Friday 8-25-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[New York Knight]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (61-67) at Cincinnati Reds (54-74)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Pirates at Reds
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

On the verge of completely sliding out of playoff contention, the Pittsburgh Pirates appear to be catching a break when they open a six-game road trip against the last-place Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. One problem, though, for Pittsburgh: Cincinnati is buried in the cellar of the National League Central but has won eight of 10 against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh is 3-9 in its last 12 games after dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the lone victory coming in a game in which it was no-hit for nine innings. Josh Harrison, who spoiled the no-hit bid with a walk-off homer in the 10th inning on Wednesday, has hit safely in five straight for the Pirates, who trail the Chicago Cubs by eight games in the Central and Colorado by 8 1/2 games for the second wild-card. The Reds, who averted a three-game sweep by the Cubs on Thursday, stumbled out of the All-Star break by losing 14 of 16 games but they are 13-11 since. First baseman Joey Votto is batting .316 after stretching his on-base streak to 28 straight games -- the longest active string in the majors.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Ivan Nova (11-10, 3.81 ERA) vs. Reds RH Robert Stephenson (1-4, 6.13)

Nova halted a five-start winless drought Sunday, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up three runs on eight hits in a victory over St. Louis. He was 0-4 over the previous five turns, yielding six homers and 23 runs (19 earned) over 28 1/3 innings. Tucker Barnhart (5-for-12) and Eugenio Suarez (5-for-14) have hurt Nova, who has allowed eight runs (seven earned) in losing both starts to the Reds this season.

Stephenson finally cracked the win column in his 18th appearance of the season, limiting Atlanta to two runs (one earned) on three hits over five innings. He turned in a strong effort in a no-decision against the Pirates on Aug. 2, permitting one run on two hits over a season-high 5 2/3 innings. Stephenson tossed two scoreless innings versus Pittsburgh in April but was reached for four runs in 2 2/3 innings three weeks later.

WALK-OFFS

1. Suarez is riding a nine-game hitting streak

2. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli (left wrist inflammation) will be re-evaluated Friday to see if he can return from the disabled list.

3. Reds RHP Raisel Iglesias has converted 24 saves in 25 chances.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Pirates 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Diego Padres (57-70) at Miami Marlins (63-63)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Padres at Marlins
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

Almost unthinkable as recently as two weeks ago, the Miami Marlins have taken full advantage of some of the worst teams in the National League to put themselves in the running for a wild-card spot. The Marlins attempt to continue their surge against another sub-.500 team on Friday, when they begin a three-game series versus the visiting San Diego Padres.

Miami (63-63) fell seven games below .500 after dropping three of four at Washington from Aug. 7-10, but a sweep of Colorado - which currently occupies the second wild-card spot in the NL - provided the necessary momentum for series victories against San Francisco, the New York Mets and Philadelphia. The Marlins improved to 10-3 over their last 13 contests Thursday with a wild 9-8 victory over the Phillies, belting three of their four homers after falling behind by five runs in the fourth inning to remain 5 1/2 games behind the Rockies. San Diego took the rubber match of its three-game set with St. Louis on Thursday, allowing Miami to move within one-half game of one of the two teams (the Cardinals) it has to leapfrog in order to make a run at Colorado. Padres rookie Manuel Margot went 6-for-12 and scored five times in three games against St. Louis after going 15-for-74 with eight runs scored over his first 18 contests this month.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Travis Wood (3-4, 5.81 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Adam Conley (6-5, 4.93)

Wood turned in his best start in five tries as a Padre in a win over Washington on Saturday, allowing only an unearned run on three hits and two walks in seven innings. The 2013 All-Star has taken a liking to Petco Park this season (3-0, 1.96 ERA in four outings - including three starts) but is 0-4 with a 7.19 ERA away from San Diego. Giancarlo Stanton is only 1-for-10 with a home run against Wood, who is 1-3 with a 7.92 ERA in 10 career appearances (four starts) versus the Marlins.

