Wednesday 8-23-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[New York Knight]

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MLB - Dodgers -165

[New York Knight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (66-61) at San Francisco Giants (51-77)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Brewers at Giants
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

After posting a rare victory at AT&T Park to even the three-game set, the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to win the series when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon for the finale. Milwaukee had lost 10 of its previous 11 games in San Francisco before rallying for a 4-3 triumph on Tuesday.

Ryan Braun and Travis Shaw each drove in a run in the seventh inning to erase a 3-2 deficit for the Brewers, who remained 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and climbed within three of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. Gorkys Hernandez went 2-for-4 with an RBI while Brandon Crawford belted a two-run homer for San Francisco, which improved to 4-2 on its seven-game homestand. Pablo Sandoval has heated up for the Giants as he enters the series finale having notched two hits in four of his last five games.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-7, 4.81 ERA) vs. Giants LH Matt Moore (4-12, 5.54)

Garza was rocked for the second time in three outings on Friday, when he surrendered eight runs and nine hits - three homers - over 4 1/3 innings in a loss at Colorado. The 33-year-old Californian also yielded eight runs in a setback at Minnesota on Aug. 8 and is 1-5 with a 6.38 ERA in eight turns away from home this season. Garza has made four career starts against San Francisco, going 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA.

Moore ended his nine-start winless streak on Friday, limiting Philadelphia to two runs and two hits in 7 1/3 innings for his first victory since June 20 at Atlanta. It was the 28-year-old Floridian's longest outing since working the same amount of frames against Cincinnati on May 13 and marked the first time in eight turns he did not serve up a home run. Moore, who will be facing Milwaukee for the first time, has registered three of his four wins in 2017 at home and has an ERA (4.61) at AT&T Park that is more than two runs lower than his road mark (6.71).

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants OF Jarrett Parker went 0-for-5 on Tuesday to end his seven-game hitting streak while OF Hunter Pence was scratched from the starting lineup due to tightness in his left hamstring but appeared as a pinch-hitter.

2. Milwaukee has lost 36 of its last 57 contests at San Francisco.

3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (flexor) and 2B Joe Panik (concussion) began rehab assignments with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, with the former allowing three hits over three scoreless innings and the latter going 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Giants 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (89-35) at Pittsburgh Pirates (60-66)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Dodgers at Pirates
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Although he has not flashed the dominant form of a year ago, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill takes an unbeaten streak of eight straight starts into Wednesday's matchup at the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third of a four-game series. The Dodgers could use a solid outing from Hill after they were forced to go to their bullpen for seven innings Tuesday in an 8-5 win.

Chris Taylor was hitless in six at-bats in the series opener but bounced back with three hits and three RBIs to lift his batting average to .310 as Los Angeles won for the 23rd time in 27 games. Los Angeles, which is one victory shy of reaching 90 for the season, placed 14-game winner Alex Wood and rookie standout Cody Bellinger on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday. Second baseman Josh Harrison is 4-for-9 with four RBIs in the series for Pittsburgh, which has lost eight of 10 to drop eight games behind first-place Chicago in the National League Central. Opposing Hill on Wednesday will be Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams, who was pummeled by the Dodgers in his first start of the season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (9-4, 3.54 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (5-6, 4.71)

Hill lasted only five innings at Detroit on Friday but improved to 5-0 since July 1 by limiting the Tigers to three runs on six hits. The 37-year-old has made it through six innings once in his last four turns, a span in which he has surrendered five home runs -- one more than he allowed in 20 starts last year. Hill has made eight career starts against Pittsburgh, posting a 3-1 record and 3.69 ERA.

Williams matched his worst start of the year when he was rocked for eight runs and seven hits in three innings by the St. Louis Cardinals -- identical numbers to his line in a drubbing at the hands of the Dodgers in Los Angeles on May 8. He also lost his previous turn at Toronto on Aug. 12, giving up four runs over six innings. Taylor went 2-for-2 with a grand slam against Williams in early May.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS Corey Seager is riding an 11-game hitting streak.

