Monday 4-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:30 AM

Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
the franchise's first home playoff game since 2004 gave the minnesota timberwolves all the juice they needed to steal game 3 and get back into the first-round western conference series against the top-seeded houston rockets. the timberwolves will try to ride that wave to an even best-of-seven series when they host the rockets in game 4 on monday.

minnesota shot 50 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from 3-point range and handed out 29 assists against seven turnovers in game 3 while rolling to a 121-105 win. "the fans were absolutely insane," timberwolves center karl-anthony towns, who enjoyed his best game of the series with 18 points and 16 rebounds, told reporters. "when you have fan support like that behind you, anything's possible." the rockets won an nba-high 65 games during the regular season but could not match the intensity of minnesota with the crowd behind it. "they played with a little bit more emotion than we had, a little harder," houston coach mike d'antoni told reporters. "especially in big moments, they came up with either a stop or a score or something. we didn't battle enough to overcome the crowd and emotion that they had. give them their due, but we need to play a little bit better and harder."

tv: 8 p.m. et, tnt, at&t sportsnet southwest (houston), fs north (minnesota)

about the rockets: houston star james harden scored 29 points in game 3 to bounce back from a 2-of-18 shooting effort in game 2 but shooting guard eric gordon continues to struggle. gordon, who averaged 18 points during the regular season, is putting up 10.3 points in the postseason on 28.2 percent shooting and is 6-of-26 from 3-point range. "offensively, we weren't pushing it at our pace," gordon told the houston chronicle after the game 3 loss. "we stooped to their level, playing slow. of course, everyone will say that we missed a lot of open shots. both teams are going to do that. it's all about creating the pace."
about the timberwolves: minnesota all-star swingman jimmy butler averaged 12 points in the first two games of the series and attempted a total of 17 shots but was a different player in front of the home fans. butler exploded for a team-high 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, and added series highs of seven rebounds and five assists in the win. "i can tell you the last couple of days that i got tired of my teammates telling me to be more aggressive," butler told reporters. "i took it upon myself to do just that. they are used to me being aggressive the past seven months, so don't switch it up now. i did that. i did my job."

buzzer beaters

1. timberwolves reserve pg derrick rose is averaging 14 points in the series after posting 8.4 during the regular season.

2. rockets pf ryan anderson (ankle) missed the first two games of the series and went 4-of-6 from 3-point range in his game 3 return.

3. minnesota pg jeff teague scored a series-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting in game 3.

prediction: timberwolves 113, rockets 111

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:30 AM

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

20th April 2018 by Gracenote
the utah jazz took homecourt advantage behind rookie star donovan mitchell with a win at oklahoma city in game 2. the jazz will try to hold onto that advantage when they host the thunder in game 3 of the best-of-seven western conference first-round series on saturday.

utah dropped game 1 and fell behind in game 2 before outscoring oklahoma city 28-16 in the fourth quarter to steal a 102-95 victory. "as much as anything, i think our team stayed together," jazz coach quin snyder told reporters. "there was a determination, and we felt like we just needed to rely on our defense - and that's what we did. obviously, donovan's aggressiveness on the offensive end fueled us there." the veteran thunder aren't panicking after one loss and understand the ebbs and flows of a playoff series. "it's all about kind of just understanding the situation that we're in," oklahoma city forward carmelo anthony told reporters. "in the playoffs, in these types of situations where you win one, you lose one, i've seen times where people just panic and start overthinking and things like that. when i go back and look at the game and recap and watch the film, utah did a great job in game 2, but i think we beat ourselves by not doing the small things."

tv: 10 p.m. et, espn, fs oklahoma, at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (utah)

about the thunder: anthony is off to a slow start in his first playoff series with oklahoma city and is 11-of-31 from the floor through two games. "there's things that we can correct, things that we have to correct, things that we will correct," anthony said. " on to the next game. we threw the first punch, they punched us back tonight and now we have to go on the road and get a win at their place. that's the mindset." small forward paul george, who dubbed himself "playoff p," went 6-of-21 from the field in the loss.
about the jazz: mitchell got some help in game 2 from backcourt mate ricky rubio, who collected 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds after struggling to 5-of-18 from the floor in game 1. "i was looking for my shot too much," rubio told reporters after the win. "in game 1, i was over-aggressive. i didn't look to get my teammates involved. tonight, i did a better job of looking for my teammates and i took shots when they were open. i had to remember that we play as a team, and that was our strength." the backcourt production was matched up front by rudy gobert and derrick favors, who combined for 33 points and 31 rebounds.

buzzer beaters

1. mitchell's 55 points are the most for a rookie for a rookie guard in his first two playoff games, surpassing the 53 points scored by michael jordan.

