – Washington is 10-2 in that stretch – while striking out 94 in 70 2/3 innings with 21 earned runs allowed. The 33-year-old is 1-1 in three starts with a 3.20 ERA against Atlanta this season, striking out 23 with seven walks in 19 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington hopes OF Jayson Werth, who has missed the past five games with a sore left shoulder, can play Wednesday.
2. Atlanta struggled mightily after reaching .500 in mid-July, but has won five of its past six games and is 6-5 in September.
3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 8-for-18 in his past four games with two homers, four runs scored and five RBIs.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Braves 1
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GAME: Miami Marlins (68-76) at Philadelphia Phillies (55-89)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Marlins at Phillies
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Miami Marlins have dropped 13 of their last 15 games to effectively remove themselves from the wild-card discussion in the National League. After letting a five-run lead evaporate in what resulted in a 15-inning loss in the opener, the Marlins look to stop the bleeding on Wednesday when they look to even the three-game series against the host Philadelphia Phillies at one victory apiece.
Miami is no stranger to walk-off losses after suffering that fate four times in their last five outings. Dee Gordon collected three singles in Tuesday's 9-8 setback and carries a career-high 15-game hitting streak into Wednesday's tilt against Aaron Nola, against whom he is 4-for-11 with a triple and a double. Philadelphia's Rhys Hoskins, who went deep twice in the opener and increased his homer total to four in as many outings overall, has gone deep six times versus Miami - including twice while going 4-for-6 against Wednesday starter Dan Straily. Maikel Franco recorded his fourth straight multi-hit performance to improve to 8-for-17 with two homers and four RBIs in the last four games and is 5-for-12 versus Straily.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Dan Straily (9-8, 3.95 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (10-10, 3.71)
Staily has answered a four-start losing skid with a six-game unbeaten string, with the two victories in that stretch coming over Philadelphia. The 28-year-old owns a 3-1 mark versus the Phillies this season despite letting the opposition bat .315 against him. Straily, who has struggled versus Tommy Joseph (4-for-11), has worked at least five innings in each of his last eight outings.
While Nola owns a respectable record this season considering his team's plight in the standings, his 0-3 mark with a gaudy 10.67 ERA in three starts (14 1/3 innings) against Miami leaves plenty of be desired. The 24-year-old was in line for his 11th win of the season at Washington on Thursday before the bullpen failed to hold the lead, leaving him with a no-decision. "They were fouling pitches off. I let the leadoff guy on a couple innings. I had to battle through a little more a couple of those innings,” Nola said after yielding three runs (two earned) in 5 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami C J.T. Realmuto is 8-for-16 with six RBIs and four runs scored in his last three contests.
2. Philadelphia RF Nick Williams is 18-for-46 with 17 RBIs and eight runs scored during his 10-game hitting streak.
3. The Marlins will learn Wednesday whether this weekend's series against Milwaukee will be played as scheduled in Miami or be moved to an alternate site, manager Don Mattingly said.
PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Phillies 2
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GAME: Baltimore Orioles (71-74) at Toronto Blue Jays (68-77)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Orioles at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton had a streak of 60 consecutive saves snapped last month, but his latest blown save dealt a jarring blow to his team's fading postseason hopes. The Toronto Blue Jays scored twice in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off win Tuesday and will go for a three-game sweep of visiting Baltimore on Wednesday night.
Britton's second blown save in eight appearances following his American League-record streak sent the Orioles to their sixth consecutive defeat and dropped them 4 1/2 games out of the second wild card with 17 to play. Right-hander Kevin Gausman, who is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in five starts this season versus Toronto, will attempt to end the slide and prevent the sweep for Baltimore. Rookie shortstop Richard Urena capped a three-hit game with a walk-off single to lift the Blue Jays to their fourth straight victory and extend his hitting streak to five games. Opposing Gausman for Toronto will be right-hander Marcus Stroman, who is making his fifth attempt at posting a career-best 12th win.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (10-10, 4.99 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (11-7, 3.18)
Gausman's erratic season continued last time out against the New York Yankees, when he was tagged for five runs on five hits over three innings to reach double-digit losses for the second straight season. He tossed 13 2/3 scoreless innings in his previous two outings, blanking Toronto on five hits over six innings in a no-decision on Sept. 1. Kevin Pillar has tormented Gausman, going 10-for-22.