2. Pittsburgh's bullpen took a hit when RHP George Kontos and RHP Joaquin Benoit went on the disabled list Tuesday.

3. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez became the 11th active player to reach 2,000 hits.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Pirates 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Miami Marlins (62-62) at Philadelphia Phillies (45-79)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Marlins at Phillies
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Miami Marlins haven't been shy about keeping the scoreboard operator busy, recording 64 runs en route to winning nine of their last 11 games. After erupting for 19 runs on 27 hits to sweep Tuesday's doubleheader, the Marlins aim for their fourth straight victory overall on Wednesday when they play the third contest of their four-game series versus the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Marcell Ozuna belted a two-run homer in both Miami's 12-8 victory in the opener as well as a 7-4 triumph in the nightcap to give him seven hits in his last four games overall and eight RBIs in his last six contests. Fellow outfielder Christian Yelich went deep in the nightcap to cap a four-hit performance in the doubleheader and has recorded multi-hit performances in six of his last 11 encounters. The teams combined for 14 homers on Tuesday, with Philadelphia's Tommy Joseph and Andres Blanco going deep in both contests. Rookie Rhys Hoskins went deep in the opener and has six homers in his last nine games overall.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (2-1, 4.11 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (1-3, 4.38)

Nicolino's last encounter versus Philadelphia on May 30 lasted just three innings as he bruised his left index finger while attempting to bunt. The 25-year-old has found his groove in his last two outings, winning consecutive trips to the mound for the first time since April 27-May 3, 2016 while surrendering a total of two earned runs on 12 hits in 10 1/3 innings. Nicolino allowed one run on six hits across five innings in a 3-1 triumph over the New York Mets on Friday.

Leiter will look to notch his first win in two months when he takes the mound on Wednesday. The 26-year-old fell to 0-3 in his last seven outings on Aug. 15 after getting shelled for eight runs on seven hits - including two homers - in an 8-4 setback at San Diego. Leiter hasn't fared well versus Miami this season, yielding six runs on as many hits in 2 1/3 innings over three appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton has two homers, five RBIs and two runs scored during his three-game hitting streak.

2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis is 0-for-12 with three strikeouts in his last three contests after collecting seven hits in his previous four.

3. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto had four hits in the doubleheader Tuesday after mustering five in his previous 10 games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: New York Yankees (67-57) at Detroit Tigers (54-70)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Yankees at Tigers
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Aaron Judge made a loud statement over the first half of the season by delivering a series of tape-measure home runs, but he finally brought a quiet end to another noteworthy streak. Having snapped a string of 37 games with at least one strikeout, Judge and the visiting New York Yankees continue a three-game set at the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Teammate Gary Sanchez stole Judge's thunder in the series opener with a pair of homers, including a mammoth 493-foot homer to ignite a 13-4 drubbing of Detroit and keep the Yankees within 4 1/2 games of first-place Boston in the American League East. Third baseman Todd Frazier is heating up after a 1-for-18 tailspin, going 6-for-13 with two homers, a triple, five RBIs and six runs scored in the past four games. Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos ended a 12-game homer drought with a pair of blasts, including an inside-the-parker, as Detroit fell to 1-7 in the past eight games. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will attempt to beat New York for the second time in three weeks when he faces Luis Severino, who has permitted one earned run or fewer in six of his last seven starts.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (10-5, 3.18 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-10, 5.87 ERA)

Severino bounced back from his worst outing of the year with a solid effort at the New York Mets last time out, permitting one run on four hits while striking out nine over six innings. He is 5-1 over his last six starts, the lone loss coming when he was battered by Boston for 10 runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings on Aug. 12. Castellanos is 4-for-5 versus Severino, who is 1-1 against Detroit.

Zimmermann's best start of the year came at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 2, when he stymied New York on six hits over seven scoreless innings. He was pummeled for seven runs for the second straight start last time out, also giving up 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zimmermann lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his previous start against Minnesota, but was able to escape with a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees OF Aaron Hicks snapped out of a 1-for-19 funk with a homer and three RBIs, boosting his career-high totals to 13 and 45.