2. oklahoma city pg russell westbrook recorded a double-double in each of the first two games.

3. utah pf jonas jerebko scored 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting in game 2 after going scoreless in game 1.

prediction: jazz 113, thunder 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:31 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
one night after pittsburgh and nashville both failed to win close-out games on home ice, the boston bruins suffered a similar fate in their bid to ko the toronto maple leafs in their eastern conference first-round series. the bruins get another chance to send the maple leafs packing when they take a 3-2 series lead into monday's game 6 at toronto's air canada centre.

the maple leafs were demolished in their first two games in boston by a combined 12-4 count but they scored a pair of early goals and rode a superb 42-save performance by frederik andersen to stave off elimination with a 4-3 victory. "playoff games on the road, sometimes you just have to survive," toronto's nazem kadri said after returning from a three-game suspension. "now we got some life. it's a 3-2 series and it's going to be a good finish. we got to go home and take care of business." the bruins still have the upper hand in the series and have reason to feel confident, having won game 4 in toronto (3-1) and knowing it has the luxury of a winner-take-all game 7 on home ice. "i think the momentum is still on our side right now even though they won," boston forward tim schaller said. "we had a good push-back (in game 5), and we're going to take that push-back and hopefully have a good first five minutes up there in toronto and go from there."

tv: 7 p.m. et, nbc sports network, nesn (boston), cbc, tvas (toronto)

about the bruins: goaltender tuukka rask has guided boston to the stanley cup final (2013) and won a vezina trophy, but he lasted only nine shots and was yanked midway through the second period saturday after giving up four goals to put his team in a catch-up situation. "probably could've stopped more pucks with my eyes closed. that's about it," rask acknowledged. "it's on me, but moving on to the next one and we'll finish it out in toronto." center patrice bergeron was back in the lineup saturday after sitting out game 4 but boston's top line, which amassed 20 points in the first two games, was held off the scoresheet.
about the maple leafs: speaking of no. 1 units, there was speculation as to whether coach mike babcock would switch mitch marner to auston matthews' line to ignite a spark; instead, babcock elevated connor brown alongside matthews, moved william nylander to a newly formed unit with kadri and andreas johnsson, and put kasperi kapanen with tyler bozak and james van riemsdyk. brown and johnsson each scored their first career playoff goals and van riemsdyk also converted. "i'm not sure we're going to have the same lineup," babcock said sunday. "with last change at home, might make that different. i don't know for sure."

overtime

1. andersen became the fifth netminder in franchise history to make at least 40 saves for a win in an elimination game.

2. bruins d torey krug collected two assists saturday to boost his point total to eight in the series.

3. the maple leafs are 1-14 when trailing 3-1 in a series -- the lone exception coming in the 1942 stanley cup final when it became the first team to erase a 3-0 deficit.

prediction: maple leafs 4, bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:31 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
columbus blue jackets coach john tortorella offered the second guarantee of his team's eastern conference first-round series, and he hopes it goes as well as the first one served up by washington capitals captain alex ovechkin. tortorella's blue jackets aim to avert a fourth straight loss and stave off elimination on monday when they host ovechkin and the capitals in game 6 at nationwide area.