Stroman's winless drought reached four starts versus Detroit on Friday when he took the loss after yielding four runs on six hits over six innings. He was knocked out of the game in the second inning at Baltimore in his previous turn when he was hit by a line drive by Mark Trumbo. Adam Jones is 6-for-19 against Stroman, who beat the Orioles with 7 2/3 scoreless innings of five-hit ball on June 28.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles SS Tim Beckham hit his 21st homer Tuesday -- and ninth in 40 games since he was acquired from Tampa Bay.
2. Blue Jays C Russell Martin, sidelined for a month with an oblique injury, is scheduled to return Wednesday.
3. Orioles C Welington Castillo expects to be back behind the plate in a few days after taking a foul ball to the groin Monday.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3
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GAME: Oakland Athletics (63-81) at Boston Red Sox (82-62)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Athletics at Red Sox
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Bay State representatives routinely have gotten the better of the Bay Area boys, especially when the Oakland Athletics pay a visit to Beantown. Mookie Betts looks to ride the momentum of his two-homer, six-RBI performance in the opener as the Boston Red Sox vie for a series victory and their 30th win in 39 home games against the Athletics on Wednesday.
Betts' performance in Boston's 11-1 rout on Tuesday was nothing new as he battered Oakland to the tune of going 7-for-11 with two homers and eight RBIs in last year's series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox, who erupted for 40 runs on 48 hits in that series, have won five of their last six overall and have matched their season high by improving to 20 games above .500. While Boston holds a four-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East, AL West cellar-dwelling Oakland saw its five-game winning streak come to an end following its seventh straight loss at Fenway Park. Former Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie has hit safely in four straight games and 10 of his last 11, but he's just 6-for-25 versus Wednesday starter Doug Fister.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCSN California (Oakland), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jharel Cotton (7-10, 5.82 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Doug Fister (5-7, 3.91)
Cotton was clubbed for a season high-tying seven runs over five innings in a no-decision to Houston on Friday. The 25-year-old surrendered three homers for the second straight outing and fourth time this season, increasing his total to 12 allowed in his last six (33 2/3 innings). Cotton has permitted 27 homers this season to tie an Oakland rookie record.
Fister improved to 5-2 with a 2.79 ERA in his last seven starts after yielding one run on four hits over seven innings in each of his last two outings. The 33-year-old sinkerballer has worked at least seven frames in each of his last four starts, allowing a grand total of five runs on 14 hits while striking out 27 in that stretch. Opposing hitters are batting 6-for-83 against him from the second inning on in his last four starts, with manager John Farrell noting that it "takes him an inning to find his release point."
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia, who is from Woodland, Calif., is 41-for-100 while hitting safely in each of his last 25 games versus Oakland.
2. Athletics rookie 1B Matt Olson is 6-for-13 with two home runs, five runs scored and four RBIs in his last four contests.
3. The Red Sox are 28-9 at home against the AL West representatives since May 23, 2015.
PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Athletics 2
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GAME: Seattle Mariners (72-73) at Texas Rangers (72-72)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Mariners at Rangers
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
Martin Perez looks to match the franchise record by winning his eighth consecutive start when the Texas Rangers host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series. The Venezuelan has allowed fewer than three earned runs in five of the seven victories and looks to tie the club mark set in 2005 by Kenny Rogers.
Perez will try to help the Rangers move back above .500, as well as trim the team's three-game deficit for the American League's second wild card. Seattle posted a 10-3 rout of Texas on Tuesday to win for the third time in eight contests and remain 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the wild-card spot. Kyle Seager delivered a three-run homer - his second of the series and 22nd all-time against the Rangers. Willie Calhoun, Texas' prized prospect who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the package for Yu Darvish, made his major-league debut on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI single.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (9-12, 4.10 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (12-10, 4.81)
Leake is making his third start since being acquired from St. Louis after winning both of his first two outings. The 29-year-old allowed two earned runs in each turn while striking out 12 against one walk in 13 overall innings. Leake is 0-1 with a 2.33 ERA in three career starts versus the Rangers - including two outings at Globe Life Park (0-1, 2.03) - and has experienced difficulties with Shin-Soo Choo (5-for-11, two homers).
