Saturday 4-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:56 AM

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

27th April 2018 by Gracenote
the home team won the first six games of the first-round series between milwaukee and boston and bucks superstar giannis antetokounmpo is out to change that pattern in saturday's game 7. the "greek freak" can add to his reputation if he can steer milwaukee past the celtics in boston and into the second round of the eastern conference playoffs.

antetokounmpo recorded 31 points and 14 rebounds as the bucks forced a game 7 with thursday's 97-86 victory, and the seventh-seeded bucks clearly know what to expect in their fourth game in boston in the series. "it's going to be crazy. it's do or die at this point," bucks forward khris middleton told reporters. "the crowd in boston is rowdy, just like they are (in milwaukee). it's going to be a great game. there are no secrets between teams. it comes down to who has more will." the second-seeded celtics weren't supposed to receive such a tussle from the bucks and are unexpectedly in need of a win to keep their season alive. "the result is our guys get to experience a game 7, which, again, we didn't want," celtics coach brad stevens told reporters. "game 7 in td garden is what you play for. it should be what you're excited most about. what you worked for all summer, what you worked for all year. it's a blast."

tv: 8 p.m. et, tnt, fs wisconsin (milwaukee), nbcs boston

about the bucks: antetokounmpo scored 30 or more points on three occasions in the series but his aggressiveness was back at a star level on thursday after he took just 10 shots in a game 5 loss in boston. "i thought he played great," bucks interim head coach joe prunty told reporters of antetokounmpo. "i don't think he forced anything. i think he took opportunities that were there for him. he knows the spots to get to, but we also have to give him spacing around him to make sure we are in the right spots so that he has room to operate. ... overall, giannis played an outstanding game." the play of antetokounmpo (26.3 points, 9.7 rebounds) and middleton (23.5 average) has been consistently good but the duo needs someone from the trio of guard eric bledsoe (12 points per game), forward jabari parker (10.2) and guard malcolm brogdon (9.8) to step up on saturday.

about the celtics: the failure to close out the series in milwaukee didn't faze most of the boston players as they return to a venue in which they have won three times during the playoff matchup. "this is where home-court advantage comes up, where we've been playing the right way all season," second-year shooting guard jaylen brown told reporters. "this is where playing the right basketball all year long is going to come to a benefit. game 7, a lot of people haven't experienced it on this team. it's crazy, and i expect nothing short of a tremendous performance from everybody." brown (20.5) is one of five celtics averaging in double digits in the series with center al horford (16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds), guard terry rozier (16.2), small forward jayson tatum (14.7) and power forward marcus morris (13.8) being the others.
buzzer beaters

1. boston won its three previous home games in the series by an average of 8.3 points.

2. morris (thigh) was injured in game 6 and insists he is fine for the series finale.

3. milwaukee c john henson (back) will likely miss his fifth straight game.

prediction: celtics 115, bucks 113

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:56 AM

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

27th April 2018 by Gracenote
the new orleans pelicans were surprisingly dominant in sweeping the third-seeded portland trail blazers in the first round of the playoffs, but a much bigger challenge looms. the pelicans will try to get an early advantage when they visit the defending nba champion golden state warriors in game 1 of the western conference semifinals on saturday.

new orleans superstar anthony davis averaged 33 points on 57.6 percent shooting and 11.8 rebounds in the four-game sweep of portland, and the team is not intimidated by facing the defending champs. "our guys have a hunger and they see an opportunity here and i think we'll play at our highest level and compete like crazy, and then whatever happens from that we're willing to accept," pelicans coach alvin gentry, who was an assistant on golden state's staff during its 2015 championship run, told the undefeated. "i just say we just got to be able to compete to the point where we give ourselves an opportunity to win." the warriors knocked out the san antonio spurs in five games in the first round without star point guard stephen curry (knee), who is practicing with the team but remains a question mark for game 1. "he's questionable," golden state coach steve kerr told reporters of curry. "a big part of (whether curry will play) is how he (looks saturday) after a night's rest. it's the first time he's scrimmaged in about five or six weeks. it's not as simple as he feels good, let's put him out there. it's more about, give him a few days and see how he responds."

