Tuesday 9-5-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[New York Knight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (72-66) at Cincinnati Reds (59-79)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Brewers at Reds
Gracenote
Sep 4, 2017

The Milwaukee Brewers came into the series hot after winning a pair of sets against first-place teams, but a last-place team proved to be a big challenge. The Brewers will try to bounce back and even the series when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Milwaukee is trying to track down the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and the Colorado Rockies in the NL wild card race and was hoping to gain some ground against the last-place Reds, but Billy Hamilton clubbed a walk-off home run as Cincinnati took the series opener 5-4 on Monday. The Brewers remain 3 1/2 games behind the Cubs, who lost on Monday as well, but fell 1 1/2 games behind the Rockies for the second wild card. Cincinnati managed a total of one run in losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday and Sunday and squandered a four-run lead on Monday before Hamilton clubbed his fourth homer of the season. Milwaukee will try to bounce back behind right-hander Zach Davies while the Reds counter with Robert Stephenson.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (16-7, 3.85 ERA) vs. Reds RH Robert Stephenson (3-4, 5.52)

Davies allowed a total of three earned runs in his last four starts and is at his best on the road, where he owns an 8-1 record with a 2.13 ERA. The 24-year-old did not yield an earned run in any of his last five road outings, including seven scoreless innings at the major league-best Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 26. Davies faced Cincinnati twice in April and surrendered a total of three runs and 11 hits in 10 innings.

Stephenson is getting another chance to earn a spot in the rotation and is taking advantage by allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his last three outings. The 24-year-old totaled 18 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over his last two starts. Stephenson tossed two hitless innings of relief at Milwaukee on Aug. 13 but owns a 7.94 ERA in three career appearances against the division rivals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds manager Bryan Price confirmed that the club picked up his contract option for 2018.

2. Milwaukee OF Ryan Braun is 5-for-8 in the last two games and hit his 299th career home run on Monday.

3. Cincinnati recalled pitchers Amir Garrett, Cody Reed, Rookie Davis and Jackson Stephens after Monday's game.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Reds 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (71-66) at Tampa Bay Rays (69-70)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Twins at Rays
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

The Tampa Bay Rays made a big statement that they are still a serious playoff contender in the series opener and look to build off that momentum when they host the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in the second of a critical three-game set. The Rays registered 13 hits - five for extra bases - to earn an 11-4 victory Monday and pull within three games of the Twins for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

Logan Morrison belted his seventh homer in eight games while Evan Longoria (three RBIs) and Corey Dickerson (3-for-4, two doubles, one homer, two RBIs) broke out of mini-slumps with big nights for Tampa Bay. Rays right-fielder Steven Souza Jr. (neck, back) is day-to-day after leaving Monday’s game, but his team will need a big effort regardless from right-hander Jake Odorizzi on Tuesday when he faces 44-year-old Bartolo Colon. Minnesota leads the Los Angeles Angels by a half game for the AL’s second wild card after losing for the third time in four games while giving up 16 runs in its last two contests. Veteran Joe Mauer takes a season-high 13-game hitting streak and a great history at Tampa Bay into Tuesday’s contest while emerging star Byron Buxton is 12-for-23 with three homers and 10 RBIs while hitting safely in six straight for the Twins.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Bartolo Colon (6-10, 6.25 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (7-7, 4.85)

Colon has made a positive impact since coming to Minnesota, especially of late where he has gone 4-1 with a 3.18 ERA over his last six starts as the Twins triumphed in five of those. The Dominican Republic native, who owns 239 career victories, struck out a season-high eight while allowing three runs on 10 hits over six innings in a victory against the Chicago White Sox last time out. Dickerson is 3-for-3 with a triple versus Colon, who is 9-6 with a 4.07 ERA lifetime against the Rays.

Odorizzi earned the victory last time out while permitting three runs, four hits and three walks over five innings to end a five-game winless drought. The 27-year-old Illinois native has completed more than five innings once in his past six starts, yielding 20 runs and 20 walks over 26 1/3 frames during that span. Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario have homered versus Odorizzi, who gave up two runs and seven hits across 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision against Minnesota on May 27.

WALK-OFFS

1. Buxton became the fourth Twins player to steal 20 straight bases Monday and is two away from the club record held by Matt Lawton and Chuck Knoblauch.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier is 25-for-66 with 14 runs scored, three homers and 12 RBIs in 16 games since coming off the disabled list in mid August.

