Friday 4-20-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
the baltimore orioles have the most losses in the american league, due primarily in part to a grueling early-season schedule that has seen the team play 13 of its 19 games on the road. the skidding orioles have dropped six in a row but hope to get back on track when they kick off a 10-game homestand with the first of four against the cleveland indians on friday night.

baltimore wrapped up its winless road trip through boston and detroit by getting throttled by the tigers 13-8 on thursday despite a pair of homers and four rbis by manny machado. "there is no panic. i think everyone is frustrated," machado said. "we just have to stay positive. this will pass. we've got a great team and once it starts clicking, we'll get rolling." the indians had a much-needed day to regroup thursday after dropping a 2-1 decision in a 16-inning marathon at minnesota on wednesday to settle for a split of the two-game set. cleveland was on a roll with five straight wins before an 8-4 loss to toronto last friday and then was idle for three days due to consecutive postponements and a scheduled day off.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, mlb network, sportstime ohio (cleveland), masn (baltimore)
pitching matchup: indians rh trevor bauer (1-1, 2.25 era) vs. orioles rh dylan bundy (0-2, 1.40)

a 17-game winner a year ago, bauer picked up his first victory last time out by holding detroit to two runs and seven hits while striking out seven over seven innings. he was even better in his previous outing but absorbed a hard-luck 1-0 loss to kansas city despite yielding one run on three hits over eight innings. machado is 8-for-12 with three homers off bauer, who is 1-3 with a 5.86 era in five starts versus baltimore.
bundy has nothing to show in the win column despite allowing a combined four earned runs in his first four turns and coming up one-third of an inning shy of his fourth consecutive quality start last time out. bundy, who has racked up 31 strikeouts and walked only seven over 25 2/3 innings, has lost his last two starts after opening the season with two no-decisions. he is 2-1 with a 5.06 era in three appearances against cleveland.
walk-offs

1. orioles cf adam jones is 5-for-12 with four rbis in the last three games.

2. indians dh edwin encarnacion, batting .153, snapped a 12-game homerless drought wednesday.

3. orioles lhp zach britton is scheduled to throw off a half-mound friday.

prediction: indians 4, orioles 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
wednesday's offensive explosion from the pittsburgh pirates is looking like the outlier in an otherwise poor stretch of offense. the pirates will try to bounce back from being shut out in a series opener and even the four-game set at one win apiece when they visit the philadelphia phillies for the second matchup on friday night.

pittsburgh bashed the colorado rockies 10-2 at home on wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep but managed two hits while falling 7-0 on thursday and scored two or fewer runs in five of the last seven games. the pirates lineup racked up 13 strikeouts on thursday and watched the top five hitters in the order - adam frazier, gregory polanco, starling marte, josh bell and corey dickerson - go a combined 0-for-17 with eight k's. the phillies are winners of eight of their last 10 and improved to 6-1 at home with thursday's triumph, which featured new ace jake arrieta tossing seven dominant innings. righty ben lively will try to follow up his teammate's performance against the struggling pittsburgh attack while veteran ivan nova toes the rubber for the pirates.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, mlb network, nbcs-plus (philadelphia)
pitching matchup: pirates rh ivan nova (2-1, 4.88 era) vs. phillies rh ben lively (0-1, 5.87)

nova posted his second straight quality start and second consecutive win when he held the miami marlins to three runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings on sunday. the dominican republic native struck out a season-high nine in that outing and owns 15 without walking a batter over his last two turns. nova went 1-1 with a 4.73 era in a pair of starts against philadelphia in 2017 while notching four strikeouts in 13 1/3 total frames.
lively has yet to complete six innings through three starts this season and was bounced after four frames at tampa bay on sunday. the 26-year-old owns 17 strikeouts and three walks over 15 1/3 total innings but surrendered a home run in each of his last two outings. lively faced pittsburgh once during his 2017 rookie campaign and absorbed the loss while allowing four runs - two earned - in four innings.
walk-offs

1. pirates rhp joe musgrove (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on thursday and is scheduled for another on sunday.

2. phillies 2b cesar hernandez recorded multiple hits in two of the last three games and drove in three runs on thursday.

