Monday 5-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:42 AM

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

Race 3 - Allowance - 440y on the Dirt. Purse: $9200 Class Rating: 77

QUARTER HORSE 440Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 DEALMFAST 2/1

# 1 BLUEMOONTELLER 3/1

# 3 HEZA DASH FASTER 7/2

DEALMFAST looks to be a formidable contender. Has been running strongly and has among the most competitive speed in the race for today's distance. This gelding with Calderon in the irons makes him a contender. Calderon ought to be able to get this gelding to break out quickly for this race. BLUEMOONTELLER - Will likely be one of the early speedsters of the pack going into the halfway point of the race. With a strong 64 speed figure last time out, will clearly be a factor in this competition. HEZA DASH FASTER - Could best this field based on the speed rating - 59 - of his last effort.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:43 AM

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

Race 7 - Maiden Special Weight - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $22000 Class Rating: 59

FOR ACCREDITED LA BRED MAIDENS, FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 118 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 8 BACKSTAGE STAR 4/1

# 7 HONEST WOMAN 9/2

# 2 MISS URUGUAY 9/2

I have to support BACKSTAGE STAR here. Has solid Equibase Speed Figs and has to be considered for a wager in this competition. Must be carefully examined for this event if only for the very good Equibase speed fig recorded in the last contest. Has competitive Equibase Class Figures relative to this group of animals - worth a look. MISS URUGUAY - Her chances to win are much better this time out facing this less demanding group. Ranked high in earnings per start at the distance/surface in this bunch.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:43 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Mountaineer Park
Mountaineer Park - Race 5

Second Half $2 Mid Daily Double (Races 4 &5) ($.50) Pick 5 (Races 5-6-7-8-9) $.50 Trifecta $1 Exacta Box ($.20) Superfecta

Claiming $4,000 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 89 • Purse: $6,300 • Post: 8:28P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE MAY 7, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000 (W V A BRED RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
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 * BIG YUM: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs. SHERE KHAN: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and horse has run well in the past in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at th e distance/surface. SLEWS LOVE: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. NIEMI SAYS NO: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ day s and horse has run well in the past in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating.
6
BIG YUM
6/1

7/2
10
SHERE KHAN
6/1

5/1
2
SLEWS LOVE
5/1

8/1
9
NIEMI SAYS NO
5/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
6
BIG YUM
6

6/1
Front-runner
96

94

74.3

74.8

70.3
7
BALOTELLI
7

4/1
Front-runner
83

74

70.0

52.6

42.1
10
SHERE KHAN
10

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
89

80

90.2

73.4

66.4
9
NIEMI SAYS NO
9

5/1
Stalker
87

78

57.5

77.5

70.5
4
HERE COMES R J
4

3/1
Stalker
77

68

56.2

64.4

53.9
2
SLEWS LOVE
2

5/1
Trailer
84

74

56.8

73.0

66.0
8
CONGRATS TO M K
8

10/1
Trailer
78

61

25.0

65.6

57.1
5
FINISHING A DREAM
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
71

65

60.4

50.6

35.6
3
CHLOE'S WONDERBOY
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
76

67

53.2

63.2

48.7
1
TWO LIONS
1

50/1
Alternator/Non-contender
82

65

17.6

53.6

38.1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:44 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #3 - Post: 1:49pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $20,000 Class Rating: 78

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 HY RAPID LADY (ML=6/1)
#5 APPEALINGMAGIC (ML=6/5)

HY RAPID LADY - Mare won on December 11th at this class and distance. This mare is back in a race very quick. This is a great angle - Sprint horses that come back in less than 10 days after a race. A good sign of a sharp and ready racehorse. Each one of this mare's recent finish positions has been progressively better. I am keen on that most recent outing on April 27th at Laurel where she ended up third. APPEALINGMAGIC - I think this mare is ready to run a good one. She's had enough races since the vacation and should be fit. This mare is in superb condition right now. Ran first in the last race and comes back quickly. This mare earned a nice speed fig of 86 in her last affair. That speed figure should be good enough to triumph in today's event.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 FAITHINVICTORIA (ML=5/2), #2X ROSEMARIE (ML=5/2), #4 BELLA LOU (ML=5/1),