tv: 10:30 p.m. et, tnt

about the pelicans: davis is the unquestioned leader of the team, but guards jrue holiday and rajon rondo and power forward nikola mirotic are keys to an offense that is running at high speed. holiday averaged 27.8 points on 56.8 percent shooting against the trail blazers while rondo averaged 13.3 assists. "the unselfishness," rondo told the team's website, when asked which area the pelicans have shown the most growth this season. "i think we're rooting for the next man beside us. early in the season, i couldn't really say that for this team. but now, it seems like guys are happy for one another, genuinely. regardless of whether guys are playing bad or playing great, when we come in that locker room, if we got a 'w', everyone has the same mindset, the same joy for each other."
about the warriors: curry sat out the last 15 games with a knee sprain and is itching to get back on the floor. "i'm getting there, for sure," curry told reporters. "i've done a lot in the last two weeks, especially on my feet moving, getting back to movements that i expect to do in the games and try to build that tolerance and intensity. my knee feels pretty good. i don't have any pain with doing the things that i've been doing." kevin durant averaged 28.2 points in the first round to help cover some of curry's lost scoring while shooting guard klay thompson averaged 22.6 points and shot 51.6 percent from 3-point range.
buzzer beaters

1. mirotic averaged 18.3 points on 57.1 percent shooting against portland.

2. warriors pf draymond green averaged 11.2 rebounds in the first round but shot 35.7 percent from the floor.

3. golden state swept new orleans in the first round of the playoffs in 2015 and took three of four meetings during the regular season.

prediction: warriors 120, pelicans 115

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:56 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

27th April 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay lightning will be a very well-rested team when they host the boston bruins on saturday afternoon for game 1 of their eastern conference semifinal series. the lightning wrapped up their first-round series april 21 by topping new jersey in five games while the bruins trailed by a goal going into the decisive game 7 before rallying for a 7-4 victory over toronto on wednesday.

tampa bay will benefit from the break physically and mentally, and the players don't expect any rust saturday: "we've had a really good week of practicing," lightning right wing ryan callahan told reporters. "our practices have been intense, upbeat. it shouldn't be an issue." the bruins won the first three games in the season series before suffering a 4-0 defeat at tampa bay in the finale april 3 with a 33-shutout from andrei vasilevskiy, who had a dazzling .941 save percentage in the first-round series for the lightning. david pastrnak is third in the league in scoring during the playoffs with 13 points for boston, which averaged four goals in the first round, and fellow right wing nikita kucherov led tampa bay with five goals and five assists against new jersey. "they have had time to rest and if they had any injuries probably get a little healthier," bruins coach bruce cassidy told reporters. ". ... but for us going into saturday we are battle-tested and we have to bring that mentality into the next round."

tv: 3 p.m. et, nbc, sportsnet, tva

about the bruins: pastrnak, left wing brad marchand (nine points), torey krug (eight points) and captain zdeno chara (plus-5 rating) were solid in the first round, but goalie tuukka rask (2.94 goals-against, .899 save percentage) must be better. "some games he played really, really well," boston general manager don sweeney told reporters. "at the end of the day we have a lot of confidence in tuukka, and i think going into the next series we'll remain the same level of confidence that we can get the job done and he'll be there for us." rookie left wing jake debrusk matched pastrnak with five goals to lead the bruins in the first round.
about the lightning: tampa bay was much improved on the penalty kill in the first-round series, giving up three goals on 19 attempts (two when down two skaters), but face a bruins team that was 7-for-22 with the man advantage against toronto. ryan mcdonagh, who had four assists in the first round, and anton stralman have become the shutdown pair that will often face the marchand-patrice bergeron-pastrnak line while norris trophy candidate victor hedman is averaging a team-high 26:24 of ice time. left wing alex killorn recorded four goals in the first round after managing 15 in the regular season, which was eighth-best on the team.

overtime

1. boston f sean kuraly had four points and a plus-5 rating in the first round and owns four goals in 11 career playoff contests.

2. kucherov boasts 52 points in 50 career playoff games, tied with vincent lecavalier for second on the franchise's all-time postseason scoring list.

