Tuesday 9-12-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (64-78) at Washington Nationals (88-55)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Braves at Nationals
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

The Washington Nationals are National League East champions for the fourth time in six years after clinching the division title Sunday, and now begin a three-game home series Tuesday with the Atlanta Braves aiming for home-field advantage in the postseason. The Nationals, who despite their regular-season success have yet to advance out of the NL Division Series, started Monday four games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for best record in the NL.

“We’re a lot closer than we were before,” Washington manager Dusty Baker told reporters after Sunday, a game where the Nationals rested many of their starters to provide a two-day breather (including Monday’s off day). The Braves have dropped 33 of their past 52 games entering the series, but took three of four from Miami over the weekend - and each victory came in walk-off fashion. Atlanta has won four of its past seven games against the Nationals in Washington and trail the season series 7-6, after going 4-15 against Washington a season ago. Second baseman Ozzie Albies is hitting .337 in his past 24 games after providing two hits and two walks in Sunday’s 10-8, 11-inning victory.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (10-11, 4.77 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (14-6, 2.50)

Teheran has reached double-figures in wins for the fourth time in five seasons, but his ERA is more than a run and a half higher than last season while allowing a career-high 30 homers. He has pitched better of late, going 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA in his past five starts with only two homers surrendered in 32 innings. The 26-year-old is 7-2 with a 3.09 ERA on the road, and in three starts against Washington this season is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

Gonzalez has re-established himself as one of the top left-handers in the NL, posting a career-best ERA entering his 29th start of the season. The 31-year-old is 6-1 in his past seven starts with a 1.59 ERA in 45 1/3 innings pitched, allowing only two homers and holding opponents to a .200 batting average. Gonzalez has struggled in two starts against the Braves this season, going 0-1 while allowing seven runs on 16 hits and five walks in 11 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals CF Michael Taylor is 9-for-15 with three homers, five runs scored and nine RBIs in his past four games, after batting .263 in his first 27 games since returning from the disabled list.

2. Atlanta hitters have been hit by pitches 61 times in 2017, tying the Atlanta franchise record set in 1998.

3. Washington OF Victor Robles, the No. 3 prospect in the majors according to MLBPipeline.com, collected his first major-league hit on an RBI double Sunday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Braves 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Miami Marlins (68-75) at Philadelphia Phillies (54-89)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Marlins at Phillies
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

Giancarlo Stanton owns 12 home runs in 50 career games at Citizens Bank Park, including two this season, and will try to add to that total when the Miami Marlins visit the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday. Stanton's 54 home runs lead the majors and are the most since Jose Bautista hit 54 for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010.

Stanton and the rest of the Miami organization have their thoughts back in Florida as the whole state deals with the destruction from Hurricane Irma, while on the field the team is trying to pull out of a rut. The four-time All-Star's quest for 60 homers or more isn't leading to a lot of wins of late, and the Marlins are losers of 12 of their last 14 games. Three of those losses came at home to the Phillies from Aug. 31-Sept. 3, but Philadelphia did not have any luck maintaining that momentum and limps back home having dropped four of the last five games on its road trip, with three of those losses coming by one run. The Phillies will turn to Nick Pivetta in Tuesday's opener, while the Marlins counter with fellow rookie Dillon Peters.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Dillon Peters (0-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (5-10, 6.49)

Peters is making his third major-league start and searching for his first win after struggling to get run support in his first two turns. The 25-year-old scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings and struck out eight against Philadelphia in his major-league debut on Sept. 1. Peters followed that up by allowing three runs and striking out six in five frames against Washington on Wednesday.

Pivetta is trying to bounce back after getting roughed up by the New York Mets on Wednesday and allowing six runs on 10 hits in five innings. The 24-year-old native of British Columbia was nearly as sharp as Peters when the two squared off on Sept. 1 but was also left out of the decision after allowing one run in six frames. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA in three starts against Miami this season and surrendered the only homer he has allowed to the Marlin against Stanton in six at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco is 6-for-12 with two homers and four RBIs in the last three games.

2. Marlins CF Christian Yelich is 7-for-14 with four doubles in his last three contests.

3. Miami RHP Brad Ziegler (lower back) has not pitched since Thursday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (71-72) at Toronto Blue Jays (66-77)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Orioles at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017

The Baltimore Orioles need to break out of their funk if they intend to remain in contention for a wild card in the American League. Baltimore looks to halt its five-game losing streak when it visits the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series.

