Friday 9-15-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Martin
Sep 15 '17, 7:35 PM
MLB | NYM vs ATL
Play on: OVER 9½ -105

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Mets/Braves OVER 9.5

One of the sneakiest money-makers this baseball season has been New York Mets OVERS. They are 84-51 to the OVER on the season, including 44-24 OVER on the road. And the OVER is 4-0 in their last four games with combined scores of 15, 11, 22 and 20 runs. Now they're up against a hot hitting Braves lineup that has scored 6 or more runs in four of their last five games. I think we see double-digit runs again here between these teams. Rafael Montero is 5-6 with a 4.67 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 15 starts for the Mets, while Sean Newcomb is 2-8 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 16 starts for the Braves.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Info Plays
Sep 15 '17, 7:35 PM
MLB | Mets vs Braves
Play on: Braves -134 at betonline

1* Free Play on Braves -134

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Williams
Sep 15 '17, 8:10 PM
MLB | Blue Jays vs Twins
Play on: Blue Jays -107 at GTBets

1* on Blue Jays -107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (77-69) at Chicago Cubs (80-66)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Cardinals at Cubs
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

Perhaps fueled by the incredible start to September the St. Louis Cardinals are enjoying, the Chicago Cubs made quick work of their most recent opponent in a dominant three-game sweep. The National League Central rivals will face each other seven times over their final 16 contests, with the first of those meetings taking place Friday afternoon in the opener of a three-game set in Chicago.

The Cubs saw their lead in the division dwindle to two games after Milwaukee swept them at Wrigley Field last weekend, but the same offense that mustered only five runs and 19 hits against the Brewers came alive versus the New York Mets, piling up 39 runs and 41 hits while winning each game by at least five runs. The sweep of the Mets enabled the defending world champions to maintain their three-game advantage over Milwaukee and St. Louis in the Central heading into the weekend. The Cardinals, who trail Colorado by 2 1/2 games for the second NL wild-card spot, improved to 10-3 this month following a 5-2 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday but must carry the success from their 5-1 homestand into what figures to be a pivotal 10-game road trip. St. Louis has lost eight of the 12 meetings this season, including five of six in Chicago.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (11-10, 3.33 ERA) vs. Cubs RH John Lackey (11-11, 4.65)

Martinez on Saturday became the first St. Louis pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1969 to reach 200 strikeouts in a season at age 25 or younger but settled for a no-decision against Pittsburgh despite yielding two runs and fanning eight across six innings. The two-time All-Star has been sensational in two September outings, posting a 1.20 ERA while striking out 18 and holding opponents to a .135 batting average. Martinez last faced the Cubs on July 21, when he did not factor in the decision after permitting three runs - two earned - in six frames.

Lackey also has been sharp in two starts this month, giving up two runs and seven hits while striking out 14 in as many innings. However, the 38-year-old absorbed a hard-luck loss last Friday versus Milwaukee despite fanning nine in seven frames, giving up a first-inning, two-run blast that proved to be the only offense either team would muster. Lackey is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts this season versus the Cardinals, yielding two runs over seven innings against them in a no-decision on June 2.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have scored a major league-best 347 runs since the All-Star break and rank second in the NL for the season with 746.

2. With his two-run shot in the fifth inning on Thursday, OF Tommy Pham became the first Cardinal to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in the same season since Reggie Sanders in 2004.

3. St. Louis OF Dexter Fowler (knee) is hopeful he will be cleared to return at some point during this series. Fowler has not played since being diagnosed with a left knee contusion last weekend.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 3, Cubs 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Oakland Athletics (64-82) at Philadelphia Phillies (57-89)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Athletics at Phillies
Gracenote
Sep 14, 2017

Rhys Hoskins' impressive power display has generated enormous buzz for a Philadelphia Phillies team that has owned the league's worst record for much of the season. With 18 homers in 34 contests since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Hoskins looks to add to his historic total as the Phillies continue their 10-game homestand with the opener of a three-game interleague set against the Oakland Athletics on Friday.

Hoskins launched his fourth homer during Philadelphia's three-game sweep of Miami with a two-run shot to highlight a seven-run second inning in Thursday's 10-0 victory. The Phillies outscored the Marlins by a 27-9 margin en route to relinquishing ownership of the majors' worst record. American League West cellar-dwelling Oakland saw its road-worst mark dip to 22-49 on Thursday afternoon with a 6-2 setback to Boston, marking the Athletics' second loss in the last eight games. Ryon Healy homered for the second time in three outings to improve to 14-for-45 in September.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (0-1, 7.07 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (3-5, 4.84)

Mengden was impressive in his first big-league start since June 3, allowing two earned runs on five hits over six innings of a no-decision versus Houston on Saturday. The 24-year-old surrendered one homer in that contest and has been taken deep five times in his three outings (14 innings) this season. Mengden owns a 1-3 mark with a 4.60 ERA in five career starts against National League representatives, although he has yet to face the Phillies.