3. Mauer has reached base in 32 of his 33 career games at Tropicana Field (50-for-129) and is one RBI from passing Justin Morneau (860) for fifth on the club’s all-time list.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Twins 5

[New York Knight]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (64-74) at Boston Red Sox (77-61)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Blue Jays at Red Sox
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

The Toronto Blue Jays will likely be relegated to playing the spoiler role in September and hope to add more misery to the slumping Red Sox when they visit Boston for the second of a three-game series on Tuesday night. Toronto belted four homers among 14 hits in Monday’s 10-4 victory over the Red Sox, who lost for the eighth time in 12 contests and saw their lead in the American League East shrink to 2 ½ games.

Kendrys Morales snapped out of a 0-for-14 slump by going 2-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs for Toronto, which sits 7 ½ games out in the race for the AL’s second wild card and would have to jump over seven teams. Marco Estrada will try to hold down the dangerous Boston lineup when he takes the mound Tuesday against struggling left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who has not won a game since May 26. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who has been limited after returning from a knee injury, is expected to be back in the lineup for the Red Sox and he is 13-for-38 with 14 RBIs in nine games against the Blue Jays this year. Most of Boston’s problems have been on the mound as it has surrendered at least five runs in eight of the last 12 contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-8, 5.23 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (4-5, 4.40)

Estrada has won his last two starts despite allowing nine runs and 15 hits over 11 innings combined while enjoying the benefit of 21 runs of support. The 34-year-old from Mexico boasts 156 strikeouts across 156 1/3 innings, but surrendered 26 homers in his 28 starts - seven in the past six outings. Pedroia is 11-for-26 with three doubles against Estrada, who is 0-0 with a 1.74 ERA in two starts versus Boston this year.

Rodriguez took the loss in each of his last two starts and is winless in his last 10 outings with four defeats during that stretch. The 24-year-old Venezuelan permitted five runs in each of his last two turns while giving up 17 hits (three homers) across 11 2/3 innings combined. Morales is 4-for-13 with a pair of doubles versus Rodriguez, who is 1-3 with a 6.15 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston RF Mookie Betts is 21-for-61 with 18 RBIs against the Blue Jays this season, but is just 5-for-31 overall in his past eight contests overall.

2. Toronto INF Ryan Goins is 4-for-9 in the past two contests and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games.

3. Red Sox RHP Craig Kimbrel has struck out 106 of the 213 batters this season, by far the biggest percentage in the majors.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (83-54) at Miami Marlins (67-70)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Nationals at Marlins
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

Stephen Strasburg got the best of Giancarlo Stanton in their last meeting and will look to shut down the slugger again on Tuesday, when the Washington Nationals visit the Miami Marlins for the middle contest of their three-game series. Stanton, who leads the major leagues with 53 homers, was hitless in four at-bats on Wednesday against Strasburg, who pitched a six-hitter in Washington's 4-0 win.

Stanton is batting .333 with three homers against Strasburg and launched blast No. 53 in Monday's 7-2 series-opening defeat. The shot was Stanton's sixth in 17 games against Washington this season but couldn't prevent the Marlins from falling six games behind Colorado in the race for the National League's second wild card. Strasburg has fired 15 scoreless innings over his last two starts and has posted a stellar 1.35 ERA over his last seven outings. Anthony Rendon went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs for the NL East-leading Nationals in the opener after being hitless in eight at-bats over his previous two games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (11-4, 2.90 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Odrisamer Despaigne (0-2, 4.13)

Strasburg is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two home starts against Miami this season and 14-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 27 career turns versus the Marlins. But he hasn't been so stellar when pitching at Marlins Park, going just 4-5 with a 4.76 ERA in nine outings. The 29-year-old Strasburg has fared well on the road this season as he is 7-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 12 starts.

Despaigne is making his fourth start for the Marlins after lasting only four innings in a loss to Philadelphia last time out. The 30-year-old allowed three runs and five hits against the Phillies after giving up one run and three hits over six frames in a no-decision versus San Diego in his previous turn. Despaigne is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in five career appearances (one start) against the Nationals and has struggled with Adam Lind (3-for-4, three RBIs).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals have beaten the Marlins six straight times and hold an 11-6 advantage in the all-time series.

2. Miami activated LHP Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) from the disabled list and will use him in relief.

