Wednesday 5-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:36 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

1st May 2018 by Gracenote
the houston rockets look to take a 2-0 lead when they host the utah jazz on wednesday in game 2 of the western conference semifinal series. star guard james harden scored 41 points in houston's series-opening 110-96 victory to continue his season-long assault of the jazz.

harden averaged 34.3 points in four meetings with the utah in the regular season -- including a 56-point outing -- and the defensive-minded jazz once again had no answers on slowing down the mvp candidate. "you can put a list of about 28 other teams that don't have an answer, either," rockets coach mike d'antoni told reporters. "there's no answer. he might play bad because he's human, but there's nothing that you can conceivably come up with to stop him." utah isn't fretting over the game 1 loss as it also lost the opener of its first-round series against the oklahoma city thunder before recovering to win in six games. "we were in the exact same situation," jazz small forward joe ingles told reporters. "everyone had written us off after game 1, probably the way they have now. we have a great group. we love being able to have the time to watch the film and make some adjustments."

tv: 8 p.m. et, tnt
about the jazz: rookie guard donovan mitchell is picking up a large portion of the ball-handling with veteran point guard ricky rubio (hamstring) sidelined and he committed four turnovers to go with 9-of-22 shooting while scoring 21 points in the opener. the point total was mitchell's lowest in seven games this postseason and he was also hampered by a sore ankle, which he insists won't be a problem in game 2. "my head was never down, and i don't think my teammates' heads were down," mitchell told reporters. "it's one game out of a long series."

about the rockets: harden had nothing to reveal for why he typically enjoys success against a team that ranked sixth in scoring defense at 102.4 during the regular season. "for the most part, i'm going to do what i do," harden told reporters. "offensively i think this team, us, we're different. we've seen so many different defenses throughout the year that have prepared us for this moment, whether it's (utah center rudy) gobert being back at the rim or teams switching or whatever. we've seen pretty much it all, all year." harden received complementary help from point guard chris paul (17 points), center clint capela (16 points, 12 rebounds) and forward pj tucker (15 points) in the opener.
buzzer beaters

1. it remains unclear whether rubio will return later in the series -- the length of it would be one of the factors.

2. utah reserve f jae crowder had 21 points and five 3-pointers in the series opener, his second-best totals in each category this postseason.

3. houston reserve sg eric gordon missed all six of his shots in game 1 and is shooting just 31.4 percent from the field in the postseason.

prediction: rockets 117, jazz 112

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:36 AM

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

1st May 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay lightning made a strong response physically to even the eastern conference semifinal series and will try to match that effort when they visit the boston bruins on wednesday night for game 3. the lightning totaled 42 hits and center brayden point rebounded from a rough series opener (minus-5 rating) to register a goal and three assists in the 4-2 victory monday in game 2.

"i think that's what's good about this group, a lot of guys have been through these stretches before and realize there's ups and downs in playoff series - make sure we don't get too high and too low," tampa bay right wing ryan callahan said. ". ... you try to stay even keeled, especially after (monday). it's an emotional win, but they've got home ice now so they did their job. we've got to go in there and try to steal one." the lightning have a 67-44 edge in shots over the first two games and the bruins hope to turn those numbers around at home, where they went 28-8-5 this season - including a pair of wins against tampa bay. boston's top line of brad marchand, patrice bergeron and david pastrnak had four assists monday after posting three goals and 11 points in game 1, but should get better matchups on home ice wednesday. "i know they had a good game, but i think it's more on us," pastrnak told reporters. "we've got to be better wednesday."
tv: 7 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, tva
about the lightning: coach jon cooper said he never considered taking point, ondrej palat and tyler johnson off the assignment of checking boston's top line after game 1 and the trio responded by each scoring a goal monday. "we've watched (point), watched that line, check the best lines in the league all year," cooper said. "there was no reason to. ... panic and say they can't do it. we know they can do it. we have faith in them." tampa bay has yet to get a point from its top line of j.t. miller, captain steven stamkos and nikita kucherov in the series, but the trio registered 12 shots on net combined and miller had six hits monday.
about the bruins: rookie defenseman charlie mcavoy, who regularly pairs with captain zdeno chara, scored his first career playoff goal monday and has four points to go along with a plus-5 rating in the first nine games of the postseason. pastrnak, who leads the team in scoring during the playoffs (18 points), was limited to one shot on goal in game 2 and is a minus-6 in boston's four losses in the postseason while posting a plus-10 in the wins. defenseman torey krug became the fourth bruin to reach 10 points in the playoffs monday and has tied his career high in the postseason last season (two goals, eight assists).
overtime

1. chara can pass rick middleton (111) for fourth and bergeron could move past johnny bucyk (109) for sixth in franchise history for postseason games played.

