Tuesday 4-17-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

16th April 2018 by Gracenote
the atlanta braves' offense is one of the biggest surprises so far in 2018, and as they look to win a second straight home game from the philadelphia phillies on tuesday, second baseman ozzie albies figures to be in the midst of the action again. the 21-year-old, who came into monday leading the majors with 14 extra-base hits, singled twice and raced home with the go-ahead run on a shallow sacrifice fly in monday's 2-1 triumph.

atlanta was held to just four hits in the opener - matching the second-lowest total by the braves through 15 games - but made the most of that production as albies raised his average to .328 on the season. the phillies had won six games in a row entering the series but also were stifled offensively on a cold night, collecting just six hits. center fielder odubel herrera belted his first homer of the season for philadelphia's lone run, finishing 2-for-4 to raise his career average against the braves in atlanta's new suntrust park to .333 with three homers and seven rbis in 13 games. both the braves and phillies sit 9-6 on the season and are tied for second place in the national league east.
tv: 7:35 p.m. et, nbcs philadelphia, fs southeast (atlanta)
pitching matchup: phillies rh nick pivetta (1-0, 2.70 era) vs. braves rh mike foltynewicz (1-1, 2.93)

pivetta makes his fourth start of the season and enters tuesday with no walks and 16 strikeouts over 12 2/3 innings across his past two outings. he earned the victory on april 5 against miami, recording 5 2/3 shutout innings with nine strikeouts, and six days later gave up two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings against cincinnati. the 25-year-old, who is holding right-handed hitters to a .182/.206/.242 slash line, allowed three runs over four innings against the braves in his season debut march 30.
foltynewicz took his first loss of the season in his last start tuesday at washington, giving up three runs (two earned) with two walks and three strikeouts over five innings. the 26-year-old, who went 10-13 with a 4.79 era a season ago after posting a 9-5 record with a 4.31 era in 2016, struck out seven phillies in five innings in his season debut march 30. foltynewicz beat the nationals on april 4, striking out eight while allowing one run in 5 1/3 innings.
walk-offs

1. the braves became the final team in the majors to earn a save this season monday when rhp arodys vizcaino pitched a scoreless ninth.

2. philadelphia starting pitchers continued their good work in the series opener as rhp aaron nola gave up two runs in six innings, giving the rotation a 2.94 era across the past 12 games.

3. atlanta c tyler flowers (oblique), out since opening day, could be ready to rejoin the big league roster next week.

prediction: braves 5, phillies 3

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

17th April 2018 by Gracenote
the boo birds made their presence felt early and often as the milwaukee brewers' home woes continued with a lopsided loss to the team that was mired its first worst start since the great depression. the brewers (8-9) look to turn the jeers into cheers as they bid to win for just the third time in nine outings at miller park on tuesday versus the cincinnati reds.

adam duvall collected three of cincinnati's season-high 14 hits in the series opener to help his team snap an eight-game skid with monday's 10-4 triumph over milwaukee. the 29-year-old is 7-for-16 with three doubles and a homer in his last four contests after limping out of the blocks with just four hits in his previous 12 games for the reds (3-13). domingo santana saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end for the brewers, who have been outscored 48-20 at home this season. the 25-year-old dominican will look to get back on track versus tuesday starter sal romano, against whom his lone hit in five at-bats resulted in a home run.
tv: 7:40 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati), fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: reds rh sal romano (0-1, 5.87 era) vs. brewers rh junior guerra (1-0, 1.69)

romano has stumbled out of the gate in each of his last two starts, with lengthy first innings driving up his pitch counts en route to a pair of no-decisions. the 24-year-old didn't do himself any favors by issuing four walks for the second time in three starts on thursday, leading to his exit after allowing four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings against st. louis. romano struggled to an 0-3 mark with a 7.24 era in three starts versus the brewers last season.
guerra saw the wheels come off in a hurry after serving as milwaukee's opening day starter in 2017, but the 33-year-old venezuelan insists he's healthier now and showed it with a strong outing following his recall from triple-a colorado springs. guerra allowed just one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 3-2 victory versus st. louis. duvall has belted two homers among his three hits versus guerra, who owns a 1-1 record with a 6.35 era in four appearances against cincinnati.
walk-offs

1. milwaukee lf hernan perez is 1-for-11 with four strikeouts at home this season.

2. cincinnati cf billy hamilton has five hits and scored six times during his last five games.