3. philadelphia rhp victor arano has yet to allow a hit or walk a batter in 8 1/3 scoreless innings to begin the season, spread over seven appearances.

prediction: phillies 4, pirates 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
the new york yankees did not get off to the start they were hoping for over the first three weeks of the regular season, but aaron judge is trying to pull them out of the hole. judge will attempt to continue his hot start and clinch at least a tie of the four-game series when the yankees host the toronto blue jays on friday.

judge belted what proved to be the game-winning blast with a solo homer in the seventh inning on thursday as new york held on for a 4-3 victory, and he hit safely for the 13th time in his last 14 games. the 25-year-old slugger is up to five home runs while batting .339 with a .481 on-base percentage to pick up teammate giancarlo stanton, who is off to a slow start with his new team and was dropped from third to fourth in the batting order on thursday. the blue jays came into the series hot with wins in four straight and 12 of 15 but managed just six hits - all singles - in the opener while piling up nine strikeouts. toronto will try to get the bats going against yankees right-hander sonny gray, who opposes veteran marco estrada on friday.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, mlb network, sportsnet one (toronto), yes (new york)
pitching matchup: blue jays rh marco estrada (1-1, 4.24 era) vs. yankees rh sonny gray (1-1, 6.92)

estrada turned in quality starts in his first two outings and was sharp at baltimore on april 11 before dealing with back spasms. the long beach state product ended up charged with four runs on six hits and three walks in the loss to the orioles. estrada started at home against new york on march 31, surrendering three runs on four hits with three walks in seven innings, but did not factor in the decision in a game toronto went on to win 5-3.
gray was solid in his first two turns as well before getting lit up at boston on april 12, yielding six runs and seven hits in three innings to absorb the loss. the 28-year-old has yet to surrender a home run this season and owns 15 strikeouts in 13 total innings. gray started at toronto on april 1 and scattered seven hits along with three walks across four innings but struck out eight and limited the damage to one run in a no decision.
walk-offs

1. blue jays dh kendrys morales (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list on friday.

2. new york placed rhp luis cessa (oblique) on the 10-day dl thursday.

3. toronto 3b josh donaldson (shoulder) will not be activated from the 10-day dl when eligible on saturday but could return next week.

prediction: blue jays 5, yankees 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
the detroit tigers are starting to turn things around following a dreadful start to the season that was interrupted by a string of weather-related postponements. after completing a three-game sweep of one slumping club, the resurgent tigers prepare to face another one when they host the kansas city royals in a four-game set beginning with a split-doubleheader on friday.

detroit followed a five-game game slide and three straight postponements against the new york yankees by beating up on baltimore, outscoring the orioles 23-15 in the series. leonys martin belted a grand slam among three hits and jeimer candelario collected four hits and drove in three runs to give the tigers seven hits and seven rbis out of the top two spots in the lineup. kansas city owns the worst record in the american league at 3-13 enters the series mired in an eight-game losing streak after it was outscored 31-12 in a three-game sweep in toronto. the royals managed to earn a split of two meetings in detroit at the beginning of april despite scoring a combined two runs.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, mlb network, fs kansas city, fs detroit
pitching matchup: royals rh jason hammel (0-1, 3.86 era) vs. tigers lh daniel norris (0-1, 7.11)

hammel was rocked in his season-opening start in detroit, giving up five runs and seven hits and walking three over five innings. the 35-year-old veteran rebounded with a big effort with six scoreless innings in a no-decision at cleveland on april 8 before allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings in another no-decision versus the los angeles angels last time out. miguel cabrera is 8-for-22 and candelario is 4-for-8 against hammel.
norris has worked out of the bullpen as a long reliever this season while the tigers decide whether to keep him there or send him back to the minors to start every fifth day. he was solid in his season debut at the white sox, striking out six and allowing one run and one hit over 3 1/3 innings, but was knocked around for four runs and seven hits at cleveland on april 11. norris has been tormented by alcides escobar (8-for-16).
walk-offs

1. candelario is 9-for-17 with three homers and six rbis during a four-game hitting streak.

2. kansas city's bullpen has a major league-worst 7.94 era.