2. johnson is tied with vincent lecavalier for third in tampa bay franchise history with 24 playoff games after his tally in monday's win.

3. the bruins were 11th and the lightning 27th in the league in faceoff percentage during the
regular season, but tampa bay has a 59-50 edge in the series.

prediction: bruins 3, lightning 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:36 AM

Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

1st May 2018 by Gracenote
the vegas golden knights frittered away a two-goal lead for the second time in as many games and were staring at the possibility of trailing in a playoff series for the first time. william karlsson would not let it happen, delivering the decisive tally in overtime to give vegas a 2-1 lead in the western conference semifinal series entering wednesday's game 4 at the san jose sharks.

the golden knights lost home-ice advantage in game 2 after suffering a 4-3 loss in double overtime but karlsson, a 43-goal scorer during the regular season, prevented a repeat with a laser to the far top corner afer san jose scored twice in the third to tie it. "i think it's good for the morale," karlsson said. "we showed great attitude. again, they came back. it was tough, too, but we gave someone a chance to be an overtime hero." the sharks were satisfied with everything but the result, pouring 89 shots on goal in the past two games after they were sandblasted 7-0 in the series opener. "we're getting better every game in the series, so that's a good thing," san jose coach peter deboer said. "we're realizing what works against them, and in this series there's a lot of hockey left to be played."
tv: 10 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, tvas
about the golden knights: marc-andre fleury rescued vegas in overtime with a spectacular glove save, reaching out to snatch logan couture's point-blank blast from the slot to set the stage for karlsson's heroics. karlsson's winning goal capped another superb performance from the golden knights' top line as he combined with jonathan marchessault and reilly smith for seven points in the game and 19 so far through the first three games of the series. karlsson, who has one goal and one assist in the first-round sweep of los angeles, has torched the sharks for seven goals and five assists in seven meetings this season.
about the sharks: is the time right for the return of veteran center joe thornton, who has been practicing with the team but has not played since jan. 23 while recovering from surgery on his medial collateral ligament? joonas donskoi (lower body) is questionable for wednesday after sitting out game 3, which forced deboer to elevate chris tierney to the no. 1 line in place of donskoi and insert barclay goodrow at center on the third line, with the latter move not proving to be fruitful. deboer has typically ruled thornton out one day prior to each game but declined to do so tuesday, listing the 38-year-old as day-to-day.
overtime

1. smith has one goal and eight assists during a six-game point streak.

2. sharks f evander kane, who missed game 2 due to suspension, has four goals in six playoff contests.

3. golden knights f james neal has six points in the postseason, including a pair of two-point games in this series.

prediction: sharks 4, golden knights 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:38 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs - Race 3

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

Claiming $16,000 • 7 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 95 • Purse: $25,000 • Post: 1:45P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE MARCH 2 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 5 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $12,500 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * ALLIDOISDREAMOFYOU: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. IZZY THE W ARRIOR: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. AZTEC LION: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. WILDWOODSGREATEST: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. RED AGAIN: Jockey/T rainer combination return on investment is at least +20.
6
ALLIDOISDREAMOFYOU
5/1

5/1
8
IZZY THE WARRIOR
3/1

6/1
7
AZTEC LION
5/1

7/1
1
WILDWOODSGREATEST
4/1

8/1
5
RED AGAIN
4/1

9/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
RED AGAIN
5

4/1
Front-runner
92

85

87.2

69.2

57.7
6
ALLIDOISDREAMOFYOU
6

5/1
Front-runner
97

91

51.4

85.0

80.0
8
IZZY THE WARRIOR
8

3/1
Stalker
93

92

80.4

84.6

78.6
2
WHATEVERYBODYWANTS
2

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
92

88

41.3

84.1

70.1
7
AZTEC LION
7

5/1
Trailer
97

92

53.6

85.6

78.1
1
WILDWOODSGREATEST
1

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
93

89

28.4

93.9

86.9
4
WHYRUAWESOME
4

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
99

96

79.4

85.0

76.0
3
GLITNIR
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
94

92

0.0

0.0

0.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:38 AM

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

Race 6 - Claiming - 300y on the Dirt. Purse: $5500 Class Rating: 74

QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,500.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 2 TF HEZ JESS ROWDY 4/1

