Thursday 8-24-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Mets

Amed Rosario is paying dividends this month after pocketing the New York Mets' largest international signing bonus over five years ago. Rosario carries a six-game hitting streak into Thursday afternoon as New York aims for a split of its four-game series versus the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rosario highlighted his second straight two-hit performance with an RBI single in Wednesday's 4-2 victory, giving the Mets just their second win in 10 games overall and second in their last 12 encounters with the Diamondbacks. The 21-year-old Dominican is 9-for-20 during his hitting streak and has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 outings. While the victory may have been cosmetic at best for spiraling New York, the setback was Arizona's 10th in 15 outings as it clings to a half-game lead over Colorado in the race for the top wild-card spot in the National League. Chris Iannetta continues to contribute since fellow catcher Jeff Mathis broke his hand in the opener, belting a solo homer on Wednesday to improve to 4-for-10 with three runs scored in the series.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (9-5, 3.11 ERA) vs. Mets RH Rafael Montero (2-8, 5.47)

Ray returns to the mound for the first time since July 28, when he sustained a concussion and required three staples to close the wound on the left side of his head after being on the receiving end of a line drive. A first-time All-Star this season, Ray permitted two runs on four hits with 11 strikeouts through 4 2/3 innings during his only minor-league rehab start with High-A Visalia. Ray has handcuffed the Mets in his career, posting a 1-0 mark with an 0.53 ERA after allowing just one earned run with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings.

Montero recorded his first win in nearly two months on Saturday after yielding one run on six hits in as many innings of an 8-1 triumph versus Miami. Since being promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 14, the 26-year-old Dominican has notched a 4.53 ERA while striking out 59 and walking 23 in 57 2/3 frames -- a much better performance from the 8.24 ERA he posted in his first 19 2/3 innings this season. Montero had a brief cameo against the Diamondbacks on May 17, surrendering a walk-off solo homer to Chris Hermann in the 11th inning.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona RF David Peralta recorded his third three-hit performance in nine outings on Wednesday.

2. With his next victory, New York's Terry Collins (536) will move past Bobby Valentine for solo possession of second place on the franchise's all-time managerial win list.

3. Diamondbacks SS Ketel Marte is 1-for-18 in his last five games on the heels of a 7-for-16 performance in his previous four.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Marlins at Phillies

Rhys Hoskins has provided a ray of sunshine in what has been an otherwise dark and dreary season for the Philadelphia Phillies. With four homers highlighting his five-game hitting streak, Hoskins looks to continue his positive influence on Thursday afternoon as the Phillies vie for a split of their four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins.

Hoskins belted a three-run shot to highlight a five-run third inning and added a two-run double in the sixth in Wednesday's 8-0 rout. The 24-year-old improved to 7-for-18 with 11 RBIs and six runs scored during his hitting streak for the majors-worst Phillies, who have won three of five overall and are a relatively respectable 5-6 versus the Marlins this season. Miami had been giving the scoreboard operator a workout with 19 runs on 27 hits in Tuesday's doubleheader sweep and 64 runs total during a 9-2 stretch before mustering all of two hits in Wednesday's shutout. Right-hander Vance Worley will face his former team for the fifth time in his career for the Marlins, who reside 5 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second wild-card spot in the National League.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Vance Worley (2-3, 4.82 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Thompson (1-1, 4.20)

Worley continued his sizzling pitching in August on Saturday, but suffered his first loss since registering back-to-back setbacks in late May. The 29-year-old allowed two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-1 defeat at the New York Mets, dropping to 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA this month (22 1/3 innings). Worley will receive his third look at his former team this season, recording a pair of no-decisions despite yielding three runs on seven hits in four innings.

Thompson is expected to be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make Thursday's start with Philadelphia in the midst of playing six games in a five-day stretch due to Tuesday's doubleheader. The 23-year-old was shredded in his last outing with the Phillies on Aug. 2, surrendering seven runs on nine hits - including three homers - in a 7-0 shellacking at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thompson will be making his 16th career appearance and 13th start on Thursday, albeit his first versus Miami.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami SS Miguel Rojas, who had one of his team's two hits on Wednesday, has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 contests in which he recorded an official plate appearance.

2. Philadelphia SS Pedro Florimon is 6-for-14 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

3. Marlins 3B Derek Dietrich's disastrous series continued as he struck out twice on Wednesday to increase his total to eight in the series and 12 over his last six games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 8, Phillies 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Blue Jays at Rays

Josh Donaldson won’t be pleased by the conclusion of the season series between the two American League East rivals when his Toronto Blue Jays visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon for the rubber match of a three-game set. Donaldson is 16-for-43 with 12 runs scored, 13 RBIs and eight homers against Tampa Bay in 2017 after belting a two-run shot in Wednesday’s 7-6 triumph that ended a four-game slide.