"i won't have to say a damn word to (my team). we'll be back here for game 7," tortorella said moments after nicklas backstrom capped a two-goal performance by scoring 11:53 into overtime in saturday's 4-3 win to give washington a 3-2 series lead. first things first for tortorella's charges, who made ovechkin look like a modern-day nostradamus when the capitals made good on his word with a pair of victories in games 3 and 4 in columbus to return the series to washington tied at 2-2. checking forward matt calvert (team-leading three goals) netted his second career two-goal performance in the playoffs in game 5 and alexander wennberg notched an assist in his first game of the series to perhaps instill the confidence needed by tortorella to make his postseason guarantee. "well, what else are you going to say?" capitals coach barry trotz said. "that's good. he wants to get it out there (that) he believes in his team, just as i believe in my team. so it's our job for that not to happen, and we're going to try to do that."

tv: 7:30 p.m. et, cnbc, sportsnet, tvas2, nbcs washington, fs ohio (columbus)

about the capitals: in addition to his two goals, backstrom also had an assist to cap a three-point performance to move into a tie with defenseman john carlson with a team-leading eight points in the series. "we need to come out a little harder and play way better for 60 minutes," the 30-year-old swede said. "... sixty minutes, complete game on monday, but you know it's going to be rocking there in columbus." evgeny kuznetsov scored his fourth goal in game 5 to claim the club lead in that department from russian countryman ovechkin, who was held off the scoresheet for the first time since the series opener and saw his multi-point streak end at three games.
about the blue jackets: while oliver bjorkstrand scored in the third period, columbus was unable to do more damage despite outshooting washington 16-1 in the session before backstrom's overtime winner put the blue jackets' bid for the franchise's first series win in peril. "our backs are against the wall, right?" captain nick foligno said. "if you can't play your best game come monday, then that's disappointing. i don't have any worries at all about our group going into monday." defenseman seth jones followed down that same path, saying "it's do or die. desperation level is at an all-time high. we feel confident going on our home ice."

overtime

1. washington g braden holtby has turned aside 95 of 101 shots during his team's three-game winning streak.

2. columbus has seen its power play short-circuit as the team has failed on 13 consecutive opportunities in the last three games after an initial 4-for-8 performance in the first two.

3. the capitals are 8-for-24 with the man advantage in the series.

prediction: blue jackets 4, capitals 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:31 AM

Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
two teams experiencing completely different beginnings to the season meet monday when the surprising atlanta braves open a four-game series at the struggling cincinnati reds. the braves, who were rained out of sunday's series finale against the new york mets, are off to their best start in four years and sit just two games out of first place in the national league east while the reds begin the week with baseball's worst record at 3-18 after falling sunday 9-2 at st. louis.

cincinnati's bullpen gave up six runs in three innings sunday, swelling its relief corps' era to 5.30, while reds starters own a 5.71 era. rookie outfielder jesse winker collected a rbi double to raise his average to .283 and has reached base in each of his past nine games, but the reds are averaging just 2.9 runs per game. atlanta entered sunday leading the nl in runs scored (111), doubles (47), batting average (.266) and slugging percentage (.427), to go with a starting rotation that has posted a 1.97 era in its past 15 games. rookie second baseman ozzie albies has 16 extra-base hits - including nine doubles and six homers - while shortstop dansby swanson boasts eight doubles and is hitting .342.

tv: 6:40 p.m. et, fs southeast (atlanta), fs ohio (cincinnati)

pitching matchup: braves rh mike foltynewicz (1-1, 2.53 era) vs. reds rh sal romano (0-2, 5.75)

foltynewicz - who was scheduled to start sunday's rainout - has increased usage of his slider through four starts (26.3 percent, compared to 21.2 percent a season ago) and the results have been positive. the 26-year-old has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start while striking out seven or more in three of four outings. foltynewicz, who gave up one run on four hits tuesday against philadelphia, is 1-0 with a 1.93 era in three career starts against the reds.
romano has struggled with his control through four starts, walking as many hitters (11) as he has struck out while allowing four homers in 20 1/3 innings. the 24-year-old pitched better in his last start tuesday at milwaukee, giving up two runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. romano held the braves to one run on five hits in seven innings in a victory last season in his only career appearances against atlanta.

walk-offs

1. cincinnati 1b joey votto recorded his 1,604th career hit sunday, moving him into second place among major-league players from canada (larry walker is first at 2,160).

2. atlanta c tyler flowers (oblique) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment monday with triple-a gwinnett, and recent signee of jose bautista also is scheduled to join gwinnett on monday.