The Orioles dropped a 4-3 decision in the opener on Monday, falling to 0-4 on their 10-game road trip and 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot with four teams between them. Adam Jones bounced back from an 0-for-4 effort on Sunday with his third multi-hit performance in five contests as he recorded two of Baltimore's six hits and notched his first RBI of the month. The Blue Jays have put together a three-game winning streak, but it likely is too little, too late as they are 7 1/2 games behind the Twins with six other clubs in the way. The bottom-third of Toronto's lineup had its second straight big performance, going 5-for-11 with a home run by Ryan Goins, three RBIs and three runs scored.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (13-9, 4.12 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Joe Biagini (3-10, 5.29)

Bundy's unbeaten streak ended at seven starts on Sept. 4, when he was tagged by the New York Yankees for five runs on five hits and four walks in four innings. The 24-year-old from Oklahoma posted five victories during his run of success, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one of the outings. Bundy has been dominant against Toronto in his career, going 3-0 with a 0.51 ERA in four relief appearances and two starts - both of which took place this season and resulted in victories after he gave up a total of one run over 13 frames.

Biagini will be making his fourth consecutive start and 15th overall this season, which also has seen him come out of the bullpen 26 times. The 27-year-old Californian has gone 0-2 since returning to the rotation, yielding five runs in fewer than four innings in each loss while scattering five hits and registering a career-high 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless frames in a no-decision at Baltimore. Biagini also lost his other career start against the Orioles on June 27 at home, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings to fall to 0-2 with a 2.31 ERA versus the club in 14 career appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles C Welington Castillo exited Monday's loss after one inning with a contusion after being hit with a foul ball in the groin area.

2. Toronto RHP Dominic Leone, who had made 154 major-league relief appearances prior to the series, struck out two in a scoreless inning on Monday to record his first career save.

3. Baltimore OF Craig Gentry is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday but will be limited to pinch-running duty due to his fractured right middle finger.

PREDICTION: Orioles 7, Blue Jays 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Oakland Athletics (63-80) at Boston Red Sox (81-62)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Athletics at Red Sox
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

The Boston Red Sox sit atop the American League East with three weeks left in the regular season but don't have enough breathing room to absorb any sort of losing streak. The Red Sox will try not to let one loss turn into two when they host the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Boston watched its bats go silent on Sunday in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays that ended a four-game winning streak and dropped to 4-2 on its nine-game homestand. "We have to bear down these next couple of weeks and look to win this division and get in the postseason and go from there," Red Sox right-hander and reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, who suffered his 17th loss of the season on Sunday, told reporters. The Athletics are in last place in the AL West but are thriving in the spoiler role and swept a four-game series from the West-leading Houston Astros over the weekend while pounding out a total of 41 runs. That red-hot Oakland lineup will takes its swings on Tuesday against the Red Sox's Eduardo Rodriguez, who opposes Athletics fellow left-hander Sean Manaea.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (10-9, 4.33 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (4-5, 4.33)

Manaea surrendered three or fewer runs in each of his last four outings and is coming off the best of the bunch after holding the Los Angeles Angels scoreless over six innings in a win on Wednesday. The Indiana native fanned six against the Angels after failing to notch more than three strikeouts in any of his previous six outings. Manaea started against Boston on May 20 at home and earned a win while giving three runs - two earned - over five innings.

Rodriguez is still looking for his first win since May 26 but pitched well against Toronto last Tuesday, when he surrendered two runs and six hits in six innings without factoring in the decision. The 24-year-old Venezuelan struck out eight and walked one against the Blue Jays but yielded a home run for the fourth straight start. Rodriguez's longest outing of the season came at Oakland on May 21, when he allowed three runs in eight innings to earn the victory.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox INF Eduardo Nunez (bruised knee) sat out Sunday but could return on Tuesday.

2. Oakland rookie 1B Matt Olson is 5-for-10 with two home runs, five runs scored and four RBIs in his last three games.

3. Boston RHP Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth Sunday and is up to 112 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 60 innings.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Athletics 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: New York Mets (63-80) at Chicago Cubs (77-66)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mets at Cubs
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

The Chicago Cubs have watched their National League Central lead shrink to two games and, with 11 contests remaining against the two teams chasing them, they need as much cushion as they can get. The Cubs will try to bolster their advantage when they host the struggling New York Mets for a three-game series starting Tuesday.