Donaldson has homered 12 times and knocked in 25 runs in his last 21 contests overall to keep Toronto on the fringes of the AL wild-card race, but the Blue Jays need a major surge to leap over the seven teams in front of them. Tom Koehler, acquired from Miami on Saturday for a minor leaguer, gets his first start for Toronto on Thursday and fellow right-hander Alex Cobb comes off the disabled list to pitch for the Rays. Tampa Bay rallied from five runs down to tie Wednesday, but could not finish the job and win its third straight game for the first time since the beginning of August. Kevin Kiermaier belted two homers in the loss and has been red hot since coming off the disabled list with 10 hits in 21 at-bats, including three blasts and six RBIs.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Tom Koehler (1-5, 7.92 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (9-8, 3.80)

Koehler makes his club debut in place of lefty J.A. Happ, who was moved back to Friday, and aims for his first win since April 23 against San Diego. The 31-year-old New York native has allowed 15 homers over 12 starts in 2017 after giving up 22 in each of the previous two seasons with the Marlins while averaging 32 ½ outings. Wilson Ramos is 6-for-20 and Corey Dickerson 3-for-6 versus Koehler, who is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Rays.

Cobb makes his first start since Aug. 5 due to a toe injury and has permitted three or fewer runs in nine of his last 11 outings. The 29-year-old Boston native lost despite giving up one run and five hits with six strikeouts versus Milwaukee in his last start and suffered the setback against Toronto on May 7 while yielding two runs over eight frames. Cobb, who is 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA lifetime versus the Blue Jays, has handled Justin Smoak (0-for-11) and Jose Bautista (3-for-15).

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramos is 12-for-20 during a five-game hitting streak and boasts 16 hits (two homers) in his last eight contests.

2. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar launched the tie-breaking homer Wednesday and is 11-for-28 in his last eight games.

3. Rays RHP Alex Colome leads the majors with 37 saves and his next will top his career high that he set in 2016.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Blue Jays 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Yankees at Tigers

Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2016 but he's mired in a full-fledged sophomore slump entering the finale of a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Thursday afternoon. Fulmer has lost five consecutive starts, including a rocky outing at Yankee Stadium on July 31.

While Fulmer looks to end his drought against New York's high-powered offense, left-hander Jaime Garcia remains in search of his first win since he was shipped to the Yankees at the trade deadline. Garcia's batterymate, Gary Sanchez, burst onto the scene a year ago by matching the record for the fastest major leaguer to reach 20 homers in his career. Sanchez is in the midst of another power surge, going 5-for-11 with three homers and seven RBIs in a pair of lopsided wins for New York, which remains 4 1/2 games back of first-place Boston in the American League East. Detroit has been outscored 25-6 in the series to fall to 1-8 over its last nine games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jaime García (5-8, 4.52 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (10-11, 3.60)

Garcia picked up his second straight no-decision at the New York Mets a week ago, permitting three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in his third start for the Yankees. He worked 5 2/3 frames at Boston in his previous turn, giving up three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old Garcia has surrendered three homers in his last two starts after not allowing one in his previous five turns.

Fulmer deserved a better fate last time out after working seven strong innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing one unearned run and three hits over seven frames. He was hit hard in his previous two turns, giving up five runs in five innings at Texas and seven runs over six innings versus the Yankees. Fulmer has limited Todd Frazier to 4-for-17, but Chase Headley is 3-for-5 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Sanchez has seven homers and 17 RBIs over his last nine games.

2. Tigers SS José Iglesias is 4-for-7 with a homer in the series.

3. Yankees 2B Ronald Torreyes is 6-for-7 in the series after tying a career best with four hits Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Tigers 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Rockies at Royals

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is giving the home fans a thrill in the midst of an impressive 10-game stretch while the Colorado Rockies can't find a sliver of happiness away from Coors Field. Fresh off belting a three-run, walk-off homer, Hosmer looks to lead the host Royals to a three-game interleague series sweep over the struggling Rockies on Thursday afternoon.