3. the reds have scored only seven runs on 27 hits in their past five games with no homers, 14 walks and 36 strikeouts.

prediction: braves 5, reds 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:31 AM

Cleveland Indians vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
cleveland indians right-hander carlos carrasco has been handcuffing the opposition with a sterling 9-0 mark and 1.75 era in his past 11 starts, dating back to last season. carrasco looks to keep the sputtering baltimore orioles in shackles on monday when the indians visit camden yards to complete their four-game series.

jose ramirez posted his seventh multi-homer performance of his career with a solo shot in the fourth inning and a two-run blast in the ninth on sunday as cleveland (11-8) posted its second straight win with a 7-3 triumph. the 25-year-old dominican has gone deep three times in as many days and on six occasions in his last nine outings for the indians, who erupted for 14 hits after entering the contest with just a .211 team batting average. baltimore (6-16) isn't singing a happy tune with losses in eight of nine outings, including sunday's tilt in which it failed to capitalize on manny machado's third multi-homer performance of the season. "you know what? there's no excuse for what's happening," the 25-year-old machado told reporters. "we need to play better overall. nobody is in here pointing fingers. we are in here together, and we are going to ride or die together."

tv: 7:05 p.m. et, sportstime ohio (cleveland), masn (baltimore)

pitching matchup: indians rh carlos carrasco (3-0, 2.60 era) vs. orioles rh kevin gausman (1-1, 5.57)

carrasco recorded three straight wins before being saddled with a hard-luck no-decision in puerto rico on monday despite scattering three hits and striking out seven in seven scoreless innings versus minnesota. the 31-year-old venezuelan has surrendered just three earned runs and 11 hits during his last three outings (22 innings). adam jones is batting just .167 against carrasco, who sports a 2-2 mark with 2.88 era in five career appearances versus baltimore.
gausman notched his second straight quality start on wednesday after overcoming two solo homers to pick up a no-decision at detroit. the 27-year-old, who owns a 2-2 mark with a 2.53 era in four career appearances versus cleveland, has credited his recent strong performances to altering his delivery by bringing his hands over his head during his windup. "i was doing my dry throws and started messing around with it and it felt really good," gausman told reporters. "felt like i was landing in the same spot every time and like i was really reaching toward home plate."

walk-offs

1. cleveland lf michael brantley is 14-for-33 with one homer and six rbis during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. baltimore 1b chris davis has five hits in his last five contests after striking out 10 times in his previous four.

3. indians c yan gomes is riding an eight-game hitting streak that is stretched over two weeks.

prediction: indians 6, orioles 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:32 AM

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
miguel andujar has flipped the switch and the new york yankees have followed suit, with the former collecting five multi-hit performances in his last six games to help the latter pick up steam in the standings. the yankees look to continue their strong play on monday when they open a four-game series versus the visiting minnesota twins in the first matchup since their wild-card meeting last fall.

andujar, who collected four hits in sunday's 5-1 triumph over toronto, has answered a 3-for-28 stretch by going 13-for-25 with 10 extra-base hits (seven doubles, a triple and two homers) in his last six outings. "to me, it's about getting an opportunity and doing your job. i'm getting a great opportunity," the 23-year-old dominican said through an interpreter. while the yankees (11-9) won three of four versus the blue jays and five of seven overall, the twins (8-8) opened their seven-game road trip by yielding 26 runs in a three-game sweep by tampa bay. brian dozier set a franchise record by hitting safely in a season-opening 16 straight games and is riding a 23-game hitting streak dating back to 2017 heading into monday's tilt versus masahiro tanaka, against whom he is 5-for-14 in his career.

tv: 7 p.m. et, espn, yes (new york)

pitching matchup: twins rh jake odorizzi (1-1, 3.38 era) vs. yankees rh masahiro tanaka (2-2, 6.45)

odorizzi served up three homers and four runs total in five innings on tuesday to suffer his first loss of the season in a 6-1 setback against cleveland. giancarlo stanton is 1-for-7 with four strikeouts versus the 28-year-old, who owns a 5-7 mark with a 4.31 era in his career versus new york - with a 2-3 record and 5.75 era at yankee stadium. "you can't take a pitch off up there," odorizzi told reporters. "the game can switch and transition so quickly. ... no one is ever out of a game in yankee stadium. i've definitely seen the good and the bad up there."
tanaka was blitzed for 13 runs on 15 hits with three homers in five-inning stints against boston and miami, splitting the decisions. after stumbling in those outings, the 29-year-old japanese star hopes to regain his footing versus a twins team against which he owns a 4-0 career mark with a 2.48 era. eduardo escobar has flustered tanaka to the tune of going 6-for-13, but the right-hander has subdued joe mauer (1-for-10) and max kepler (0-for-6).

walk-offs

1. minnesota 3b miguel sano is 5-for-34 with 16 strikeouts in his last eight contests.