2. Tigers CF Mikie Mahtook is hitless in 12 at-bats over his last three games.

3. Yankees LF Brett Gardner is riding a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Tigers 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Chicago Cubs (67-57) at Cincinnati Reds (53-73)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Slugfests have become the norm when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds go head-to-head. After overpowering the Reds in a high-scoring contest to open their three-game road series, the Cubs aim for their fifth straight victory when the National League Central rivals clash on Wednesday.


The Cubs lead the NL Central by 2 1/2 games over Milwaukee after outslugging the Reds 13-9 in Tuesday’s series opener. The teams have played five times over the last 10 days, scoring an average of 16.2 runs per contest. Mike Montgomery will make a spot start for the Cubs on Wednesday in place of injured ace Jon Lester, and Chicago would settle for seeing him duplicate his performance from Thursday’s relief stint against the Reds. Montgomery allowed three hits over 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Cincinnati’s 13-10 win in Chicago.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (3-6, 3.64 ERA) vs. Reds RH Asher Wojciechowski (3-2, 5.36)

Montgomery has posted a 2.76 ERA in eight relief outings since making his last start on July 19 at Atlanta. The 28-year-old is 2-3 with a 5.13 ERA in eight turns this season and has pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 27 relief appearances. Montgomery is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in nine career games (one start) against Cincinnati.

Wojciechowski was roughed up for seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 frames by the Cubs on Aug. 14 and gave up two runs over two innings of relief on Saturday at Atlanta. The 28-year-old has pitched well at home, going 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in eight appearances (four starts). Wojciechowski has surrendered five home runs in 11 1/3 innings over his last three outings.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant left Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the left hand and will sit out Wednesday, even though X-rays were negative.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez (10-for-25) and OF Adam Duvall (8-for-27) both are riding seven-game hitting streaks.

3. Chicago C Alex Avila is 7-for-16 during his five-game hitting streak.


PREDICTION: Cubs 8, Reds 6

[New York Knight]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (69-57) at New York Mets (54-70)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Diamondbacks at Mets
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dominated the New York Mets of late, winning all five encounters in 2017 and 10 of their last 11 overall dating back to the 2016 season. The visiting Diamondbacks look to continue their good fortune against the Mets on Wednesday when the teams play the third contest of a four-game series at Citi Field.

J.D. Martinez went deep for the third time in six outings with a three-run homer in the first inning of Tuesday's 7-4 victory, increasing his totals to 10 homers and 25 RBIs in 29 games since being acquired by Arizona last month. The Diamondbacks (69-57) have won two straight to move a half-game ahead of sputtering Colorado (68-57) in the race for the National League's top wild-card spot. While Arizona is keeping an eye on the standings, that likely is not the case for free-falling New York after it fell for the eighth time in nine outings to drop a season-worst 16 games below .500. Rookie Amed Rosario belted a solo homer to hit safely for the fifth straight contest and 10th time in 12 outings before adding an RBI triple in the ninth inning on Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (5-6, 3.13 ERA) vs. Mets RH Chris Flexen (2-2, 6.55)

Godley dropped his second straight decision and fell to 2-5 in his last nine outings on Friday after allowing four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at Minnesota. The 27-year-old surrendered two homers for the second time in three trips to the mound, but pitched considerably better in his previous encounter with the Mets. Godley permitted one run on one hit, but saw his pitch count elevate after issuing a season-high five walks in a no-decision versus New York on May 15.

Flexen sustained his first loss in nearly a month on Friday despite working at least five innings for the third straight outing. The 23-year-old has been plagued by a lack of control, as he issued four walks for the third time in five starts in Friday's 3-1 setback versus Miami. Flexen, who will be making his sixth career start overall and first against Arizona, has pitched better at home (1-1, 4.91 ERA) than on the road (1-1, 8.18).

