Sunday 5-6-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #8 - BELMONT PARK - 5:13 PM EASTERN POST
The Ruffian Stakes
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT GRADE II FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $250,000.00 PURSE

#1 FAYPIEN
#6 UNCHANGED MELODY
#2 HOLIDAY DISGUISE
#4 PACIFIC WIND

This race honors the career of Ruffian, who won 10 consecutive races, usually by wide margins. In July 1975, she entered a highly anticipated match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure, in which she broke down. Surgery was attempted but Ruffian reacted poorly and exacerbated the injuries while coming out of anesthetic. As a result, she was humanely euthanized. Ruffian was ranked among the top U.S. racehorses of the 20th century by The Blood-Horse magazine. Her story was told in the 2007 film Ruffian and numerous books. Here in the 40th running of this graded stakes test, #1 FAYPIEN is the pace profile leader in this field racing at today's distance of a mile on the dirt, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in four of her last five outings, winning in both her last start, as well as in her 5th race back. #6 UNCHAINED MELODY drops in class (-6), and has hit the board in four of her respective last five outings, winning three times, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in her 2nd and 3rd races back.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 3 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6000 Class Rating: 66

FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $8,000 OR LESS AND WHICH HAVE NOT WON $8,000 SINCE AUGUST 5, 2017. WEIGHT, 121 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 16 ALLOWED 1 LBS. A RACE SINCE APRIL 4 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE MARCH 4 ALLOWED 5 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 KEYLIMAR RAIN 5/2

# 8 WARREN'S MORGAN 10/1

# 5 OUR SIS 10/1

KEYLIMAR RAIN is my choice. Roche has this mare racing well and is a competitive selection based on the very good Equibase Speed Figures recorded in route races lately. Has to be carefully examined based on the solid speed fig put up in the last race. Has been running in the most competitive company of the field recently. WARREN'S MORGAN - The odds might be just right on this entrant. Ought to come out sharp - I have liked the way this mare has moved speedily to the lead recently. OUR SIS - Ortiz ought to be able to get this filly to break out quickly in this contest. Has to be given a shot against this group displaying respectable figs recently and an average speed fig of 56 under similar conditions.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park - Race 6

$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta /$1 Super Hi 5 $.50 Bet 3 (Races 6-7-8) $.20 Rainbow Pick 6 (Races 6-11)


Maiden Claiming $20,000 • 7 1/2 Furlongs • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 75 • Purse: $23,000 • Post: 3:49P
(RAIL AT 12 FEET). FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000. (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT SEVEN FURLONGS)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. PLAY THAT TONE is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * PLAY THAT TONE: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at t he distance/surface. LEDECKY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
8
PLAY THAT TONE
6/1

4/1
7
LEDECKY
7/2

9/2
9
PEGGITY
9/2

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
8
PLAY THAT TONE
8

6/1
Front-runner
75

74

97.1

69.2

59.2
9
PEGGITY
9

9/2
Front-runner
77

70

79.6

61.4

49.9
7
LEDECKY
7

7/2
Front-runner
79

74

68.2

68.2

61.7
6
DIXIE LEGEND
6

20/1
Front-runner
0

0

29.4

14.2

0.0
1
RIGEL'S HALO
1

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
77

71

78.6

66.9

59.4
5
WAR BEAUTY
5

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
80

73

37.3

57.2

50.2
3
TROPICAL GOLD
3

5/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0
2
BLACKWYNN
2

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
73

38

43.7

47.1

34.6
10
GIMME A LIL KISS
10

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

17.1

49.3

35.3
4
DAWNIBUG
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

42.7

29.7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 10 - Trial - 300y on the Dirt. Purse: $4000 Class Rating: 85

QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR TWO YEAR OLDS. 124 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 8 STEVIEB FLASHOFCASH 2/1

# 7 IM ROCKET MAN 5/2

# 2 LIKE HIS CHANCES 4/1

STEVIEB FLASHOFCASH figures to be the bet in here. Is worth a close look and may be a wager - strong Equibase Speed Figures (84 average) at today's distance and surface lately. Earned a very good speed fig last time out. The average Equibase class rating of 84 makes this entrant tough to beat. IM ROCKET MAN - He has earned respectable figs under today's conditions and will probably fare well versus this group. Is a solid contender - given the 80 Equibase Speed Figure from his most recent race. LIKE HIS CHANCES - This animal enters today's race with second time Lasix. Gomez ought to be able to get this gelding to break out early in this competition.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer Park - Race #9 - Post: 9:56pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,200 Class Rating: 63