3. tigers dh victor martinez has hit safely in five straight games.

prediction: royals 5, tigers 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins endured a strange schedule over the last few weeks but have not lost their momentum as they prepare to visit the tampa bay rays on friday night to open a three-game series. the twins had four games postponed due to poor weather between april 8-15, followed that up with a two-game series as the home team in san juan, puerto rico, but still managed won four of their last five contests overall.

minnesota welcomed the day off after using eight pitchers in a 2-1, 16-inning victory over cleveland on wednesday to split the series in san juan and remain atop the american league central. lance lynn tries to give the twins bullpen even more rest when he takes the mound for the opener friday versus struggling rays right-hander chris archer, who has been dominant against minnesota in his career with a 6-1 record and 1.84 era. tampa bay no longer has the worst record in the al after winning two of three from texas to start the week, earning a 4-2 triumph in the rubber match on wednesday as c.j. cron extended his hitting streak to eight games (12-for-31). "we have to own the fact that we're whatever our record is right now, but we also can be somewhat satisfied that we are playing hard. it just hasn't gone our way," rays manager kevin cash told the tampa bay times of his 5-13 team. "i don't think it would be smart of me or anybody to critique the effort when it has been good."
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, fs north plus (minnesota), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: twins rh lance lynn (0-1, 5.00 era) vs. rays rh chris archer (1-1, 7.84)
lynn was scheduled to make his third start last saturday, but weather postponements forced a reshuffling of the rotation and he finally gets a chance to match his most recent stellar effort. the 30-year-old ole miss product was pounded in his twins debut before limiting houston to three hits and four walks over five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts on april 9. lynn is 0-1 with a 3.77 era in three appearances (two starts) versus the rays and has handcuffed carlos gomez (4-for-26, 14 strikeouts).
archer has yet to post a quality start or complete more than six innings in his first four trips to the mound, and he is coming off his worst performance. the 29-year-old, two-time all star gave up six runs in the second inning saturday and ended up yielding seven over four frames with just two strikeouts in a loss to philadelphia. eddie rosario is 3-for-9 with a pair of doubles against archer, who has handled brian dozier (3-for-21, seven strikeouts) and miguel sano (1-for-9, 8 strikeouts) very well.
walk-offs

1. tampa bay inf brad miller (groin strain), out since april 8, could return from the disabled list as early as friday.

2. minnesota cf byron buxton (migraines) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and his replacement, of ryan lamarre, had the winning hit wednesday.

3. rays c wilson ramos is starting to warm up with the bat, going 8-for-24 with a homer and four rbis in his last six games, raising his average to .220.

prediction: rays 6, twins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
kurt suzuki hit 87 homers across the first 4,304 at-bats of his major-league career, but the atlanta braves catcher enters friday's home game against the new york mets on quite the power surge. suzuki smacked his third homer of the young season and his 18th in 204 at-bats since last july 2, helping propel the braves to a convincing 12-4 victory over new york in thursday's series opener that pulled atlanta within two games of the first-place mets in the national league east.

left fielder preston tucker collected a career-high five rbis - his fourth game of the season with three or more runs driven in - while first baseman freddie freeman returned after being hit by a pitch on wednesday with two hits and an rbi to raise his average to .306. the mets, who needed a furious rally to overcome washington and avoid a sweep wednesday, have dropped four of their past six since starting the season 11-1. second baseman asdrubal cabrera finished with a hit and a rbi, and in his past 52 games dating back to aug. 25, 2017, is hitting .357 with nine homers, 33 rbis and 32 runs scored. new york finished with six hits - just the fifth time in 18 games the mets offense has failed to generate seven hits or more.

tv: 7:35 p.m. et, sny (new york), fs south (atlanta)
pitching matchup: mets rh noah syndergaard (2-0, 2.95 era) vs. braves lh sean newcomb (1-1, 4.02)
syndergaard is off to a roaring beginning through four starts, leading the national league in strikeouts per nine innings (13.9) and ranking third in total strikeouts (33). he logged one-third of his season total in his last start, a no-decision sunday against milwaukee in which syndergaard punched out 11 with one walk and two hits allowed in just 5 1/3 innings. the braves are the only nl east team syndergaard has yet to defeat, going 0-1 with a 3.92 era and 23 strikeouts in four starts.
there have been encouraging signs for newcomb in his past two starts following a rough season debut, as the 24-year-old has struck out 16 while walking just four in 11 1/3 innings combined against colorado and the chicago cubs. newcomb gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits in 5 1/3 innings with four walks and seven strikeouts saturday at chicago, a game the braves bullpen gave away late. newcomb went 1-2 with a 2.70 era in three starts against the mets as a rookie in 2017.
walk-offs

1. the braves have 11 wins on the season and did not reach that figure until may 2 in 2017 and may 20 in 2016.