Perez still sports a high ERA despite his winning streak and opponents have a lofty .306 batting average against him this season. The 26-year-old has become one of three pitchers in franchise history to win at least six straight starts on multiple occasions, joining Rogers (three times) and Ferguson Jenkins (twice). Perez is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three turns against Seattle this year and 6-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 15 career appearances (13 starts) while struggling to retire Seager (16-for-38, four homers).
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners RF Mitch Haniger is 5-for-9 with a homer in the series and a scorching 24-for-50 with four blasts and 11 RBIs over his last 12 games.
2. Texas activated 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) from the 10-day disabled list even though he still is unable to play and released RHP Tyson Ross.
3. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz has recorded just one extra-base hit (a homer) this month and has gone deep just once in his last 20 games.
PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Mariners 2
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GAME: New York Mets (63-81) at Chicago Cubs (78-66)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Mets at Cubs
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The National League Central race will be decided head-to-head over the next two weeks, but the Chicago Cubs can improve their chances of hanging on by padding their lead before the pivotal stretch run. The Cubs look to preserve their slim margin when they continue their three-game series against the visiting New York Mets on Wednesday.
The Cubs broke out of a power slump with three homers en route to an 8-3 win in Tuesday’s series opener, matching their home-run total from the previous eight contests and remaining two games ahead of St. Louis and 2 1/2 in front of Milwaukee in the division. Chicago gives the ball on Wednesday to Jon Lester, who defeated the Mets on June 13, matching his season high of 10 strikeouts while allowing one run and five hits over seven innings. The Mets have lost 10 of their last 11 games at Wrigley Field since the start of the 2014 campaign. New York has dropped five straight on the road overall and is 30-40 away from home this season.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (5-4, 5.82 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (10-7, 4.35)
After allowing seven runs over two innings in his return from the disabled list, Harvey bounced back with a strong outing Thursday against Cincinnati. The 28-year-old held the Reds to two runs and five hits over five frames to record his first win since May 28. Harvey is 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs.
Lester has won two straight starts since being shelled for nine runs - seven earned - in 1 2/3 innings on Aug. 17 against Cincinnati. The 33-year-old battled command issues with four walks Thursday at Pittsburgh, but he limited the Pirates to one run over six frames. Lester is 4-1 with a 3.97 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber is batting .337 with eight homers in 28 home games since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on July 6.
2. Mets INF Asdrubal Cabrera has recorded multi-hit performances in each of his last five starts and leads the team with 12 efforts of at least three hits.
3. Chicago OF/INF Ian Happ has hit 14 home runs at Wrigley Field, the third-most by a rookie in franchise history behind Kris Bryant (21) and Billy Williams (17).
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Mets 3
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GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (68-78) at Milwaukee Brewers (76-69)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Pirates at Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have gotten far more than expected out of Chase Anderson this season, which is one reason they’re still in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Brewers need another major contribution from him in the finale of their three-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
Anderson gets the ball a day earlier than expected as he slides into Jimmy Nelson’s spot in the rotation for the rubber match of the series. The Brewers have won four of their last five contests to pull within 2 1/2 games of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and remain four behind Colorado for the second wild card, but they’re 6-9 against the Pirates this season. Milwaukee won 5-2 on Tuesday as Eric Thames belted his 29th home run and the Brewers improved to 40-33 at home. The Pirates have lost six of their last seven following a four-game winning streak and are 29-44 on the road.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Tyler Glasnow (2-6, 7.45 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Chase Anderson (9-3, 2.93)
Glasnow struggled at the major-league level early in the season but regained his dominant form in the minors. The 24-year-old was 9-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. Glasnow faced the Cubs twice in his first stint with the Pirates this season, allowing nine runs - seven earned - over 8 1/3 innings in a pair of no-decisions.
Anderson will start on three days’ rest after an abbreviated outing against Chicago on Saturday. The 29-year-old threw only 67 pitches while allowing one hit over five scoreless frames before the Brewers lifted him with a 14-0 lead. Anderson is 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA in nine career starts versus the Pirates and won the only meeting this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Brewers are the first team since at least 1913 to have seven players with at least 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases.
2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen has reached base in 12 consecutive games against the Brewers and 16 straight at Miller Park.
3. Milwaukee RHP Corey Knebel has converted 19 straight save chances and posted a 0.70 ERA in 26 games since the All-Star break.
PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Pirates 3
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GAME: San Diego Padres (65-80) at Minnesota Twins (75-69)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Padres at Twins
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
Holding down the second wild card in the American League, the Minnesota Twins can move to .500 at home for the first time since May 5 when they wrap up a two-game interleague series against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night. The Twins have won nine of their last 11 at Target Field following Tuesday's record-setting 16-0 romp.
Minnesota came out swinging in the opener of a six-game homestand, becoming the first team in major league history to homer in each of the first seven innings of a game. The seven blasts also set a Target Field record, with Jason Castro going deep twice and Brian Dozier becoming the fifth Twins player to record consecutive 30-homer seasons. San Diego, which was blanked for the third time in September, has dropped two in a row following a three-game winning streak. Promising Padres rookie right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who has yielded only three long balls in his last night starts, will try to cool off homer-happy Minnesota.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Dinelson Lamet (7-7, 4.32 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (15-7, 3.45)
Lamet is mired in a four-start winless drought despite giving up seven runs in that span, mainly because San Diego provided him with a total of three runs. The 25-year-old rookie has turned in three straight quality starts, allowing four runs and 13 hits over 18 innings, and limited opponents to two runs or fewer in eight of his last nine turns. Lamet is holding opponents to a .203 batting average.
Santana improved to 5-0 over his last nine starts despite a shaky performance at Kansas City last time out, when he gave up four runs over five innings. He did not factor in the decision in his previous start, also against the Royals, giving up four runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. Santana went the distance for the fifth time this season at San Diego on Aug. 2, giving up two runs on four hits.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dozier is the fifth second baseman to hit 30 homers in back-to-back seasons.
2. Padres RF Jabari Blash is 1-for-11 with seven strikeouts in his last three games.
3. Castro is 7-for-15 over the past four games.
PREDICTION: Twins 3, Padres 2
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GAME: Cincinnati Reds (62-83) at St. Louis Cardinals (76-68)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Reds at Cardinals
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The red-hot St. Louis Cardinals have won four in a row and 10 of their last 12 to remain within striking distance of first place in the National League Central. The Cardinals look to continue their ascent and claim a series victory on Wednesday at the expense of the visiting Cincinnati Reds, who have long since stopped entertaining postseason aspirations.
Paul DeJong homered to highlight his three-hit performance in Tuesday's 13-4 rout to improve to 8-for-16 in his last four games overall and 14-for-36 versus Cincinnati this season. Yadier Molina recorded his third straight multi-hit effort and has two homers and 10 RBIs in that stretch for St. Louis, which resides two games behind division-leading Chicago and 3 1/2 back of Colorado for the second wild card. The reeling Reds are heading in the opposite direction with losses in four of five overall and 47 of 73 road contests this season to remain in the cellar of the division. Zack Cozart homered for the second consecutive outing on Tuesday and is 13-for-45 against the Cardinals this season.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Tyler Mahle (0-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (0-0, 6.00)
Mahle struggled from the onset of his last start on Thursday, allowing four walks for the second time in three outings in a no-decision at the New York Mets. The 22-year-old tossed 39 strikes among his 72 pitches, with manager Bryan Price telling reporters that he knew Mahle was in for a battle and decided to pull him since he had yet to pitch deep into a game this season. "I missed some spots in big counts and that's what hurt me," Mahle said.
Flaherty has recorded a pair of no-decisions since being called up from Triple-A on Sept. 1, with his second start much better than the first. The 21-year-old allowed five runs on eight hits in four innings in his major-league debut at San Francisco before permitting one run on three hits in five frames five days later at San Diego. "I felt more comfortable out there today than I did in my first start up here,” Flaherty said. “In my second go-round, I was able to use all my pitches and get ahead of them a little. I felt I executed better."
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis LF Tommy Pham scored four times in the opener and is 10-for-31 versus Cincinnati this season.
2. Reds 1B Joey Votto, who is 22-for-49 against the Cardinals this season, has hit safely in eight of his last nine games overall.
3. Cincinnati RF Scott Schebler is 15-for-29 with four homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored versus St. Louis this season.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Reds 1
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GAME: Colorado Rockies (80-65) at Arizona Diamondbacks (83-62)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Rockies at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Colorado Rockies are charging hard toward the top wild-card spot in the National League and can cut their deficit to two games when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series. Colorado entered the set trailing wild card-leading Arizona by five games but captured the first two matchups to extend its winning streak to six.