FAITHINVICTORIA - Doubtful that the speed rating she garnered on May 1st will hold up in this race. ROSEMARIE - The pace situation just isn't too promising for this speed merchant. Many other ponies would have to scratch to improve her chances. Don't believe this vulnerable equine will make a winning move in today's race. That last rating was somewhat easily forgotten when compared with today's class figure. BELLA LOU - Difficult to play any thoroughbred to turn things around if there is no value to taking the shot. This mare earned a speed rating in her last affair which probably isn't good enough in today's event.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - HY RAPID LADY - Posting a better speed rating each of her last couple of races. This mare is a prime candidate to win today.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 HY RAPID LADY to win at post-time odds of 5/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:44 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Thistledown - Race #8 - Post: 5:10pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $22,500 Class Rating: 80

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 FOREST GEM (ML=6/1)
#4 BLAZEN BETSY (ML=8/1)

FOREST GEM - Tumblin brings her back again. I propose you stay with this strong filly. Don't often see a profitable return on investment like +168. This jockey/handler tandem has done well together over the last 12 months. Trainer, Tumblin, has been deliberate with this filly off the layoff. Look for a solid effort today. BLAZEN BETSY - You have to consider the solid works of late. When Cowans gives Stokes a leg up on any thoroughbred, you know that with their win percentage you have much more than a fighting chance. Cowans, the trainer, shows intent by adding Lasix right here. A positive sign.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 D' PLATINUM (ML=4/1), #10 SUSPICION (ML=9/2), #6 SEMINARA (ML=5/1),

D' PLATINUM - In any contest of 6 furlongs, I like to bet on a contender that has been on the board in sprint races of late. This less than sharp equine hasn't been on the track since Mar 11th. Not even any drills. SUSPICION - This filly finished off the board on March 31st and wasn't near the winner in the last race either. Tough to bet on this horse this time around. Make her show you something in a sprint race before you bet on her in a race of 6 furlongs. SEMINARA - The Brain always cautions me to stay away from horses in sprint contests that haven't hit the board in sprint contests of late. This runner ran a common speed figure last time around the track. She shouldn't show signs of improvement and will probably suffer defeat in today's race running that number.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #2 FOREST GEM to win. Have to have odds of at least 7/5 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
2 with 4 with [6,9,10] Total Cost: $3

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 05:45 AM

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

Exacta / Quinella / Trifecta (.50) / Superfecta (.10) / Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5)

Claiming $5,000 • 1 Mile • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 82 • Purse: $8,250 • Post: 2:06P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Front-runner. RIBBON BOX is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * GIVE ME EXCITATION: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. CAP TRICK: Horse ranks in the to p three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. RIBBON BOX: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PHANTOM TRIP: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
4
GIVE ME EXCITATION
2/1