The Cubs have lost six of their last eight following a six-game winning streak, and their National League Central lead has dwindled to two games over both Milwaukee and St. Louis entering Monday. "I think you enjoy the pennant race," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "Enjoy this whole thing. We're in a position once again to go back to the playoffs. That's something you never want to take for granted." The Cubs have lost four straight at home for the first time since June 7-10 after being outscored 20-3 in a three-game sweep against the Brewers over the weekend. Chicago hopes to get the offense back on track in support of left-hander Jose Quintana, who is 4-0 in five starts at Wrigley Field since the Cubs acquired him from the crosstown Chicago White Sox.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Chicago


PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Robert Gsellman (6-6, 5.44 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (9-11, 4.32)

Gsellman ended a six-start winless streak when he beat Philadelphia last time out. The 24-year-old limited the Phillies to three runs (two earned) over six innings, which was just his second quality start in his last seven outings. Gsellman has struggled to a 2-3 record and a 7.44 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) on the road this season.

Quintana turned in his best outing since his Cubs debut Wednesday, as he threw six shutout innings in a 1-0 loss at Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 starts since joining the Cubs. Quintana faced the Mets for the first time last season and took a hard-luck loss despite allowing one run and six hits over seven frames.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs C Willson Contreras is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday after pinch-hitting Sunday in his return from a month-long stint on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

2. Mets SS Jose Reyes (467) is two extra-base hits shy of tying Darryl Strawberry for the second-most in franchise history.

3. The Mets have won seven of 10 meetings with the Cubs over the past two seasons, including two of three this season.


PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Mets 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: San Diego Padres (65-79) at Minnesota Twins (74-69)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Padres at Twins
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

Even in the cluttered American League wild-card picture in which most of the teams chasing them are no better than .500, the Minnesota Twins understand they have little margin for error if they want to make the postseason for the first time since 2010. The Twins will try to increase their one-game cushion in the wild-card race Tuesday when they begin a six-game homestand with the first of two against the San Diego Padres.

Minnesota, which returns home after going 3-4 on a road trip through Tampa Bay and Kansas City, dropped its final two games against the Royals over the weekend and finds itself holding off six teams within four games of the second and final AL wild-card spot entering Monday's contests. The schedule might be able to give the Twins some help in that regard, as San Diego and Toronto - the two teams they will host this week - are a combined 25 games under .500 after this weekend's action. The Padres (65-79) are playing better baseball than their overall record might suggest, however, following a near sweep of Arizona on the road over the weekend after the Diamondbacks entered that series winners of 13 in a row. San Diego watched its modest three-game winning streak snapped in Sunday's 3-2 loss to fall to 6-5 in September.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Travis Wood (3-5, 6.00 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (9-10, 5.19)

Wood endured his worst outing in eight tries last Tuesday since joining the Padres around the non-waiver trade deadline, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on seven hits - including two homers - in only two frames. The 30-year-old has particularly struggled on the road with his new team, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in three such outings. Wood has seen the Twins five times in 2017, including his only start against them while with Kansas City on July 2 in which he allowed two runs over four innings.

Gibson posted his fourth consecutive quality start Thursday at Kansas City but settled for a no-decision instead of a win for the first time over that stretch, permitting two runs on eight hits across seven innings. After going 0-2 over his previous three turns and logging no more than 5 1/3 innings in any of them, the Indiana native is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA during his hot streak. Gibson has never faced the Padres but fared poorly in 13 career interleague starts, going 3-8 with a 5.68 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Only six of the Twins' remaining 19 games are against clubs with winning records.

2. San Diego LHP Brad Hand is six strikeouts shy of joining Trevor Hoffman (1996-97) as the only relievers in team history record back-to-back 100-strikeout seasons.

3. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier needs one more homer to become the fifth different Twin since 1961 to record 30 in consecutive seasons.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Padres 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Cincinnati Reds (62-82) at St. Louis Cardinals (75-68)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Reds at Cardinals
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

One good week pulled the St. Louis Cardinals within two games of the division-leading Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. With another good week, beginning on Tuesday when they host the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series, the Cardinals could find themselves back on top.