3. brewers 1b jesus aguilar is 5-for-11 with three runs scored in his last three contests as eric thames (groin) and ryan braun (back) nurse injuries.

prediction: brewers 4, reds 2

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

16th April 2018 by Gracenote
After having two consecutive games postponed by nasty weather, the Chicago Cubs might not be able to carry over any momentum from their offensive outburst in their last contest. But perhaps their inconsistent offense will get a boost from star first baseman Anthony Rizzo's return to the lineup against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

The opener of the scheduled three-game series was wiped out by wet, frigid weather on Monday - the Cubs' fourth postponement already this season. Rizzo (back) was expected to return from the disabled list then but should benefit from an extra day of rest as he looks to provide a spark to a lineup that has been boom-or-bust through 14 games but broke out late in Saturday's 14-10 win over Atlanta. The Cardinals probably weren't thrilled about having a day off on Monday, considering they brought a four-game winning streak to the Windy City. The Cubs won 14 of the 19 meetings between the National League Central rivals last season.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (0-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (0-2, 4.91)

Wainwright has lost each of his first two starts but produced a quality outing Wednesday against Milwaukee, allowing three runs over seven innings. The three-time All-Star is 10-2 with a 3.79 ERA in his career at Wrigley Field, including 7 2/3 frames of two-run ball in his most recent start there in July. Addison Russell is 6-for-15 with three doubles against Wainwright, who is 14-9 with a 4.03 ERA lifetime versus the Cubs.
Chatwood struggled in his home debut with the Cubs last Tuesday, allowing five runs and nine hits over five innings in a loss to Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old did register seven strikeouts and felt good about his stuff, but the Pirates were able to make solid contact. Chatwood is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in four career games (one start) against St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rizzo was 3-for-28 with seven strikeouts in six games before going on the disabled list.
2. Cardinals 2B Matt Carpenter is 1-for-14 over his last four contests and is hitting .160 on the season.

3. The Cubs are averaging 8.7 runs in their seven wins and 1.6 in their seven losses.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Cardinals 4

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San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

16th April 2018 by Gracenote
the arizona diamondbacks have won each of their first five series for the first time in their 21-year history, doing so by taking care of business inside the national league west. the diamondbacks return home from a 6-3 road trip and attempt to avoid consecutive losses for the first time in 2018 on tuesday when they host the san francisco giants in the opener of a three-game set.

arizona (11-4), playing 12 of its first 15 contests against division opponents, has won nine of them to match the 2000 and 2008 clubs for the best 15-game start in franchise history. the diamondbacks boast the nl's fourth-highest scoring offense and third-best staff era, although both areas took a bit of a hit sunday when their three-game winning streak came to an end following a 7-2 setback at dodger stadium. the giants dropped two of three at home during arizona's nine-game trek and are struggling on offense again this season (46 runs, third-worst mark in the majors) after finishing second-to-last in runs scored in 2017. san francisco fell 10-1 on sunday to san diego to suffer its third straight loss and has scored one run or fewer in eight of its 15 games.
tv: 9:40 p.m. et, nbcs bay area (san francisco), fs arizona
pitching matchup: giants rh johnny cueto (1-0, 0.69 era) vs. diamondbacks lh patrick corbin (2-0, 2.45)

cueto (ankle) is expected to come off the disabled list in time to make his first start since april 4, when he held seattle to one run on eight hits across six innings. the two-time all-star opened the season in dominant fashion march 30 but ended up with a no-decision after yielding a single in seven scoreless frames versus the dodgers. cueto won both his turns against arizona last year to improve to 11-3 with a 3.38 era in 15 starts versus the diamondbacks.
corbin failed to factor into the decision for the first time tuesday at san francisco, permitting three runs on five hits to along with a pair of walks and nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 frames. the 28-year-old new york native ranks second in the majors in strikeouts per nine innings (14.24), posting a 0.93 whip while fanning no fewer than eight in any of his three outings. hunter pence is 15-for-35 with four homers versus corbin, who is 5-7 with a 3.42 era in 20 appearances (18 starts) versus the giants.
walk-offs

1. diamondbacks 1b paul goldschmidt, who has clubbed each of his four home runs this season over the last five games, is batting .417 with eight rbis during his six-game hitting streak.

2. san francisco will face a left-handed starter for the 11th time this season - most in the majors.