# 1 JUMP N MYJOYRIDE 10/1

# 8 PHILS STREAKIN OAK 4/1

I have to consider TF HEZ JESS ROWDY here. Is a contender - given the 68 speed fig from his most recent race. Boasts strong Speed Figures on average overall when compared with the rest of this group of animals. Has a strong record at the distance and surface, which makes me lean toward this gelding. JUMP N MYJOYRIDE - Should compete well in the early pace battle which bodes well with this field. Could best this group based on the Equibase Speed Figure - 67 - of her last effort. PHILS STREAKIN OAK - Is a key contender - given the 74 Equibase Speed Figure from his most recent race. Has to be given a chance versus this group displaying formidable figures recently and an average speed figure of 68 under similar conditions.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:39 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Evangeline Downs - Race #6 - Post: 8:10pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $7,500 Class Rating: 54

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 PAPER DOLL (ML=5/1)
#7 MYLIE IDEL (ML=8/1)

PAPER DOLL - Have to give this filly a fair chance. Ran a strong race last time out within the last month or so. This filly garnered a good speed fig of 42 in her last race. That figure should be lofty enough to prove victorious today. MYLIE IDEL - Nieves was aboard this filly last time out and was impressed enough to take the animal right back. A thoroughbred coming back this quickly after a strong effort is a good signal.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 SUCKERFORAGREY (ML=3/1), #8 HIGHSNOBITY (ML=4/1), #4 DOXONTHEROX (ML=6/1),

SUCKERFORAGREY - If you keep playing these sort of 'hanger' types, you're going to be disappointed frequently. Most unsatisfactory speed rating last time out at Fair Grounds at 5 1/2 furlongs. Don't believe this mount will improve too much in today's race. HIGHSNOBITY - No picnic to wager on any horse in a short distance race at 4/1 when she hasn't shown any competitive efforts in sprints in the last couple months. The speed figure in the last race doesn't fit very well in this event when I look at the Equibase class figure of today's event. Mark this thoroughbred as a possibly overvalued contestant. DOXONTHEROX - This horse hasn't been hitting the board in either of her last two outings.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #2 PAPER DOLL to win if you can get at least 2/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:39 AM

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

Race 6 - Allowance - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $24000 Class Rating: 101

FOR REGISTERED INDIANA BREDS THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $16,000 OR LESS OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 2 ALLOWED 2 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 OPERATION STEVIE 1/1

# 2 MR MANNING 7/2

# 5 ZONED IN 6/1

OPERATION STEVIE looks to be a respectable contender. Could provide positive returns based on quite good recent Equibase Speed Figures with an average of 99. Should definitely be given a chance in this race if only for the solid Equibase Speed Fig garnered in the last competition. Seems to have a respectable class edge based on the latest company kept. MR MANNING - Could provide positive profits based on respectable recent Equibase speed figs with an average of 96. Is a key contender - given the 96 speed rating from his most recent race. ZONED IN - He looks respectable in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the halfway point. Is hard not to look at based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been decent - 90 avg - of late.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:39 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer Park - Race #4 - Post: 8:06pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,100 Class Rating: 60

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 MIKES MUSCLE MAN (ML=9/2)

MIKES MUSCLE MAN - Paucar was aboard this gelding last time around the track and was impressed enough to take the animal right back. Taking a trip down in the class scale; has the class ability to make his presence felt. Earnings per start is something that I believe can be a most important factor. This thoroughbred is ranked number 1 in this group.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 KIMTONE (ML=2/1), #6 HEISAWESOME (ML=5/2), #4 SCAMANDER (ML=5/1),