St. Louis swept Pittsburgh over the weekend to begin its homestand and has won of nine of their last 11 games behind a pitching staff allowing an average of two runs in those 11 contests. "I think there's more energy, just due to the fact that we're getting close," Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk said, according to MLB.com. "The division isn't out of reach, and we know we have a chance to win it. And if not, make a wild-card. We can feel the playoffs aren't too far away, and it's in our grasp." The playoffs have never really been the plan for the rebuilding Reds, who sit in the Central basement but will have say in how the division shakes out with a total of 12 games remaining against St. Louis, Milwaukee and Chicago. Cincinnati right-hander Robert Stephenson will try to slow down the Cardinals' offense on Tuesday while Lance Lynn toes the rubber for St. Louis.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Robert Stephenson (4-4, 5.15 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (10-7, 2.94)

Stephenson earned the win in each of his last four outings and is coming off a strong start against Milwaukee last Tuesday, in which he surrendered one run and four hits while working around five walks. The 24-year-old fanned seven against the Brewers and owns 25 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings over his last three outings. Stephenson made his season debut in relief at St. Louis on Apr. 8 and struggled to find the zone while issuing six walks in 1 2/3 frames.

Lynn is winless in his last six outings despite surrendering two or fewer earned runs in five of those turns. The Ole Miss product yielded one run and six hits across six innings at San Diego on Thursday but took the loss in a 3-0 final. Lynn's last win came at Cincinnati on Aug. 5, when he struck out four and permitted one run and three hits across six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals CF Dexter Fowler had an MRI come back clean on a bruised knee suffered Saturday, but he sat out Sunday and remains day-to-day.

2. Cincinnati LF Adam Duvall is 4-for-28 over his last eight games.

3. St. Louis OF Tommy Pham (blurred vision) was out of the lineup on Sunday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Reds 8, Cardinals 7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Houston Astros (86-57) at Los Angeles Angels (73-70)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Astros at Angels
Gracenote
Sep 11, 2017

Instead of maintaining their hold on the best record in the American League following a three-game sweep of Seattle to begin a 10-game road trip, the Houston Astros were humiliated by the worst team in their division over the weekend. The Astros will attempt to turn the page beginning Tuesday when they send the last starting pitcher to steer them to a victory to the mound in the opener of a three-game set versus the host Los Angeles Angels.

Justin Verlander and Cameron Maybin - both of whom were acquired on Aug. 31 - teamed up to propel Houston to its sixth and seventh consecutive wins last Tuesday and Wednesday, but the team ran into a buzzsaw once it reached Oakland as the Athletics outscored the AL West leaders 41-15 during a four-game sweep. The slide was enough for the Astros (86-57) to lose their grip on the best record in the AL to red-hot Cleveland, although their lead over the Angels is secure at 13 games with 19 contests remaining. Los Angeles closed to within one game of the second and final wild-card spot in the AL with Sunday's 5-3 win against the Mariners, snapping a three-game skid. Verlander will face former Detroit teammate Justin Upton, who delivered a tiebreaking two-run double Sunday and is batting .294 with five RBIs in nine games with the Angels.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (11-8, 3.74 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (0-0, 1.13)

Verlander was victorious in his Astros debut last Tuesday, striking out seven and yielding one run on a solo homer among the six hits he allowed over six innings at Seattle. The six-time All-Star has been exceptional since the Midsummer Classic, going 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA while permitting two earned runs or fewer in nine of those 11 outings. Mike Trout is 2-for-16 with a pair of solo home runs against Verlander, who was tagged for four runs across six frames in a road loss to the Angels on May 14.

Richards made his first start in exactly five months last Tuesday in the same venue he took his previous big-league turn, settling for a no-decision in Oakland after giving up one run on four hits in 3 1/3 frames. The 29-year-old Oklahoma product, who spent most of the season recovering from a biceps strain, tossed two scoreless innings in his only one rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake before his promotion. Richards is 5-3 with a 3.73 ERA in 12 career appearances (nine starts) against the Astros but hasn't faced Houston since 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels posted their 43rd comeback victory of the season Sunday, moving within four of matching the club record.

2. Since July 4, Houston INF Alex Bregman is hitting .330 with 20 doubles, eight homers and 32 RBIs.

3. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols needs one more homer to break his tie with Jim Thome (612) for sole possession of seventh place on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Angels 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (92-51) at San Francisco Giants (56-89)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 10:15 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Dodgers at Giants
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017

Clayton Kershaw has been moved up a day in the Los Angeles rotation and seeks his 17th victory of the season when the Dodgers visit the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in the middle contest of a three-game series. The left-hander will be seeking to help the Dodgers halt their 11-game slide, and their lone win in the past 17 games was a 1-0 victory with Kershaw on the mound.