Hosmer drove in four runs for the second time during his last 10 games, during which the 27-year-old is 15-for-35 with three homers, 12 RBIs and seven runs scored. Kansas City has won three straight and seven of 10 following Wednesday's 6-4 victory to move within five games of American League Central-leading Cleveland and a half-game behind Minnesota for the second wild card. While things are looking up for the Royals, the Rockies have dropped four in a row overall and 23 of their last 29 on the road to reside a half-game in back of Arizona for the top wild card in the National League and three in front of Milwaukee. Nolan Arenado has flexed his muscles during the first two contests of the series, extending his hitting streak to eight games by belting a home run in consecutive outings.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (10-5, 4.24 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jake Junis (5-2, 4.99)

Marquez improved to 5-1 in his last eight outings on Friday despite surrendering a career-high three homers in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-4 victory versus Milwaukee. The 22-year-old Venezuelan joined Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland as rookie pitchers with double-digit wins, marking a first in franchise history for Colorado. Marquez has been taken deep nine times in his last nine games after yielding six homers in his previous 12.

Junis looks to shake off a disastrous relief appearance versus Cleveland on Friday and resume his winning ways. The 24-year-old had won three straight decisions before permitting four runs on five hits over 2 1/3 innings against the Indians. Junis is getting an extended look while fellow right-hander Trevor Cahill deals with right shoulder impingement syndrome.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado CF Charlie Blackmon has heated up with the temperatures, following his month of July in which he batted .370 with three hits on Wednesday to improve his sizzling August batting average to .380.

2. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield collected a career-high four hits on Wednesday and has seven in his last three games after a disastrous 0-for-19 stretch.

3. Colorado 1B Mark Reynolds is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in the series.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Rockies 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Dodgers at Pirates

Hyun-Jin Ryu opened the season by losing his first four starts, but he has gone more than 2 1/2 months without tasting defeat in helping the Los Angeles Dodgers turn the National League pennant race into a runaway. Ryu carries a nine-start unbeaten streak into Thursday afternoon's finale of a four-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ryu will have an impossible act to follow after teammate Rich Hill lost a perfect game on an error in the ninth inning before losing his no-hit bid and the game on Josh Harrison's walk-off homer to lead off the 10th. Shortstop Corey Seager extended his hitting streak to 12 games by going 3-for-5 for Los Angeles, which lost for only the fifth time in 28 games. Harrison's dramatic blast made him 5-for-13 with two homers, two doubles and five RBIs in the series, keeping Pittsburgh eight games back of NL Central-leading Chicago and 7 1/2 out of the second wild card. In winning for only the third time in 11 games, the Pirates became the second team in league history to post a walk-off victory in extra innings on its only hit of the game.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-6, 3.45 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (6-8, 4.52)

Victories continue to elude Ryu, who has earned only one win over his last seven turns despite surrendering a combined nine runs in that span. The 30-year-old South Korean had to settle for another no-decision last time out despite blanking Detroit on three hits over five innings -- the third time in four starts he did not allow a run. Ryu has posting a 2.79 ERA in winning all three starts versus Pittsburgh.

Kuhl went more than two months without a victory after winning his season debut, but he has turned things around by posting a 5-2 record over the past two months. The former Delaware product stymied St. Louis on one run and three hits over five innings last time out to win for the third time in four starts. Kuhl took the loss at Dodger Stadium on May 10 by giving up four runs on six hits over five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harrison is 11-for-30 with four homers and eight RBIs over his past seven games.

2. Seager has his safely in all six games versus Pittsburgh this season, going 9-for-27.

3. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli (wrist) took batting practice Wednesday and is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Pirates 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Red Sox at Indians

Chris Sale has yet to lose back-to-back starts and he'll need to beat the team that was responsible for his worst outing of the season to keep that streak intact. Sale looks to atone for a rocky performance versus Cleveland on Aug. 1 when he takes the mound for the Boston Red Sox in Thursday's finale of a four-game set against the host Indians.

A 14-game winner in his first year with Boston, Sale normally takes top billing for the Red Sox, although he will have to share the stage with newcomer Rajai Davis. Boston acquired the outfielder from Oakland on Wednesday, just hours after learning that center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. suffered a sprained ligament in his left thumb in Tuesday's game. The Red Sox own a 4 1/2-game lead in the American League East -- the same margin Cleveland enjoys atop the AL Central despite being outscored 15-2 in the last two games of the series. The Indians will look to right-hander Trevor Bauer for a solid outing to help a patchwork lineup, minus four injured starters, that managed only three hits in Wednesday's 6-1 setback

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (14-5, 2.62 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (12-8, 4.50)

Sale, who allowed four runs in a loss to the Yankees last time out, was roughed up for a season-high seven runs over five innings in a no-decision versus the Indians earlier this month. Prior to the loss versus New York, he was 3-0 and registered 63 strikeouts in six starts since the All-Star break. Francisco Lindor is 9-for-19 and Edwin Encarnacion 6-for-16 against Sale, who is 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA against Cleveland.