After failing to strike out a batter in a start for the first time in his previous outing, Conley fanned a career-high 11 on Sunday, yielding only a solo home run among the three hits he allowed over seven innings in a win against the Mets. The 27-year-old Washington State product has worked at least six frames in five of his seven trips to the mound since his mid-July promotion, lasting at least seven innings three times. Conley settled for a no-decision at San Diego on April 21 despite permitting one run in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton extended his own club records for most homers in a month (14) and season (47) with a third-inning solo blast on Thursday.

2. Margot is batting .414 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and four RBIs during his seven-game road hitting streak.

3. Miami OF Marcell Ozuna needs only two more RBIs to join Stanton as the first pair of Marlins to reach 100 before the end of August in the same season.

PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Padres 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (62-65) at Boston Red Sox (73-54)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Orioles at Red Sox
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

Rick Porcello ranks among the biggest disappointment in the majors, but the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has found a groove entering the stretch run. Porcello looks to win his fifth consecutive start when the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox open a three-game series at home Friday night against the division rival Baltimore Orioles.

A 22-game winner in 2016, Porcello was 1-9 over a 12-start span before his current winning streak, although he has failed to pitch six innings only once in his last 23 outings. Mitch Moreland homered three times in the last two games as Boston split a four-game set against Cleveland to remain 4 1/2 games in front of the New York Yankees atop the AL East. Third baseman Manny Machado is doing his part to keep Baltimore relevant in the postseason chase with seven homers and 16 RBIs over the past 10 games, including a pair of walk-off blasts. Rookie Trey Mancini snapped out of a slump versus Oakland by going 4-for-10 for the Orioles, who are three games out of the second wild-card.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 5.00 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (8-14, 4.48)

Hellickson won his Orioles' debut on Aug. 2, tossing seven scoreless innings after he was acquired from Philadelphia, but his performances have regressed in each of his last three starts. He followed up a quality start at the Los Angeles Angels by giving up six runs at Oakland and was throttled by the Angels last Friday, yielding seven runs and a career-worst five homers. Mookie Betts is 5-for-5 with a home run against Hellickson.

Porcello extended his winning streak with six strong innings against the Yankees on Sundy, allowing one run on a season low-tying three hits. The sinkerballer has lost both starts against the Orioles this year despite permitting a combined five runs and 13 hits over 12 innings. Machado has homered six times versus Boston this season, including one in each of Porcello's two starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles LHP Zach Britton, who had his AL-record streak of 60 streak saves halted Thursday, had an MRI exam that revealed swelling but no structural damage in his left knee.

2. Red Sox 3B Eduardo Nunez went 6-for-14 with two homers and seven RBIs over the past three games.

3. Orioles 2B Jonathan Schoop is batting .356 with three homers and eight RBIs versus Boston this year.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Orioles 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Kansas City Royals (64-62) at Cleveland Indians (70-56)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Royals at Indians
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

Jason Vargas already has matched his career high for victories but has won just two of seven starts since his appearance in the All-Star team. Vargas gets a chance to avenge his latest setback and help the Kansas City Royals narrow the gap in the American League Central when they visit the division-leading Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

Vargas was 12-3 with a 2.22 ERA after winning his seventh consecutive start on June 30 but he has a 7.15 ERA over his last eight outings, surrendering 10 of his 18 home runs in that span. Eric Hosmer is 7-for-15 over his last four, including a game-winning three-run homer Wednesday for Kansas City, which trails the Indians by six games but is only one game behind two teams in the battle for the second wild-card. Cleveland, which has been without four injured regulars, snapped out of an offensive funk by battering Boston ace Chris Sale in a 13-6 victory Thursday to earn a split of a four-game set. Rookie Yandy Diaz stepped up with three extra-base hits during a 4-for-4 performance, while Francisco Lindor is 7-for-20 with three homers and five RBIs in the past five games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), WKYC-3 (Cleveland), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jason Vargas (14-7, 3.59 ERA) vs. Indians LH Ryan Merritt (0-0, 3.12)

Vargas has lost three of his last four starts, failing to pitch beyond five innings in each setback after losing at home to Cleveland on Saturday. He permitted a combined two runs over 20 2/3 innings in three earlier starts against the Indians this season, including a seven-hit shutout on June 2. Vargas will get a break in not having to face the injured Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley, who are 23-of-67 against him.