2. new york's bullpen, which had allowed only 18 earned runs in 61 1/3 innings in the first 17 games of the season, surrendered six earned runs in two innings thursday.
3. atlanta c tyler flowers (oblique), sidelined since opening day, is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.

prediction: mets 4, braves 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
felix hernandez has lost more games against the texas rangers than versus any other opponent during his 14 major-league seasons. the right-hander aims to improve his career record against texas to 20-24 when the seattle mariners visit the rangers on friday for the opener of their three-game series.

hernandez also has made a career-high 54 starts against the texas and is just 7-11 with a 4.33 era in 25 outings at globe life park. he will be looking to help the mariners break out of a funk in which they have dropped four of five games, including thursday's 9-2 home loss to houston. texas sits in last place in the american league west with a 7-13 record as it opens a six-game homestand that includes a series versus oakland. the rangers have been limited to fewer than three runs on eight occasions, including wednesday's 4-2 setback in tampa bay.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, root northwest (seattle), fs southwest (texas)

pitching matchup: mariners rh felix hernandez (2-2, 5.48 era) vs. rangers lh mike minor (1-1, 4.60)
hernandez lost to the athletics in his last start as he allowed two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. the 32-year-old has served up five homers over his last three turns, including three in a loss to san francisco on april 4 in which he yielded eight runs on six hits and five walks over four frames. hernandez has shut down rougned odor (5-for-31, 10 strikeouts) despite surrendering two homers and always enjoys his battles with close friend and former teammate adrian beltre (13-for-56, one homer).
minor was roughed up for five runs and five hits in five innings by houston in his last outing but escaped with a no-decision. the 30-year-old has allowed just 10 hits over his three turns and possesses a solid 0.96 whip and .182 batting average against. minor is 1-1 with 1.64 era in four career appearances against the mariners and lost his lone start in 2014, when he gave up one run and five hits over seven innings while with atlanta.

walk-offs

1. the mariners went 11-8 overall and 6-4 on the road against the rangers last season.
2. seattle has scored just seven runs over its last five games.

3. texas cf delino deshields (broken left wrist) began a rehab stint at double-a frisco on thursday and is expected back in the majors by early next week.

prediction: mariners 4, rangers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Marlins vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
the milwaukee brewers were unable to post a third consecutive shutout in the opener of their four-game series against the visiting miami marlins, but they managed to break out offensively. milwaukee reached double digits in runs for the first time this season in the 12-3 victory and looks to continue that success at the plate when it hosts miami on friday.

lorenzo cain and jesus aguilar each recorded three hits in the rout, with the former driving in two runs while scoring four and the latter collecting three rbis and crossing the plate twice. the brewers extended their winning streak to three games without eric thames, who was kept out of the starting lineup after belting two-run homers in consecutive 2-0 triumphs over cincinnati. the 31-year-old slugger, who did deliver a pinch-hit single on thursday, has gone deep in back-to-back games three times this month and belted a total of 18 home runs in the last two aprils. the marlins lost for the fourth time in five contests and had its only offense in the series opener provided by former brewer lewis brinson, who hit a solo homer in the third inning and a two-run shot in the fifth for his first two blasts of the year.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, fs florida (miami), fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: marlins rh trevor richards (0-1, 4.70 era) vs. brewers rh jhoulys chacin (0-1, 5.60)

richards had the best performance of his young major-league career on saturday as he allowed just two hits while walking one batter and hitting another over seven scoreless innings of a no-decision against pittsburgh. the 24-year-old rookie from illinois failed to last five frames in either of his first two career starts, surrendering eight runs and 14 hits over 8 1/3 innings. richards' lone turn on the road came on april 8, when he yielded three runs on six hits and three walks in four innings of a no-decision at philadelphia.
chacin remains in search of his first win of the season as he makes his fifth overall start and second at home. the 30-year-old venezuelan is coming off a no-decision against the mets in new york on sunday, when he allowed just one run on five hits and three walks but worked only four innings. chacin has not fared well against miami in his career, going 1-4 with a 5.22 era in five starts and two relief appearances.
walk-offs