2. new york ss didi gregorius, who belted a solo homer on sunday, is 8-for-21 with seven rbis and six runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

3. twins lhp taylor rodgers has struggled in four of his last five appearances, permitting six runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

prediction: yankees 4, twins 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:32 AM

Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
the oakland athletics have been on a roll of late, and they can begin their nine-game road trip with the utmost confidence after posting back-to-back victories over the best team in the major leagues. oakland seeks its seventh win in eight contests when it kicks off its trek monday with the opener of a three-game series against the texas rangers.

the athletics had their four-game winning streak halted by league-leading boston on friday but bounced back with a 3-0 triumph behind sean manaea's no-hitter and a 4-1 victory in the series finale thanks to a three-run eighth inning. khris davis continued his strong performance at the plate on sunday, delivering an rbi single in the first inning and a three-run homer in the eighth to give him hits in 10 of his last 11 games. texas halted its three-game slide on sunday with a 7-4 win over seattle in which joey gallo and isiah kiner-falefa drove in two runs apiece. the victory also ended a six-game skid at home for the rangers, who split a four-game series in oakland earlier this month.

tv: 8:05 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), fs southwest (texas)

pitching matchup: athletics rh trevor cahill (1-0, 0.00 era) vs. rangers lh matt moore (1-3, 5.59)

cahill's season debut on tuesday was an impressive one, as he picked up a victory over the chicago white sox after striking out eight and scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings. the 30-year-old californian, who began his career with oakland in 2009, started the campaign with triple-a nashville after signing a one-year contract in march. cahill has enjoyed success against texas in his career, recording a 2.69 era and 10 victories - his most versus any opponent - with just four losses in 17 starts.
moore is coming off the best of his four starts this season, a win at tampa bay on tuesday in which he allowed an unearned run and five hits over seven innings. the 28-year-old floridian has had issues at home, however, surrendering 13 runs - 12 earned - on 19 hits and seven walks over 12 1/3 frames in three turns - all losses. moore has made five career starts against oakland, going 1-2 with a horrid 7.07 era.

walk-offs

1. rangers of delino deshields (wrist) went 0-for-4 on sunday after being activated from the disabled list prior to the game, with of carlos tocci landing on the dl with a bruised left hip.

2. oakland has allowed fewer than two runs in four of its last six victories and two in another.

3. texas rhp doug fister (hip) is expected to be activated from the dl on wednesday and start the series finale.

prediction: athletics 5, rangers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:32 AM

Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
mitch haniger hopes to continue a power surge when his seattle mariners visit the slumping chicago white sox on monday for the opener of their three-game series. haniger, who is among the major-league leaders with 22 rbis, has homered in three straight contests and is 9-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak after launching a two-run shot during sunday's 7-4 loss at texas.

the 27-year-old haniger has led the way for a star-studded lineup that includes robinson cano, nelson cruz and kyle seager with seven homers, and he is batting .314 after the mariners took two of three in texas. mike leake will try to give seattle a boost on the mound when he starts the opener, while miguel gonzalez looks to turn around his season for the white sox. chicago has lost seven straight games - allowing a total of 61 runs - and 12 of 13, with poor pitching being the biggest culprit (league-worst 6.20 era). jose abreu is 8-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak and avisail garcia recorded two hits in sunday's 7-1 loss to houston after going 2-for-32 in his previous eight contests for the white sox, who are 1-8 at home.