3. bruins c david krejci has 85 career playoff points and needs two to tie cam neely for seventh on the team's all-time postseason scoring list.

prediction: lightning 4, bruins 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:56 AM

San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

27th April 2018 by Gracenote
the vegas golden knights have experienced a string of firsts in their record-setting expansion season but jitters have not been among them. the bright lights of the postseason have done nothing to slow the golden knights, who look to take a 2-0 lead over visiting san jose on saturday in their western conference semifinal after thrashing the sharks 7-0 in the series opener.

san jose coach peter deboer cited a "laundry list of issues" in the game 1 beating, a list that got longer when sharks forward evander kane received a one-game suspension friday for cross-checking vegas defenseman pierre-edouard bellemare. "it's the first adversity we've faced in the playoffs. it's on us to respond now," deboer said. "you don't get extra points for winning by a touchdown like they did. we have to be better." the golden knights scored seven goals in the four-game sweep of los angeles in the first round but matched the total in the series opener, essentially delivering an early knockout punch by scoring four times in a span of just over seven minutes in the first period. "we did good things," said golden knights forward james neal, who capped the scoring with a power-play tally. "for us, i think we have to look at them, they're going to be a hungry team, they're going to be a lot better. they'll be putting that one behind them pretty quick and looking to be a better hockey team so we gotta be ready."

tv: 8 p.m. et, nbc, cbc, sn, tvas

about the sharks: kane was san jose's big-ticket acquisition from buffalo at the trade deadline and scored three times in the first-round sweep of anaheim after netting nine goals in 17 regular-season games. he told reporters after thursday's game that he was "not a dirty player" and said there "no intent" on his hit. the nhl department of player safety disagreed in announcing his punishment, saying: "this cross-check occurs well after the whistle is blown and serves no purpose other than a strike to an opponent's head. this is not a hockey play." martin jones allowed four goals in four games versus the ducks but was chased 3 1/2 minutes into the second period after surrendering five goals on 13 shots.
about the golden knights: the early cushion certainly made his job easier, but marc-andre fleury became the 14th goaltender in history -- and first in 14 years -- to record three shutouts in his team's first five playoff games, even taking time to join the t-mobile arena fans in the wave. "i try not to think too much," said fleury, who has a staggering .982 save percentage and 0.54 goals-against average in the playoffs. "just get out there and play my best, try to help these guys any way i can." while vegas received goals from seven different players, its top line of jonathan marchessault, william karlsson and reilly smith accounted for nine points, with smith collecting six assists over a four-game point streak.
overtime

1. fleury earned his 13th career postseason shutout, tying turk broda for ninth in nhl history.

2. sharks c joe thornton cented the no. 1 line at friday's practice but will not play in game 2.

3. bellemare was not at practice friday and will be evaluated saturday to determine his availability.

prediction: golden knights 4, sharks 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:58 AM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #9 - BELMONT PARK - 5:45 PM EASTERN POST
The Elusive Quality Stakes
7.0 FURLONGS TURF FUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $125,000.00 PURSE

#5 COMMUTE
#4 GREAT STUFF
#2 UNDRAFTED
#9 CONQUEST PANTHERA

One of the most brilliant performances in the history of the Widener turf course at Belmont Park came on July 4, 1998. Elusive Quality was sent to the front in Poker (G3) by Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey and never looked back, running the one-mile event in a scorching 1:31.63, a world record at the time that still stands as the course record. The Bill Mott trainee had previously won the Jaipur (G3) and went on to become a stand-out sire. Here in just the 5th running of this stakes test, #5 COMMUTE has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of his last five outings, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his fourth race back. The 20-1 BOMB, #4 GREAT STUFF has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in five straight, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 3rd race back.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:58 AM

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

Race 6 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $1700 Class Rating: 67

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE IN 2017 - 2018. WEIGHT, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $2,500.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 CANEROS 5/1

# 5 MY FEVER 7/1

# 4 STARTINGOLD 7/5

I think about CANEROS here. Estrada will most likely be able to get this gelding to break out early for this event. This equine has a excellent win percentage in dirt sprints. STARTINGOLD - Overall the Equibase speed figs of this racer look decent in this outing. Beetem will most likely be able to get this horse to break out quickly in this competition.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:59 AM

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

Race 11 - Optional Claiming - 8.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $42000 Class Rating: 79

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER , WAIVER CLAIMING OR MD SIRED RACES OR MD BRED RACES OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $50,000-$40,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE FEBRUARY 28 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE JANUARY 28 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 QUEEN OF SCHMOOZE 8/1