Merritt will get the call from Triple-A Columbus on Friday to make his fourth appearance -- and third start -- this season. He was promoted from the minors to make a start at Minnesota on Aug. 17, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while lasting 3 2/3 innings. Merritt earned his only career victory by beating Kansas City last September in his first major-league start, allowing one run over five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 1B Carlos Santana (back) has been sidelined for the past three games.

2. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas (knee) was limited to pinch-hitting duties Thursday and may serve as the designated hitter on Friday.

3. The teams have split their first 12 meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Indians 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (69-58) at Atlanta Braves (56-69)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rockies at Braves
Gracenote
Aug 24, 2017

The top two hit men in the National League will roam center field in the same ballpark this weekend, as Charlie Blackmon and the playoff-contending Colorado Rockies visit Atlanta for Friday’s opener of a three-game series against Ender Inciarte and the struggling Braves. Blackmon recorded two hits Thursday to give him 173 on the season, while Inciarte ranks second in the NL and third in the majors overall with 160 after a four-hit performance Wednesday.

Colorado’s once-comfortable cushion in the NL wild-card race has dwindled to 3 1/2 games thanks to difficulties away from home, where the Rockies are only 7-23 in their past 30 road games after Thursday’s 3-2 victory at Kansas City. An encouraging sign Thursday was Greg Holland recording the save in the series finale after blowing three of his previous four opportunities. The Braves look to play spoiler after failing to do so against American League wild-card contender Seattle this week, losing two of three games at home to the Mariners after coughing up a one-run lead late in Wednesday’s 9-6 defeat. Former closer Jim Johnson could not hold the lead in the eighth inning and has surrendered 11 runs in 2 1/3 innings across his past four appearances, as Atlanta enters the weekend just 11-24 since July 16.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (0-0, 1.93 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (7-11, 5.02)

Bettis has made two starts since returning from testicular cancer surgery and treatment, pitching seven innings in each outing while allowing only three runs with one walk and eight strikeouts combined. The 28-year-old will face the Braves for the second time this season, after firing seven scoreless innings of six-hit ball with two strikeouts and no walks in his season debut Aug. 14. He limited Milwaukee to three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts on Saturday.

Teheran was unable to build off an excellent outing against Bettis in Colorado in his last start against Cincinnati at home Saturday, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in six innings to lose his fifth consecutive decision. The 26-year-old continues to struggle at home, going 1-9 with a 6.98 ERA in 13 starts and a .290 opponents batting average. Teheran did not get a decision when he faced the Rockies on Aug. 14 in Denver but pitched outstanding, striking out eight while allowing four hits in seven scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies and Braves split a four-game series at Coors Field Aug. 14-17 with Colorado pounding Atlanta 17-2 in the third contest of the set before the Braves rebounded with a 10-4 victory in the finale.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman is batting .412 during his current 12-game hitting streak, with seven multi-hit games in that span.

3. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado, who leads the majors with 108 RBIs, extended his hitting streak to nine games with two hits Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Braves 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Detroit Tigers (55-71) at Chicago White Sox (50-76)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Tigers at White Sox
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

The Detroit Tigers hope to receive stronger pitching performances on their six-game road trip than they did in their last series, a home set against the New York Yankees in which they were outscored 29-16 while losing two of three. Detroit gets the chance to recover when it visits the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.