WALK-OFFS

1. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes recorded three singles for the second straight contest of the series and is 9-for-15 with one homer, three RBIs and four runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Arizona C Chris Iannetta is 3-for-6 with two runs scored in the series after going 2-for-17 in his previous six contests.

3. Mets CF Juan Lagares is 0-for-10 with two strikeouts in his last four games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (72-53) at Cleveland Indians (69-55)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Red Sox at Indians
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Having placed two pitchers on the disabled list Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians escaped another injury scare when ace Corey Kluber pronounced himself good to go after suffering a mild ankle sprain in his last start. Kluber looks to win his fifth consecutive start when the Indians resume their four-game set against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

Kluber missed nearly the entire month of May with a back injury, but he has been spectacular since his return, posting a 9-1 record and 1.85 ERA over his last 15 starts. His counterpart Wednesday, left-hander Drew Pomeranz, also had to leave his last start with an injury but carries a six-game winning streak against the team that made him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Red Sox infielder Eduardo Nunez, who had zero homers and one RBI in his previous 11 games, had a three-run shot and knocked in five runs to spark a 9-1 romp that kept Boston 4 1/2 games in front of New York atop the American League East. Francisco Lindor's leadoff homer accounted for the only hit for AL Central-leading Cleveland, which is 4 1/2 games in front of Minnesota.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (12-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (12-3, 2.67)

Pomeranz tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his last start before back spasms led to an abbreviated stint, although he stretched his unbeaten streak to a dozen outings. He has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in nine of those 12 starts and has not lost since June 11. Pomeranz made his lone start at Progressive Field last August, earning the win with 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball.

Kluber was forced to exit his last start in the sixth inning after hurting his ankle covering first base, but he earned the win by giving up one run over 5 1/3 innings at Kansas City. He is 5-0 over his last eight starts, including a scintillating stretch in which he recorded double-digit strikeouts in five straight turns. Mookie Betts is 4-for-10 against Kluber, who is 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. is headed back to Boston for an MRI exam on his left thumb. X-rays after Tuesday's game were negative.

2. The Indians placed LHP Andrew Miller (patellar tendinitis) and RHP Danny Salazar (elbow inflammation) on the 10-day DL.

3. Red Sox C Sandy Leon has seven RBIs over his last five games with an at-bat.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Red Sox 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (59-66) at Tampa Bay Rays (62-65)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Blue Jays at Rays
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Tampa Bay Rays have won back-to-back games for the first time since opening August with three in a row and look to continue their revival when the Toronto Blue Jays visit for the second of three contests Wednesday night. Kevin Kiermaier has given the Rays a boost since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list while going 7-for-17 with a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored in four games.

Tampa Bay, which sits four games back in the race for the American League’s second wild card, has picked it up on offense with 15 runs in the last three games and Wilson Ramos has warmed up with 14 hits in his last seven contests. Right-hander Austin Pruitt tries to keep it going for the Rays and Toronto counters with ace Marcus Stroman, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay in 2017. The Blue Jays are fading out of the AL wild card race with four straight losses to start their road trip after leaving the tying run at third base with one out in Tuesday’s 6-5 setback. Josh Donaldson continued his assault on Rays pitching with a solo homer in the series opener - his seventh blast and 11th RBI against Tampa Bay this year.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, TVA Sports, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (11-6, 2.99 ERA) vs. Rays RH Austin Pruitt (6-4, 5.37)

Stroman boasts three straight quality starts and six in his last eight games overall after limiting Tampa Bay to two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings last Wednesday. The 26-year-old Duke product has given up one home run total in his last 10 outings after surrendering three in back-to-back starts June 17 and 22. Corey Dickerson is 8-for-24 with two homers versus Stroman, who is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rays.

Pruitt registered a career-high seven innings last time out against Seattle, but allowed six runs on 11 hits and two walks in his second straight loss. The 27-year-old rookie had strung together three consecutive quality starts before his last game while permitting four runs and 16 hits over 18 1/3 innings combined in that span. Kevin Pillar homered against Pruitt, who is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three relief outings versus Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pillar was ejected after his first at-bat in Tuesday’s contest and saw his six-game hitting streak (10-for-23) come to an end.