Kershaw, who leads the majors with a 2.15 ERA, can also move into a tie for the major-league lead in victories with Milwaukee's Zach Davies. Los Angeles has seen its lead over the Washington Nationals for the National League's top record reduced to 3 1/2 games after dropping an 8-6 decision in Monday's series opener in a rain-delayed affair that didn't conclude until 2:10 a.m. PT. The win was only the fifth in the past 17 games for the Giants, who received homers from outfielders Denard Span and Jarrett Parker to highlight a 12-hit attack. Even though the Giants have a highly disappointing 57-89 record, they have played the Dodgers tough while splitting 14 meetings.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (16-3, 2.15 ERA) vs. Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (7-7, 4.43)

Kershaw is making his third start after missing five-plus weeks with a back injury and still has a shot at his third 20-win campaign. The 29-year-old won 12 consecutive decisions before being mauled for four runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings while losing to the Colorado Rockies in his last turn. Kershaw is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts against the Giants this season and is 20-9 with a 1.62 ERA in 39 career appearances (38 starts).

Cueto is pitching for the third time since recovering from a forearm injury and is looking for a strong finish to a disappointing season. The 31-year-old was an 18-game winner last season and won his first three starts this year before his campaign unraveled. Cueto is 1-1 with 5.21 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers this season and 6-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 16 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants C/1B Buster Posey had two hits and two RBIs in the opener and is 17-for-40 with seven RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.

2. The losing streak is now the Dodgers' longest since moving to Los Angeles and worst for the franchise since the Brooklyn Dodgers lost 16 in a row in 1944.

3. San Francisco RF Hunter Pence, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI on Monday, is 8-for-73 with one homer against Kershaw.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Dodgers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (56-86) at Kansas City Royals (71-71)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 1:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: White Sox at Royals
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017

Jose Abreu is in the midst of a tear and looks to record his fourth consecutive stellar performance when the Chicago White Sox visit the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Abreu recorded four hits and two RBIs as the White Sox rolled to an 11-3 victory in the series opener and is 10-for-13 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last three games.

Abreu fell a homer short of the cycle just two days after hitting for one against San Francisco. The 30-year-old Cuban has been a bright spot in a dismal year for Chicago as he has belted 31 homers and stands eight RBIs shy of his fourth consecutive season with 100 or more. Kansas City suffered a huge blow with the defeat as it dropped three games behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild-card berth. Eric Hosmer recorded his ninth consecutive hit on Monday before being retired and falling one short of matching the franchise record.

TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Covey (0-4, 8.08 ERA) vs. Royals RHP Sam Gaviglio (3-5, 4.41)

Covey is making his ninth start of the season but first since losing to Arizona on May 23. He injured an oblique muscle and departed after 2 1/3 innings in that contest, missing nearly three months. The 26-year-old Covey, who still is looking for his first major-league victory, is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two turns against Kansas City this season.

Gaviglio is making his second start since joining the Royals and settled for a no-decision in the first after allowing one run and four hits over five innings against Minnesota. The 27-year-old went 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) for Seattle this season before being claimed off waivers earlier this month. Gaviglio made his first major-league start against the White Sox on May 18, when he gave up just three hits in five scoreless frames of a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox have outscored opponents 32-5 during their three-game winning streak.

2. Chicago rookie 2B Yoan Moncada posted his first career three-hit performance on Monday.

3. Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy (forearm) threw 46 pitches during a three-inning simulated game on Monday and is expected to be activated this weekend.

PREDICTION: Royals 8, White Sox 7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Detroit Tigers (60-82) at Cleveland Indians (87-56)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 12 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Tigers at Indians
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017

The Cleveland Indians will try to become the fourth team in baseball history to win 20 consecutive games when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. The red-hot Indians had no issues pushing their remarkable run to 19 straight with an 11-0 rout of the Tigers in the series opener, riding six scoreless innings from Carlos Carrasco and another big night from Francisco Lindor.

The All-Star shortstop tripled in three runs to highlight a five-run second and is 10-for-21 with three homers, two triples, two doubles and seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak. Cleveland, which has a magic number of six for clinching the American League Central, would match the 2002 Oakland Athletics for the longest winning streak in AL history with a victory Tuesday. It certainly has a great chance at extending the run with ace Corey Kluber on the mound facing a Tigers club that has scored a total of six runs during a three-game slide. Kluber is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA during the Indians' winning streak and opposes Matt Boyd.


TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matt Boyd (5-9, 5.93 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (15-4, 2.56)

Boyd is 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA since the beginning of August after giving up four runs in six innings against Kansas City on Wednesday. The 26-year-old's one solid start in that stretch came against Cleveland on Sept. 1, when he let up a run in five frames of a no-decision. Boyd has a 1.93 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus the Indians.

Kluber struck out 13 in seven dominant innings at the Chicago White Sox his last time out, his 14th double-digit strikeout effort of the season and 13th since June 1. The former Cy Young Award winner has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight outings and has done so nine consecutive times at home. Kluber gave up 11 runs in 9 1/3 innings in his first two meetings with the Tigers this year, but he rebounded to yield two runs in 13 frames over the next two, including an eight-inning gem at Detroit on Sept. 2.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 3B/2B Jose Ramirez was removed for precautionary reasons Tuesday after suffering a left forearm bruise.

2. After winning five of the first seven meetings this year, the Tigers have dropped nine of 10 against their division rivals.

3. Cleveland OF Bradley Zimmer will undergo surgery Tuesday on his fractured left hand and is out for the rest of the season.

PREDICTION: Indians 8, Tigers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Atlanta at Washington

W/L Trends
Atlanta

Braves are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. National League East.
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Braves are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
Braves are 7-16 in their last 23 road games.
Braves are 2-6 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Braves are 3-10 in their last 13 games following a win.
Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 during game 1 of a series.
Braves are 6-2 in Teherans last 8 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Braves are 8-3 in Teherans last 11 road starts.
Braves are 5-2 in Teherans last 7 starts vs. National League East.
Braves are 4-9 in Teherans last 13 Tuesday starts.
Braves are 5-12 in Teherans last 17 starts with 5 days of rest.
Braves are 2-5 in Teherans last 7 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Braves are 1-4 in Teherans last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.

Washington

Nationals are 4-0 in their last 4 games following an off day.
Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Nationals are 7-1 in their last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Nationals are 7-1 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Nationals are 7-1 in their last 8 home games.
Nationals are 6-1 in their last 7 overall.
Nationals are 6-1 in their last 7 games on grass.
Nationals are 10-2 in their last 12 during game 1 of a series.
Nationals are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Nationals are 16-5 in their last 21 Tuesday games.
Nationals are 23-9 in their last 32 vs. a team with a losing record.
Nationals are 5-2 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Nationals are 14-6 in their last 20 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Nationals are 46-20 in their last 66 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 74-35 in their last 109 vs. National League East.
Nationals are 5-0 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Nationals are 4-0 in Gonzalezs last 4 starts vs. National League East.
Nationals are 4-0 in Gonzalezs last 4 home starts.
Nationals are 5-0 in Gonzalezs last 5 Tuesday starts.
Nationals are 7-1 in Gonzalezs last 8 starts.
Nationals are 7-1 in Gonzalezs last 8 starts on grass.
Nationals are 4-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Nationals are 4-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.
Nationals are 2-5 in Gonzalezs last 7 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
Atlanta

Under is 4-0 in Braves last 4 Tuesday games.
Over is 5-1-1 in Braves last 7 overall.
Over is 5-1-1 in Braves last 7 on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 games following a win.
Over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Braves last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Braves last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 3-1-1 in Braves last 5 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Braves last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 37-14-1 in Braves last 52 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 19-9 in Braves last 28 road games.
Under is 5-0-1 in Teherans last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 6-0-1 in Teherans last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1-1 in Teherans last 7 starts on grass.
Under is 5-1 in Teherans last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 5-1-1 in Teherans last 7 starts overall.
Under is 5-1 in Teherans last 6 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 16-4-1 in Teherans last 21 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 13-6 in Teherans last 19 starts vs. National League East.

Washington

Under is 6-0 in Nationals last 6 games following an off day.
Under is 3-0-2 in Nationals last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 2-0-2 in Nationals last 4 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-2 in Nationals last 7 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Under is 4-1-3 in Nationals last 8 vs. National League East.
Under is 15-4-3 in Nationals last 22 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 19-6-3 in Nationals last 28 during game 1 of a series.
Under is 3-1-1 in Nationals last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 3-1-3 in Nationals last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 3-1-1 in Nationals last 5 home games.
Under is 19-7-3 in Nationals last 29 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 21-8-4 in Nationals last 33 games following a win.
Under is 18-7-6 in Nationals last 31 overall.
Under is 18-7-6 in Nationals last 31 on grass.
Over is 5-2-1 in Nationals last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 5-0-1 in Gonzalezs last 6 starts during game 1 of a series.
Under is 2-0-2 in Gonzalezs last 4 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-1-1 in Gonzalezs last 9 starts with 5 days of rest.
Over is 4-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 Tuesday starts.
Under is 3-1-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-2-1 in Gonzalezs last 9 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 23-8-2 in Gonzalezs last 33 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3-2 in Gonzalezs last 13 starts on grass.
Under is 8-3-2 in Gonzalezs last 13 starts overall.
Over is 5-2-1 in Gonzalezs last 8 starts vs. National League East.
Under is 7-3 in Gonzalezs last 10 home starts.