3. arizona has won all five of its series openers.

prediction: diamondbacks 5, giants 2

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Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

17th April 2018 by Gracenote
the oakland athletics took advantage of a rusty chicago white sox team in the opener of their three-game set to give them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. oakland looks to make it three in row when it continues the series against visiting chicago on tuesday.

jed lowrie drove in three runs and matt olson homered in monday's 8-1 triumph as the athletics returned home from a 3-5 road trip. lowrie has recorded 10 rbis over his last five games and hit safely in nine of his last 11 contests. chicago was limited to six hits as it was in action for the first time since thursday due to a snowstorm in minnesota that wiped out its three contests over the weekend. jose abreu belted his fourth home run of the season in the ninth inning as the white sox avoided being shut out but lost for the ninth time in 11 games after winning their first two of 2018.
tv: 10:05 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), nbcs california (oakland)

pitching matchup: white sox rh miguel gonzalez (0-2, 8.68 era) vs. athletics rh trevor cahill (2017: 4-3, 4.93)
gonzalez will be pitching for the first time since april 9 as his scheduled turn in minnesota on saturday was wiped away by a snowstorm. the 33-year-old mexican's second career stint with chicago has gotten off to a rough start as he has surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) and 16 hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two outings - both losses. gonzalez has yet to defeat oakland in his career, going 0-3 with a 4.11 era in five starts and one relief appearance.

cahill will be summoned from triple-a nashville to begin his second tour of duty with oakland after signing a one-year contract last month. the 30-year-old californian, who began his career with the athletics in 2009 but split last season between san diego and kansas city, surrendered five runs and four hits with seven walks and 10 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings in two starts for the sounds. cahill has made nine starts and three relief appearances against chicago in his career, going 1-3 with a 4.21 era.
walk-offs

1. the athletics activated chad pinder (knee) from the disabled list on monday and assigned fellow inf franklin barreto to nashville.

2. chicago c kevan smith (ankle) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with triple-a charlotte in the near future.

3. oakland rhp paul blackburn (forearm) is slated to begin a throwing program on friday.

prediction: white sox 8, athletics 3

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Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

16th April 2018 by Gracenote
mother nature has forced angels two-way sensation shohei ohtani into his biggest challenge as los angeles hosts the boston red sox on tuesday in the opener of a three-game series involving division leaders. ohtani, who has sparkled in two trips to the mound and in 33 at-bats as a designated hitter (.367, three home runs, 11 rbis), was supposed to take the ball sunday but the game in kansas city was postponed.

ohtani has served as the dh in seven games as los angeles (13-3) is not using him on the day before and after he pitches, with manager mike scioscia telling reporters about his 23-year-old japanese phenom: "he always says he's ready, but right now we're definitely going to protect him as much as we can. ..." boston (13-2) is off to the best start in club history with its starting pitchers posting a major league-best 2.06 era. the red sox are also hitting .275 - the second-highest average in the majors to the angels (.291), scoring 62 runs in the seven games prior to sunday's 3-1 victory over baltimore. ohtani opposes david price, who didn't allow a run in his first two outings of the season before running into trouble in his third.
tv: 10:07 p.m. et, mlb network; nesn (boston), fs west (los angeles)
pitching matchup: red sox lh david price (1-1, 2.40 era) vs. angels rh shohei ohtani (2-0, 2.08)

price left wednesday's 10-7 loss to the new york yankees after allowing four runs in one inning, telling reporters that he lost feeling in his fingertips on a cold night in boston. the 32-year-old tennessee native, who made only 16 appearances during an injury-plagued 2017, yielded seven hits with 10 strikeouts over 14 innings in his previous two outings. albert pujols is 9-for-28 with two home runs and four rbis versus price, who is 5-7 with a 3.53 era in 15 starts versus los angeles.
ohtani, who is 6-3 and 190 pounds, carried a perfect game into the seventh inning against oakland in his last outing april 8, permitting one hit and striking out 12 in seven scoreless innings of the angels' 6-1 victory. he also defeated the athletics in his first major league start, allowing three runs and three hits in six frames. "yeah, it's impressive," red sox ace chris sale said of ohtani. "i know how hard it is to get out there every fifth day just pitching. ... he throws 100 miles per hour and can take you deep at the same time. if you don't respect that, i don't know who you are or what you're doing."
walk-offs

1. los angeles cf mike trout, who is 3-for-21 with 10 strikeouts against price, shares the american league lead in home runs (six) with one coming in every other game over the last seven contests.

2. boston rf mookie betts (.353, two home runs, 10 rbis) is expected back in the lineup after missing sunday's game with a foot contusion that he suffered saturday.

