Thursday 4-12-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

12th April 2018 by Gracenote
The St. Louis Cardinals scored 29 runs while splitting their season-opening six-game road trip before being limited to just 18 while dropping four of six on their recent homestand. After going 9-for-43 with runners in scoring position at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals look to reignite their offense on Thursday as they open a four-game series versus the host Cincinnati Reds.

Paul DeJong opened the season with a flourish by going 10-for-22 before enduring a 3-for-21 stretch with 11 strikeouts during the Cardinals' homestand. The 24-year-old recorded four homers among his 17 hits in 2017 versus Cincinnati, against which St. Louis split the 18-game season series. While the Cardinals (5-7) have dropped three of four, the major league-worst Reds (2-9) have lost four in a row and were outscored 44-21 while losing six contests on their seven-game road trip. Joey Votto, who collected his fourth multi-hit performance in six games during Wednesday's 12-inning 4-3 setback against Philadelphia, is batting .382 with six extra-base hits in his career versus Thursday starter Michael Wacha.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (1-1, 5.59 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (0-1, 5.73)

Wacha was able to minimize the damage of issuing five walks over five innings to even his record with a 5-3 victory against Arizona on Saturday. The 26-year-old kept the ball in the park after being taken deep on two occasions during his season-opening loss at the New York Mets on March 31. Wacha posted a 2-0 record and 1.50 ERA in two starts versus Cincinnati last season, although Scooter Gennett is batting .320 in 25 career at-bats versus the right-hander.

Romano is bidding for his first win of the season after being taken deep twice in his season debut on April 1 and permitting four runs in five innings of a no-decision at Pittsburgh on Saturday. The 24-year-old admittedly has struggled with his off-speed pitches this year and lamented the effectiveness of his sinker against the Pirates. Romano owns a 5-9 record and 4.59 ERA in 18 career starts heading into his first turn versus St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis C Yadier Molina will return to the lineup after serving his one-game suspension for his role in an altercation with Arizona MGR Torey Lovullo over the weekend.

2. Gennett is 5-for-13 with two runs scored in his last three contests following an 0-for-12 stretch over his previous three games.

3. Cardinals CF Tommy Pham, who belted a solo homer on Wednesday, has scored a run in three straight games and eight in his last 11.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Reds 2

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Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

11th April 2018 by Gracenote
Colorado center fielder Charlie Blackmon could miss his third straight game when the Rockies open a four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday. Blackmon is dealing with quadriceps tightness, and the Rockies could potentially be without star third baseman Nolan Arenado later in the series due to his role in Wednesday's brawl against the San Diego Padres.

Arenado charged the mound after a pitch from San Diego's Luis Perdomo sailed behind his back as five players from the two teams were ejected during the benches-clearing melee. "It is what it is, I don't have much to say about it," Arenado told reporters after Colorado's 6-4 victory in regards to a sure suspension. "I don't want to talk too much about it. What happened took place on the field." Washington has dropped six of its last eight contests after falling to the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in 12 innings on Wednesday. Nationals star right fielder Bryce Harper was 2-of-10 with no RBIs in the three-game set after hitting six homers and driving in 12 runs over the first nine games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, A&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (1-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.59)

Bettis received a no-decision against the Braves in his last turn after defeating the Padres in his first start. The 28-year-old pitched fewer than six innings in each outing and has given up nine hits along with six walks over 10 2/3 innings. Bettis is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Nationals and has struggled with Trea Turner (3-for-5, one homer).

Gonzalez allowed one run in each of his first two starts as he defeated the Cincinnati Reds in his first turn before taking a no-decision against the New York Mets in his last outing. The 32-year-old has struck out 13 batters over 11 1/3 innings and has yet to allow a homer after serving up a career-worst 21 last season. Gonzalez is 4-0 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts against the Rockies and has enjoyed success against Carlos Gonzalez (2-for-11, five strikeouts) and Arenado (1-for-8).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals went 4-3 against the Rockies last season and scored 11 or more runs in three of their victories.

2. Washington placed CF Adam Eaton (ankle) on the 10-day disabled list, activated C Matt Wieters (oblique) off the DL, recalled OF Moises Sierra from Triple-A Syracuse and designated C Miguel Montero for assignment.