The Rockies came away with a 4-2 triumph on Tuesday as Carlos Gonzalez completed a two-homer performance by snapping a tie with his second two-run shot of the night in the seventh inning. Gonzalez has collected 11 RBIs over his last 10 games for Colorado, which has won eight straight on the road and is 3 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis for the second wild-card spot. J.D. Martinez went deep for the Diamondbacks, who fell to 1-4 on their seven-game homestand. The reigning NL Player of the Week posted his fourth consecutive multi-hit effort on Tuesday and is 20-for-44 with nine blasts and 18 RBIs in 10 games this month.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (10-6, 4.27 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (13-12, 4.16)
Marquez is seeking his first win in five starts after giving up four runs - two earned - and six hits in four innings of a no-decision against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Friday. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has not been victorious since Aug. 18, when he topped Milwaukee despite yielding four runs and seven hits - three homers - in 5 2/3 frames. Marquez has yet to defeat Arizona this season, going 0-2 with a 3.94 ERA in five starts.
Corbin had his five-start winning streak snapped in a big way on Friday as he was tagged for eight runs on 11 hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to San Diego. The 28-year-old New Yorker had been stellar during his run of success, allowing a total of two earned runs in 35 2/3 frames. Corbin owns a 5.02 ERA against the Rockies in 16 career appearances (15 starts) but a 6-3 record after giving up two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win at Colorado on Sept. 2.
WALK-OFFS
1. Martinez's homer on Tuesday was his 38th of the season, matching the career high he set in 2015 with Detroit.
2. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu is 6-for-13 over his last three games and has hit safely in 19 of his last 20 contests.
3. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt is two homers shy of tying his career high of 36, which he set in 2013.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 1
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GAME: Houston Astros (87-57) at Los Angeles Angels (73-71)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Astros at Angels
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Houston Astros have halted their four-game skid and look to move closer to wrapping up the American League West when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Justin Verlander's stellar pitching helped Houston to a 1-0 victory on Tuesday, reducing its magic number to clinch the division to five.
Verlander allowed one hit in eight innings and Yuli Gurriel singled in the lone run as the Astros improved to 46-26 on the road. The setback continued a ragged stretch for the Angels, who have dropped four of their last five to fall two games behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card berth. Los Angeles has scored just 10 runs during the five-game stretch and superstar Mike Trout is in a 2-for-21 funk over his last seven contests. Houston scratched Lance McCullers Jr. from his scheduled start in the middle game of the set late Tuesday night, and that is probably fine with the Angels as the right-hander has allowed just five hits and one unearned run in 13 2/3 innings against them this season.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Mike Fiers (8-9, 4.87 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (1-5, 4.86)
Fiers is being tabbed to make the start after McCullers reported fatigue in his arm while throwing prior to Tuesday's game. The 32-year-old recently lost his spot in the rotation when the Astros acquired Verlander and he was roughed up for 14 runs over just 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts before making his most-recent appearance in relief. Fiers is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts versus the Angels this season, 3-2 with a 4.40 ERA in seven career outings and routinely has shut down Brandon Phillips (2-for-19).
Skaggs lost his fourth straight decision despite matching his season high with nine strikeouts against Oakland in his last turn. The 24-year-old gave up three runs and six hits over six innings in the setback, which marked his eighth straight winless outing. Skaggs is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five career starts against Houston and allowed five runs - four earned - and six hits over five frames of a no-decision versus the Astros on Aug. 26.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros RF Josh Reddick is hitless in seven at-bats over his last two games after beginning September with 13 RBIs during a 14-for-25 stretch.
2. Los Angeles LF Justin Upton is homerless in his last 14 contests, including 10 since being acquired from Detroit.
3. Houston's Collin McHugh (lacerated right middle fingernail) will miss his start on Thursday, with fellow RHP Brad Peacock taking his place.
PREDICTION: Astros 5, Angels 2
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GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (93-52) at San Francisco Giants (57-90)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 10:15 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Preview: Dodgers at Giants
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017
The Dodgers have ended their longest losing streak since moving to Los Angeles and look to win consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 24 and 25 when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday for the finale of their three-game series. Los Angeles halted its 11-game slide with a 5-3 victory on Tuesday, which was only its second win in 18 contests.