tv: 8:10 p.m. et, root northwest (seattle), nbcs chicago

pitching matchup: mariners rh mike leake (2-1, 4.50 era) vs. white sox rh miguel gonzalez (0-3, 12.41)

leake suffered his first loss of the season on wednesday as he allowed five runs and seven hits over six innings against houston, but he did register the 1,000th strikeout of his career. the 30-year-old arizona state product recorded two quality starts and a pair of victories in his first three outings, giving up seven runs over 18 innings. welington castillo is 4-for-20 with two doubles against leake, who will be facing the white sox for the first time in his career.
gonzalez has struggled in his first three starts, putting forth his worst performance on tuesday, when he was touched for eight runs and eight hits in three frames. the 33-year-old mexican has completed five innings once in his three turns and opposing hitters are batting .400 with four homers. ichiro suzuki is 6-for-19 with three doubles and a pair of homers versus gonzalez, who is 1-2 with a 6.49 era in five career games against seattle.

walk-offs

1. chicago 1b-dh matt davidson leads the team with five homers and 11 rbis but is batting just .207.

2. cruz is 8-for-18 with a home run and two rbis during his four-game hitting streak.

3. the mariners took four of five from the white sox last season, including a three-game sweep at chicago in july.

prediction: mariners 6, white sox 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:32 AM

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
the houston astros own the longest winning streak in the american league at six straight games and tied the best 23-game start in franchise history, but they're just 1 1/2 games ahead of the los angeles angels in the al west. the astros will host the angels on monday in the opener of a three-game division showdown.

houston is outscoring opponents 47-6 over the last six games and bashed the chicago white sox 27-2 in a three-game sweep over the weekend. the astros can pound the ball with any team offensively but are thriving behind a pitching staff that owns the best era in the majors at 2.22 and hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of the last seven contests. the angels started hot with wins in 13 of their first 16 but dropped five of six on the just-completed homestand, capped by a 4-2 loss to the san francisco giants on sunday. los angeles, which totaled 10 runs in its last six contests, could have more trouble getting the bats going against surging houston right-hander gerrit cole, who opposes angels lefty tyler skaggs.

tv: 8:10 p.m. et, fs west (los angeles), at&t sportsnet southwest-plus (houston)

pitching matchup: angels lh tyler skaggs (2-1, 3.98 era) vs. astros rh gerrit cole (2-0, 0.96)
skaggs surrendered a total of three runs in his first three starts but was ripped for six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings by the boston red sox on wednesday to suffer his first loss. the 26-year-old did not allow a home run in any of his first three turns but served up a grand slam on wednesday. skaggs made three of his 16 starts in 2017 against houston and went 1-0 with a 4.24 era while striking out 11 in 17 innings.
cole went seven innings in each of his first four starts with his new team and allowed a total of three earned runs. the former no. 1 overall draft pick posted double-digit strikeouts in each of the first three before punching out five at seattle in a win on wednesday. cole, who spent the first five seasons of his career in the national league with the pittsburgh pirates, is seeing los angeles for the first time since 2016.

walk-offs

1. angels ss andrelton simmons left sunday's game after being hit by a pitch in the arm and is day-to-day.

2. astros ss carlos correa is 13-for-24 with seven rbis over the last seven games.

3. los angeles dh shohei ohtani hit cleanup on sunday for the first time this season and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

prediction: astros 5, angels 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:32 AM

San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 04-23-2018

22nd April 2018 by Gracenote
the colorado rockies pitching staff is struggling and the team dropped three of its last four games while getting off to a slow start on a six-game homestand. the rockies will try to turn things around when they host the san diego padres in the opener of a three-game series on monday.

colorado allowed a total of 35 runs in its last three losses, capped by a wild 9-7 loss to the chicago cubs on sunday in which it burned through seven pitchers and still had a chance to win with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. the rockies remain potent at the plate led by center fielder charlie blackmon, who is tied for the national league lead after slugging his eighth home run on sunday. the padres are losers of five of their last six and watched the offense post 15 strikeouts in sunday's 4-2 loss to the san francisco giants. san diego will try to get its offense going to provide support for right-hander bryan mitchell, who opposes colorado's chad bettis on monday.