Leiter has struggled mightily in his last two starts, splitting the decisions despite surrendering 13 runs on 15 hits in 9 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old permitted a pair of homers in both outings, but considered himself fortunate to walk away with the 5-4 win at Washington on Saturday. "I just like I had pretty good command of all of my pitches," Leiter told reporters. "Try to minimize the damage if you get in a tough spot.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland 3B Matt Chapman is 0-for-10 with six strikeouts in his last three games after going 7-for-15 with six RBIs and as many runs scored in his previous four.

2. Philadelphia rookie RF Nick Williams has collected 18 RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak.

3. Athletics RF Mark Canha has recorded three-hit performances in two of his last three games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Athletics 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (72-75) at New York Yankees (80-66)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Orioles at Yankees
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

The New York Yankees finish up the season with a boatload of home games and it looks as if they intend on making the most of the favorable stretch. The Yankees will try to bolster their playoff chances and further dampen those of the Baltimore Orioles when the teams continue a four-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

Behind two three-run homers by Aaron Judge and another solid start by Masahiro Tanaka, New York steamrolled to a 13-5 victory in the series opener, which kicked off a closing run in which it plays 13 of its last 16 in the Bronx. Judge, who set a current Yankee Stadium record with his 27th blast at home, is batting .472 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs in 16 games against the Orioles. The Yankees have won five of six, continue to hold down the top spot in the American League wild-card race and remain three games behind first-place Boston in the AL East. Baltimore is 1-7 in its last eight games and sits 5 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the second wild-card.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Gabriel Ynoa (1-1, 4.19 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (12-6, 2.96)

Ynoa made his first start for the Orioles on Saturday at Cleveland, allowing three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings to get tagged with the loss. He recorded two scoreless innings in relief against the Yankees five days earlier. The 24-year-old, who has a 3.94 ERA in four career starts, owns a 7.53 mark in seven games (two starts) on the road.

Severino appears to be getting stronger as the year wears on and limited Texas to a run and just one hit in seven innings Saturday. He struck out 10 batters and has fanned at least eight in five consecutive outings to give him 211 on the season, good for fourth in the AL. The 23-year-old is 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA in his career against Baltimore, although Manny Machado has three homers and one double in 14 career at-bats against Severino.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 3B Todd Frazier also went deep Thursday and has four home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.

2. Tanaka had eight strikeouts and New York pitchers had 10 total in the win, giving the staff a club single-season club record of 1,401.

3. Orioles C Welington Castillo (groin) returned from a two-game layoff Thursday and went 0-for-3.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, Orioles 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (94-52) at Washington Nationals (89-57)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Dodgers at Nationals
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

It hasn't taken long for the Los Angeles Dodgers to figure out what they have in 22-year-old Cody Bellinger, and the Washington Nationals hope they may be on the verge of getting similar contributions from 20-year-old Victor Robles. The Nationals' young outfielder hopes to follow up a brilliant performance in his second career start when Washington hosts the Dodgers on Friday for the opener of a three-game series featuring the two teams with the best records in the National League.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker opted to rest a few veterans after his club lost the first two games of its series with Atlanta by a combined score of 16-2, and Robles made the decision pay off in a big way by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Thursday's 5-2 win. The victory allowed Washington (89-57), which already has clinched the NL East, to close within five games of idle Los Angeles atop the league standings. The Dodgers (94-52), who still boast the best record in the majors despite losing 16 of 17 from Aug. 26-Sept. 11, lowered their magic number to clinch the NL West to seven by capturing the final two contests of their three-game set in San Francisco for their first series victory in just under three weeks. Bellinger complemented strong performances by Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish in those victories, going a combined 4-for-6 with a triple, home run, three RBIs and four runs scored.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (14-3, 2.81 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (5-5, 4.14)

Wood struggled through one of his more difficult outings while getting saddled with a second straight loss Saturday against Colorado, surrendering five runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. Since posting a 1.56 ERA while winning each of his first 11 decisions, the North Carolina native is 3-3 with a 5.10 ERA while battling a sternum injury. Wood hasn't faced Washington since 2015 and is 0-2 with a 2.85 ERA in four career starts at Nationals Park, but he has been stellar in 11 road turns this season, going 6-1 with a 2.38 ERA.