The Tigers, who have lost seven straight on the road, avoided being swept on Thursday as they outslugged New York 10-6 in a brawl-filled contest that featured three bench-clearing incidents and eight ejections. Jose Iglesias enters Friday swinging a red-hot bat as he went 7-for-10 a homer and five RBIs in the set against the Yankees. Detroit is five games ahead of Chicago, which resides in the basement in the American League Central despite having won four of its last six contests. The White Sox managed only five hits in Thursday's 5-1 triumph over Minnesota, with Yolmer Sanchez recording two for the second time in three games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (9-8, 3.96 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (7-10, 4.44)

Verlander has won four of his last five starts, including an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday in which he allowed one run and two hits while registering nine strikeouts over eight innings. The 34-year-old former AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner has given up a total of three runs over 29 frames in the four victories but has won just one of his last nine turns on the road. Verlander is 20-13 with a 3.85 ERA in 41 career starts against Chicago, including a 1-0 record and 4.32 ERA in two outings this season.

Gonzalez has been superb over his last three outings, going 2-0 while allowing a total of two runs in 20 innings. The 33-year-old Mexican has given up fewer than two runs in five of his seven turns since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for a month. Gonzalez is 3-6 with a 7.07 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) against Detroit and 1-2 in three starts this year, yielding two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings of a win at home while getting pounded for 13 runs and 24 hits over 12 frames in two road losses.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers OF Justin Upton is four home runs away from matching the career high of 31 he set in 2011 with Arizona and tied last season.

2. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada (shin) and CF Leury Garcia (back) both exited Thursday's game and are day-to-day.

3. Detroit purchased the contract of RHP Zac Reininger from Triple-A Toledo and optioned LHP Chad Bell to the Mud Hens.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, White Sox 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (63-66) at St. Louis Cardinals (64-63)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rays at Cardinals
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

The Tampa Bay Rays are showing signs of life in the quest to stay in the American League wild-card race and open a nine-game road trip that could determine their fate against the struggling St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. The Rays, who also play Kansas City and the Chicago White Sox on the trek, have won three of their last four contests after a 2-0 victory over Toronto on Thursday and Kevin Kiermaier’s return from the disabled list has been a big factor.

Kiermaier is 10-for-25 with three homers, six runs scored and six RBIs in six games since coming back from a hip injury, and the former Gold Glove winner made two crucial running catches to preserve the shutout Thursday. Tampa Bay’s Jake Odorizzi, who went to high school in St. Louis suburb Highland, Ill., will get the start in the opener against fellow right-hander Michael Wacha (7-2, 2.99 ERA at home in 2017). The Cardinals have dropped four of their last five and lost a chance to make up ground on the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs on Thursday, remaining 4 ½ games behind, and they sit five game out of the second wild-card. Kolten Wong and Yadier Molina both extended their hitting streaks to seven games Thursday in St. Louis’ 4-3 loss to San Diego.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 4.74 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (9-6, 4.08)

Odorizzi looks to rebound after getting pounded for seven runs on eight hits and five walks over 3 2/3 innings against Seattle on Saturday. The 27-year-old has not completed five innings in three of his last four starts, going 0-3 with a 6.63 ERA in that stretch. Matt Carpenter is 2-for-6 with a homer against Odorizzi, who is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against St. Louis and 6-3 with a 3.17 mark in interleague play.

Wacha has completed more than five innings just once in his last four starts and allowed five runs over four frames Saturday in a loss at Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old Texas A&M product has given up six homers in his last six contests after surrendering just one total in the previous seven outings. Wacha permitted four runs in five innings of his only start against Tampa Bay in 2014 and is 5-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 interleague games.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays, who have not been to St. Louis since 2014, are 5-1 in their last six against the Cardinals,

2. Carpenter, who is eight at-bats shy of 3,000 for his career and five RBIs away from 400, is day-to-day after missing two games due to illness.

3. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria is 6-for-17 with three extra-base hits and two RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Rays 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (52-77) at Arizona Diamondbacks (70-58)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Giants at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Aug 24, 2017

The Arizona Diamondbacks are staring at a tough stretch of schedule and need to take care of business this weekend at home against the worst team in the National League West. The Diamondbacks will try to put one in the win column when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Arizona leads the NL wild card race but is in a tight battle with the Colorado Rockies for that top spot and will play nine straight games against the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado after finishing up with the Giants. The Diamondbacks took three of four from the New York Mets this week but only scored more than three runs in one of those contests and is averaging 3.3 in their last 12 games. San Francisco is sitting at the bottom of the standings but is trying to throw a wrench in the NL postseason race and did just that by taking two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers this week. The Giants will try to hold the Arizona offense down with left-hander Ty Blach while the Diamondbacks send ace Zack Greinke to the mound on Friday.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Ty Blach (8-9, 4.59 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (14-6, 3.16)

Blach was rocked in each of his last two starts, allowing a combined 12 runs and 17 hits in 11 1/3 innings to suffer losses to the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. The 26-year-old enjoyed a run of three straight starts yielding two runs and going at least seven innings previous to falling off of late. Blach made three appearances out of the bullpen against Arizona in April and surrendered a combined three runs in two innings.

Greinke is struggling of late as well and was reached for five runs - four earned - on seven hits and four walks in four innings at Minnesota on Saturday. The All-Star is just 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four starts this month. Greinke made his season debut against San Francisco on April 2 and did not factor in the decision while allowing two runs and four hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants RF Hunter Pence (left hamstring tightness) was out of the starting lineup the last two games and is day-to-day.

2. Diamondbacks RHP Randall Delgado (elbow inflammation) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday.

3. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford is 11-for-27 with two homers and six RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Giants 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (64-63) at Oakland Athletics (55-72)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rangers at Athletics
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

The Texas Rangers find themselves just one game out of the second wild-card spot in the American League and hope to grab hold of the berth over the weekend as they begin a three-game series against the host Oakland Athletics on Friday. Texas began its 10-game road trip by taking three of four from the Los Angeles Angels, who are just one-half game back in the wild-card race.

Texas registered only five hits in Thursday's 3-0 triumph at Los Angeles, although two were home runs by Drew Robinson and Mike Napoli. The 25-year-old Robinson, who had not gone deep since July 16, enters Friday with a five-game hitting streak. Oakland returns home after completing a 2-4 road trip with an 8-7 loss at Baltimore on Thursday. Matt Joyce homered in the setback and is one blast shy of reaching 20 for the first time in his career while rookie Boog Powell is riding a five-game hitting streak that has featured a pair of three-hit performances.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Nick Martinez (3-4, 5.38 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (3-4, 4.54)

Martinez is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start in place of Tyson Ross, who was moved to the bullpen. The 27-year-old Martinez made 13 starts and three relief appearances with Texas earlier this season, going 3-4 with a 5.38 ERA. A native of Florida, he allowed three runs over six innings in a no-decision against Oakland on May 13 and is 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 12 career appearances (eight starts) versus the Athletics.

Graveman was a hard-luck loser last time out as he gave up only two runs over six innings in a setback at Houston on Saturday. The 26-year-old native of Alabama has dropped four of his last five road outings, with a no-decision at Texas on May 14 being the lone non-loss. Graveman defeated the Rangers on the road on April 8 to even his career record against them at 2-2 in six starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics OF Matt Olson has hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-14 in that span.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre went 5-for-15 with three homers and six RBIs in the four-game set against the Angels.

3. Oakland will be playing its first game without Rajai Davis, who was traded to Boston on Wednesday for fellow OF Rafael Rincones.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Rangers 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Houston Astros (77-50) at Los Angeles Angels (65-63)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Astros at Angels
Gracenote
Aug 25, 2017

The Houston Astros are having a dreadful time despite their large lead in the American League West and could be without MVP candidate Jose Altuve when they open a three-game series against the host Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Altuve left Thursday's 5-4, 11-inning loss to Washington after injuring his neck while batting against Stephen Strasburg.