3. Washington RF Jayson Werth is hitless in 14 at-bats over his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Marlins 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Kansas City Royals (68-68) at Detroit Tigers (58-79)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Royals at Tigers
Gracenote
Sep 4, 2017

The Kansas City Royals are trying to make a run at a wild card spot in the American League, and the Detroit Tigers are doing all they can to help. The Royals will try to clinch a series win and move closer in the wild card race when they visit the Tigers in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Kansas City sits 2 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the second AL wild card and took two of three from the Twins over the weekend before skipping past Detroit 7-6 in Monday's series opener. The Royals, who host the Twins in a four-game series beginning Thursday, are winners of four of their last six contests and are finally seeing some offense with an average of 4.7 runs in the last six games after getting shut out in four straight. The Tigers showed some fight with three runs in the ninth inning on Monday but are losers of five in a row and made no secret of the fact that they are in for a long rebuilding process by trading away Justin Verlander and Justin Upton last week. Kansas City will send Jason Vargas to the mound in Tuesday's contest while Detroit counters with veteran Anibal Sanchez.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jason Vargas (14-9, 3.87 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (3-3, 6.95)

Vargas lost his last three starts and was ripped for five runs on seven hits over six innings by the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The California native was one of the best pitchers in baseball before the All-Star Game with a 12-3 record and 2.62 ERA but is just 2-6 with a 6.80 ERA in nine starts since the break. Vargas' first start after the break came against Detroit on July 17, and he was lit up for six runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings.

Sanchez sat out the last two weeks on the disabled list with hamstring tightness and is hoping he comes back with better results than he showed in his last three starts. The Venezuela native was ripped for 17 runs on 23 hits - nine home runs - over 11 1/2 innings in those three outings. Sanchez was not much better in his last start against Kansas City on July 26, when he served up four runs on nine hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers RHP Jordan Zimmermann will visit a specialist in Dallas after experiencing a flare up of neck pain.

2. Kansas City RHP Kelvin Herrera (forearm strain) was unavailable on Monday and is day-to-day.

3. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias is 10-for-18 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Royals 8, Tigers 6

[New York Knight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (69-68) at Atlanta Braves (60-76)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rangers at Braves
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

Carlos Gomez has started September with a bang and looks to continue his current hot streak for the postseason-hopeful Texas Rangers, who visit the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The veteran center fielder opened the set on Monday by collecting three hits in an 8-2 victory by Texas, which climbed within two games of Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the American League, and improved to 6-for-15 with six runs scored in four games this month.

Rougned Odor snapped a 3-for-32 slump and plated three runs in the series opener with an RBI double and a two-run homer. While the Rangers are 16-9 in their 25 games since Aug. 9, the Braves have dropped 31 of their last 46 contests and fell to 20-62 when allowing four or more runs. Freddie Freeman - who said before the game he is not experiencing pain in the left wrist he fractured in May, just soreness - collected two hits to raise his average to .317 on the season. Nick Markakis recorded his 34th multi-hit performance of the year, but the Braves registered just eight hits overall.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Miguel Gonzalez (7-10, 4.31 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-11, 4.75)

Gonzalez makes his first start for Texas after pitching well in his final five turns with the Chicago White Sox, going 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings. He was dealt to the Rangers after giving up three runs and seven hits at Minnesota on Tuesday but had allowed two runs or fewer in each of his previous four outings. The 33-year-old Gonzalez has struggled on the road this season, posting a 3-7 record and 5.23 ERA over 13 starts.

The 26-year-old Teheran makes his 28th start of the season after an August during which he posted his second-best monthly ERA (3.65) in 2017. Teheran closed the month with two excellent starts, surrendering one run with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings at Philadelphia on Wednesday after giving up two runs over 7 1/3 frames in win over Colorado five days earlier. Teheran has allowed five runs in two of his last three starts at home, where he has posted a 6.54 ERA in 14 turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta rookie 2B Ozzie Albies has recorded at least one hit in 15 of his last 18 games, raising his average to .284.

2. Texas C Robinson Chirinos has collected at least one hit in 15 of his last 17 starts and is hitting .255 on the season.

3. Atlanta is expected to activate INF Johan Camargo (knee) from the disabled list on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Rangers 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (81-56) at Chicago White Sox (54-82)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Indians at White Sox
Gracenote
Sep 4, 2017

The Cleveland Indians are enjoying their longest winning streak of the season and are running away with the American League Central. The hottest team in the majors will try to push its winning streak to 13 straight when it visits the last-place Chicago White Sox in the second of a four-game series on Tuesday.