Jackson has labored through two September starts and is coming off his worst effort since joining the Nationals in mid-June. The former Dodgers farmhand fell to 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA this month after getting tagged for five runs on seven hits - two homers - and three walks in a loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. Curtis Granderson (5-for-16) and Adrian Gonzalez (4-for-13) both have homered against Jackson, who is 4-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 10 career games (eight starts) versus the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington took the first two meetings in Los Angeles in their early June series, but the Dodgers' triumph in the finale started their run of winning 56 of 67 games.

2. Nationals SS Trea Turner needs one more stolen base to tie the club record of 41 set in 2006 by Alfonso Soriano.

3. Despite batting .222 with no more than one hit in any game this month, Los Angeles SS Corey Seager is hitting .331 since Aug. 3.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Nationals 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (83-63) at Tampa Bay Rays (72-75)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Red Sox at Rays
Gracenote
Sep 14, 2017

After a week of uncertainty, it was a relief for the Tampa Bay Rays to finally get word that not only would they be going home, but they would get to play games this weekend at Tropicana Field. The Rays will welcome the Boston Red Sox for the opener of a three-game series in Tampa beginning on Friday.

Hurricane Irma caused the cancellation and postponements of sporting events all over Florida, and the Rays were forced to play a home series against the New York Yankees at Citi Field in New York earlier this week before getting word that Tampa would be able to host this weekend's series. "I don't know if the right word is 'relief,' but it is nice to finally get home," Rays right-hander Chris Archer told reporters while focusing on baseball after a 3-2 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday. "I don't think there's anybody feeling relieved after we lost two of three given our current situation. ... There were some good things, there were some bad things, but turn the page, and go get the Red Sox on Friday." Boston took two of three from Tampa Bay at home last weekend and won six of its last eight games after finishing off the homestand with a 6-2 triumph over Oakland on Thursday. The Red Sox, who enter the series in first place in the American League East, will send ace Chris Sale to the mound in the opener opposite Rays right-hander Matt Andriese.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (16-7, 2.76 ERA) vs. Rays RH Matt Andriese (5-3, 4.46)

Sale is in a battle with Cleveland's Corey Kluber for the AL Cy Young Award and had no trouble cutting through Tampa Bay's lineup on Saturday, when he scattered six hits and struck out eight in six innings to earn the win. The Florida native lost three of his previous four outings and is just 9-14 with a 3.63 ERA in his career in September. Sale is 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in five starts against the Rays this season and owns 25 strikeouts in 15 total innings at Tropicana Field.

Andriese went up against Sale last Saturday and could not make it out of the second inning while being charged with eight runs - six earned - on seven hits and two walks in 1 2/3 frames. The 28-year-old surrendered a total of 13 runs - 11 earned - in 6 2/3 innings over his last two outings - both losses. Andriese is a much better pitcher at Tropicana Field, where he owns a 4-0 record with a 3.48 ERA in eight starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi is 11-for-22 with six doubles and eight RBIs in his last five games.

2. Tampa Bay 1B Logan Morrison is 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts in his last seven games.

3. Boston activated LHP David Price (elbow) from the 10-day DL on Thursday and plans to use him out of the bullpen.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Rays 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Kansas City Royals (72-74) at Cleveland Indians (91-56)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Royals at Indians
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

The Cleveland Indians look to follow up perhaps their most dramatic victory in a historic winning streak when they put the 22-game run on the line against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Friday. Down to their last strike in the opener of the four-game set Thursday night, the Indians forced extra innings on a game-tying double by Francisco Lindor and won it in the 10th on Jay Bruce's walk-off RBI double.

The 22-game winning streak is the second-longest in baseball history behind a 26-game run by the 1916 New York Giants, whose streak took place entirely at home and had a tie mixed in. Cleveland, which has defeated Kansas City four times during the streak by a combined margin of 23-2, has a magic number of three to clinch the American League Central. An 8-13 slide has severely hurt the Royals in their pursuit of a wild-card spot, with Thursday's loss dropping them five games out of a playoff position. Trevor Bauer has won nine consecutive decisions for Cleveland and will be tasked with extending the club's remarkable run when he starts Friday opposite Jason Vargas for Kansas City.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Jason Vargas (15-10, 4.15 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (16-8, 4.33)

Vargas gave up eight runs over 9 2/3 innings in back-to-back starts against Cleveland last month, part of a stretch that has seen the veteran post a 7.27 ERA since the All-Star break. He was much better Sunday against Minnesota, allowing a run in five frames to earn a win and establish a career high in victories. The Long Beach State product is 8-5 with a 4.18 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Indians.