1. brewers of ryan braun (calf) was kept out of the starting lineup for the second straight game thursday but belted a three-run homer as a pinch hitter to become the second player in franchise history to reach 1,000 career rbis, joining robin yount (1,406 from 1974-93).
2. miami placed lhp chris o'grady (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled rhp merandy gonzalez from double-a jacksonville.

3. milwaukee acquired inf tyler saladino from the chicago white sox for cash and assigned him to triple-a colorado springs while designating rhp alec asher for assignment.

prediction: brewers 6, marlins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
the houston astros regained their footing after losing five of six by erupting for 20 runs during their three-game winning streak. the astros aim to provide plenty of run support for reigning american league player of the week justin verlander on friday as they open a three-game series against the host chicago white sox, who have matched their worst start since 1997.

jose altuve ripped a three-run double in the fifth inning to highlight his three-hit, four-rbi performance in thursday's 9-2 romp over seattle. the 2017 al mvp and three-time batting champion has hit safely in 17 of his last 19 contests overall and went 7-for-22 with two homers in last season's series versus chicago, although the white sox walked away with wins in four of six encounters. the slumping south siders haven't been stringing together too many positive moments this season, as they've dropped 11 of their last 13 overall and surrendered 34 runs during a four-game losing streak. yoan moncada homered for the second straight contest, belting his first career grand slam in wednesday's 12-11 setback in 14 innings to oakland.

tv: 8:10 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston), nbcs chicago
pitching matchup: astros rh justin verlander (2-0, 1.35 era) vs. white sox rh james shields (1-1, 4.50)
verlander turned in his third dominant outing in four trips to the mound on sunday, but he settled for a no-decision after surrendering a solo homer for his lone run and hit allowed in eight innings against texas. the 2011 al mvp and cy young award winner continues to rack up the strikeouts at a rapid pace, fanning 11 rangers to give him 29 in his last three outings. verlander has flustered the white sox in his career, posting a 20-13 record and 3.82 era, although his numbers (7-8, 4.11) have taken a dip at guaranteed rate field.
manager rick renteria did not divulge his hand in regard to friday's pitcher after scheduled starter shields was summoned to be the team's 10th pitcher in wednesday's marathon loss. the 36-year-old shields, who yielded the game-winning hit and two walks on 28 pitches versus the athletics, still is in line to work the series opener, with lucas giolito (0-2, 5.50) and reynaldo lopez (0-2, 1.42) slated to start on saturday and sunday, respectively. josh reddick has teed off with three homers highlighting his .320 average against shields, who owns a 2-2 mark with a 2.11 era and 1.08 whip in six career meetings with the astros.
walk-offs

1. houston owns the majors' best team era at 2.48 while chicago has the worst at 5.64.
2. the white sox acquired of trayce thompson from oakland on thursday and dealt inf tyler saladino to milwaukee, with cash considerations completing both deals.

3. astros cf george springer has recorded nine hits - including three homers - to go along with seven runs scored in his last seven games.

prediction: astros 8, white sox 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
the reeling cincinnati reds are bidding that a change in leadership will alter their fortunes on friday when they open a three-game series against the st. louis cardinals at busch stadium. jim riggleman, who last managed in the majors with the washington nationals in june 2011, was named the interim manager after bryan price was dismissed following the reds' 3-15 start to the season.