3. Colorado INF Pat Valaika's RBI single on Wednesday represents the team's first pinch hit of the season in 24 such at-bats.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Rockies 3

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New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

12th April 2018 by Gracenote
The New York Yankees avenged a lopsided result against the Boston Red Sox in the series opener by showing some fight - both literally and offensively - en route to posting just their second win in six contests. After two bench-clearing fracases ratcheted up the tension, the long-time rivals look to keep their emotions in check on Thursday as they reconvene at Fenway Park to play the rubber match of their three-game set.

Giancarlo Stanton answered a 3-for-28 slump during a six-game stretch by recording five hits in the first two contests of this series, including a two-run triple and an RBI single on Wednesday as New York snapped Boston's nine-game winning streak with a 10-7 triumph. Fellow slugger Gary Sanchez showed signs of snapping out of a 1-for-31 funk by belting a pair of two-run homers to highlight his three-hit performance, although he is just 1-for-8 lifetime versus Thursday starter Rick Porcello. For the Red Sox, Hanley Ramirez launched a solo shot to extend his hitting streak to nine games and increase his RBI total to 12 over his last seven contests. J.D. Martinez bashed Boston's third grand slam in four days to give him six RBIs in the series and eight in his last four games heading into Thursday's tilt with Sonny Gray, against whom he is 3-for-7 with one homer and four RBIs in his career.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Sonny Gray (1-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (2-0, 2.84)

Gray broke into the win column on Saturday despite allowing three runs and four hits in six innings of an 8-3 triumph over Baltimore. The 28-year-old hopes that momentum carries over into Thursday's contest versus Boston, against which he owns a 1-4 record and 4.93 ERA in six career encounters and an 0-2 mark with a 6.75 ERA in three starts at Fenway. Ramirez (.357) has fared well versus Gray, but the right-hander has kept the red-hot Mookie Betts (.133) under wraps.

Porcello picked up his second straight victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday after overcoming a two-run double in the first to strike out seven over 7 1/3 innings in a 10-3 triumph. The 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner dropped three of four decisions to New York last season to see his career mark versus the club evened at 8-8 with a 3.27 ERA in 18 outings. Jacoby Ellsbury (.353, four homers) and Brett Gardner (.304) have gotten their licks in on Porcello, but the right-hander has handcuffed Aaron Judge (.100).

WALK-OFFS

1. Betts is 16-for-31 with 14 runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak.

2. Gardner is 7-for-16 with six runs scored in his last four contests.

3. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in the series.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Yankees 3

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Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

11th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Minnesota Twins erupted for their biggest inning of 2018 but still needed some late heroics to keep their season series unbeaten streak intact. Max Kepler delivered a walk-off homer in the ninth inning after Minnesota blew a seven-run lead Wednesday to give the Twins momentum heading into Thursday's opener of a four-game series versus the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Kepler also homered during an eight-run fourth inning for Minnesota, which started its nine-game homestand by taking two of three from reigning World Series champion Houston. "We're ready to play any team," Kepler said after the Twins improved to 6-4 on the season. "It doesn't matter who it is." Chicago, which was off to its worst start at home since 1975, also needed some late-inning thunder to avoid opening the season with six consecutive losses at Guaranteed Rate Field. Five outs away from being swept by Tampa Bay, Matt Davidson belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the White Sox to a 2-1 victory.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (0-1, 6.17 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jose Berrios (1-1, 3.29)

Giolito yielded only four hits in each of his first two starts, but he is killing himself with his lack of control, walking seven batters and hitting four more. The 23-year-old Californian followed a quality start in his season debut by plunking three batters and allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings in a loss at Detroit. Giolito surrendered three homers in a loss to Chicago in his Twins debut in August 2017.

Berrios had nowhere to go but down in his last start after a superb performance in his season debut, when he tossed a complete-game three-hit shutout in a 7-0 win at Baltimore. He failed to get through the fifth inning last time out at Seattle, giving up five runs on six hits while striking out seven. Berrios was 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA in three starts versus Chicago last year, striking out 28 in 20 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in all 10 games to start the season.

2. Davidson is the first White Sox player with at least five homers in the first 11 games since Carlos Quentin (six) in 2009.

3. Twins DH Joe Mauer takes a nine-game hitting streak into the series against Chicago.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, White Sox 2.

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

12th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Los Angeles Angels attempt to extend a pair of winning streaks when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Thursday for the opener of their four-game series. Los Angeles has won four straight overall and six in a row on the road after completing a three-game sweep in Texas with Wednesday's 7-2 victory.