The victory allowed the Dodgers to increase their lead over Washington for the National League's best record to 4 1/2 games - a crucial development with the teams slated for a three-game weekend set in the nation's capital. Yasiel Puig contributed a two-run double in Tuesday's triumph and is 4-for-10 with a homer and three RBIs in the series. Hunter Pence (6-for-10 in the series) and Joe Panik each recorded three hits for the Giants, who registered 14 overall while losing for the 13th time in 18 games. Buster Posey was just 1-for-5 but is a torrid 18-for-45 with seven RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak.
TV: 10:08 p.m. ET, ESPN, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Yu Darvish (8-12, 4.25 ERA) vs. Giants LH Matt Moore (5-13, 5.31)
Darvish is 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA in six starts since being acquired from Texas despite registering 40 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old from Japan has dropped each of his last three turns, posting a horrendous 9.49 ERA over 12 1/3 frames during the stretch. Darvish, who will be facing the Giants for the first time, is 12 strikeouts shy of his third campaign with 200.
Moore has experienced a dismal season but put together a solid effort while defeating the Chicago White Sox in his last turn. The 28-year-old allowed two runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings, marking the fourth time in five outings he has given up fewer than three runs. Moore is 0-1 with a 7.02 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers this season and 3-3 with a 5.36 ERA in eight career turns.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants RHP Mark Melancon (forearm) underwent season-ending surgery to conclude the disappointing first campaign of his four-year, $62 million deal.
2. Tuesday's win was only Los Angeles' eighth in its last 29 games at AT&T Park.
3. San Francisco CF Denard Span, who is 4-for-5 with a homer in the series, is 5-for-8 with three doubles against Darvish.
PREDICTION: Giants 6, Dodgers 4
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UNDER 13-3 in O's last 16 roadies vs righty starters.
UNDER 12-3 in Jays' last 15 at home vs righties.
UNDER 21-4-1 last 26 meetings
T:8.5
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Frank Sawyer
Sep 13 '17, 10:15 PM
MLB | Dodgers vs Giants
Play on: Dodgers -215 at 5Dimes
Take the Los Angeles Dodgers with the money-line versus the San Francisco Giants listing both starting pitchers Yu Darvish and Matt Moore. Los Angeles (93-52) snapped their eleven game losing streak last night with their 5-3 win over the Giants last night. The Dodgers have lost a decisive 45 of their last 57 games after a victory. Los Angeles has also won 7 of their last 8 games against teams with a winning percentage below 40%. San Francisco (57-90) has lost 5 of their last 7 games against teams that scored at least five runs in their last game. The Giants have also lost 22 of their last 28 games against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. Take the LA Dodgers with the money-line listing Darvish and Moore. Best of luck — Frank.
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Andre Ramirez
Sep 13 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | A's vs Red Sox
Play on: Red Sox -1½ +105 at 5Dimes
MLB 75 DIME FREE GAME
The A’s were on a roll before getting silenced in the opener of this set. Getting outhit 16-3 is a surefire way to come up on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Oakland now has to face a resurgent Fister, who has won five of his last seven starts. Boston is trying to hold off the Yankees in the AL East to avoid playing in the wild card game. The Red Sox are a deep team with plenty of talent.
The Red Sox are 7-2 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400! I have them winning 7-4. Lay the money on -1.5 run line.
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Dave Cokin
San Diego at Minnesota
Play: San Diego +138
Dinelson Lamet has continuously impressed me since getting called up by the Padres in late May. The talented young righty still has plenty of room for improvement. But the potential he’s got has been on display on a regular basis, and there isn’t any question about his ability to miss bats on a regular basis. The walk rate needs to get lower, but when it does, the Padres could have themselves a legit top of the rotation guy. One thing I really like about Lamet is that his mistakes don’t often leave the ballpark. Lamet has surrendered only three homers in last 53 innings of work. That means crooked numbers for the opposition are not easy to come by.
Ervin Santana continues to get the job done for the Twins. Focus all you want on some of the s0-so metrics. The fact is Santana is 15-7, he’s had only a small handful of bad starts all season and he’s a big part of the reason Minnesota is in the playoff chase. In other words, going against Santana is not likely to be a walk in the park.
I’m siding with San Diego on the strength of Lamet and last night’s result. San Diego might not be a playoff contender, but this team has never once shown any quit. I’ve got to think they’ll be arriving at the ballpark on a bit of a mission tonight after getting humiliated by a 16-0 count on Tuesday night. Add in a decent underdog price tag and I see the Friars being worth a play tonight.
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