"i think we're going to hit the ground running (friday) with jim in place and a couple new members of the staff, and we're very focused on creating a sense of urgency for these guys to perform now," cincinnati general manager dick williams said. the reds haven't been performing that well this season, batting .220 as a team while being shut out on four occasions as they enter friday's tilt mired in a 19-inning scoreless streak. st. louis, which outscored cincinnati 27-10 en route to a four-game sweep last week, saw its five-game winning streak halted with an 8-5 setback at the chicago cubs on thursday afternoon. tommy pham collected eight hits and five runs scored in four contests against the reds and is 5-for-10 in his career against friday starter brandon finnegan.
tv: 8:15 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati), fs midwest (st. louis)
pitching matchup: reds lh brandon finnegan (0-1, 10.38 era) vs. cardinals rh michael wacha (2-1, 5.52)

finnegan's first start since june 26 left plenty to be desired, as the 25-year-old allowed a pair of two-out homers to greg garcia and five runs total in 4 1/3 innings of saturday's 6-1 setback versus st. louis. finnegan struggled with his command by walking four in his first start since missing most of last season due to shoulder surgery. yadier molina (5-for-12) and matt carpenter (4-for-11) have gotten their licks in on finnegan, but the southpaw has subdued jedd gyorko (1-for-11) in his career.
wacha recorded his second straight win on april 12 despite yielding four runs in five innings in a 13-4 rout of cincinnati. the 26-year-old answered a two-homer performance in his season debut by keeping the ball in the park in each of his last two outings, although he is walking a fine line with eight free passes in that stretch (10 innings). joey votto (13-for-34) and scooter gennett (9-for-28) have fared well versus wacha, who has permitted the reds' roster to bat .281 against him.
walk-offs

1. st. louis 1b jose martinez went 8-for-16 with five extra-base hits and seven rbis in the previous series against cincinnati.

2. reds 2b jose peraza is 3-for-22 in his last six games since collecting three hits in the series opener versus the cardinals on april 12.
3. st. louis of dexter fowler is 0-for-12 with six strikeouts after erupting for five hits and four runs scored in the first two meetings with cincinnati.

prediction: cardinals 7, reds 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
After showing signs of getting their offense going, the Chicago Cubs will be eager to get to Coors Field for a three-game series that begins on Friday. After seven contests on the road, the Colorado Rockies also will welcome a return to their hitter-happy confines.

The Rockies went 5-2 on their road trip that featured stops in Washington and Pittsburgh, but the offense sputtered at times, scoring just two runs on four different occasions. They didn't swing the bats much better in their first homestand of the season as they went 2-4 and produced three or fewer runs four times. Colorado will turn to Jon Gray to try to shut down Chicago's feast-or-famine offense, which broke out for 14 hits in an 8-5 win over St. Louis on Thursday. The Cubs counter with Kyle Hendricks, who has recorded quality starts in three of his four career turns at Coors Field.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 3.71 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (1-3, 6.23)
Hendricks hasn't yet found the fastball command he needs to dominate, but he has posted quality starts in two of his three outings. The 28-year-old surrendered a pair of home runs last time out against Pittsburgh, but they were both solo shots and accounted for the only runs he allowed over six innings. Hendricks is 1-2 with a 4.04 ERA in six career starts against the Rockies.

Gray has been roughed up in three of his first four starts to begin the season, although he was able to limit the damage until the sixth inning in his last outing. The 26-year-old has been hit hard the third time through the order, allowing opponents to post a .524 average. Gray will be facing the Cubs for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs are averaging 8.6 runs in their eight wins and 1.75 in their eight losses.

2. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado returns Friday from a five-game suspension for his role in an on-field fight against San Diego while OF Gerardo Parra is expected to drop his appeal and begin serving his four-game ban stemming from the same incident.
3. Chicago 2B Javier Baez has recorded three doubles, three triples and five homers among his 14 hits this season.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Rockies 6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
as they have matched the best start in franchise history, the arizona diamondbacks are sending an early message to their rivals in the national league west. the diamondbacks are sitting atop the division as they begin a three-game series friday against the visiting san diego padres.