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 TIMBER CRUISER (ML=8/1)
#6 BARNESLAND (ML=6/1)
#4 TEMPLAR'S CROSS (ML=7/2)
#5 CACTUS LEAGUE (ML=10/1)


TIMBER CRUISER - Sipp drops him down to this level. You don't need too much more handicapping information to believe this horse will be tough to beat at this level. BARNESLAND - The rider and trainer combination here have a high winning percentage when they partner up. This gelding likes to be near the lead. Today's race is a shorter distance and should aid his chances to win. When a horse drops at least five lbs (like this one is), you must take notice. It may not seem like much, but this certainly could make the difference. This horse's last race was at Mahoning Valley Race Cour in a race with a class figure of 70. Dropping drastically in class rating this time out puts him in a solid position in this event. TEMPLAR'S CROSS - This horse could be tough in today's contest, especially since Quinones rode in the last race and now should be more familiar with this one. CACTUS LEAGUE - This jockey and handler's horses have been generating a positive ROI. This horse could be tough this time, especially since Santiago rode last time around the track and now should be familiar with this one. Taking a trip to a lower class rank; has the capability to make his presence felt. Carrying 6 pounds less this race. Trainer has him in a good spot.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 RECIPROCITY (ML=2/1), #8 DE ROYAL ROODE (ML=6/1),

RECIPROCITY - March 31st is the last time we've seen this gelding around. Have to be a little bit leery. DE ROYAL ROODE - This gelding hasn't had any in the money efforts in sprint races in the last couple months.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #1 TIMBER CRUISER on the nose if you can get odds of 4/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,6] Box [1,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #9 - Post: 4:31pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,000 Class Rating: 51

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 ARGUMENTATIVE (ML=4/1)
#7 MISS STAR LO (ML=20/1)


ARGUMENTATIVE - Looking at today's class figure, this racer is meeting an easier group than last out at Parx Racing. Pearce gets a break on this horse carrying 10 lbs less than last out. Should make the difference in this field. MISS STAR LO - I think that a sprinter coming off a layoff will usually run her best in the 3rd or 4th start back.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 HURRICANE JOSIE (ML=2/1), #8 SPRING MISCHIEF (ML=5/1), #6 PRECIOUS PIE (ML=6/1),

HURRICANE JOSIE - This was a fit horse, but now this one hasn't been doing anything in the morning. Have to watch your step with this one. This filly earned a speed fig in her last affair which probably isn't good enough in today's event. SPRING MISCHIEF - Nice race on Apr 16th at Parx Racing, but the fact that there are no workouts since has to make one a little worried. Pace is so influential, and this early speedball is going to have a ding-dong battle on her hands. PRECIOUS PIE - Just cannot wager on this questionable contender. Didn't show me anything positive in the last race or on Feb 6th.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #1 ARGUMENTATIVE on top if we're getting at least 9/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
1 with 7 with [3,8,11] Total Cost: $3

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
1 with 7 with [3,6,8,11,12] with [3,6,8,11,12] Total Cost: $20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs - Race 10

Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) / Super High 5


Maiden Claiming $16,000 • 5 Furlongs • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 73 • Purse: $13,700 • Post: 5:10P
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Trailer. ASHLEY'S ROSE is the Dominant Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ASHLEY'S ROSE: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
7
ASHLEY'S ROSE
3/1