KIMTONE - This horse hasn't had any promising efforts in sprint affairs in the last sixty days. HEISAWESOME - The sixth place finish in the last affair was not the best. Can't play this questionable contender in today's sprint of 5 furlongs. Hasn't even finished in the money in a short distance race recently. Hard to expect this colt to be in good shape after the very long layoff. SCAMANDER - Tough to bet on at 5/1 odds after the most recent efforts. Should have at least hit the board in the last couple months in a short distance event to be worth it at small odds in a sprint.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - MIKES MUSCLE MAN - Having the best speed fig last race of 43 at Mahoning Valley Race Cour on Mar 16th. This gelding has an excellent chance to win here.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #3 MIKES MUSCLE MAN on the nose if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
3 with [6,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 06:40 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Thistledown
Thistledown - Race 6

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8)

Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 77 • Purse: $10,300 • Post: 4:10P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE APRIL 2 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (OHIO REGISTERED FOALS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. LADY COVENTRY is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * LADY COVENTRY: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/ surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
2
LADY COVENTRY
5/2

2/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
DUBAI PRINCESS
1

6/1
Front-runner
59

52

73.8

49.8

40.3
7
HALO'S PARADISE
7

10/1
Front-runner
65

72

54.8

49.6

41.1
2
LADY COVENTRY
2

5/2
Alternator/Front-runner
83

78

77.9

66.9

63.4
6
AXIS MUNDI
6

3/1
Alternator/Front-runner
70

57

55.0

52.4

46.9
3
NICE RIDE
3

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
70

67

48.4

61.7

56.2
5
TICKETOUTOFHERE
5

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
65

62

37.0

53.3

42.8
8
ALLIE'S REVIVAL
8

12/1
Trailer
63

62

12.5

30.3

16.8
4
HAY HAY SADIE RAE
4

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
66

56

36.4

42.4

29.4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

2nd May 2018 by Gracenote
in a matchup of the best and worst teams in the american league, the struggling kansas city royals came out on top by using some late-inning thunder on two occasions. a pair of dramatic home runs powered the royals to a 7-6 victory over the boston red sox and put them in position for their first series win of the year in wednesday afternoon's rubber match at fenway park.

jorge soler provided the deciding blow with a three-run homer in the 13th inning, extending his hitting streak to seven games and handing boston only its eighth loss. alex gordon picked a big moment for his first homer of the season, clubbing a solo shot off red sox closer craig kimbrel in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. boston did not go quietly even after the deflating homers, getting a tying solo blast from eduardo nunez in the 12th and scratching out a pair of runs in the 13th before losing for the third time in five games. red sox first baseman mitch moreland is 6-for-10 with a pair of homers, three rbis and five runs scored in the series.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, fs kansas city, nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: royals lh danny duffy (0-3, 5.40 era) vs. red sox lh drew pomeranz (0-1, 7.27)

duffy matched his season high with six innings last time out against the chicago white sox but remained winless, giving up four runs on six hits. he was pounded in his previous turn at detroit, lasting 4 2/3 innings and allowing six runs on 10 hits -- both season worsts -- in his third loss. j.d. martinez is 3-for-22 with a home runs and nine strikeouts against duffy, who is 0-4 with a 6.75 era against boston.
pomeranz has labored in his first two starts, surrendering three home runs over five innings in a loss to tampa bay last time out after escaping with a no-decision despite lasting only 3 2/3 innings in his season debut at oakland. he did not factor in the decision in two starts versus the royals last year but gave up only three runs on 13 hits in 13 innings. catcher salvador perez is 3-for-5 against pomeranz.
walk-offs

1. red sox rf mookie betts (hamstring), who came on as a defensive replacement tuesday, is expected to return to the starting lineup wednesday.

2. kansas city released former red sox rh clay buchholz, who could opt out of his minor-league deal if he wasn't called up.

3. kimbrel suffered his first blown save since aug. 1, ending a streak of 17 straight conversions.

prediction: red sox 6, royals 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

1st May 2018 by Gracenote
there is strong potential for a third straight pitcher's duel in the series when the tampa bay rays visit the detroit tigers for the rubber match of a three-game set wednesday afternoon. red-hot blake snell seeks his fifth straight win for the rays, who have won nine of their last 11, while 2016 american league rookie of the year michael fulmer goes for the tigers after they edged tampa bay 2-1 on tuesday.