Cleveland's pitching staff is allowing an average of 1.8 runs during the 12-game winning streak, during which the Indians have opened a 10-game lead in the AL Central while pulling within three games of the Houston Astros for the best record in the AL. "It's pretty similar (to winning 14 in a row last year)," infielder Jose Ramirez told reporters through an interpreter. "I see the team feeling the same way. We're happy, we're relaxed, we're united and that's something that's really important." That stellar Cleveland pitching staff is about to get even stronger with the return of Danny Salazar, who comes off the disabled list to make the start on Tuesday opposite White Sox left-hander David Holmberg. Chicago dropped five of its last seven games but continues to add young talent to its roster, with right fielder Rymer Liriano the latest to make an impact by homering on Monday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN Chicago-plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (5-6, 4.30 ERA) vs. White Sox LH David Holmberg (2-3, 3.55)

Salazar figures to be on a pitch limit after missing the last two weeks with elbow soreness. The Dominican Republic native was knocked around in his last start prior to hitting the DL but had surrendered two or fewer runs in five straight outings through Aug. 15 while notching at least eight strikeouts in each turn. Salazar earned a win at Chicago on July 28 while allowing two runs on three hits and striking out eight.

Holmberg is making a return to the rotation for the first time since June 26 after a three-week stint in the minors preceded by a mostly successful stint in the bullpen. The 26-year-old is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six starts while posting a 3.24 ERA in 27 relief appearances for the White Sox. Holmberg's lone win as a starter came at Cleveland on June 10, when he allowed two runs and three hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RHP James Shields left Monday's game after being hit in the knee with a line drive, and X-rays came back negative.

2. Ramirez is 9-for-17 with eight extra-base hits in the last four games.

3. Cleveland OF Jay Bruce (neck soreness) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Indians 8, White Sox 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (54-86) at Colorado Rockies (73-64)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Giants at Rockies
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

The Colorado Rockies struggled over the first two-thirds of their nine-game homestand but are hoping the start of the final series has them going in the right direction as they head into a crucial eight-game road trip. Colorado looks to make it two straight wins after losing five of its first six on the stretch at home when they host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

The Rockies ended a four-game slide and improved to 2-5 on their homestand with a 4-3 victory in Monday's series opener, as Carlos Gonzalez drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the ninth inning. Charlie Blackmon has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games after going 3-for-5 with a solo homer in the win, recording seven multi-hit performances in that span. Colorado, which leads Milwaukee by 1 1/2 games for the second National League wild card, takes to the road after the set versus the Giants to play four contests against both the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona - which occupies the first wild-card spot. Denard Span and Joe Panik each went 3-for-4 with a home run on Monday for San Francisco, which has lost six of its last seven.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Ty Blach (8-11, 4.68 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (6-12, 5.00)

Blach has lost four straight starts both overall and on the road after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings at San Diego on Wednesday. The 26-year-old returns to his native Denver in search of his first victory since Aug. 8 against the Chicago Cubs and first away from home since July 5 at Detroit. Blach is 1-0 in two starts and three relief appearances versus Colorado this year, posting the triumph in the most recent meeting on June 28 after giving up three runs - one earned - in 6 1/3 frames.

Chatwood has allowed three runs over 9 2/3 innings in six relief appearances since his last start, a loss to the New York Mets on Aug. 2 in which he was tagged for eight runs over 5 1/3 frames. The 27-year-old Californian has not won since June 8, when he limited the Cubs to one run in six innings at Chicago. Chatwood is 7-3 with one shutout and a 2.83 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) against San Francisco, including a 2-0 record in three turns this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu is riding a 12-game hitting streak after going 2-for-5 on Monday.

2. Panik is one homer away from setting a new career high, as he belted his 10th of 2017 in the opener to match the total he reached last season.

3. San Francisco RHP Mark Melancon is hoping to finish the season before undergoing surgery on his right forearm.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (71-67) at Oakland Athletics (58-79)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Angels at Athletics
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

The Los Angeles Angels are in the midst of a string of eight consecutive series against American League West rivals and have struggled thus far - except when they face the Oakland Athletics. The Angels attempt to register their fifth straight victory over the Athletics when they visit Oakland on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set.