Kole Calhoun collected three hits and two RBIs in the triumph for the Angels, who have outscored their opponents 32-7 during their overall run. Kansas City is hoping to avoid its second three-game losing streak of the young season as it continues its seven-game homestand. The Royals, who lost their first three contests of 2018, dropped the last two of their three-game set versus Seattle after falling 4-2 on Wednesday. Despite the team's fortunes, Mike Moustakas has been surging offensively for the Royals as he has recorded four consecutive multi-hit performances - going 9-for-17 with two home runs and six RBIs during the streak.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Nick Tropeano (2016: 3-2, 3.56 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-0, 0.75)

Tropeano will be summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake to make his first major-league appearance since July 18, 2016. The 27-year-old New Yorker was unable to win a spot in the rotation this spring despite allowing only three runs and recording 11 strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings while going 2-0 in two starts and one relief appearance. Tropeano made his only career start against Kansas City on April 27, 2016, when he settled for a no-decision after giving up two runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 frames.

Kennedy is off to a fantastic start after a disappointing 2017 season in which he registered only five victories. The 33-year-old Californian worked six innings in each of his first two turns, allowing totals of one run and eight hits with 13 strikeouts and only two walks. Kennedy has not fared well against the Angels in his career, going 1-4 with a 4.25 ERA and one of his two major-league complete games in six starts and one relief appearance.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH Shohei Ohtani has recorded at least one hit in each of the five games in which he's been in the starting lineup, going 8-for-21 with eight RBIs in those contests.

2. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has hit safely in eight of his 10 games, but recorded just one RBI.

3. Los Angeles SS Andrelton Simmons was hitless on Wednesday for just the second time in 13 games this year.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Angels 3

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San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 04-12-2018

11th April 2018 by Gracenote
The San Diego Padres figure to be in a salty mood Thursday when they return home to open a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. The Padres went 3-3 against Houston and Colorado but ended their trip with a benches-clearing brawl Wednesday after Luis Perdomo threw behind Nolan Arenado in the third inning, resulting in five ejections.

Perdomo's early exit came one day after Padres outfielder Manuel Margot was hit by Scott Oberg, forcing him to the disabled list with bruised ribs. Franchy Cordero was activated from the disabled list to replace Margot on the roster, and the 23-year-old promptly homered from the leadoff spot in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies. The Giants are beginning an 11-day, 10-game road trip after dropping two of three against Arizona, including Wednesday's 7-3 loss. San Francisco has had to adjust minus three injured starting pitchers and continues to struggle at the plate, but catcher Buster Posey has opened the season on a tear - going 14-for-30 with two home runs and six RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Stratton (0-1, 4.35 ERA) vs. Padres RH Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 4.22)

Stratton faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first two outings, allowing a total of six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 10 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old native of Mississippi earned a spot in the Giants' rotation after posting a 3.29 ERA over 27 1/3 innings in spring training. Stratton owns a 1-1 record with a 6.43 ERA in two career games (one start) across seven innings against the Padres.

Mitchell bounced back from a rough Padres debut against Colorado by holding Houston scoreless over 5 2/3 innings last Saturday. "He really did a good job attacking the strike zone," catcher A.J. Ellis told reporters. "That's a really good hitting team over there. He had them pretty off-balance." Acquired from the New York Yankees during the offseason, the 26-year-old is making his first career appearance against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seven of San Francisco's first 11 games have been decided by two runs or fewer.

2. San Diego SS Freddy Galvis opened the season by reaching base safely in 12 straight games before going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Wednesday.

3. Giants OF Austin Jackson left Wednesday's game in the seventh inning with a groin injury and is listed as day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Padres 6, Giants 4

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free Colorado/Washington Over 8 Runs

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Jeff Allen Sports

Thursday's Free Selection is on the St Louis Cardinals

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take DETROIT/CLEVELAND UNDER the total of 7½ runs

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Totals4U

Thursday's Free Selection: Columbus/Washington under 5 1/2 goals

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John Anthony Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: Tampa Bay Lightning - 220

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#1 Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: Boston Bruins - 155

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Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Thursday Selection Is

Colorado/Washington UNDER 8 RUNS +110

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Nevada Sharpshooter

Your free winner for Thursday: Take SAN FRANCISCO/SAN DIEGO UNDER the total of 8 runs

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Huddle Up Sports

Free Play: Minnesota Berrios -174