# 6 MISS MI MI 7/5

# 5 PIECE OF CANDY 3/1

QUEEN OF SCHMOOZE should be supported as the bet in here and is a respectable value bet given the line at 8/1. This horse has been consistently running well as of late. Should go to the front end and may never look back. She has a good opportunity for this event as trainer, Smith, has sharp win rate with horses going this distance. MISS MI MI - Has run soundly when running a dirt route race. Posted a decent speed figure last time out. PIECE OF CANDY - Must be given a chance here on the basis of the figs in the speed section alone. Don't overlook this filly in your propositions - very dangerous with Pimentel aboard.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 05:59 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Lone Star Park - Race #5 - Post: 4:37pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $14,000 Class Rating: 83

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 TIZ A MELODY (ML=3/1)
#8 TACOLA (ML=6/1)

TIZ A MELODY - This horse may have too much power on the grass for the rest of the field. When the field turns for home, he could put these away. Just see his last speed fig, 86. That one fits in this field. The horse with the top average class rating in turf events is usually a solid play. This thoroughbred fits the bill. TACOLA - Trainer Willis moves this horse down the class scale to face a lower class field. Look for a sharp race given the class advantage. Ran a nice Equibase speed fig of 86 on February 23rd. Followed it up with another speed rating of 85. Either effort is good enough to win today. I think this gelding should run back to his winning race from January 28th, when he won a $15,000 Claiming race. Look for this one to go gate to wire in victory at some pretty decent odds in this event. Ran eighth in last race, but not more than five from the lead at the end. Compare today's class (83) with last three speeds (83, 86, 85). All three speed figures are good enough to win.

Vulnerable Contenders: #10 WHO CARES (ML=5/2), #1A TIZ TOO MUCH (ML=7/2), #1 DUSTIN'S LUTE (ML=7/2),

WHO CARES - The speed ratings are going downward. I'm not placing a wager on this vulnerable equine off of that trend. TIZ TOO MUCH - This gelding garnered a speed figure in his last race which likely isn't good enough in today's race. DUSTIN'S LUTE - Most of the time I need a sprinter to have some recent success in short distance contests in order to wager on him.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - TIZ A MELODY - I like to check out the TrackMaster Platinum PPs to look for the top horse in earnings per start. This horse looks good to me so I'm making a prime bet on him.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #5 TIZ A MELODY to win. Have to have odds of at least 2/1 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 06:00 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Prairie Meadows - Race #2 - Post: 1:28pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,000 Class Rating: 65

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 DRASTIC (ML=5/2)

DRASTIC - Last time around the track, finished ninth in the slop at Oaklawn Park. Expect better today. Looking at today's class rating, this thoroughbred is encountering an easier field than in the last race at Oaklawn Park. Ranked number one in earnings per race entered. Another indicator that this equine outclasses this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 GALLOPINGGUINNESS (ML=7/2), #1 TWO THE HARD WAY (ML=4/1), #5 RICKEY LEE (ML=5/1),

GALLOPINGGUINNESS - Just can't wager on this entrant. Didn't show me anything in the last race or on March 30th. TWO THE HARD WAY - Not easy to wager on this less than sharp equine this time out. Make him show you something in a sprint race before you wager on him in a race of 6 furlongs. Didn't land in the top three on Feb 9th at Oaklawn Park. Followed it up with another less than stellar performance. RICKEY LEE - Didn't display to me enough speed in the route contest for me to back him in today's sprint clash.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #2 DRASTIC on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
2 with [1,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 06:01 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunray Park
Sunray Park - Race 4

Daily Double / $1 Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta Third Leg Pick 4

Claiming $7,500 • 870 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 75 • Purse: $8,700 • Post: 2:27P
QUARTER HORSE 870Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * BANK ONIT BETSY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. FURYOFTHEWIND (T): Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. DASH BACK JESS: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. GOLD CORONAS: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. LAST BEST WEST (T): Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
1
BANK ONIT BETSY
12/1

6/1
6
FURYOFTHEWIND (T)
3/1

7/1
5
DASH BACK JESS
5/2

7/1
3
GOLD CORONAS
7/2

7/1
4
LAST BEST WEST (T)
8/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
BANK ONIT BETSY
1

12/1
Average
82

74

5.4

0.0

0.0
2
TEE DALLY
2

9/2
Average
69

70

3.7

0.0

0.0
3
GOLD CORONAS
3

7/2
Fast
75

70

2.0

0.0

0.0
4
LAST BEST WEST (T)
4

8/1
Average
71

70

6.0

0.0

0.0
5
DASH BACK JESS
5

5/2
Average
72

73

5.0

0.0

0.0
6
FURYOFTHEWIND (T)
6

3/1
Slow
77

72

7.8

0.0

0.0
7
CAWBOYBANDIDO (T)
7

10/1
Slow
74

67

7.0

0.0

0.0
8
BONNIE THE BARFLY
8

20/1
Average
72

70

4.7

0.0

0.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 06:01 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Woodbine
Woodbine - Race 7

Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) / 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 7-8-9-10)

Optional Claiming $62,500 • 5 Furlongs • All-Weather • Ages 3 and up • CR: 104 • Purse: $62,300 • Post: 4:27P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE APRIL 28, 2017 OR CLAIMING PRICE $62,500. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE MARCH 28 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $62,500, IF FOR $60,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $50,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED FOR ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * ABBAA: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMa ster Power Rating. CITY BOY: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and trainer's win percentage with horses coming off a layoff is at least 25. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PUNTROOSKIE: Horse had a bullet workout withi n the last seven days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and horse has run we ll in the past in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff.
1
ABBAA
5/2

5/1
7
CITY BOY
4/1

6/1
5
PUNTROOSKIE
10/1

6/1
9
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
3/1

9/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
MARTEN RIVER
3

6/1
Front-runner
97

98

102.6

94.2

83.2
6
NASHVILLE KNIGHT
6

20/1
Front-runner
96

94

101.2

93.2

85.2
8
RATFACE MACDOUGALL
8

8/1
Front-runner
99

97

98.4

80.4

68.4
7
CITY BOY
7

4/1
Front-runner
105

104

95.5

97.1

88.6
1
ABBAA
1

5/2
Alternator/Front-runner
104

98

100.0

99.4

95.9
5
PUNTROOSKIE
5

10/1
Alternator/Front-runner
100

99

95.6

96.8

93.8
9
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
9

3/1
Trailer
102

101

92.6

97.0

87.5
2
SINGANDCRYINDUBAI
2

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
97

99

86.2

88.2

78.7
4
COLLEEN'S SAILOR
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
101

89

85.4

69.2

55.7

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 10:04 AM

Cincinnati Reds vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

28th April 2018 by Gracenote
the cincinnati reds held the dubious honor of playing the worst baseball in the majors throughout most of the first month of the season, but that title appears to have shifted over to the minnesota twins. coming off their most explosive performance of the season, the reds hope to keep their offense clicking saturday as they continue their three-game series in minnesota against the struggling twins.

cincinnati's 3-15 start cost manager bryan price his job, and the team dropped its first three games under interim manager jim riggleman in st. louis before warming up the bats in the following series against atlanta. after averaging nearly seven runs while earning a series split versus the braves, the reds improved to 3-2 over their last five games on friday, when they pounded out a season-high 20 hits en route to a 15-9 win. a big part of cincinnati's recent run-scoring prowess has come courtesy of joey votto, who reached base six times in the opener and homered for the fourth straight game. the twins are in the middle of a league-worst eight-game slide and have struggled mightily to keep the opposition in check, allowing an average of 9.3 runs over that time.

tv: 2:10 p.m. et, mlb network, fs ohio (cincinnati), fs north (minnesota)

pitching matchup: reds rh sal romano (1-2, 4.78 era) vs. twins rh jake odorizzi (1-2, 4.50)

romano enjoyed his finest performance of the season monday against atlanta, earning his first win in seven turns dating back to last season after permitting two runs - one earned - in six frames. the outing was his first quality start in four tries since his season debut, while his one walk and five strikeouts were both his best marks of the year. right-handed hitters are batting .218 versus romano, who was pummeled for five runs over four innings by boston in his only career interleague start last season.
after yielding one home run over 16 1/3 innings in his first three starts, odorizzi has surrendered five in his last two turns - including two in monday's loss to the new york yankees. the 28-year-old permitted five runs on five hits and three walks in the outing, six days after giving up three homers among the four runs he allowed in five frames versus cleveland. odorizzi was charged with three runs across seven innings of a no-decision in his only career start against cincinnati in june.
walk-offs

1. every cincinnati hitter drove in at least one run friday, and all but one player had at least one hit. four reds finished with at least three hits and six had at least two.
2. minnesota 2b brian dozier, who was hitless in 12 at-bats over his previous three contests after beginning the season with a 17-game hitting streak, went 2-for-4 in the opener.