detroit came up short in the series opener 3-2 after the teams went to the ninth inning scoreless, before leonys martin doubled home what proved to be the winning run in the fifth inning tuesday as the tigers won for the second time in seven contests. all-star miguel cabrera has missed the last two games with a biceps strain, but could return in the finale as detroit goes for its first series victory since sweeping baltimore april 17-19. the rays offense has cooled off the last two days with 12 hits combined and they left seven on base in tuesday's loss as they failed for the second straight time to reach .500. catcher wilson ramos (16-for-38, 10 games) and first baseman-designated hitter c.j. cron (12-for-40, nine games) take hitting streaks into wednesday's contest for tampa bay.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, fs sun (tampa bay), fs detroit
pitching matchup: rays lh blake snell (4-1, 2.52 era) vs. tigers rh michael fulmer (1-2, 2.76)

snell is on the best run of his career with four consecutive victories, giving up five runs on 16 hits with 34 strikeouts and just six walks over his last 26 2/3 innings. the 25-year-old washington native limited boston to two runs on five hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over a career-high 7 1/3 frames friday in a 4-3 victory. jose iglesias is 1-for-2 with an rbi against snell, who lost his only career start versus detroit in 2016 while allowing three runs across 5 1/3 innings.
fulmer has put together two straight strong outings after his worst start of the season, permitting two runs on 12 hits over 13 innings combined without earning a victory. the 25-year-old oklahoma native gave up nine runs in his lone poor start april 12 against cleveland and surrendered three combined in his other four trips to the mound this season. daniel robertson is 2-for-3 with two rbis versus fulmer, who is 2-2 with a 2.36 era in four career games against the rays.
walk-offs

1. tampa bay of carlos gomez registered a single in three at-bats tuesday and needs two extra-base hits to reach 400 in his career.

2. detroit 3b jeimer candelario is 5-for-10 with two walks over the last three contests to raise his batting average to .291.
3. the rays placed rhp yonny chirinos (forearm strain) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled lhp ryan yarbrough

prediction: rays 4, tigers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

2nd May 2018 by Gracenote
two-time american league cy young winner corey kluber will try to end a rough stretch on the mound for the cleveland indians when he takes the ball against the visiting texas rangers in the rubber match of a three-game series wednesday afternoon. the indians have allowed 45 runs over the last six games while losing four of them, including an 8-6 decision in 12 innings on tuesday night.

kluber earned one of the two cleveland victories during the last six contests and has won four straight overall for the indians, who have begun to swing the bats better after a slow start to the season. cleveland is averaging 5.2 runs during its 2-4 stretch while the rangers won four of their past six, recording 5.3 tallies per contest, after getting back-to-back solo homers from joey gallo and isiah kiner-falefa in the 12th on tuesday. nomar mazara also knocked in two runs in the victory and boasts 14 rbis in his last 14 runs for texas, which still sits at the bottom of the al west standings. left-hander matt moore gets the start for the rangers in the finale as they attempt to improve to 3-1-1 in road series.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, mlb network, fs southwest (texas), sportstime ohio (cleveland)
pitching matchup: rangers lh matt moore (1-3, 5.33 era) vs. indians rh corey kluber (4-1, 2.18)

moore returns to the starting rotation after pitching one scoreless inning april 29 at toronto and tries to win back-to-back decisions after starting the season with three straight losses. the 28-year-old florida native allowed six earned runs on 19 hits over 17 innings across the last three starts with 10 strikeouts and seven walks. francisco lindor is 6-for-10 with a homer versus moore, who is 2-2 with a 3.57 era in seven career contests against the indians.
kluber won each of his last four trips to the mound while allowing seven total runs over 30 1/3 innings with 33 strikeouts and just six walks after beating seattle last friday, yielding three tallies across 8 2/3 frames. the 32-year-old alabama native has permitted 26 hits in 45 1/3 innings overall this season with a .165 batting average against and a 0.77 whip. mazara is 5-for-12 with a homer against kluber, who is 3-1 with a 3.73 era in six career games versus the rangers.
walk-offs

1. texas of delino deshields is 8-for-22 during his current five-game hitting streak, raising his average from .174 to .267 in that span.