2. Tampa Bay 1B-DH Lucas Duda boasts six homers since he was acquired on July 28 - the most of anyone on the club in that stretch.

3. Toronto RF Jose Bautista has 31 career homers in 152 games versus the Rays, but is just 9-for-55 with 21 strikeouts against them in 2017.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (64-63) at Atlanta Braves (56-68)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mariners at Braves
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Nick Markakis may find himself playing for somebody other than the Atlanta Braves in 2018, but the right fielder continues to produce offensively as they close out a three-game home series Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Markakis extended his hitting streak to four games with two hits, including his eighth homer of the season and two RBIs, in Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Seattle, and enters the series finale batting .284.

Markakis has one year remaining on the four-year, $44-million deal he signed before the 2015 season, but could be expendable heading into the winter with top prospect Ronald Acuna likely to push for a spot on the big-league roster next spring. The Mariners remain focused on this season, sitting two games out of the final American League wild card spot, but being in the midst of a 12-game, 7,500-mile road trip might be catching up to them. Seattle committed two errors Tuesday after making four in the series opener, and its bullpen allowed two unearned runs in Tuesday’s defeat. Catcher Mike Zunino recorded two of the Mariners’ five hits, raising his average to .310 in his past 11 contests.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (5-4, 4.52 ERA) vs. Braves RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 3.98)

Ramirez made 26 appearances (including eight starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the Mariners on July 28, and the 27-year-old has provided a boost for Seattle’s injury-riddled rotation. He is 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four starts since the trade, walking only three in 20 1/3 innings but allowing five homers (none in his past two starts). Ramirez earned his first victory in his second stint with the Mariners on Friday, holding the Rays to one run on two hits in six innings, six days after giving up one run on three hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Dickey, who turns 43 in October, continues making a strong case for the Braves to pick up his $8 million option for 2018. He won his first two starts in August -giving up four runs on 10 hits in 13 innings - before losing to Cincinnati on Friday after allowing four runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out a season-high nine but allowing three homers. Dickey has been outstanding in his past 11 starts, posting a 2.45 ERA with a .238 opponents batting average while striking out 59 and walking 22 in 69 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz got the start in right field Tuesday, making just his fifth appearance in the outfield this season.

2. Atlanta rookie 2B Ozzie Albies has at least one hit in five of his past six games, hitting .348 in that stretch with two doubles and three triples.

3. The Mariners were shut out for the 10th time this season Tuesday, while Atlanta recorded its fifth shutout of the year.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Mariners 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (75-48) at Houston Astros (76-49)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Nationals at Astros
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Washington Nationals look to continue their domination of Houston when they visit the Astros on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Washington recorded a 4-3 victory in the series opener to beat Houston for the ninth straight time and 13th in their last 14 meetings.

Matt Wieters slugged a two-run homer and Howie Kendrick contributed a two-run triple as Washington maintained its 13 1/2-game lead over Miami in the National League East. The Nationals are 4-1 during their seven-game road trip and have won nine of their last 12 overall contests. The Astros have dropped back-to-back games and are just 7-13 this month despite running away with the American League West. AL batting leader Jose Altuve (.358) is hitless in seven at-bats in the consecutive defeats after recording two hits in five of the previous seven contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (4-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (7-8, 4.32)

Jackson has won back-to-back starts, allowing just two runs over 13 innings. The 33-year-old journeyman has posted a solid 1.11 WHIP in six starts for the Nationals and has struck out 29 while issuing only eight walks. Jackson is 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Astros, with his most-recent outing coming in 2012.

Fiers has been torched regularly over his last five starts while going 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA. The 32-year-old has served up two homers in each of his last four outings and 30 on the season - the most in his major-league career. Fiers is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros RF George Springer is mired in a nine-game home-run drought and has gone deep once in 48 at-bats this month.

2. Washington RHP Max Scherzer (neck) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday to start against the New York Mets.

