8-18-17 Info, Trends, Comps, Horse Racing etc...

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Trends - Minnesota at Seattle

ATS Trends
Minnesota

Vikings are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games on fieldturf.
Vikings are 38-17 ATS in their last 55 games overall.
Vikings are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.

Seattle

Seahawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Seahawks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games on fieldturf.

OU Trends
Minnesota

Under is 10-4 in Vikings last 14 vs. NFC.
Under is 7-3 in Vikings last 10 games on fieldturf.
Under is 14-6-1 in Vikings last 21 road games.

Seattle

Over is 5-2 in Seahawks last 7 games overall.
Over is 5-2 in Seahawks last 7 vs. NFC.

Head to Head

Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Seattle.
Favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Home team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Seattle.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #5 - Post: 8:56pm - Claiming - 4.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 71

Rating: 4

#6 CAUTION HIGH WATER (ML=6/1)
#7 MY DARLING LIZZIE (ML=15/1)


CAUTION HIGH WATER - This jockey and trainer's equines have been producing a positive return on investment. Gelding won at this class and distance on Mar 2nd at Charles Town. This gelding is in excellent condition right now. Ended up third in the last race and comes back promptly. MY DARLING LIZZIE - You probably want to overlook that last race at Charles Town in the slop where he finished outside the top 3. Should do well right here in this race on a non-sloppy track.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 RIGHT ON THE MONEY (ML=6/5), #2 BLOGOSPHERE (ML=9/2), #10 GREAT RED DRAGON (ML=8/1),

RIGHT ON THE MONEY - This horse hasn't been near the victor at the finish of late. Not a value play to back the favorite when he continues to lose time and time again when favored. BLOGOSPHERE - This horse doesn't have a winning character. Repeatedly finishes close, but no cigar. Mediocre speed fig last out at Charles Town at 4 1/2 furlongs. Don't believe this questionable contender will improve too much in today's race. GREAT RED DRAGON - If you keep betting these sort of 'bridesmaid' types, you're going to be frustrated often.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - CAUTION HIGH WATER - Racing pattern would suggest this horse is fit for today's race. Should perform well in this race.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #6 CAUTION HIGH WATER to win if we can get at least 7/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Evangeline Downs

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $12000 Class Rating: 71

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000, IF FOR $8,000, ALLOWED 3 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 ARCHER ONE 7/2

# 4 APPOINT ME KING 5/1

# 8 VICTORY SHOUT 10/1

ARCHER ONE looks to be a decent contender. He has posted competitive figs under today's conditions and ought to fare well against this group of animals. The Equibase Speed Figure of 76 from his latest contest looks strong in here. Might best this field here, showing competitive figures of late. APPOINT ME KING - Looks solid versus this group of animals and should be one of the early speedsters. Earned a reliable speed figure in the most recent race. Can run another good one in this affair. VICTORY SHOUT - Has earned solid Speed Figures in dirt sprint races in the past.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park - Race 5

$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 $.50 Bet 3 (Races 5-6-7) / $.50 Pick 5 (Races 5-9)


Maiden Claiming $35,000 • 1 Mile • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $26,000 • Post: 4:34P
(RAIL AT 96 FEET). FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $35,000. (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT ONE MILE)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * WITHOUT REMORSE: Horse had a bullet workout within the last seven days. HOUSE ACCOUNT: H orse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. ARPINELLA: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. DIAMOND SQUARE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. HOPE IS RISING: Jockey/Trainer combination return on inv estment is at least +20.
1
WITHOUT REMORSE
5/1

5/1
8
HOUSE ACCOUNT
10/1

6/1
7
ARPINELLA
7/2

7/1
5
DIAMOND SQUARE
3/1

8/1
4
HOPE IS RISING
15/1

10/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Indiana Downs

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 9 - Maiden - 350y on the Dirt. Purse: $16000 Class Rating: 59

QUARTER HORSE 350Y, FOR REGISTERED INDIANA BREDS MAIDENS, THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE YEARS OLD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 MY MAN SHAN 9/2