Bauer improved to 5-0 over his last seven appearances (six starts) by tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings at Kansas City, which came two days after he was used for two-thirds of an inning in relief. He beat Boston at Fenway Park on Aug. 14, giving up three runs on three solo homers while striking out 11 batters. That win left Bauer with a 1-2 record and 8.79 ERA in four appearances (three starts) versus Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Encarnacion has four homers against Boston this season.

2. Red Sox 3B Eduardo Nunez is 4-for-9 with two homers and seven RBIs in the past two games.

3. The Indians placed 2B Jason Kipnis on the disabled list but are hopeful 1B Carlos Santana can rejoin the lineup Thursday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Indians 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Cubs at Reds

The Chicago Cubs are taking full advantage of a soft spot in their schedule and beating up on last-place teams. The Cubs have gone 7-2 thus far during a stretch of 13 straight games against cellar dwellers, and they’ll try to complete a three-game road sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.

The Cubs ran their winning streak to five games and bumped their National League Central lead to 3 1/2 games over Milwaukee with a 9-3 win Wednesday. The Reds have lost three straight following a three-game winning streak, and their struggling pitching staff has surrendered at least eight runs in four consecutive contests. The teams have met six times over the past 10 days, and the Cubs have scored seven or more runs in five of them. Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta looks to beat the Reds for the third time in as many meetings this season when he opposes rookie righty Sal Romano.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (13-8, 3.63 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (3-5, 5.32)

Arrieta is 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, and he has earned the win in his last three outings. The 31-year-old allowed two or fewer earned runs in all seven starts since the break and beat Toronto last time out with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Arrieta is 7-2 with a 3.32 ERA in nine career starts against the Reds.

Romano snapped a string of three straight losses last time out, turning in one of his best big-league starts yet to win at Atlanta. The 23-year-old held the Braves to one run and five hits over seven innings for his first quality start since tossing six innings of one-run ball to beat Miami on July 23. Romano is 1-3 with a 6.63 ERA in four starts at home.


WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago is 25-12 since the All-Star break and is averaging 5.9 runs per game over that stretch.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 11-for-29 with four homers during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Cubs C Alex Avila is 8-for-20 during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Padres at Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are trying to pull out of their recent tailspin and remain in the National League Central race. After snapping a three-game skid, the Cardinals look to take the rubber match of their three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday.


The Cardinals evened the series with a 6-2 win Wednesday, but they’ve still lost six of nine games since pulling into a tie atop the division on Aug. 12 - slipping 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the process. Luke Weaver struck out 10 over seven dominant innings Wednesday to help the Cardinals snap a streak of 12 straight games allowing five or more runs. St. Louis ace Carlos Martinez squares off against Luis Perdomo in a matchup of Dominican right-handers in the finale. The Cardinals have won seven of the last eight meetings with San Diego dating to last season.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Luis Perdomo (6-8, 4.93 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (10-9, 3.57)

Perdomo has lost his last two starts and three of his last four. The 24-year-old has only three quality starts over his last nine outings, and his defense let him down while allowing at least two unearned runs in two of them. Perdomo’s only appearance against the Cardinals was a relief stint last season in which he allowed three runs and four hits over one inning.

Martinez has won his last three starts and four of his last five, and he’s 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break. The 25-year-old recorded his third straight quality start Friday at Pittsburgh, allowing three runs over seven innings. Martinez is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in six games (three starts) against the Padres.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong (11-for-26) and C Yadier Molina (10-for-24) are riding six-game hitting streaks.

2. The Padres are 50-1 when leading after eight innings and 2-60 when trailing after eight.

3. St. Louis 3B Jedd Gyorko has at least one RBI in eight straight games against San Diego with seven homers and 16 RBIs in those contests.


PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Padres 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Twins at White Sox

The Minnesota Twins will try to recover from a difficult walk-off loss and claim a series win when they finish a five-game set at the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Due in large part to Jorge Polanco's fourth home run in as many games, the Twins built a 3-1 lead in the middle innings Wednesday night before the White Sox chipped away.