2/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
LA CHICA RIPOOL
5

5/2
Front-runner
80

64

86.0

59.6

52.1
1
HIGH HEEL CHIC
1

4/1
Front-runner
66

52

64.0

40.3

24.8
3
CORFU LADY
3

7/2
Front-runner
66

56

53.1

53.1

43.1
9
LADY ALLYN
9

30/1
Front-runner
65

41

50.2

53.1

35.1
10
EXOTIC GOLD
10

20/1
Front-runner
0

0

27.6

24.1

8.1
13
VALIDITY
13

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
70

66

74.0

52.0

37.0
7
ASHLEY'S ROSE
7

3/1
Trailer
76

76

119.4

66.4

62.9
12
BIONSAND
12

8/1
Trailer
67

52

34.1

43.7

29.2
4
PIKES PEAK OR BUST
4

5/1
Trailer
83

75

0.0

0.0

0.0
11
R D MAGIC
11

6/1
Trailer
73

72

0.0

0.0

0.0
8
HEAR THE KISS
8

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

54.0

27.5

1.5
2
PRETTY WILD POSIE
2

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

32.9

29.4

14.4
14
TRAP GIRL
14

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

31.3

16.1

0.0
6
HECHICERA
6

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
anthony davis and the new orleans pelicans hope to match their last performance when they host the defending champion golden state warriors for game 4 of the western conference semifinal series sunday afternoon. davis registered 33 points, 18 rebounds and four steals while the pelicans limited the warriors to 38 percent shooting with suffocating defense for a decisive 119-100 victory friday.

"it's tough to come back from 0-3," davis told reporters after making 15-of-27 from the field. "our mindset was to follow the game plan and whatever happens, happens. we followed the game plan to a 't.'" the pelicans put more pressure on golden state's shooters after allowing 122 points per game in the first two of the series and drained 50 percent of their shots from the field - 14-of-31 from 3-point range - to pull away. klay thompson led the way with 26 points for the warriors on friday while kevin durant added 22 and stephen curry 19, making just 6-of-19 from the field, but it was more about new orleans aggression being much better than golden state's work in the defensive end. "obviously, it was no fun," thompson told reporters. "they did whatever they wanted. ... we have to come back on sunday and make them more uncomfortable, because they were way too comfortable."
tv: 3:30 p.m. et, abc
about the warriors: curry moved back into the starting lineup friday in his second game back from an mcl sprain that kept him out more than a month, but connected on just 3-of-9 from 3-point range after making 5-of-10 in tuesday's 28-point performance. forward draymond green is averaging a triple-double in the series (15.7 points, 12 rebounds, 10.7 assists) while durant leads the team in scoring during the playoffs at 27.3. thompson is averaging 22 points in the postseason, but is just 12-for-40 from behind the 3-point arc in the last five games after draining 13-for-20 in the first three.
about the pelicans: veteran point guard rajon rondo dished out 21 assists in friday's victory and is averaging 13.9 in the playoffs with at least nine in all seven games during the postseason. "you can't get assists without your teammates," rondo told reporters. "they made shots tonight, guys moved well without the ball. ... it starts with defense. we were able to get stops, get out in transition, create mismatches in transition." davis is averaging 26.3 points and 14.3 rebounds while shooting 50.7 percent from the field in the series while point guard jrue holiday scored 45 points combined in the last two games.
buzzer beaters

1. golden state is second-to-last at 33.6 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs after leading the league during the regular season (39.1).

2. new orleans sg ian clark scored 18 points off the bench friday after totaling 22 in his previous five games.
3. curry needs three 3-pointers to pass manu ginoboli (324) for third on the nba's all-time playoff list and became the first warrior to score 2,000 points in the postseason friday.

prediction: pelicans 115, warriors 109

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
the houston rockets responded to a rare loss with an impressive display of basketball in game 3 of their western conference semifinal series with the utah jazz and look to take a 3-1 series lead when the teams meet in salt lake city on sunday. after the jazz triumphed 116-108 in game 2 to temporarily wrest home-court advantage from the top-seeded rockets, houston answered in convincing fashion when the series shifted to utah.