Head to Head

Over is 5-0-1 in Teherans last 6 starts vs. Nationals.
Nationals are 4-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 home starts vs. Braves.
Over is 4-1 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts vs. Braves.
Over is 4-1 in Teherans last 5 road starts vs. Nationals.
Over is 21-6 in the last 27 meetings.
Over is 22-7 in the last 29 meetings in Washington.
Braves are 15-36 in the last 51 meetings.
Nationals are 1-4 in Gonzalezs last 5 starts vs. Braves.
Braves are 2-8 in Teherans last 10 starts vs. Nationals.
Braves are 5-22 in the last 27 meetings in Washington.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Chi. White Sox at Kansas City

W/L Trends
Chi. White Sox

White Sox are 17-35 in their last 52 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
White Sox are 19-41 in their last 60 overall.
White Sox are 19-41 in their last 60 games on grass.
White Sox are 29-66 in their last 95 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
White Sox are 9-24 in their last 33 vs. American League Central.
White Sox are 7-20 in their last 27 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
White Sox are 13-39 in their last 52 road games.
White Sox are 4-13 in their last 17 during game 2 of a series.
White Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
White Sox are 0-4 in their last 4 Tuesday games.
White Sox are 1-4 in Coveys last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
White Sox are 1-4 in Coveys last 5 starts.
White Sox are 1-4 in Coveys last 5 starts on grass.
White Sox are 0-5 in Coveys last 5 road starts.

Kansas City

Royals are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Royals are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Royals are 3-8 in their last 11 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Royals are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.

OU Trends
Chi. White Sox

Over is 3-0-1 in White Sox last 4 overall.
Over is 3-0-1 in White Sox last 4 on grass.
Over is 4-0 in White Sox last 4 during game 2 of a series.
Under is 6-2 in White Sox last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Under is 9-4 in White Sox last 13 vs. American League Central.
Under is 9-4-1 in White Sox last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Kansas City

Over is 5-1 in Royals last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 5-1-1 in Royals last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Over is 8-3 in Royals last 11 vs. American League Central.
Over is 5-2 in Royals last 7 overall.
Over is 5-2 in Royals last 7 on grass.
Under is 14-6-1 in Royals last 21 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Head to Head

Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Kansas City.
White Sox are 21-44 in the last 65 meetings.
White Sox are 7-20 in the last 27 meetings in Kansas City.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Miami at Philadelphia

W/L Trends
Miami

Marlins are 8-2 in their last 10 games following an off day.
Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Marlins are 3-13 in their last 16 vs. National League East.
Marlins are 2-9 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Marlins are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a loss.
Marlins are 1-6 in their last 7 road games.
Marlins are 1-6 in their last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Marlins are 2-12 in their last 14 overall.
Marlins are 2-12 in their last 14 games on grass.
Marlins are 1-7 in their last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Marlins are 0-4 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.

Philadelphia

Phillies are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Phillies are 25-51 in their last 76 games following a loss.
Phillies are 17-37 in their last 54 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Phillies are 11-24 in their last 35 during game 1 of a series.
Phillies are 3-7 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Phillies are 6-14 in their last 20 vs. a team with a losing record.
Phillies are 8-20 in their last 28 Tuesday games.
Phillies are 2-6 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Phillies are 3-9 in their last 12 games following an off day.
Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. National League East.
Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 overall.
Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass.
Phillies are 1-5 in their last 6 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Phillies are 1-6 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Phillies are 2-5 in Pivettas last 7 home starts.
Phillies are 2-5 in Pivettas last 7 starts.
Phillies are 2-5 in Pivettas last 7 starts on grass.
Phillies are 1-4 in Pivettas last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
Phillies are 1-4 in Pivettas last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Phillies are 1-4 in Pivettas last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Phillies are 3-13 in Pivettas last 16 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Phillies are 1-5 in Pivettas last 6 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.