An RBI double by Yoan Moncada tied it in the eighth and Tim Anderson won it 4-3 with an RBI single in the ninth, handing Minnesota only its second loss in the last eight games. Polanco's remarkable surge after homering three times in his first 94 games this year has given him six blasts in 14 career games at Chicago, compared to one in 86 career contests at Target Field in Minneapolis. He also singled in a run Wednesday for the Twins, who own a half-game lead for the American League's second wild card. Jose Berrios gets the nod in the finale for Minnesota opposite veteran Derek Holland for the White Sox.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-5, 3.99 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Derek Holland (6-13, 6.28)

Berrios bounced back from a pair of difficult starts to spin seven scoreless and defeat Arizona his last time out. It was his first scoreless outing since May 18 and the two hits allowed tied a season low for the 23-year-old. He defeated the White Sox with eight strong frames June 21 at home and is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA through two career meetings with the division rivals.

Holland was used in relief earlier in the series and was charged with three runs while retiring one batter, which left him with a 9.64 ERA against the Twins this year. He gave up seven runs and failed to complete three innings in each of his last two starts versus Minnesota and has just one quality start since the beginning of July. The 30-year-old, who is one loss away from setting a career high, has issued 39 walks in 64 1/3 innings at home in 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox LF/DH Nicky Delmonico reached base safely in 20 of his first 21 career games.

2. Minnesota recalled RHP John Curtiss from Triple-A Rochester and designated RHP Tim Melville.

3. White Sox 3B Matt Davidson (wrist) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, White Sox 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Nationals at Astros

As the Washington Nationals await the return of one star right-hander, they will look for a solid outing from another when Stephen Strasburg goes opposite Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel on Thursday in the finale of a three-game interleague series in Texas. Strasburg will be making his second start since coming back from an elbow issue, looking to build upon a positive return when he allowed two runs and four hits over six innings at San Diego on Saturday.

While Strasburg returns to form, fellow All-Star Max Scherzer (neck) will not rejoin the rotation Friday at home against the New York Mets as the club had hoped. The Astros ended a nine-game losing streak against Washington with Wednesday's 6-1 victory in this matchup of division leaders, riding seven innings of one-run ball by Mike Fiers and three home runs in their best offensive effort in a week. Houston's All-Star shortstop, Carlos Correa, is slated to begin a rehab assignment Thursday as he works his way back from thumb surgery.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 3.24 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (11-2, 2.58)

Strasburg has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven road starts and is 7-2 with a 2.43 ERA away from home. He is 10-3 with a 3.06 mark in 19 interleague starts and allowed three runs in nine innings over his two prior encounters with the Astros. The 29-year-old will be making his first career appearance in Minute Maid Park.

Keuchel was rocked for eight runs in four innings at the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 8, but he has recovered in fine fashion with back-to-back impressive wins. He first let up a run in 6 2/3 frames to win at Texas and returned home to blank Oakland over seven innings on Friday. The former Cy Young Award winner, who sports the best ERA in the AL among pitchers with at least 100 innings, has a 5.73 ERA in two career starts versus Washington and will be wary of Howie Kendrick (8-for-18, one home run against Keuchel) and Ryan Zimmerman (4-for-6, two doubles).

WALK-OFFS

1. Kendrick had two more hits Wednesday to bump his average to .348 since joining Washington last month.

2. Astros 3B Alex Bregman had a three-run blast Wednesday and is batting .335 with eight homers and 25 RBIs since July 4.

3. Scherzer, who went on the disabled list on Friday (retroactive to Aug. 15), is hoping to throw a bullpen in the next day or two.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, Nationals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Rangers at Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have long brought out the best in Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre, and that trend has continued during this week’s series at Angel Stadium. After giving up three homers to the slugger in the past three days, Los Angeles may tread lightly around Beltre on Thursday in the finale of a four-game series between the two American League wild card contenders.

Beltre blasted two solo homers in Wednesday’s 7-5, 10-inning victory as the Rangers won for the seventh time in their last 10 contests and moved two games behind Minnesota for the AL’s second wild-card spot. Beltre has 45 homers and 158 RBIs in his illustrious career against the Angels, who have dropped two of the first three games of the series and sit one-half game back of the Twins. Los Angeles third baseman Luis Valbuena, who belted his 10th home run since the All-Star break and had four RBIs on Thursday, figures to remain in the lineup even when Yunel Escobar (oblique strain) returns next week. “Escobar is obviously going to play third,” manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. “We’ll move some guys around and get bats in the lineup that we think are going to help us. I don’t think it’s going to be a bad thing when you have some depth materialize.”

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (8-10, 5.26 ERA) vs. Angels RH Troy Scribner (2-0, 3.46)

Perez received ample support Saturday against the Chicago White Sox and won his third straight start despite allowing six runs over six innings. The 26-year-old has gone 3-4 with a 6.86 ERA in his last seven starts since July 19. Kole Calhoun is 4-for-19 against Perez, who is 2-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) against Los Angeles, including 1-3 with a 5.47 ERA in four outings at Angel Stadium.