3. the angels have the best run differential in baseball at plus-48 with the red sox second at plus-42.

prediction: angels 3, red sox 2

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Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

17th April 2018 by Gracenote
george springer surely will be looking forward to swinging the bat at safeco field on tuesday, when the houston astros visit the seattle mariners for the second contest of their four-game set. springer has hit four homers in 15 career at-bats against scheduled seattle starter ariel miranda and belted his 19th career blast versus the mariners in monday's series opener.

springer launched his 21st career leadoff homer to open monday's game, but it was houston's only run in a 2-1 setback that halted its six-game winning streak against the mariners. the 2017 world series hero has gotten off to a slow start, but a 2-for-3 performance in the opener gave him four homers and nine rbis while raising his average to .224. seattle slugger nelson cruz is just 2-for-12 in three games since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to an ankle injury but pounded his third homer of the campaign on monday. "nelson cruz is still not at 100 percent running," mariners manager scott servais told reporters after monday's victory, "but he's feeling better in the batter's box."

tv: 10:10 p.m. et, mlb network, at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston), root northwest (seattle)
pitching matchup: astros rh lance mccullers jr. (1-1, 7.71 era) vs. mariners lh ariel miranda (2017: 8-7, 5.12)
mccullers was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in his last turn as he gave up a career-worst eight runs on seven hits and six walks in 3 2/3 innings against minnesota. the 24-year-old has worked just 14 frames in his three turns but has racked up 23 strikeouts. mccullers is 5-2 with a 2.96 era in nine career starts against seattle and has experienced difficulties retiring robinson cano (8-for-22) and kyle seager (8-for-21, one homer).
the mariners will promote miranda prior to tuesday's contest as the club needs a fifth starter for the first time this season. the 29-year-old, who has gone 1-0 with a 4.00 era in two minor-league outings this year, made 29 starts and two relief appearances for seattle in 2017. miranda is 1-2 with a 4.30 era in seven career appearances (six starts) versus the astros and has fared well against three-time batting champion jose altuve (4-for-18).
walk-offs

1. the astros had their five-game winning streak at safeco field snapped with monday's loss.

2. seattle rhp edwin diaz improved to 7-for-7 in save opportunities on monday and has allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings this season.

3. houston inf-of marwin gonzalez was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 0-for-12 over his last three games.

prediction: astros 8, mariners 6

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 04-17-2018

17th April 2018 by Gracenote
yasmani grandal delivered some payback to his former organization in the series opener and looks to do more damage when the los angeles dodgers visit the san diego padres on tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. grandal belted a grand slam as part of a five-rbi effort as the dodgers rolled to a 10-3 victory on monday.

grandal, who spent three seasons in san diego, was traded to the dodgers after the 2014 season in a five-player deal that sent matt kemp to the padres. kemp is back with the dodgers and launched a three-run homer in monday's contest and responded to the jeers from san diego fans by saying, "i had some fans screaming at me, so i got to shut them up a little bit." san diego rookie third baseman christian villanueva is showing promise as he homered in his third straight contest and has gone deep six times in 45 at-bats. villanueva can match the franchise rookie record for consecutive games with a homer (alex dickerson, 2016) by belting one on tuesday.

tv: 10:10 p.m. et, sportsnet la (los angeles), fs san diego
pitching matchup: dodgers lh alex wood (0-2, 5.09 era) vs. padres rh bryan mitchell (0-2, 5.27)
wood was outright pounded in his last outing as he gave up seven runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings during a 16-6 loss to oakland. the 27-year-old has a stellar 0.79 whip and has yet to issue a walk while striking out 15 in 17 2/3 frames. wood is 4-2 with a 2.62 era in 12 career appearances (eight starts) versus san diego but struggled with freddy galvis (7-for-16) when he was with philadelphia.
mitchell, who turns 27 on thursday, has experienced major control issues with 14 walks against just three strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. he lasted just three frames while losing to san francisco in his last turn, walking five while allowing three runs and four hits. mitchell lost his lone career start against the dodgers as a member of the new york yankees in 2016, when he gave up six runs - five earned - and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings.

walk-offs

1. padres 1b eric hosmer (back) was hitless in four at-bats on monday after missing back-to-back games.

2. los angeles rf yasiel puig went 0-for-4 in the opener and is homerless in 58 at-bats this season.

3. san diego of wil myers (arm nerve irritation) is slated to start a rehab stint at single-a lake elsinore on tuesday and could return to the padres on friday.

prediction: dodgers 7, padres 2

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free Milwaukee w/Guerra -150 Over Cincinnati

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Free Selection from Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Tuesday, April 17, 2018



04/17 03:35 PM PT / 6:35 PM ET

MLB (979) MIAMI MARLINS VS (980) NEW YORK YANKEES

Take: over

Reason: Your free play for Tuesday, April 17, 2017 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Miami Marlins and the NY Yankees. Your free play is on the OVER.

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR TUESDAY: Take WASHINGTON (Gonzalez) Pick'em over NY Mets

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Totals4U

Tuesday's Free Selection: Los Angeles Dodgers/San Diego Padres over 8

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John Anthony Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection: Oakland Athletics - 165

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Atlantic Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: San Francisco Giants + 125

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#1 Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection: Los Angeles Dodgers - 190