3. cincinnati 2b jose peraza, who recorded four hits and produced his first multi-homer effort on friday, is batting .440 and has scored seven times during a five-game hitting streak.

prediction: twins 8, reds 6

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 10:04 AM

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-28-2018

28th April 2018 by Gracenote
matt davidson looks to continue his assault against kansas city pitching when the chicago white sox visit the royals on saturday for a doubleheader that is part of a five-game series. davidson went deep twice on friday for the second straight game and has belted seven homers at kauffman stadium this season, breaking the single-season record by an opponent.

davidson's power surge in kansas city has come in just four games and he surpassed three players who hit six shots - jacque jones (2002), jose valentin (2003) and carlos santana (2014). the 27-year-old also became just the fifth player in franchise history to have back-to-back multi-homer performances, joining zeke bonura (1934), greg norton (1999), joe crede (2008) and carlos quentin (2010). davidson's second blast on friday was a tiebreaking two-run shot in the 11th inning of a 7-4 victory as the white sox won for just the fourth time in 18 games and improved to 4-0 against kansas city this season. chicago is just 7-16 on the campaign while the royals have lost 14 of their last 16 to drop to an american league-worst 5-19.

tv: 2:15 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), fs kansas city

pitching matchup: white sox rh carson fulmer (1-1, 6.00 era) vs. royals rh trevor oaks (nr)
fulmer is coming off his best performance of the season as he gave up two runs and three hits over six innings while defeating seattle. the 24-year-old drew that start due to miguel gonzalez being scratched due to shoulder issues as he lost his rotation spot after giving up four runs, five hits and two walks while recording just three outs in an april 18 outing against oakland. fulmer took the loss in a three-inning relief stint on august 11, 2016 in his lone career appearance versus the royals as he gave up two runs and three hits.
oaks is being recalled from triple-a omaha to make his major-league debut after going 1-2 with a 3.09 era in four starts. the 25-year-old was a three-time division ii all-american at cal baptist in southern california and will be the first player in that school's history to participate in the majors. oaks, who was acquired from the los angeles dodgers in the offseason, is 32-15 with a 3.26 era and 1.13 whip in 84 minor-league appearances (70 starts).
walk-offs

1. white sox 1b jose abreu (flu-like symptoms) was back in the lineup friday after a one-game absence and went 1-for-5.

2. kansas city 3b mike moustakas has recorded two hits in each of the first two games of the series and at least one in 17 of his last 18 contests.

3. chicago lf nicky delmonico (neck) has missed the first two games of the series but is expected to be available on saturday.

prediction: white sox 7, royals 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-28-2018, 10:04 AM

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 04-29-2018

28th April 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs seem to have found the solution to their spotty offensive production - playing the Milwaukee Brewers. After winning two straight low-scoring affairs, the Cubs will try to continue their dominance of the visiting Brewers in the third of a four-game series Saturday.

Chicago's pitching has been outstanding in six games against Milwaukee, allowing only eight earned runs and posting a 1.35 ERA, after limiting the Brewers to four hits in a 3-2 win Friday. Left-hander Jose Quintana will try to shut down Milwaukee again after throwing six innings of three-hit ball in a 3-0 win April 8 in Milwaukee. The Brewers had won eight straight entering the series, but they're 1-5 against Chicago and 15-6 against everyone else. The Cubs are still awaiting the return of star third baseman Kris Bryant, who has missed four straight games since being hit in the helmet with a pitch Sunday at Colorado.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Junior Guerra (2-0, 0.56 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (2-1, 7.78)
Guerra began the season in the minors but has given the Brewers three solid outings since being recalled. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has allowed only two runs (one earned) in 16 innings, but he has yet to get through six innings. Guerra is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in six games (three starts) against the Cubs but is making his first start at Wrigley Field.

Quintana has put together only one strong performance in his first four outings of the season, but the Cubs have won three of his four starts. The 29-year-old Colombian commanded the strike zone better than he has all season Sunday, issuing only one walk after allowing 10 in his first three starts, but he gave up four runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win at Colorado. Quintana is 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA in five starts against the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Javier Baez (19-for-46) and CF Albert Almora Jr. (16-for-43) are riding career-high 10-game hitting streaks - the first Cubs teammates with simultaneous double-digit streaks since Aramis Ramirez and Starlin Castro in 2011.
2. Milwaukee relievers have not allowed an earned run in 32 innings.

3. The Cubs have scored multiple runs in the first inning in five of their last eight games.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Cubs 3

Saturday 4-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 4-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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