Scribner will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start in place of JC Ramirez, who is out indefinitely with a right elbow strain. The 26-year-old rookie made his second career start on Aug. 9 against Baltimore, allowing one run with no walks over five frames in a 5-1 victory. The younger brother of Seattle reliever Evan Scribner, Troy owns an 11-4 record and 4.35 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) for Salt Lake this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas has gone 2-8 in its last 10 games when not hitting a home run.

2. Angels OF Ben Revere, who left Tuesday’s game after fouling a ball off his leg, is expected to miss Thursday’s series finale but could return this weekend.

3. Texas INF Joey Gallo (fractured nose) said he expects to be activated from the seven-day concussion list when eligible Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB roundup: Pirates ruin Hill's no-hit bid with walk-off HR
August 23, 2017

PITTSBURGH -- Josh Harrison ended Rich Hill's no-hit bid with a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, giving the Pittsburgh Pirates a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Harrison lifted a 2-1 pitch over the left-field wall. After Hill (9-5) began with eight perfect innings, third baseman Logan Forsythe committed an error with no outs in the ninth, allowing Jordy Mercer to reach. Hill threw 99 pitches, 75 of them strikes.

Josh Bell nearly broke up the no-hit attempt twice earlier. In the second inning, he was called safe when he seemingly beat first baseman Adrian Gonzalez's throw to Hill. After a challenge, however, the call was reversed.

Then, in the eighth inning, Bell sharply struck a ball toward center field, but second baseman Chase Utley robbed him with a diving catch.

Royals 6, Rockies 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Hosmer's three-run walk-off homer with two outs in the ninth inning lifted Kansas City over Colorado.

Hosmer's blast with Alex Gordon and Melky Cabrera aboard came off former Royals closer Greg Holland (2-5). The first baseman ripped a 1-1 offering out to right for his first career walk-off home run.

Brandon Maurer (3-5) worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the victory. Kansas City's Whit Merrifield went 4-for-5, matching his career-high in hits. Hosmer added three hits.

Red Sox 6, Indians 1

CLEVELAND -- Mitch Moreland and Eduardo Nunez homered, and four Boston pitchers combined for a three-hitter in defeating Cleveland.

Moreland hit a solo home run off Corey Kluber in the fifth inning, and Nunez belted a two-run shot off Bryan Shaw in Boston's four-run ninth. The Indians' Edwin Encarnacion homered in the eighth off reliever Addison Reed.

Drew Pomeranz (13-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up two hits, with nine strikeouts and four walks. Joe Kelly, Reed and Craig Kimbrel followed Pomeranz to the mound. Kluber (12-4) struck out 12 and allowed two runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Astros 6, Nationals 1

HOUSTON -- Mike Fiers produced his best start in more than a month, and Jake Marisnick, Max Stassi and Alex Bregman hit home runs as Houston topped Washington.

After allowing at least three runs and two homers in each of his previous four starts, Fiers (8-8) surrendered one run, four hits and one walk in seven innings. It marked his longest outing since he worked seven innings in consecutive starts in mid-July.

Marisnick belted his 15th home run of the season with one out in the fifth inning off the Nationals' Edwin Jackson, giving the Astros a 2-1 lead.

Cubs 9, Reds 3

CINCINNATI -- Kyle Schwarber hit a three-run homer and Tommy La Stella added a two-run shot as Chicago won its fifth straight.

Mike Montgomery (4-6) allowed four hits in six shutout innings. The Cubs played without third baseman Kris Bryant, who was hit on the hand by a pitch during the ninth inning on Tuesday night. He was replaced by La Stella, who reached base four times.

The Reds' Joey Votto hit a solo homer in the ninth, his 33rd homer of the season, off Hector Rondon. Cincinnati wasn't finished with Rondon, who allowed back-to-back homers by Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler before recording the final out.

Yankees 10, Tigers 2

DETROIT -- Gary Sanchez continued his power surge with his third homer in two games as New York rolled past Detroit.

Sanchez hit a solo homer in the first inning and added a two-run single in the third. He has homered in six of the past nine games, and he has nine long balls over the past 14 contests, giving him 26 for the season.

Luis Severino (11-5) collected a victory for the sixth time in his last seven starts. He limited the Tigers to one run on six hits and a walk while striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays 7, Rays 6

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Toronto hit six home runs, five of them solo, and Kevin Pillar's shot in the eighth inning gave Toronto the victory over Tampa Bay.

The teams combined for nine home runs, matching the most in a Rays game. Tampa Bay came back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game in the seventh, only to leave the bases loaded and see the Blue Jays snap a four-game losing streak.