tv: 8:40 p.m. et, fs san diego, at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (colorado)

pitching matchup: padres rh bryan mitchell (0-2, 5.03 era) vs. rockies rh chad bettis (3-0, 1.44)

mitchell recorded his first quality start of the season against the dodgers on tuesday, when he allowed three runs and five hits in six innings without factoring in the decision. the 27-year-old issued three walks in that turn and owns 17 in 19 2/3 total innings. mitchell spent the previous four seasons in the american league with the new york yankees and made his nl debut at home against colorado on april 2, when he was ripped for five runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings.
bettis is cruising along and enjoyed his best start of the young season at pittsburgh on tuesday, when he scattered five hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings. the texas tech product has yet to allow more than two earned runs in an outing and yielded 17 hits in 25 total innings. bettis went up against mitchell on april 2 and picked up a win while surrendering two runs on five hits and four walks in five frames.

walk-offs

1. the padres placed rf hunter renfroe (elbow) on the 10-day dl sunday, retroactive to april 18.

2. rockies of carlos gonzalez (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day dl sunday.

3. the nl west rivals are playing their third series already in 2018, with colorado leading 4-3.

prediction: rockies 8, padres 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:33 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Finger Lakes
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Claiming - 4.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $9000 Class Rating: 71

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE MARCH 23 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 23 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 THREE NO TRUMP 3/1

# 1 GUARDIAN 4/1

# 5 FIRST IN CLASS 7/2

My selection in this race is THREE NO TRUMP. Has run very well when racing a dirt sprint race. This trainer has done solidly as of late with entries racing at this distance and surface. Has to be given a shot - I like the figs from the last race. GUARDIAN - With one of the top jockeys in terms of gains at the window, don't count this horse out. Has been running strongly lately and ought to be close to the front end early on. FIRST IN CLASS - Had one of the best speed figs of this field in his last race. No strangers to the winner's circle, Acquilano and Perez ought to have this gelding breaking away from the field.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:34 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park - Race 2

WPS / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Daily Double (Races 2-3) Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) / Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)

Maiden • 250 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 61 • Purse: $9,000 • Post: 12:31
QUARTER HORSE 250Y, FOR TEXAS ACCREDITED MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * SHANA ON MY MIND: Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. KOOL MISTRESS: Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20.
8
SHANA ON MY MIND
8/1

6/1
7
KOOL MISTRESS
20/1

7/1
4
SHE IS ON FIRE
7/2

7/1
3
ISAACS DASHER
10/1

7/1
1
ROCK SOLID SHAKE
12/1

9/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
CARTEL M
2

9/2
Slow
0

0

6.7

0.0

0.0
5
SYGNIFIED
5

2/1
Slow
0

0

7.7

0.0

0.0
6
MISS ZUPER COSMO
6

15/1
Slow
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0
9
FAST CASH BACK
9

6/1
Slow
0

0

9.5

0.0

0.0

Unknown Running Style: ROCK SOLID SHAKE (12/1) [Jockey: Huerta Roman Armando - Trainer: Moore Roger L], ISAACS DASHER (10/1) [Jockey: Garcia Jr Juan F - Trainer: Mushinski Kie], SHE IS ON FIRE (7/2) [Jockey: Calderon Francisco - Trainer: Rodriguez Ma

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-23-2018, 05:34 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #3 - Post: 1:40pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,600 Class Rating: 53

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 HONG KONG GARDENS (ML=3/1)

HONG KONG GARDENS - Stalking speed. My comrades and I like this one. Taking a big drop in Equibase class figure points from his Mar 4th race at Aqueduct. Based on that info, I will give this one the edge. This animal earns a lot of cash per race. I believe he can add to the lifetime bankroll right here in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 WHISPERYCROWN (ML=7/2), #7 WHYWOULDYOUDOTHAT (ML=4/1), #1 HE'S OUT OF QUEENS (ML=5/1),

WHISPERYCROWN - You always think this equine has a shot to win, but he falters frequently. WHYWOULDYOUDOTHAT - This gelding finished out of the money on March 27th and wasn't close to victory last time around the track either. HE'S OUT OF QUEENS - Disappointing speed rating last race out at Mahoning Valley Race Cour at 6 furlongs. Don't think this mount will improve too much today.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 HONG KONG GARDENS is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

Monday 4-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Monday 4-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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