james harden scored 25 points and handed out 12 assists in the 113-92 rout as the rockets opened a 30-point halftime lead and cruised from there. "i thought our defense was superb," houston coach mike d'antoni told reporters. "we were hitting shots all over the place. we just got a hold of it, kept the crowd out of it and kept them on their heels. you could see the guys feeding off good defense after good defense. when you do that and your energy is right, the shots start to go down and good things happen." guard donovan mitchell has taken a leadership role as a rookie for utah and knows he needs to improve on a 10-point effort on 4-of-16 shooting. "i didn't really do much as a whole, like i wasn't there," mitchell told the media. "that can't happen. that will probably be what i take away the most. it's like i would have been better off just not showing up, because that's what i did. i didn't show up at all for my teammates, and i'll fix it."
tv: 8 p.m. et, tnt
about the rockets: a big factor in houston's turnaround was the stroke of shooting guard eric gordon, who was 8-of-13 from the floor in game 3 after shooting under 50 percent in each of his first seven games this postseason. "i just got to continue to be aggressive," gordon told reporters of his breakout game. "it doesn't change for me." harden and chris paul combined for 18 assists against one turnover in game 3.
about the jazz: point guard ricky rubio (hamstring) has been doing some agility drills and light work on the court as he approaches a potential return, and utah has another injury concern in the form of derrick favors, who left game 3 with a sprained ankle. favors, who averaged 12.3 points on 61.7 percent shooting in the first round against oklahoma city, told reporters he hopes to play in game 4. the jazz will look for a bounce-back effort from joe ingles after he followed up a 27-point effort in game 2 with a six-point showing in friday's loss.
buzzer beaters

1. the rockets have 59 made free throws in the first three games of the series, compared to 39 for the jazz.

2. harden is averaging 30.4 points in the postseason, identical to his league-leading average during the regular season.
3. including the regular season, houston has won all three meetings in utah by double digits.

prediction: rockets 107, jazz 105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay lightning go after a fourth straight victory to close out the eastern conference semifinal series when they host the boston bruins for game 5 on sunday afternoon. captain steven stamkos tied the contest in the third period and defenseman dan girardi tipped home the winner in overtime as the lightning rallied for a 4-3 victory friday to give themselves a chance to finish their second series in five games.

"it's going to be the hardest game in the series, it always is," tampa bay right wing ryan callahan told reporters of the potential close-out matchup. "and especially against a group like that who's been there before, and there's a lot of veteran guys over there. it's good it's at home for us, but at the same time, it's going to be a tough one." the bruins have not recorded an even-strength goal since game 2 after scoring twice with the man advantage and once short-handed during the rally that gave them a 3-2 lead in the third period friday. right wing david pastrnak had one of the power-play tallies for boston and leads the team with 20 points in the playoffs while center patrice bergeron had two goals in game 4 to give him five in the series. "desperate hockey," bergeron said of the mindset for sunday. "you know we've shown character all year. you know i've spoken about the resilience in this room, so it's time to show it."

tv: 3 p.m. et, nbc, cbc, tva
about the bruins: defenseman torey krug, who has 12 points in 11 playoff games, suffered a left ankle injury after crashing into the boards feet first friday and has been ruled out for the rest of the series, perhaps giving veteran blue liner nick holden a spot in the lineup. left wing brad marchand had a pair of assists friday and boasts eight points in the series (17 in the postseason), but has managed only seven shots on goal overall in the four games. left wing rick nash, who has five goals and four assists in his last four playoff games at tampa bay, scored twice in game 1 but has been held to one assist since.
about the lightning: tampa bay's top line is beginning to produce after a slow start to the series as nikita kucherov scored on the power play and stamkos had a goal for the second straight contest. "our line has been talking a lot about wanting to have a better game," stamkos said of his unit that includes j.t. miller. "obviously, it's not a matter of will. we knew eventually it was going to come." defenseman victor hedman did not have a point in the first playoff series, but has recorded five assists in the last four games against boston to become the franchise's postseason leader in that category (36).
overtime

1. the bruins are 4-for-9 on the power play, but have drawn seven fewer chances than the lightning (4-for-16) in the first four games.

2. kucherov's power-play tally gave him 53 career playoff points, moving him ahead of vincent lecavalier (52) for second in franchise history.
3. bergeron can pass rick middleton (111) for fifth in games played in the postseason sunday and is tied in goals with c david krejci and wayne cashman (31) for ninth.

prediction: lightning 4, bruins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
the golden knights can add another accomplishment to what is already the most successful inaugural season in nhl history when they visit the san jose sharks on sunday with a chance to wrap up their western conference semifinal series. vegas shrugged off a 4-0 loss to san jose in game 4 with a 5-3 victory in game 5 on friday to take a 3-2 series lead and will try to avoid a game 7 at home tuesday.