OU Trends
Miami

Over is 4-1 in Marlins last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 4-1-1 in Marlins last 6 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 3-1-1 in Marlins last 5 overall.
Over is 24-8-3 in Marlins last 35 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 9-3 in Marlins last 12 road games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Marlins last 5 on grass.
Over is 15-5-2 in Marlins last 22 Tuesday games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Marlins last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 3-1-1 in Marlins last 5 vs. National League East.
Under is 6-2-1 in Marlins last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 7-3 in Marlins last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 36-17 in Marlins last 53 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Philadelphia

Under is 4-0 in Phillies last 4 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-0 in Phillies last 4 Tuesday games.
Under is 4-0 in Phillies last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Phillies last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 4-1 in Phillies last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 7-2-1 in Phillies last 10 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Phillies last 5 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Over is 5-2-2 in Phillies last 9 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 32-15-7 in Phillies last 54 games following a loss.
Over is 17-8 in Phillies last 25 games following an off day.
Over is 3-0-1 in Pivettas last 4 home starts.
Over is 5-1 in Pivettas last 6 starts vs. National League East.
Over is 4-1 in Pivettas last 5 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Pivettas last 5 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Pivettas last 5 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Pivettas last 7 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2-1 in Pivettas last 8 starts on grass.
Over is 5-2 in Pivettas last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 5-2-1 in Pivettas last 8 starts overall.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Trends - Baltimore at Toronto

W/L Trends
Baltimore

Orioles are 4-1 in their last 5 during game 2 of a series.
Orioles are 11-27 in their last 38 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Orioles are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
Orioles are 0-5 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Orioles are 5-0 in Bundys last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Orioles are 7-1 in Bundys last 8 starts.
Orioles are 4-1 in Bundys last 5 road starts.
Orioles are 4-1 in Bundys last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Orioles are 4-1 in Bundys last 5 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Orioles are 5-2 in Bundys last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Orioles are 5-2 in Bundys last 7 Tuesday starts.
Orioles are 1-4 in Bundys last 5 starts vs. American League East.

Toronto

Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing record.
Blue Jays are 7-15 in their last 22 overall.
Blue Jays are 5-11 in their last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Blue Jays are 2-5 in their last 7 games on astroturf.
Blue Jays are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
Blue Jays are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. American League East.
Blue Jays are 0-4 in their last 4 Tuesday games.
Blue Jays are 0-5 in Biaginis last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Blue Jays are 0-5 in Biaginis last 5 starts vs. American League East.
Blue Jays are 0-6 in Biaginis last 6 home starts.
Blue Jays are 0-5 in Biaginis last 5 starts.
Blue Jays are 0-6 in Biaginis last 6 starts on astroturf.

OU Trends
Baltimore

Under is 4-0 in Orioles last 4 road games.
Under is 4-0 in Orioles last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 12-1 in Orioles last 13 during game 2 of a series.
Under is 5-1 in Orioles last 6 on astroturf.
Over is 4-1 in Orioles last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 11-3 in Orioles last 14 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 3-1-1 in Orioles last 5 vs. American League East.
Under is 20-7-1 in Orioles last 28 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 23-9-2 in Orioles last 34 Tuesday games.
Over is 8-0 in Bundys last 8 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Over is 4-0 in Bundys last 4 starts vs. American League East.
Over is 6-1 in Bundys last 7 road starts.
Under is 5-1-1 in Bundys last 7 Tuesday starts.
Over is 4-1 in Bundys last 5 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 11-3 in Bundys last 14 starts overall.
Over is 5-2 in Bundys last 7 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.

Toronto

Under is 4-0 in Blue Jays last 4 during game 2 of a series.
Under is 4-1-1 in Blue Jays last 6 vs. American League East.
Under is 10-3 in Blue Jays last 13 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 8-3 in Blue Jays last 11 Tuesday games.
Under is 12-5 in Blue Jays last 17 home games.
Under is 7-3 in Blue Jays last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 4-0 in Biaginis last 4 starts with 5 days of rest.
Under is 5-1 in Biaginis last 6 starts vs. American League East.
Under is 4-1 in Biaginis last 5 starts overall.
Under is 6-2 in Biaginis last 8 starts on astroturf.
Under is 5-2 in Biaginis last 7 home starts.

Head to Head

Under is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings in Toronto.
Under is 19-6-1 in the last 26 meetings.
Orioles are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.
Orioles are 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.