# 4 RHEA FIRE 7/5

# 2 FLYHICHICKY 7/2

I think MY MAN SHAN is a very good choice. Has to be given a shot versus this group displaying competitive numbers recently and an average Equibase Speed Figure of 60 under similar conditions. RHEA FIRE - Will likely be one of the leaders of the bunch going into the halfway point of the competition. Recorded a strong speed fig in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. FLYHICHICKY - She ought to be given consideration given the quite good speed numbers. Has been running soundly lately and will almost certainly be on the front end early on.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Laurel Park

Laurel Park - Race 4

EXACTA, TRIFECTA &DAILY DOUBLE (RACES 4-5) /10 cent SUPERFECTA 50 cent PICK 3 (RACES 4-5-6) / 50 cent PICK 4 (RACES 4-5-6-7) $1.00 SUPER HIGH 5


SO $16,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 89 • Purse: $23,000 • Post: 2:40P
(RAIL AT 52 FEET). (PLUS UP TO 30% MBF) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $16,000 OR LESS AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES OR CLAIMING $16,000 TO $14,000 AND WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE JUNE 18 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000, FOR EACH $1,000 TO $14,000 2 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $12,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES) (WINNERS PREFERRED). (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE BY MANAGEMENT TO RUN THIS RACE ON THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT ONE MILE)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * SWEET LIAM: Horse has a TrackMaster "B" designation. MATADOR: Horse ranks in the top thr ee in TrackMaster Power Rating. TEFLON TONY: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. GREAT HARBOUR CAY: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
7
SWEET LIAM
6/1

5/1
1
MATADOR
5/2

6/1
6
TEFLON TONY
6/1

8/1
2
TO DARE
2/1

8/1
4
GREAT HARBOUR CAY
4/1

9/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #1 - Post: 6:00pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,400 Class Rating: 69

Rating: 3

#7 WINK FOR ME (ML=3/1)
#2 TOTALLY GAGA (ML=9/2)
#9 PANORAMA (ML=15/1)


WINK FOR ME - I really like that latest effort on July 25th at Parx Racing where she finished first. This mare was sharp enough to post a 'top two' workout recently. I think she's ready for today's event. 41-58-71 are last three speed figures. Improving each time out is something she should do again today. I like the fact that this mare's last speed figure, 71, is tops in this field. TOTALLY GAGA - This horse could be a potential overlay right here at M/L odds of 9/2. Finished sixth in last race at Parx Racing but was close at the finish. This thoroughbred has increased her speed ratings from a fig of 59 to 63 to 67 in succession. PANORAMA - You'll be making money left and right by turning your betting money onto this jock/handler combination. Taking a trip down the class ladder; has the capability to make her presence felt. Entered a $15,000 Claiming race at Penn National last time out and raced on a sloppy track finishing fourth. Will do better today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 RHINESTONE COWGIRL (ML=5/2), #1 NUB (ML=6/1), #3 WARRIORS DIVA (ML=6/1),

RHINESTONE COWGIRL - This steed hasn't been on the track since July 22nd. Not even any morning drills. Finished fifth in her most recent performance with a mediocre speed figure. When I look at today's class rating, it would take an improved performance to triumph after that in this group. NUB - Will be hard for this thoroughbred to beat this group off of that last speed figure. Unlikely to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's class rating, so put her on the likely underlays list. WARRIORS DIVA - This animal doesn't have a tenacious spirit. Frequently finishes in the place or show spot. This filly recorded a speed figure in her last affair which likely isn't good enough in today's event.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 WINK FOR ME to win at post-time odds of 3/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
7 with [2,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [2,7,9] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #4 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 2:36 PM EASTERN POST
The Skidmore Stakes
5½ FURLONGS TURF TWO YEAR OLDS STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#7 EL DULCE
#1 MENTALITY
#5 FLAMEAWAY
#2 NUCLEAR OPTION