Bauer enters Friday tied for the AL lead in victories after winning his fifth straight start Sunday against Baltimore. The 26-year-old yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings for the second straight outing while improving to 9-3 at home. Bauer blanked the Royals over 6 1/3 frames last month and has a lifetime 3.00 ERA against them in nine meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 2B/3B Jose Ramirez went 4-for-4 on Thursday and is 8-for-12 during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Cleveland's rotation has a 1.77 ERA during the winning streak.

3. The Indians have won seven of the last eight meetings after opening 3-5 against Kansas City.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Royals 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (68-79) at Cincinnati Reds (63-84)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Pirates at Reds
Gracenote
Sep 14, 2017

The Pittsburgh Pirates are fading to the finish after a handful of years in the postseason race, and individual accomplishments are starting to take center stage. The Pirates will try to tack a win onto the milestones when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen became the fourth player in Pittsburgh franchise history to reach 200 career homers when he belted a solo shot off Milwaukee's Chase Anderson in the first inning of an 8-2 loss on Wednesday, joining Willie Stargell (475), Ralph Kiner (301) and Roberto Clemente (240). "It's cool, but I plan on playing for another 10 years," McCutchen, who could become a free agent after the season if the team declines its $14.5 million option, told reporters. "It's cool to be here for a day, but I'll try to keep pushing forward. It was a good day for the homer and all, but we're past that. That's it." The Pirates (68-79) are losers of seven of their last eight games but still sit above the Reds (63-84), who dropped five of seven on a road trip that was capped by a 5-2 loss at St. Louis on Thursday. Pittsburgh will send right-hander Chad Kuhl to the mound on Friday while Cincinnati counters with struggling veteran Homer Bailey.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (7-10, 4.21 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (4-8, 7.26)

Kuhl struggled with his control last time out and issued five walks in six innings but limited the damage to two runs - one earned. The 25-year-old Delaware native surrendered a total of six hits in 13 innings over his last two starts and yielded three or fewer runs in each of his last five turns. Kuhl dominated in his lone start against Cincinnati, scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings to earn the win.

Bailey is winless in his last five outings and was ripped for five runs on six hits and three walks in six innings at the New York Mets on Saturday. The veteran Texan owns a 1.76 WHIP while allowing 96 hits and 35 walks in 74 1/3 total innings while making his way back from injury. Bailey allowed one run over six innings to earn a win at Pittsburgh on Aug. 1 and has held McCutchen homerless in 45 career at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 1B Joey Votto hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games, raising his batting average to .316.

2. McCutchen recorded an extra-base hit in each of the last four games.

3. Pittsburgh rookie 1B Josh Bell (24) needs two home runs to tie Jason Bay for the most in club history by a rookie.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (59-87) at Detroit Tigers (60-86)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: White Sox at Tigers
Gracenote
Sep 14, 2017

The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox both took hard turns toward rebuilding this season, and one of those teams is starting to see its young players perform. The White Sox will try to pile on again and grab a sixth win in seven games when they visit the Tigers for the second of a four-game series on Friday.

Chicago pounded out 25 hits is 17-7 rout of Detroit in Thursday's series opener, with youngsters Yoan Moncada (4-for-5 with a home run and five runs scored), Tim Anderson (3-for-7 with two runs scored and two RBIs) and Matt Davidson (3-for-5, three RBIs) stepping up to lead the way along with former Tiger Avisail Garcia and veteran slugger Jose Abreu. Garcia, 26, who is emerging as a cornerstone of the rebuilding process, became the first White Sox player with at least five hits and seven RBIs since 1930 with his 5-for-5 effort on Thursday that raised his batting average to .333. Detroit got a later start on its rebuild and is in the process of sinking in the standings while turning over the roster. The Tigers (60-86) will try to stay ahead of the White Sox (59-87) in the standings when they throw veteran Anibal Sanchez against Chicago rookie Carson Fulmer on Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (2-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (3-4, 7.43)

Fulmer picked up a win over San Francisco on Sunday, breezing through six innings and allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine. The nine strikeouts were a career high and six more than the Vanderbilt product combined to record in his first three major-league appearances this season. Fulmer, who appeared in eight games in relief late last season, surrendered four runs in 1 2/3 innings across two appearances against Detroit in 2016.