the diamondbacks have won all six of their three-game sets and have matched the 2008 team for the best record after 18 games at 13-5. zack greinke threw seven strong innings while a.j. pollock and ketel marte homered in thursday's 3-1 win over san francisco, but utilityman chris owings left the game in the third inning after colliding with pollock and is listed as day-to-day. the padres had a much-needed day off thursday after being outscored 30-10 and swept in three games by the los angeles dodgers. san diego's struggling offense could receive a boost as early as friday, as injured outfielders manuel margot (ribs) and wil myers (elbow) both could return to the lineup.
tv: 9:40 p.m. et, fs san diego, fs arizona
pitching matchup: padres rh tyson ross (2-1, 3.50 era) vs. diamondbacks rh matt koch (0-0, 0.00)

ross is looking to build on a strong outing against san francisco last friday, when he allowed an unearned run and seven hits while striking out five. "i'm getting a little older, a little wiser," ross told reporters. "i'm not trying to hump up and throw it as hard as i can, and trying to move the ball around a little bit, and having better command comes with that." the 31-year-old has gone 4-3 with a 2.65 era in 13 career games (12 starts) against the diamondbacks.
koch is expected to be recalled from triple-a reno to start in place of taijuan walker, who will undergo tommy john surgery next week to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. the 27-year-old koch has made one appearance this season at the major-league level, pitching two scoreless innings on april 7 in st. louis. "he's shown an ability to generate weak contact at the major-league level," general manager mike hazen told reporters. "he throws strikes. he's aggressive."
walk-offs

1. arizona has won 11 of its last 12 games when scoring four or more runs.

2. the padres activated rhp kirby yates from the 10-day disabled list and optioned rhp luis perdomo to triple-a el paso.

3. diamondbacks of david peralta has reached base safely in 13 consecutive games and is 13-for-33 during his eight-game hitting streak.

prediction: padres 6, diamondbacks 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
since losing their season opener, the boston red sox have gone on to win 16 of 17 contests and sport the best record in the major leagues. boston looks to extend its winning streak to eight games when it visits the oakland athletics on friday for the opener of their three-game series.

the red sox kicked off their nine-game road trip with a three-game sweep of the los angeles angels during which they scored 27 runs while allowing only three and belted 11 homers. it marked the first time the red sox reached double digits in blasts in a three-game series since june 2003 against the florida marlins and first occasion they did it in a set on the road since 1997 at toronto. mookie betts opened thursday's 8-2 triumph with his 13th career leadoff homer and second of the series, as he hit four of his six shots of the year in the three-game set. oakland is coming off a three-game sweep of its own as it outscored the chicago white sox 18-3 over the first two contests before outlasting them 12-11 in 14 innings in wednesday's finale.
tv: 10:05 p.m. et, nesn (boston), nbcs california (oakland)
pitching matchup: red sox lh drew pomeranz (2017: 17-6, 3.32 era) vs. athletics rh kendall graveman (0-3, 9.87)

pomeranz will be making his season debut after recovering from the forearm strain he suffered in his first start this spring. the 29-year-old native of tennessee is coming off a career year in which he recorded 17 victories and led the major leagues with 23 starts in which he allowed fewer than three runs. pomeranz has given up three runs - two earned - over 10 innings while notching one victory in two career turns against oakland, his employers for two seasons (2014-15).
graveman's season has gotten off to a rough start as he has surrendered five runs in three of his four outings and served up a total of six homers in 17 1/3 innings. the 27-year-old from alabama, who has yet to work more than five frames, yielded five runs and eight hits over four innings in a loss at seattle on saturday. graveman has pitched well against boston in his career but has nothing to show for it as he has yet to record a victory despite allowing only four runs over 19 1/3 frames in four appearances (three starts).
walk-offs

1. the red sox are the fifth major-league team since 1920 to win at least 16 of its first 18 games and first since the 1987 milwaukee brewers.

2. athletics of stephen piscotty is riding an eight-game hitting streak during which he has gone 13-for-31 and recorded five two-hit performances.
3. oakland traded of trayce thompson to the white sox for a player to be named or cash and optioned rhp lou trivino to triple-a nashville.

prediction: red sox 7, athletics 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
the los angeles angels look to end a three-game slide when they host the san francisco giants on friday in the opener of their three-game interleague series. the angels were one of the hottest teams in baseball when they started 13-3, but they were outscored 27-3 while being swept of a three-game home set by the even hotter boston red sox.

los angeles recorded just 14 hits while being dominated by boston, including four in thursday's 8-2 loss. mike trout was hitless in four at-bats in the finale after going 8-for-19 with two homers during a five-game hitting streak. hunter pence (thumb) is doubtful for the series opener after sitting out thursday as san francisco fell 3-1 to arizona for its fifth loss in six contests. jeff samardzija will be activated by the giants prior to the game and make his season debut after injuring a pectoral muscle on march 21.