Here in just the 3rd running of this stakes race, which is named in honor of Skidmore College, whose original campus was here in Saratoga Springs, #7 EL DULCE demonstrated exception early speed en route to a "POWER RUN WIN" to break his maiden in his "first asking," 19 days ago here at "The Spa." Jockey John Velazquez was in his irons for that win, which produced a +480% return on investment in the process, and is back this afternoon for his 2nd ride, gunning for back-to-back "Circle Trips." My top pick is out of the Twirling Candy lineage, whose progeny have hit the board in 47% of more than 1,000 combined lifetime starts to date. For your information folks, Twirling Candy also qualifies for my Three Star Sire list ... if you would like a description of the rigid rules that I "employ" to make this list, kindly send me an email ... and yes ... this list, and the "rules" are indeed free! #1 MENTALITY is the pace profile leader in this stakes field, and also comes off a "POWER RUN WIN" to break his maiden in his respective "first asking."

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Dunkel

Friday, August 18


Arizona @ Minnesota

Game 929-930
August 18, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Godley) 14.424
Minnesota
(Santana) 15.513
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-120
9
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+100); Over

LA Dodgers @ Detroit

Game 927-928
August 18, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 15.975
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 13.332
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-220
10
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-220); Under

Toronto @ Chicago Cubs

Game 925-926
August 18, 2017 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Happ) 15.168
Chicago Cubs
(Arrieta) 16.281
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-180
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-180); N/A

Cleveland @ Kansas City

Game 923-924
August 18, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Kluber) 14.922
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 17.777
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-200
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(+170); Under

Oakland @ Houston

Game 921-922
August 18, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Manaea) 14.985
Houston
(Keuchel) 13.957
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-240
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(+200); Under

Chicago White Sox @ Texas

Game 919-920
August 18, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Shields) 13.586
Texas
(Cashner) 15.752
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-200
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-200); Over

NY Yankees @ Boston

Game 917-918
August 18, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Mntgmry) 15.921
Boston
(Pmeranz) 16.868
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-135
9
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-135); Under

Seattle @ Tampa Bay

Game 915-916
August 18, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Ramirez) 15.590
Tampa Bay
(Pruitt) 14.186
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-135
9
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+115); Over

LA Angels @ Baltimore

Game 913-914
August 18, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Heaney) 16.507
Baltimore
(Hellckson) 15.284
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-140
10
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(+120); Over

Philadelphia @ San Francisco

Game 911-912
August 18, 2017 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Eflin) 12.948
San Francisco
(Moore) 14.998
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-150
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(-150); Under

Washington @ San Diego

Game 909-910
August 18, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Scherzer) 16.603
San Diego
(Perdomo) 14.493
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-200
7
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-200); Over

Milwaukee @ Colorado

Game 907-908
August 18, 2017 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Garza) 14.344
Colorado
(Marquez) 15.468
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-170
12
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-170); Under

Cincinnati @ Atlanta

Game 905-906
August 18, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Romano) 14.948
Atlanta
(Dickey) 15.986
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
-130
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(-130); Over

Miami @ NY Mets

Game 903-904
August 18, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Nicolino) 16.350
NY Mets
(Flexen) 14.727
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-105); Under

St. Louis @ Pittsburgh

Game 901-902
August 18, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Mrtinez) 13.825
Pittsburgh
(Williams) 15.233
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+100); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Angels at Orioles
Gracenote
Aug 17, 2017

The Baltimore Orioles believe they’re in the race for an American League wild card spot, and can prove it with a good showing this weekend. The Orioles will try to make up some ground Friday when they host the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game series.

The Angels don’t have far to travel after splitting a two-game interleague series in Washington against the Nationals this week, and Wednesday’s 3-2 triumph sent them into the weekend with a half-game lead in the race for the second AL wild card. Baltimore sits three games behind Los Angeles and is trying to fight its way out of a slump with a pitching staff that is struggling to put together consistent performances. The Orioles are 3-6 in their last nine games and needed to score at least seven runs to notch each of those victories. One of those recent poor pitching performances came from right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who will try to bounce back Friday when he goes up against Angels lefty and Tommy John success story Andrew Heaney.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (2016: 0-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 4.70)

Heaney injured his elbow in his first 2016 start and underwent Tommy John surgery last July before going through a rehab that brought him back to a major league mound just over a year later "It's a remarkable process he went through on his rehab," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. "It was so seamless that he just went from one stage to another all the way through it. He feels terrific.” The 26-year-old Heaney went 6-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 18 starts in 2015, including a season-high 10 hits allowed over 5 2/3 innings during a no decision against Baltimore on Aug. 7.