Kevin Kiermaier hit two home runs for the Rays while Justin Smoak hit his 34th of the season for Toronto.

Cardinals 6, Padres 2

ST. LOUIS -- Luke Weaver pitched seven shutout innings, tying a career high with 10 strikeouts, as St. Louis subdued San Diego.

Making only his third start of the year, Weaver (2-1) permitted three hits and one walk, throwing 69 of his 99 pitches for strikes. His outing allowed the Cardinals to snap a 12-game streak of allowing opponents to score at least five runs.

Kolten Wong, moved to the leadoff spot with Matt Carpenter sidelined with a virus, sparked the offense by going 3-for-5 with three runs and two steals. Jedd Gyorko added two RBI singles.

Mets 4, Diamondbacks 2

NEW YORK -- Chris Flexen tossed a career-high six innings, and fellow rookies Brandon Nimmo and Dominic Smith combined to score all four runs in New York's victory over Arizona.

Flexen (3-2), making his sixth career start, allowed two runs, six hits and four walks while striking out five. Nimmo, who has played every day since Curtis Granderson was traded Friday, reached base in all four plate appearances via three walks and a double.

Smith, who became the Mets' everyday first baseman upon his promotion Aug. 11, walked and scored in the fourth on a single by shortstop Amed Rosario -- another rookie who has played full-time since he was recalled Aug. 1. Smith later homered in the sixth.

Orioles 8, Athletics 7 (12 innings)

BALTIMORE -- Zach Britton's American League record streak of consecutive saves ended at 60, but Baltimore still emerged with a victory over Oakland on a game-winning homer by Manny Machado in the 12th inning.

The Athletics' Marcus Semien went 3-for-5 with an RBI double in the sixth and a single in the ninth that cut the Orioles' lead to 7-6 off Britton. One batter later, Matt Joyce tied the game on a sacrifice fly. Britton had not blown a save since Sept. 20, 2015.

Machado provided the victory when he led off the 12th with a shot that barely cleared the center-field wall off Simon Castro (1-2). Miguel Castro (3-1) picked up the win by throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Mariners 9, Braves 6

ATLANTA -- Kyle Seager had three hits, including a three-run homer that highlighted a five-run eighth-inning rally, to propel Seattle past Atlanta.

The Mariners entered the eighth trailing 6-5 and rallied against Jim Johnson, who allowed each of the four batters he faced to reach base. Seager then greeted rookie reliever Dan Winkler with an opposite-field homer that bounced off the top of the wall.

Seattle's Erasmo Ramirez gave up three runs and six hits and struck out six, matching his season high, in six innings. It marked his third straight quality start. He also went 2-for-3, becoming the fourth pitcher in franchise history to collect two hits in a game.

White Sox 4, Twins 3

CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson lined a single to left to score Avisail Garcia with the winning run as Chicago claimed a walk-off victory over Minnesota.

The White Sox shortstop sent a 1-0 pitch from Trevor Hildenberger (2-2) with one out in the ninth inning for his first career game-ending hit. Danny Farquhar (3-2) worked a scoreless inning for the victory.

Garcia led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to right and reached second on Kevan Smith's sacrifice bunt. An intentional walk to Yolmer Sanchez set the stage for Anderson.

Giants 4, Brewers 2

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jarrett Parker's check-swing, two-run double broke a seventh-inning tie and sent San Francisco past Milwaukee.

Matt Moore pitched six strong innings before handing off the ball to the bullpen, helping the Giants win for a second time in the three-game series against the playoff-contending Brewers. The loss dropped Milwaukee to 3-3 on its nine-game Western swing.

Pinch hitter Denard Span's one-out double down the right-field line against Jacob Barnes (3-4), the third Brewers pitcher, got the decisive seventh inning rolling for the Giants.

Phillies 8, Marlins 0

PHILADELPHIA -- A three-run homer by rookie slugger Rhys Hoskins punctuated a five-run third inning as Philadelphia backed a terrific outing by Mark Leiter Jr. with a well-rounded offensive performance en route to victory over Miami.

Leiter (2-3) carried a no-hitter through five innings, a second-inning walk to Marcell Ozuna his only blemish until Miguel Rojas doubled to lead off the sixth. The son of 11-year major league veteran Mark Leiter recorded the best of his five major league starts, going seven innings for the first time while giving up one hit and two walks. He struck out five.

Hoskins added a two-run double and has seven home runs and 16 RBIs in his first 14 games -- the most in that span in club history.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB notebook: Cardinals' Rosenthal needs Tommy John surgery
August 23, 2017

St. Louis Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal is in need of Tommy John surgery on his injured pitching elbow and will miss the rest of the regular season, the team announced Wednesday.