Sanchez is winless in his last five appearances and was ripped for seven runs and 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings at Toronto on Sunday. The Venezuela native's 7.43 ERA is the worst mark of his 12-year career, and he has surrendered 25 home runs in just 82 1/3 innings split between starting and relieving this season. Sanchez came out of the bullpen in his only appearance against Chicago this season on Apr. 6 and was knocked around for five runs - one earned - on four hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers RF/3B Nick Castellanos extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a pair of hits on Thursday.

2. Abreu's 4-for-5 effort on Thursday marked the third time in the last six games that he recorded four hits.

3. Detroit dropped its last six games and 12 of the past 14.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Tigers 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: New York Mets (63-83) at Atlanta Braves (66-79)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mets at Braves
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

The Atlanta Braves open a three-game home series Friday against the New York Mets with no hope of reaching the playoffs, but in Ozzie Albies they have indications better times may be coming soon. The rookie second baseman extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a two-run homer in Thursday’s 5-2 defeat at Washington, giving Albies a .346 batting average in his past 27 games as he and his teammates look to contend in 2018.

The Braves come home having won six of their past eight games, and saw center fielder Ender Inciarte - who is 13 hits shy of 200 for the season - return to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s game with a minor thumb injury. The Mets have dropped four games in a row and are just 4-13 in their past 17 road games after Thursday’s 14-6 drubbing at the Chicago Cubs, losing shortstop Amed Rosario to a hip flexor injury in the process. Travis d’Arnaud (who left with a twisted right knee in the fifth inning) and Dominic Smith homered for New York, which has established a franchise record with 116 long balls in road contests this season, and are seven homers away from matching the franchise’s single-season record of 218 established in 2016. Smith has been one of the Mets’ best hitters this month, collecting three doubles, four homers, 11 RBIs and four walks in 13 games.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Rafael Montero (5-9, 5.05 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (2-8, 4.38)

Montero has settled into New York’s rotation in the second half of the season, winning for the fourth time in his past five decisions after holding Cincinnati to one run on four hits over five innings Saturday. Montero, who has 15 starts and 15 relief appearances on the season, has won three consecutive starts while posting a 2.41 ERA and .194 opponents’ batting average. He has made four career appearances against the Braves, all in relief, taking the loss on April 5 after allowing two runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Newcomb has won just once in his past 12 starts after receiving a no-decision in his last outing Sept. 7 against Miami, giving up three runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts across five innings. He made his major-league debut against the Mets on June 10, striking out seven while allowing an unearned run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings. Newcomb posted a 7.61 ERA in July but lowered that number to 4.02 in six August starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York SS Jose Reyes is batting .366 in his past 20 games with 22 runs scored and 12 RBIs.

2. Atlanta C Kurt Suzuki brings a five-game hitting streak into the weekend, and is second on the Braves in homers since July 1 with 11.

3. The Mets lead the season series 7-5, but the two teams have not played since June 11.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (74-73) at Houston Astros (88-58)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mariners at Astros
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

James Paxton returns to the mound at a good time for the Seattle Mariners as they open a three-game series against the host Houston Astros on Friday. Paxton takes the ball after a 36-day absence due to a pectoral injury as he aims to help Seattle win its fourth consecutive contest.

Paxton won seven straight decisions prior to getting hurt against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 10, and the Mariners are glad to get him back as they sit 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild-card spot. "It's important baseball right now, we're right there," Paxton told reporters. "We just need to play really strong baseball to end this thing off and get where we want to get to. I'm excited to be a part of it." Seattle won the final three contests of a four-game set with Texas by a cumulative 28-8 score and Nelson Cruz went 4-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored in Thursday's 10-4 victory. Houston's Yuli Gurriel recorded three hits in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday to reduce the club's magic number to clinch the AL West to three.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (12-3, 2.78 ERA) vs. Astros RH Charlie Morton (11-7, 3.86)

Paxton will be limited to approximately 50 pitches as Seattle doesn't want to overextend him. The 28-year-old was dominating hitters prior to his injury, striking out 47 against three walks over his final six starts. Paxton is 2-0 with a 0.45 ERA in three starts against Houston this season and 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA in seven career turns.

Morton struck out 17 over 10 innings in his last two outings as he split the decisions. The 33-year-old has set a personal best for victories this season and has fared well at home, going 8-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 14 turns. Morton never faced Seattle prior to this season but is 0-2 with a 4.58 ERA in three starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF Jake Marisnick (thumb) will undergo surgery Friday and be sidelined six-to-eight weeks.

2. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager contributed three homers and nine RBIs in the series versus Texas and has gone deep six times during his 11-game hitting streak.

3. Houston RHP Mike Fiers was suspended five games - the discipline started Thursday - for throwing a pitch near the head of Los Angeles Angels INF Luis Valbuena on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Astros 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (77-69) at Miami Marlins (68-78)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Brewers at Marlins
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

The wrath of Hurricane Irma caused significant damage throughout the Sunshine State, with loss of life and massive damage to property far outweighing the "importance" of a simple baseball series. With that in mind, the Marlins' three-game set with the Brewers - including Friday's opener - was shuffled from Miami to Milwaukee as South Florida does its best to recover from the storm.

"Marlins Park stood ready to host the games, but we all agreed that burdening public service resources was not the proper course of action," Marlins president David Samson said in a statement. "All of our employees, as well as our entire community, have other needs that must take a priority." Miami's current road trip is extended to a three-city, 10-game swing, although the Marlins officially will be the "home" team and bat second this weekend. While the Marlins have dropped 15 of 17 and were outscored 27-9 en route to being unceremoniously swept by Philadelphia, Milwaukee has won five of six to reside three games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. Eric Thames has homered in back-to-back contests for the Brewers to highlight his four-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers TBA vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (13-6, 3.61 ERA)

Manager Craig Counsell didn't let the cat out of the bag in terms of naming a starting pitcher, but did give reporters a little glimpse on what to expect. "Here's what I'll tell you: It's going to be largely a bullpen day," Counsell said. "We haven't quite decided on who it will be to start, but it's going to look like some of the other games we've shown here." Milwaukee, which is expected to add right-hander Aaron Wilkerson from Double-A prior to the game, is adjusting its rotation in the wake of the season-ending injury to Jimmy Nelson.

Urena will get the ball on a full week of rest after fellow right-hander Vance Worley was summoned to face his former team on Thursday. The 26-year-old continued his strong pitching of late last Friday while allowing one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-1 rout at Atlanta. Urena won four of his last five decisions overall and has limited Milwaukee's batters to a .118 average in his career, although one of the two hits he allowed left the park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee UTIL Hernan Perez has recorded three multi-hit performances in the last four games in which he's had an official at-bat.

2. Miami 2B Dee Gordon is riding a career-high 17-game hitting streak.

3. Brewers 3B Travis Shaw is 0-for-9 in his last three contests and has struck out at least once in each of his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Marlins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (68-79) at Minnesota Twins (77-69)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 15 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Blue Jays at Twins
Gracenote
Sep 15, 2017

The Minnesota Twins scored a dramatic victory in the series opener and aim to record their fourth consecutive win when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Byron Buxton belted his first career walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Twins a 3-2 victory, bosltering the club's bid for the second American League wild-card spot.

Buxton is terrorizing Toronto pitching by going 9-for-17 with four homers in four games, topped by his Aug. 27 performance in which he went 4-for-5 with a career-best three homers. Teammate Jorge Polanco added two RBIs - he is 7-for-18 versus the Blue Jays this season - as Minnesota increased its wild-card lead over the Los Angeles Angels to three games. Toronto All-Star Justin Smoak moved into third place in the AL with his 38th homer, a two-out solo blast in the ninth that forced extra innings. Smoak is just 9-for-45 with two home runs and three RBIs this month.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (8-10, 3.73 ERA) vs. Twins RH Bartolo Colon (6-12, 6.41)

Happ is 2-0 over his last three starts and has given up one earned run in each of the outings. The 34-year-old has won five of his last seven decisions after losing eight of his first 11. Happ is 1-4 with a 6.08 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Twins, including a loss on Aug. 25 in which he allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings.

Colon was torched for six runs and six hits over 1 2/3 innings in a loss to Kansas City last time out. The 44-year-old is 4-4 with a 4.69 ERA in 11 outings since joining the Twins and has given up three or fewer runs on seven occasions. Colon is 4-3 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Blue Jays and is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two outings this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins LF Eddie Rosario recorded his fifth two-hit performance in six games and is 13-for-31 with three homers and nine RBIs during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. Toronto RHP Roberto Osuna rejoined the team after the birth of his child and will be available to pitch on Friday.

3. Minnesota All-Star 3B Miguel Sano (shin) still is sidelined four weeks after being injured but remains hopeful he will return before the end of the regular season.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Blue Jays 5