3. Houston SS Carlos Correa (thumb) took batting practice on Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 9, Astros 5

[New York Knight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (65-60) at Chicago White Sox (48-76)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Twins at White Sox
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Minnesota Twins continue to showcase power up and down the lineup and hope their bats stay hot when they continue a five-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. With three more home runs in Tuesday's 4-1 victory, the Twins have produced 17 long balls in their last six games and are averaging more than two per contest during their 13-4 run.

The surge has Minnesota holding down a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second wild card in the American League. An unlikely power source has emerged in the Twins' homer-happy stretch, as light-hitting shortstop Jorge Polanco - who had seven career homers in 172 games prior to the series - has gone deep in each of the first three games versus the White Sox. Chicago still had an encouraging night with prospect Lucas Giolito spinning six promising innings in his debut with the rebuilding club. The 23-year-old Giolito will be followed up on the mound by 35-year-old James Shields, who starts Wednesday for the White Sox opposite Minnesota star veteran Ervin Santana.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.33 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (2-4, 5.72)

Santana has a chance to match his best win total since 2010 - when he won a career-high 17 - after defeating Arizona his last time out. He limited the Diamondbacks to three runs in six innings for his third quality start in four outings this month. The 34-year-old spun 15 scoreless frames over two starts versus Chicago in April but was roughed up for six runs and a season-high 10 hits in five innings in a rematch June 20, which left him 11-8 with a 3.68 ERA lifetime against the White Sox.

Shields entered August with a 6.19 ERA but he's been a bit better this month, tossing back-to-back quality starts before yielding two runs in 5 1/3 innings at Texas on Friday. The California native controlled the Twins through six frames in a solid outing earlier this year and he is 8-8 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 career starts versus Minnesota. Brian Dozier has enjoyed loads of success against Shields, going 12-for-32 with four homers and five doubles.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia has multiple hits in eight of 12 games since coming off the disabled list earlier this month.

2. Twins LF Eddie Rosario also homered Tuesday and has seven RBIs over his last four games.

3. Minnesota has won eight of its last 10 at Chicago.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, White Sox 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Diego Padres (56-69) at St. Louis Cardinals (63-62)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Padres at Cardinals
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Yangervis Solarte is full of life and his team also is showing signs of it as the San Diego Padres look for their sixth win in nine games when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Solarte hit a 455-foot homer and drove in a career-best six runs as the Padres posted a 12-4 victory in the opener of the three-game series.

Solarte recorded three hits for his sixth multi-hit performance of the month to help San Diego break out of an offensive slumber. The Padres scored just six runs over their previous four contests before Solarte registered three extra-base hits, and Austin Hedges launched a three-run homer to ignite the attack. The Cardinals, who have dropped three consecutive contests, sit 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and trail Colorado by five for the second wild-card berth. Jedd Gyorko launched a two-run blast for his seventh homer in seven games against his former employers.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (11-8, 3.98 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (1-1, 3.31)

Chacin is winless in his last three turns, losing the first in the stretch and following up with back-to-back no-decisions. The 29-year-old has struggled on the road with a 4-6 record, 6.90 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 12 starts this season. Chacin is 0-4 with a 5.81 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Cardinals.

Weaver is making his third start of the season as he fills the rotation spot of the injured Adam Wainwright. The youngster, who turned 24 years old on Monday, might be a starter for the rest of the year, and manager Mike Matheny is hoping he will be more economical with his pitches. "If he's going to stay in games deep, he's going to have to get balls on the ground, balls in play, and let the defense work," Matheny told reporters. "He's got strikeout stuff. I think it's really learning, 'I can blow the guy away and it might take six pitches. I'd rather get him in two.'"

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina homered on Tuesday to tie George Hendrick (123) for 17th place on the franchise list.

2. San Diego 1B Wil Myers is 0-for-13 over his last four contests and homerless in his past nine games.

3. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong is hitless in nine at-bats over the last two games after going 17-for-36 with four homers and 12 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Padres 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (68-57) at Kansas City Royals (63-61)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rockies at Royals
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Although the Colorado Rockies have endured pronounced struggles on the road of late, manager Bud Black's club has reason for optimism heading into Wednesday's second contest of a three-game interleague series versus Ian Kennedy and the Kansas City Royals. Kennedy is winless in a franchise-record 15 straight home starts, posting an 0-6 record and 5.98 ERA this season at Kauffman Stadium.