"it was good to win in front of our crowd, knowing that for sure we're going to get another crack at it no matter what,'' the golden knights' david perron told reporters after recording two assists friday. "at the same time, we've got to try and find a way to close it next game." the sharks scored three straight goals in the third period to make it 4-3 with 4:16 remaining friday before jonathan marchessault's empty-netter sealed the verdict with 1:21 left, and hope to carry that momentum into game 6. "it's not over yet," san jose's tomas hertl told reporters. "we've got a home game now. we have to take it and start right away, and i believe we'll come back for game 7." sharks goaltender martin jones was yanked after rookie alex tuch scored his second goal of game 5 at 8:36 of the third period to make it 4-0 and must improve on his .886 save percentage in the series to send it back to sin city.
tv: 7:30 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, sportsnet, tva
about the golden knights: tuch has three goals and two assists in the series and shares the team postseason lead with four goals while marchessault and reilly smith boast a team-best 10 playoff points apiece. william karlsson (four goals, nine points) has been kept off the scoresheet for the last two games despite recording five shots on goal in each contest after recording three goals and four assists in the first three games of the series. marc-andre fleury has allowed 14 goals in the last four games with a save percentage of .925 versus san jose after stopping 127 of 130 shots in the first round versus los angeles.
about the sharks: hertl scored in each of the last three games - all at even strength, giving him a team-high six playoff goals. logan couture has five assists in the last two games and owns a club-most 12 postseason points. couture, evander kane and marcus sorensen each have four postseason goals with couture scoring twice and kane and sorensen once apiece versus vegas.
overtime

1. d luca sbisa (plus-1, six hits, 17 minutes of ice time) and c oscar lindberg (plus-1, assist, four shots on goal) made their playoff debuts for the golden knights in game 5 with sbisa playing for the first time since feb. 27.
2. san jose d brent burns, the reigning norris trophy winner, has two goals and three assists but is a minus-4 in the series after finishing plus-2 in the first round and minus-16 during the regular season.

3. the game 5 winner in a best-of-seven has won the series 78.9 percent of the time, according to elias sports bureau.

prediction: sharks 3, golden knights 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
a five-game winning streak has fueled a sterling 14-1 stretch for the new york yankees, who have ended any talk of being underachievers by racing out to their best start since 2003. the yankees (23-10) bid to extend their home winning streak to nine games on sunday with a three-game sweep of the cleveland indians (17-16), who have dropped six of their last nine overall.

rookie gleyber torres launched his first major-league homer in the opener and added a single and scored a run in saturday's 5-2 win, improving to 16-for-48 with eight rbis since being recalled from the minors. brett gardner drove in a pair of runs to match the sum total of his previous 11 contests for new york, which ends a grueling stretch of games in which it has played 18 times in as many days. although francisco lindor has homered four times during his eight-game hitting streak, the 2016 gold glove recipient lamented his defensive play - highlighted by a double error on saturday that changed the complexion the contest. "both games have been lost because of me. that's unacceptable," the 24-year-old lindor said. "... the only one that's not a good job is me and i put that on me."
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, mlb network, sportstime ohio (cleveland), yes (new york)
pitching matchup: indians rh mike clevinger (2-0, 2.82 era) vs. yankees rh domingo german (0-1, 3.77)
clevinger has made himself at home on the road by winning 10 of 15 decisions with a 3.28 era in 23 career away contests, including a pair of scoreless starts this season. the 27-year-old recorded his fourth straight no-decision at home, however, on tuesday despite permitting three runs in 6 2/3 innings versus texas. aaron judge greeted clevinger with a three-run shot in the latter's lone appearance versus the yankees, an 8-1 loss on aug. 6.
german earned his first major-league start following four scoreless innings of relief versus houston after jordan montgomery exited with a left flexor strain, an injury that is expected to sideline the latter for as many as two months. "i didn't make the team out of spring but i knew i was a phone call away and therefore i needed to be ready," the 25-year-old dominican told newsday through his translator. "i couldn't lose focus on my training and my work because i knew an opportunity was going to come eventually." dellin betances has labeled his curveball as "really filthy" and that he has "electric stuff," perhaps an appropriate assessment considering german has struck out 18 in 14 1/3 innings.
walk-offs

1. cleveland 1b yonder alonso is 2-for-22 with 10 strikeouts in his last six contests.
2. new york rf giancarlo stanton is 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts in his last six games.