The only team in the majors ever to play four straight games lasting longer than 3 hours, 49 minutes, Los Angeles has gone 1-3 in the series versus divisional opponents thus far - with the only win being a three-game sweep over the Athletics at home from Aug. 28-30. The Angels topped Oakland again in the series opener, scoring twice in the 11th inning after squandering a two-run lead in the ninth for an 11-9 victory that pulled them within one-half game of Minnesota for the second wild card in the AL. Martin Maldonado homered twice and Kole Calhoun delivered a two-run triple to snap the 9-9 tie as Los Angeles set an AL record by employing 12 pitchers - three of which did not record an out. Rookie Matt Olson went deep twice, giving him three blasts in his last two games and 10 in 23 contests since being recalled from the minors on Aug. 8, as Oakland's losing streak reached seven games.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN West (Los Angeles), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (4-4, 4.54)

Richards has been limited to one start this season due to an irritated nerve in his right biceps. That outing also was in Oakland on April 5, when the 29-year-old Californian allowed three hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 4 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving with the injury. Richards, who is expected to be limited to 50 pitches, is 2-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 15 career appearances (11 starts) against the Athletics.

Graveman escaped with a no-decision against the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday after surrendering five runs on six hits - three homers - and three walks in five innings. The 26-year-old native of Alabama had gone four turns without serving up a blast and had allowed a total of three over his previous eight outings. Graveman is 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including a 1-1 record and 4.13 ERA in four turns this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH Albert Pujols is riding a five-game RBI streak during which he has driven in 12 runs while OF Mike Trout has walked in 12 consecutive contests - one shy of the club record set in 1961 by Albie Pearson.

2. Oakland OF Khris Davis is seven RBIs away from matching the career high of 102 he set last season.

3. Los Angeles recalled 1B Jefry Marte from Triple-A Salt Lake and claimed RHP Dayan Diaz off waivers from Houston.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Angels 5

[New York Knight]

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (70-67) at San Diego Padres (62-76)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Cardinals at Padres
Gracenote
Sep 4, 2017

The St. Louis Cardinals are climbing in the National League wild card race despite a spate of injuries that would end most teams’ playoff hopes. St. Louis will be monitoring the medical charts again Tuesday when they continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who were held to three hits in Monday’s 2-0 loss.

Infielder Matt Carpenter (shoulder tendinitis) and outfielder Tommy Pham (right shoulder soreness) both left Monday’s game with injuries, but the Cardinals won for the fifth time in their last seven games behind Carlos Martinez’s second career shutout. Outfielder Dexter Fowler (hip) and second baseman Kolten Wong (back) are also nursing injuries for St. Louis, which moved three games back of Colorado for the second NL wild card spot. The Padres are likely tired after playing five games over a stretch of 70 hours, but they’ve been encouraged by the recent play of first baseman Wil Myers, who has recorded multiple hits in three straight games for the first time this season. The rebuilding Padres could promote several minor league players this week - including outfielder Hunter Renfroe, who had 20 homers but was hitting .230 when he was sent to Triple-A El Paso last month.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (10-7, 4.20 ERA) vs. Padres LH Travis Wood (3-4, 5.47)

Wacha snapped a three-game losing streak last Thursday, allowing one run on four hits over six frames in a 5-2 victory over San Francisco. The 26-year-old has gone 7-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 14 starts at home while posting a 3-4 mark and 5.16 ERA in 11 outings on the road. Wacha is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three career starts against San Diego, with both victories coming at Petco Park.

Wood belted his 10th career home run and received a no-decision last Wednesday after pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings against San Francisco. The 30-year-old native of Arkansas has a 1.61 ERA in four starts at Petco Park since being traded from Kansas City in late July. Yadier Molina is 15-for-45 with three homers against Wood, who is 6-6 with a 5.37 ERA in 31 career games (18 starts) against St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals have won eight of their last 10 meetings against the Padres.

2. Padres OF Jabari Blash has struck out in eight of his last nine plate appearances.

3. St. Louis INF Jedd Gyorko (hamstring) could be activated from the disabled list when eligible on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Padres 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (80-58) at Los Angeles Dodgers (92-45)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

J.D. Martinez enjoyed the best game of his career when he became the 18th player in major-league history to hit four home runs in the series opener. Martinez will look to continue his hot hitting and help the Arizona Diamondbacks match the franchise record of 12 straight victories - set in 2003 - when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.

Martinez recorded six RBIs in Monday's 13-0 assault of the Dodgers and has gone deep 18 times in 40 games since being acquired from Detroit. "It's kind of one of those things where you're laughing about it," Martinez told reporters afterward of possibly hitting a fourth homer. "I don't think someone goes up there not trying to hit the ball hard. Going up there and hitting, it didn't really shock me. I was just happy it went over." The Diamondbacks have opened a 6 1/2-game lead over Colorado for the National League's top wild-card spot, while the Dodgers are in collapse mode with nine defeats in their last 10 contests. "I don't think there's anything I can do to soothe fans and their passion," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "Each and every night is Game 7, but I can assure you, we're going to win a game again. I know that. And the tide will turn."