Hellickson tossed seven scoreless innings in his Orioles debut on Aug. 2 after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies and posted a quality start in his second turn before getting knocked around last time out. The 30-year-old was ripped for six runs on five hits and a pair of walks over five innings at Oakland on Sunday. Hellickson suffered a loss at the Angels on Aug. 8 despite allowing only three runs in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Orioles activated OF Anthony Santander from the 60-day disabled list and optioned OF Joey Rickard to Triple-A Norfolk.

2. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is 3-for-15 without an extra-base hit in the last five games.

3. Baltimore SS Tim Beckham is batting .485 with five home runs, 17 runs scored and 12 RBIs in 16 games since joining the team at the trade deadline.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Orioles 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Dodgers at Tigers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on pace to tie the record for most regular-season wins and are showing no sign of slowing down with 50 wins in the last 59 games. The Dodgers will try to take their momentum on the road when they begin a seven-game trip by visiting the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Los Angeles put together a three-run rally in the ninth inning Wednesday and earned a 5-4 walk-off victory on Yasiel Puig’s two-run double to push the latest winning streak to three straight. "We were down by two," Dodgers utilityman Kike Hernandez told mlb.com "But two runs is not enough for us. I don't think there's a big enough lead right now to be like, 'All right, the Dodgers are out of the game,' especially the way we've been coming from behind all year long. It's just an everyday thing now." The Tigers have lost four straight and 10 of the last 12, and are watching the pitching staff surrender an average of 8.7 runs over the last seven contests. Trying to reverse that trend Friday will be veteran right-hander Jordan Zimmermann while Los Angeles counters with lefty Rich Hill.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet Los Angeles, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (8-4, 3.44 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-9, 5.62)

Hill is rolling right along with the rest of the team and allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last nine starts. The University of Michigan product surrendered five home runs over his last three starts but all five were solo shots. Hill, who owns 107 strikeouts in 89 innings this season, faced Detroit twice as a member of the Oakland Athletics last season and won both while yielding a total of two runs in 13 1/3 innings.

Zimmermann had a string of three straight quality starts interrupted by a dud against Minnesota on Saturday. The Wisconsin native was ripped for seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings but managed to escape without a loss when his offense led the way in a 12-11 victory. Zimmermann is no stranger to Los Angeles after spending the first seven seasons of his career in the National League with Washington, and is 2-2 with a 4.40 ERA in eight starts against the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS Corey Seager is 10-for-26 during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Detroit CF Mikie Mahtook is 15-for-38 with three homers and 10 runs scored in his last nine games.

3. Los Angeles CF Joc Pederson is 1-for-38 in his last 14 games.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 8, Tigers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Mariners at Rays

The Seattle Mariners will spend the rest of the month on a four-city, 12-game road trip that begins with the first of three Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays in a battle of two American League wild card hopefuls. Seattle is 1½ games out of the AL’s second wild card after taking the final two contests of a homestand that started with five consecutive losses.

“If you look at all the teams that are bunched in the American League right now, we all have our deficiencies,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told the Seattle Times. “There’s a reason nobody has been able to win eight or nine in a row. … Who can hang in there the longest? And then maybe somebody gets hot right there at the end.” The Rays have lost 10 of their last 13 contests to fall three games back of the second AL wild card after leaving 14 men on base in a 5-3 loss at Toronto on Thursday. Wilson Ramos has warmed up for Tampa Bay by going 6-for-12 with a pair of homers in the series against the Blue Jays. Erasmo Ramirez, who spent the last 2½ seasons with the Rays before being traded back to the Mariners, faces his old team in the series opener while rookie Austin Pruitt takes the mound for Tampa Bay.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (4-4, 4.73 ERA) vs. Rays RH Austin Pruitt (6-3, 5.07)