tv: 10:07 p.m. et, nbcs bay area (san francisco), fs west (los angeles)
pitching matchup: giants rh jeff samardzija (2017: 9-15, 4.42 era) vs. angels lh andrew heaney (0-0, 5.40)
samardzija, who made 32 or more starts in each of the last four seasons, lasted just 2 2/3 innings in saturday's rehab start at single-a san jose, but manager bruce bochy insists he is ready. "his last couple of innings were really good innings," bochy told reporters. "command was good, velocity was good. he came out of it fine and he took a very extended bullpen (at arizona), so that's why we're convinced he's good to go." samardzija is 1-3 with a 3.71 era in four career starts versus the angels and struggles to retire albert pujols, who is 7-for-19 with three homers, nine rbis and five walks against the 32-year-old.
heaney escaped with a no-decision in his first start of the season after giving up four runs - three earned - and seven hits with seven strikeouts in five innings against kansas city last friday. the 26-year-old spent the first two weeks of the season on the disabled list due to elbow inflammation. heaney, who never has faced the giants, is 1-4 with a 5.16 era in five career interleague starts.
walk-offs

1. the giants are playing in anaheim for the first time since 2012, when pujols registered a homer and five rbis in the series to help the angels win two of three games.

2. san francisco lhp madison bumgarner (broken left hand) had three pins removed on thursday and is expected to start playing catch in early may.

3. los angeles pitchers were torched for 11 homers and eight doubles during the series with boston.

prediction: angels 5, giants 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 04-20-2018

19th April 2018 by Gracenote
the los angeles dodgers and washington nationals entered the season as the favorites to win the national league pennant, but the first month hasn't exactly followed the script for either club. however, both teams have started to pick up the pace in the last week and will try to reach the .500 mark friday when the nationals visit the dodgers for the start of a three-game set.

los angeles (8-9) stumbled out of the gates with only four victories for its worst 13-game start in 24 years behind a mostly lethargic offense, but the bats have been red-hot during a four-game winning streak during which the club is averaging 9.3 runs. the dodgers began their surge by ending their 11-game skid against arizona in convincing fashion sunday before outscoring san diego 30-10 over the next three days to sweep the padres on the road. washington (9-10) scored 29 runs while opening the season with four straight victories before totaling 27 runs while dropping eight of its next 10. however, the nationals have tallied at least five runs in each of their last five contests, although they missed out on a road series sweep of the nl east-leading new york mets on wednesday when they surrendered nine runs in the eighth inning of an 11-5 defeat.
tv: 10:10 p.m. et, masn 2 (washington), sportsnet la (los angeles)
pitching matchup: nationals rh max scherzer (3-1, 1.33 era) vs. dodgers lh clayton kershaw (1-2, 1.73)

scherzer was named the nl player of the week for his dominant efforts last week, including a 11-strikeout performance against colorado on saturday in which the only hit he allowed over seven innings was a two-run homer. the three-time cy young award winner was even stingier five days earlier versus atlanta, yielding two hits and fanning 10 en route to his fifth career shutout. matt kemp is 6-for-46 with 14 strikeouts against scherzer, who gave an unearned run in seven frames to beat the dodgers in his only start against them last season.
kershaw finally got the run support he had been lacking and earned his first victory in a 12-strikeout performance sunday against arizona, giving up only a solo homer among the two hits he allowed over seven innings. the seven-time all-star, who will pitch on regular rest despite moving up a day to fill in for the injured rich hill, has yielded a total of two earned runs over 13 frames at home. bryce harper is 1-for-18 with 12 strikeouts against kershaw, who is 11-2 with a 1.97 era in 15 appearances (14 starts) against washington.
walk-offs

1. dodgers c yasmani grandal, who is in the middle of an eight-game hitting streak, went 5-for-15 with three doubles, a homer, eight rbis and no strikeouts during the sweep of the padres.
2. nationals 3b anthony rendon has missed the last five games with a toe injury, but the team is hopeful he will be ready in time for the opener.

3. kemp finished 5-for-9 with two home runs and six rbis in the last series against san diego.

prediction: dodgers 2, nationals 1