While Kennedy's home woes are evident, the Rockies are singing a sorry tune after mustering just two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 setback that has given them losses in eight of their last 11 overall games and 21 of their last 27 on the road after beginning the season with a 24-11 mark away from home. Nolan Arenado belted a two-run homer to extend his hitting streak to seven games, during which he has gone deep twice with seven RBIs and six runs scored. While Colorado is clinging to a three-game lead over Milwaukee in the race for the second wild-card spot in the National League, Kansas City has won six of nine to reside 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild card. Eric Hosmer drove in a run with a single on Tuesday to give him 12 hits, eight RBIs and six runs scored in his last nine games.


TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (10-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (4-9, 5.06)

Senzatela will assume the spot of the recently demoted Jeff Hoffman to make his first start since Aug. 9. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has recorded two hitless and scoreless relief appearances totaling four innings with five strikeouts. "We got a four-seam fastball, we got a curveball that looks like a four-seam fastball and we got a changeup that looks like a four-seam fastball," bullpen coach Darren Holmes told reporters regarding Senzatela's new pitch selection. "So now we got three pitches that when a hitter looks at, he can't identify what they are."

Kennedy fell to 0-3 in his last four turns on Friday after allowing five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings of a 10-1 shellacking against Cleveland. "I didn't have the fastball," the 32-year-old told reporters. "I didn't have the bite on my breaking balls. It was just a bad game to have it on." Kennedy surrendered a pair of homers for the second straight outing and has yielded five over his last three starts after keeping the ball in the park in each of his previous three trips to the mound.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has recorded three hits in his last two games after going 0-for-19 with five strikeouts in his previous four.

2. Colorado SS Trevor Story has struck out at least once in 24 straight contests.

3. Royals LHP Mike Minor has fanned nine batters in his last three relief appearances (4 2/3 innings).

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Rockies 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (62-63) at Los Angeles Angels (65-61)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rangers at Angels
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Albert Pujols is coming off a productive effort in which he hit an historic homer and strives to have another solid performance when the Los Angeles Angels host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series. Pujols launched career homer No. 610 in Tuesday's 10-1 win to move into eighth place on the all-time list as well as become the leader among foreign-born players.

Pujols' blast, a three-run shot off Rangers rookie Nick Gardewine, broke a tie with Sammy Sosa and leaves him two behind Jim Thome for seventh place. His four-RBI outing helped the Angels win for the 10th time in 13 contests and remain one-half game behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild-card spot. Tuesday's loss was just the fourth in 13 contests for the Rangers, who slipped three games behind the Twins. Texas' Elvis Andrus recorded two hits and is batting .354 in 82 at-bats this month to raise his overall average to .296 as he chases his second consecutive .300 season.

TV: 10:08 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (7-9, 3.31 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (0-0, 9.00)

Cashner did not factor in the decision in his last outing as he gave up three runs - two earned - and six hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. The 30-year-old has struggled on the road this season, going 3-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 turns. Cashner defeated Los Angeles in his lone career start at Angel Stadium on May 27, 2015, when he allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings while with San Diego.

Heaney is making his second start of the season after escaping with a no-decision on Friday, when he surrendered five runs and seven hits over five innings against Baltimore. The 26-year-old just made it back to the majors after undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016. Heaney is 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two career starts (both in 2015) against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels CF Mike Trout was 2-for-4 with three runs scored on Tuesday and is 14-for-29 in eight games against the Rangers this season.

2. Texas INF Joey Gallo (fractured nose) was placed on the 7-day concussion list and INF Phil Gosselin was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.

3. Los Angeles OF Ben Revere (knee) departed Tuesday's contest and his status for Wednesday is uncertain.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rangers 4