3. the indians are just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in this series.

prediction: indians 4, yankees 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

5th May 2018 by Gracenote
the colorado rockies look to win their fifth straight contest to finish a solid road trip when they wrap up a three-game series at the struggling new york mets on sunday. the rockies have taken the first two games of the set by a total of three runs, handing the mets their third shutout loss in the last four outings with a 2-0 triumph saturday night.

nolan arenado provided colorado with all the offense it would need with a solo homer in the top of the first inning and the star third baseman is 9-for-27 with four homers during a six-game hitting streak. the mets have lost five straight and eight of their last 10 while struggling to score runs. they've managed three runs or fewer seven times during the 2-8 slide and produced just six hits - five singles and a double - in saturday's loss. colorado is 14-8 away from home and will try to maintain their solid road play behind southpaw kyle freeland, who opposes noah syndergaard in the finale.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (colorado), sny (new york)
pitching matchup: rockies lh kyle freeland (1-4, 4.24 era) vs. mets rh noah syndergaard (2-1, 3.10)

freeland lasted seven innings in each of his last two starts while allowing three combined runs and striking out 13. he is 0-3 with a 5.57 era in four starts on the road while giving up 21 hits and eight walks in 21 innings. the 24-year-old faced the mets just once in his career, tossing three scoreless innings of relief.

syndergaard allowed a season-high 10 hits and fanned a season-low three in six innings against atlanta last time out while suffering his first loss. the hard-throwing texan has allowed one home run over his last six starts and one walk in his past three. arenado has a homer in three career at-bats against syndergaard, who is 1-0 with a 3.46 era in two prior starts versus colorado.
walk-offs

1. mets 2b asdrubal cabrera is 4-for-9 with a home run and a triple in the series.

2. the rockies are 6-3 in one-run games.

3. colorado 1b/lf ian desmond was 0-for-4 on saturday as his average fell to .177.

prediction: mets 4, rockies 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 05-06-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
the tampa bay rays, who won just three of their first 15 games this season, look to finish off a three-game series sweep and reach the .500 mark when they host the american league east rival toronto blue jays on sunday afternoon. wilson ramos knocked in a run and extended his hitting streak to 13 games as the rays edged the blue jays 5-3 on saturday for their sixth straight win at home.

mallex smith has been a key to the turnaround while taking over for injured kevin kiermaier in center field and followed a day of rest with two hits, two walks and two runs scored in saturday's victory for tampa bay, which sits 1 1/2 games behind toronto for third in the al east. "i don't think that anybody is settling for .500," rays manager kevin cash told reporters. "but we've got to get there first. we've been close a couple times." chris archer will try to keep it going when he takes the mound for tampa bay in the finale and faces fellow right-hander marco estrada, who has struggled to a 1-8 record in his career against the rays. the blue jays have dropped four of their last five games, allowing 39 runs in that span, and are not likely to have curtis granderson (hamstring) in sunday's contest after the veteran outfielder suffered the injury in friday's 6-2 setback.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, mlb network, sportsnet (toronto), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: blue jays rh marco estrada (2-2, 6.19 era) vs. rays rh chris archer (2-2, 6.05)

estrada has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four outings after opening the season with a pair of quality starts and a win over texas. the long beach state product gave up five runs across five innings to beat the new york yankees on april 20 but went 0-1 over the last two while permitting nine runs in 10 frames combined. ramos is 3-for-8 with a homer against estrada, who owns a 4.96 era in 14 career games (10 starts) versus the rays.
archer registered his second quality start in three outings tuesday at detroit but suffered the loss after allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts over six innings. the two-time all-star beat baltimore with 5 1/3 innings of four-run ball april 26 in between his two quality starts. kendrys morales (16-for-31, six doubles, three homers) has been menacing against archer, who is 7-4 with a 3.09 era in 24 career games versus the blue jays.
walk-offs

1. morales, who had four homers and 14 rbis against the rays last season, is mired in a 0-for-18 slump over his last four games overall.

2. tampa bay of/dh denard span leads the team with 24 rbis and recorded seven in his past seven contests - one each in the last three.
3. toronto ss aledmys diaz is 4-for-9 with two homers and a double over the last three games to raise his batting average to .210.

prediction: rays 6, blue jays 3