2. cleveland lf michael brantley belted a grand slam to tie the game in the ninth tuesday, but is just 2-for-11 in his last three games.
3. rangers rhp chris martin (forearm cramp) was not available tuesday and may need to go on the disabled list.

prediction: indians 6, rangers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

2nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins are calling up top pitching prospect fernando romero on wednesday to make his major-league debut in the finale of three-game series with the visiting toronto blue jays. the 23-year-old romero made three starts for triple-a rochester to begin the season after spending all of 2017 at the double-a level.

he will be taking the rotation spot of phil hughes, who is moving to the bullpen to work on some issues after another rocky start friday against cincinnati. "there's something good about the process of having [prospects] going step-by-step, for most guys," twins manager paul molitor told reporters of romero's quick movement through triple-a. "but every once in a while, you get exceptions." minnesota has to hope for some sort of boost from romero after dropping the first two games of the series, including a 7-4 setback in 10 innings tuesday night to fall to 1-11 over its last 12 games. the blue jays will turn to struggling right-hander marcus stroman as they aim to win four games in a row for the third time this season.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, sportsnet (toronto), fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: blue jays rh marcus stroman (0-3, 8.88 era) vs. twins rh fernando romero (nr)

stroman has allowed six earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in each of his last two starts, although he did walk a season-low one batter his last time out. the new york native, who turned 27 on tuesday, is allowing opponents to hit .298 and currently sports the worst walk rate (5.3 per nine innings) of his career by a wide margin. stroman allowed a run and three hits in 7 2/3 innings to pick up the win in his only prior start at target field in 2016.
romero was 0-1 with a 2.57 era in four games (three starts) in triple-a while striking out 20 and allowing 17 hits in 21 innings. he is 23-17 with a 2.83 era in 73 games (57 starts) across parts of six seasons in the minors. the dominican republic native missed all of 2015 following elbow surgery.

walk-offs

1. the twins placed 3b miguel sano on the 10-day disabled list with a hamstring strain and selected the contract of inf gregorio petit from triple-a rochester.
2. blue jays dh kendrys morales was 3-for-3 with two homers tuesday after going 0-for-19 over his previous seven contests.

3. minnesota 2b brian dozier went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter tuesday and is 3-for-31 over an eight-game stretch.

prediction: twins 6, blue jays 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-02-2018, 10:18 AM

Chicago White Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 05-02-2018

2nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the st. louis cardinals will try to build off a dramatic game-winning rally when they cap a quick two-game interleague series with the visiting chicago white sox on wednesday. after getting swept three straight at pittsburgh over the weekend, the cardinals were in danger of losing their fourth straight game before scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to steal tuesday's series opener 3-2.

matt carpenter's solo homer started the rally and yadier molina won it with a base hit to score marcell ozuna, giving st. louis its sixth win in its last seven home games. tommy pham also homered - a 454-foot shot to lead off the bottom of the first - helping the cardinals jump on top early in manager mike matheny's 1000th game at the helm. the white sox have lost three in a row after winning three straight and they are 0-5 in their last five one-run games. carlos martinez has allowed two runs over his last five starts and looks to continue his dominant run for st. louis when he gets the nod against chicago's lucas giolito.
tv: 1:15 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), fs midwest (st. louis)
pitching matchup: white sox rh lucas giolito (1-3, 7.71 era) vs. cardinals rh carlos martinez (2-1, 1.43)

giolito rebounded from a rocky outing against houston with 5 2/3 solid innings in a win at kansas city on thursday. however, he had just two strikeouts and owns 11 against 21 walks in his first 25 2/3 frames after posting a 34-to-12 ratio last season. the 23-year-old has never faced the cardinals and gave up three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in his only prior career interleague start.
martinez limited the new york mets to one run and four hits over six innings his last time out, and he owns an era of 0.54 over his outstanding five-start run. the one blemish along the way has been an odd tendency to hit batters, as the 26-year-old has already matched his 2017 total with eight hit batters - three against the mets on thursday. martinez boasts a 1.93 era in 14 games (10 starts) in his interleague career but will be facing the white sox for the first time.
walk-offs

1. white sox 2b yoan moncada had two hits tuesday and has recorded five multi-hit efforts over his last nine games.

2. carpenter also had a double in the series opener after going six games in a row without an extra-base hit.

3. cardinals rhp bud norris picked up his first win tuesday with a scoreless ninth while lowering his era to 1.88.

prediction: cardinals 6, white sox 3

Wednesday 5-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 5-2-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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