Altuve, who leads the majors with a .357 batting average, probably will be given time to recover as Houston owns a 12 1/2-game lead over the Angels in the division. "You have to be worried," Altuve told reporters afterward, "but to be honest with you, I don't think it is something that is really, really bad." The loss to Washington was Houston's 16th in its last 25 games while Los Angeles has dropped three of its last four contests after winning nine of its previous 11. The Angels were blanked 3-0 by Texas on Thursday and sit one-half game behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. Angels RH Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.92)

McHugh defeated Oakland in his last start as he gave up six hits over six scoreless innings. The 30-year-old has allowed fewer than three runs in four of his six starts since returning from an elbow injury. McHugh has fared well against the Angels, going 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 11 career starts, but has served up two homers to Mike Trout (6-for-21).

Bridwell has won his last five decisions and is unbeaten in his past eight starts. The 26-year-old has allowed fewer than three runs in seven of the outings and six or fewer hits in all eight. Bridwell is making his first career start versus the Astros but did yield one run in two innings of relief against Houston in his major-league debut on Aug. 21, 2016 while with Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros activated Brian McCann (knee) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow C Juan Centeno to Triple-A Fresno.

2. Trout, who is hitless in six at-bats over his last two contests, is batting .389 with one homer against Houston this season.

3. Houston INF Alex Bregman recorded three hits Thursday and is 11-for-25 with three homers during his six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Astros 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (66-62) at Los Angeles Dodgers (90-36)
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 25 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Brewers at Dodgers
Gracenote
Aug 24, 2017

One day after becoming the 12th team in major league history to reach the 90-win mark in 126 contests, the Los Angeles Dodgers return home Friday to begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The record-setting Dodgers belted three homers and improved to 55-11 since June 7 with Thursday’s 5-2 win over Pittsburgh.


Curtis Granderson has three home runs in six games since being acquired by the Dodgers, who lead the National League West by 21 games and have gone a major league-best 51-14 at home. Shortstop Corey Seager, who was given the day off Thursday, brings a 12-game hitting streak into this weekend’s series against a Brewers team that sits three games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and 3 1/2 back of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. "(The series) comes at an important time in the season,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell told reporters. “Let’s face it. The ultimate goal probably goes through L.A. at some point. It is a test. It’s three games, and we’re chasing. So, we have to keep up.” The Brewers dropped two of three in San Francisco and received a scare when Travis Shaw fouled a ball off his right foot on Wednesday, but X-rays were negative and the third baseman should be available Friday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (7-2, 2.83 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Kenta Maeda (11-5, 3.88)

Anderson won his second straight decision last Sunday at Colorado, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five frames. The 29-year-old has gone 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers, including 0-2 with a 17.05 ERA in two outings starts last season. Adrian Gonzalez is 8-for-15 with a home run against Anderson, who is 12-3 with a 2.73 ERA over his last 29 starts dating back to July 25, 2016.

Maeda lost for the first time in seven starts last Sunday, allowing four runs over six innings against Detroit. After struggling early in the season, the 29-year-old native of Japan has gone 7-2 with a 2.83 ERA in his last 10 starts since June 18. Maeda gave up two runs over four innings in a 3-0 loss to the Brewers on June 4 and owns a 1-1 record and 2.20 ERA in three career starts against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

2. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli (left wrist inflammation) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list before Friday’s contest.

3. Los Angeles RHP Yu Darvish (back) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is expected to start Sunday’s series finale.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Brewers 3

[New York Knight]

NSA(The Legend)

MLB - Blue Jays over 9.5

[New York Knight]

Ray "The Playmaker" Bowden

MLB - Dodgers -185

[New York Knight]

VegasSI.com

NFL - Seahawks under 43

[New York Knight]

SportsAction365.com

NFL - Seahawks under 43