Ramirez comes in off his best of three starts since being acquired, when he limited the Los Angeles Angels to an unearned run and three hits over six innings in a no-decision Saturday. The 27-year-old Nicaraguan went 3-2 with a 6.05 ERA in eight starts with Tampa Bay before being dealt for reliever Steve Cishek. Adeiny Hechavarria is 2-for-3 against Ramirez, who was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA versus the Rays during his first stint with Seattle.

Pruitt has been solid since joining the rotation, going 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA in four starts after holding Cleveland to three runs on four hits over six frames in a no-decision last time out. The 27-year-old Texan has struck out 18 and walked five in his last and allowed one home run total in the last three starts. Pruitt gave up three runs and four hits over 1 1/3 innings of relief at Seattle on June 4, including a two-run double by Jarrod Dyson.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle DH-OF Nelson Cruz needs one homer for his fourth straight season with 30 and is 13-for-32 with five blasts and 12 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier (hip, back), out since June 8, could return to the lineup as early as Friday.

3. Mariners 3B Kyle Seager, who needs one RBI to reach 500 in his career, missed the last two games with a stomach virus and is considered day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Mariners 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Brewers at Rockies

The Milwaukee Brewers are right on the heels of the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central, but will explore another avenue to the postseason when they visit the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series beginning Friday. Milwaukee trails Chicago by one game in the Central as it tries to carve into a 4 1/2-game deficit behind Colorado in the NL wild card race.

The Brewers finished a seven-game homestand with four straight victories and feel good about themselves as they embark on a nine-game road trip to Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. "The momentum is really good right now," Milwaukee outfielder Keon Broxton told reporters after the Brewers' 7-6 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday. "The vibe in the clubhouse is awesome. I think everyone is getting back to playing baseball the way we knew how, and that's really fun for us, the fans, everyone. It's really relaxed in here right now, and we just have to continue on." The Rockies - tied for first with Arizona in the wild card standings - are 3-7 in their last 10 games and could be without major league RBI leader Nolan Arenado, who left Thursday's 10-4 loss to Atlanta after taking a ground ball off his left hand. Milwaukee's Matt Garza, who is winless in three starts at Coors Field, is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA in five outings since the All-Star break and opposes German Marquez, who will try to become the third Colorado rookie pitcher to win 10 games this season.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-6, 4.38 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (9-5, 4.13)

Garza picked up the victory despite allowing four runs (three earned), five hits and five walks while striking out two in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-4 win over Cincinnati on Sunday. It was an improvement for the 33-year-old Californian, who yielded a career high-tying four homers among eight runs and eight hits in an 11-4 loss at Minnesota on Aug. 8. NL MVP candidate Charlie Blackmon is 3-for-13 with four RBIs and four strikeouts versus Garza, who is 2-5 with a 6.10 ERA in seven starts versus Colorado - 0-3, 8.82 in 16 1/3 innings at Coors Field.

Marquez permitted five runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out four over 4 1/3 innings of a 5-3 loss in Miami on Sunday. The 22-year-old Venezuelan, who has allowed 110 hits and recorded 107 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings this season, is 0-1 with a 4.41 ERA in three August starts after going 4-0 with a 3.51 mark in five July turns. Marquez made three starts among his six appearances in 2016, earning a no-decision in one of them after allowing two runs and six hits in six innings of Colorado's 6-4 loss to Milwaukee in the final game of the regular season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Broxton has three home runs in his last two games after belting two of the Brewers' five Wednesday.

2. Blackmon (.335 batting average, 76 RBIs) went 3-for-5 with his 28th home run of the season Thursday, raising his average at Coors Field to .394 compared to .285 on the road.

3. Milwaukee SS Orlando Arcia (.284) has missed the last two games with back spasms and is batting .340 in 47 August at-bats.

PREDICTION: Brewers 9, Rockies 8