Cardinals general manager Mike Girsch told reporters that Rosenthal will undergo the surgery next week. The team had transferred the right-hander from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL earlier in the day.

Rosenthal had been placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with what was called "right posterior elbow irritation."

In 50 games this season, Rosenthal is 3-4 with a 3.40 ERA and 11 saves. He converted seven straight saves from July 28 through Aug. 12.

--New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz underwent season-ending surgery on his left elbow. The purpose of the operation was to reposition a compressed nerve in his elbow.

Manager Terry Collins announced on Monday that Matz was headed to the disabled list, but did not specify the problem at that time.

Matz, 26, began the season on the disabled list and has been struggling since his return, posting a 2-7 mark with a 6.08 ERA. He is 0-6 with a 10.19 ERA in his last eight starts.

He is expected to be ready for Opening Day in 2018.

--Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, the team announced.

Kipnis is the third Indians' player to be placed on the disabled list in the last two days, joining All-Star reliever Andrew Miller (right knee tendinitis) and right-hander Danny Salazar (sore right elbow).

The 30-year-old Kipnis, who is headed to the disabled list for the third time this season, had just returned two weeks ago from a month-long stint on the DL. Infielder Erik Gonzalez was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take the roster spot of Kipnis, who is batting .228 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs in 79 games this season.

--The Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb, the team announced.

To fill the spot on the 25-man roster, the Red Sox recalled infielder Deven Marrero from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Bradley, 27, suffered the injury in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 9-1 win against the Cleveland Indians while sliding awkwardly into home plate to avoid a tag by catcher Yan Gomes.

Bradley is batting .262 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs and 50 runs scored for the Red Sox this season. He has a .992 fielding percentage with four assists in 106 starts in center field.

--The Seattle Mariners reinstated right-hander David Phelps from the 10-day disabled list.

The team also designated outfielder Leonys Martin for assignment. The Mariners have seven days to trade, release or outright the contract of Martin to the minor leagues.

Phelps, 30, was placed on the 10-day DL with an impingement in his right elbow on Aug. 8 (retroactive to Aug. 7).

-- Joe Klein, former general manager of the Texas Rangers and two other major league teams, died Wednesday due to complications from heart surgery. He was 75.

After seven seasons as a Washington Senators minor league infielder from 1962-68, Klein was a minor league manager and team executive during the franchise's next 16 years.

Klein served as the Rangers' general manager from October 1982 to November 1984 and during that time helped develop front-office executive Tom Grieve, who succeeded him as GM.

Klein went on to be the general manager for the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers before a run as executive director of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball since its inception in 1998.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LEADING OFF: Rajai Davis joins Bosox, Ray returns for Dbacks
August 23, 2017

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

ON THE MOVE

Speedy outfielder Rajai Davis is set to join Boston for a game in Cleveland between division leaders. The Red Sox acquired Davis on Wednesday from Oakland for an 18-year-old outfielder, making the move on the same day they put center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on the 10-day disabled list because of a sprained left thumb. The 36-year-old Davis hit .233 with 26 stolen bases, five home runs and 18 RBIs in 100 games with the A's this season. Last year, he led the American League with 43 steals with the Indians.

WELCOME BACK

Arizona lefty Robbie Ray (9-5, 3.11 ERA) will be activated from the disabled list to start the series finale vs. the Mets at Citi Field. The first-time All-Star last pitched in the majors on July 28 in St. Louis, where he suffered a concussion after being struck in the head by a line drive.

CARLOS COMING BACK

Astros star Carlos Correa will begin a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Fresno. Correa has been out since July 17 after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is expected to play seven innings. Manager A.J. Hinch isn't sure how long he'll need to play in the minors before coming off the disabled list.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano can rest up, a day after an early exit in Atlanta. He hit two doubles before leaving with tightness in his left hamstring. Cano is batting .277 with 19 homers and 78 RBIs. Seattle is off before opening a weekend series at Yankee Stadium.

ROLLING

Dodgers lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-6, 3.45 ERA) is undefeated in his last eight starts for the NL West leaders, going 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA since June 17. He'll try to extend the streak when Los Angeles plays the Pirates at PNC Park.

NEW SETTING

The Blue Jays hope a change of scenery will help pitcher Tom Koehler. Toronto got the 31-year-old righty last weekend from Miami, where he was 1-5 with a 7.92 ERA in 12 starts. He'll make his first start for his new club at Tampa Bay.