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (16-6, 3.08 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (5-7, 3.71)

Greinke is vying for his major league-leading 17th victory and has won his last two outings. The 33-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers this season, with the victory coming on Thursday as he allowed one run and four hits over six innings. Greinke is 4-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 turns against his former club and has excelled at Dodger Stadium, where he owns a 29-7 record and 2.30 ERA in 49 career starts.

Ryu served up three homers and allowed a season-worst six earned runs along with eight hits in four innings against the Diamondbacks last week. The 30-year-old has been pitching well since the All-Star break and still has a 2.77 ERA in seven starts during the stretch despite last week's mauling. Ryu is 3-3 with a 4.02 ERA in nine career starts against Arizona and will be hoping Paul Goldschmidt (9-for-21, two homers) misses a third straight game.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks have scored 34 runs while winning four straight meetings with the Dodgers and hold a 9-8 series lead.

2. Los Angeles has allowed 53 runs over its last eight games - a stretch that includes a 1-0 victory.

3. Goldschmidt (elbow) traveled to Phoenix on Monday to undergo an MRI exam.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Houston Astros (84-53) at Seattle Mariners (69-69)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 05 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Astros at Mariners
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2017

Justin Verlander makes his debut for the Houston Astros when he takes the mound against the host Seattle Mariners on Tuesday in the middle contest of their three-game series. Verlander recently was acquired from Detroit after winning 183 games in 12-plus seasons with the club, topped by a 2011 campaign in which he won American League MVP and Cy Young honors.

The 34-year-old Verlander was undecided about agreeing to the deal but eventually waived his no-trade clause with the Astros headed to the playoffs. "The opportunity to come play for a championship-caliber team for not only this year, but for the remainder of my contract, is ultimately what it really came down to," Verlander, who is signed through 2019, told reporters. He will be looking to lead the Astros to their sixth straight victory after they notched a 6-2 win over the Mariners on Monday. Seattle has dropped six of its last nine contests and sits three games behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card berth.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (10-8, 3.82 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (8-6, 4.85)

Verlander pitched well in his last three starts for Detroit, going 2-0 with 1.71 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 21 innings during the span. He has won five of his last six decisions and given up two runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings. Verlander has posted a 2.13 ERA in two no-decisions against the Mariners this season - he retired the first 16 batters he faced on June 21, when he registered a season-best 11 strikeouts - and is 10-8 with a 3.15 ERA in 22 career outings.

Miranda has recorded just one victory over his last 10 starts and has worked five innings or fewer in each of the past five. The 28-year-old Cuban, who is tied for most home runs allowed in the majors (35), was roughed up for six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 frames of a no-decision against Baltimore in his last turn. Miranda has served up seven homers while going 0-2 with a 5.70 ERA in four starts against Houston this season and 1-2 with a 4.99 ERA in five career outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are 9-5 against the Mariners this season, including a 5-2 mark at Safeco Field.

2. Houston RF George Springer, who is 8-for-19 with two homers during his five-game hitting streak, has clubbed four solo shots off Miranda in 13 at-bats.

3. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (shoulder), who last pitched on July 31, threw a bullpen session on Monday and is slated to pitch a simulated game on Friday.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Mariners 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Diamond Trends - Tuesday
September 5, 2017


TOP SU TREND:

-- The Nationals are 16-0 since May 04, 2016 as a road favorite after they scored more runs off the bullpen than they did off the opponent’s starter last game.

TOP OU TREND:

-- The Royals are 13-0 OU (4.04 ppg) since Jun 16, 2015 as a road favorite past the first game of a series when their bullpen allowed multiple runs last game.

TOP STARTER TREND:

-- The Cardinals are 0-19 RUN LINE AGAINST since Aug 28, 2015 when Michael Wacha starts as a favorite after he went 6+ innings gave up 6 or fewer hits in his last start.

TOP CHOICE TREND:

-- The Tigers are 0-14 since Sep 09, 2015 as a home dog off a game as a dog in which they allowed 12+ hits.

[New York Knight]

The Mets have never lost a Jacob deGrom start vs Philadelphia.

Career team win/loss record vs Phillies: 10-0


PHI +176 / NYM -192

[New York Knight]

MLB STEAM MOVES ...


912) LAD
922) DET
930) ATL