9/2
2
CAP TRICK
10/1

5/1
1
RIBBON BOX
8/1

6/1
5
PHANTOM TRIP
9/2

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
RIBBON BOX
1

8/1
Front-runner
80

72

83.8

56.6

47.6
2
CAP TRICK
2

10/1
Alternator/Stalker
88

85

72.3

64.0

56.0
5
PHANTOM TRIP
5

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
82

69

69.6

65.6

57.6
3
DR. SHIPLEY
3

4/1
Trailer
74

65

62.3

62.3

55.3
4
GIVE ME EXCITATION
4

2/1
Alternator/Trailer
88

76

63.4

74.4

70.4
6
MY BROTHER DON
6

5/2
Alternator/Non-contender
79

63

80.2

55.3

49.8

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:55 AM

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

The Boston Celtics look to avoid a launch of confetti and finish off the Eastern Conference semifinal series Monday night when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 4. The Celtics received 24 points from rookie Jayson Tatum while Al Horford scored the final five of the game as they earned a stunning 101-98 overtime victory Saturday and took a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Marco Belinelli's jumper with less than a second left in the fourth quarter caused confetti to fill the air at the Wells Fargo Center, but his foot was inside the 3-point line and it only tied the game before Boston rallied in overtime. "I've seen crazier things that happened," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown told reporters after scoring 16 points off the bench. "The win just was the confetti for us. So we'll take it like that." Joel Embiid scored 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, but the 76ers shot just 39.2 percent from the field Saturday while turning the ball over in key situations and now are forced to buck NBA history as all 129 teams have failed to win a series after falling behind 3-0. "Teams that are down 3-0 have a record of (0-129)," Philadelphia coach Brett Brown told reporters. "Think about that. Just think about that number. The number is 0. The number to me, 0, happens more out of spirit than talent. Like there's a breaking point we all have and I believe that if we can maintain our spirit, why couldn't we be the one and I mean that."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Horford scored seven of his 13 points in overtime and had a key steal in the final seconds that snuffed out a chance for Philadelphia to win the contest. "Al is our leader," Tatum told reporters. "He's been in the playoffs every year, so he's been in every situation possible. He's always making sure we're in the right situations, and we know we can look toward him to make the right play." Tatum is averaging 24.3 points in the series and guard Terry Rozier continues to shine while leading the team in scoring during the playoffs (19.0) and providing 22.3 per game the past three.

ABOUT THE 76ERS: Rookie Ben Simmons rebounded from a rough Game 2 (one point, five turnovers) to score 16 while recording eight rebounds and eight assists in Saturday's setback. "I have a lot of growing to do," Simmons told ESPN.com. "This is the first time I've played in the playoffs, and I'm learning a lot. It's a great opportunity for myself and the team. We're all learning together. There's a lot of lessons. I think they're all very important." Embiid has registered five straight double-doubles in the playoffs and guard J.J. Redick is averaging 20.3 points in the series with 10 made 3-pointers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Philadelphia F Robert Covington had just one point in Saturday's loss on 0-for-8 from the field after scoring 22 in Game 2.

2. Rozier, who averaged 11.3 points in the regular season, is 18-for-34 from behind the arc over the last four games.

3. Philadelphia F Dario Saric is 5-of-23 from 3-point range in the last five games after draining 11-of-23 in the first three playoff contests.

PREDICTION: 76ers 108, Celtics 102

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

LeBron James is putting on a display this postseason that will be talked about for ages, and he has a chance to take his run another round further when he leads the Cleveland Cavaliers into a potential Game 4 clincher at home against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. After scoring 43 points on Thursday to help the Cavaliers gain a 2-0 series lead on the road, James knocked down a running buzzer-beater to give his team a 105-103 victory in Game 3 on Saturday.

The game-winner capped a 38-point effort for the superstar, who is averaging 34.8 points on 54.7 percent shooting to go along with 9.5 rebounds and 8.8 assists during the playoffs. "I've been doing that since I was like six, seven, eight years old," James told reporters of his latest clutch moment. "Maybe even before that. There's a picture floating around of me beside a Little Tikes hoop with a saggy Pamper on and I was doing it back then and all the way up until now, at 33." The top-seeded Raptors are on the verge of being swept out of the playoffs for the second straight season by Cleveland. "Our goal in the timeout was to trap him and make someone else beat us," Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters of a play that will haunt him. "He split the trap and went 100 miles an hour down the floor and lost them. We just didn't execute. It was probably my fault that I didn't make it clear that we wanted to trap him and get the ball out of his hands. We had it started in the backcourt, and for whatever reason, we let him out of the trap."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE RAPTORS: Teams that fall behind 3-0 in the playoffs are 0-129 in NBA history, giving Toronto virtually insurmountable odds to come out on top against a team it cannot seem to solve. The task is made all the more difficult when leading scorer DeMar DeRozan struggles the way he did in Game 3, producing eight points - more than 15 below his average this postseason - on 3-of-12 shooting, leading to a benching during a critical portion of the fourth quarter. "It's extremely hard, extremely hard," DeRozan told reporters of sitting on the sidelines while his teammates made a late push. "I just want to be out there helping my team, way more than anything. It definitely sucks to be watching ... we've got to give credit to those guys. We fought hard and gave ourselves a chance to win."

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James will finish his career with a hefty collection of buzzer-beaters, but the sheer difficulty of Saturday's one-handed bank shot will make this one stand out. "In the moment, that's a tough shot, but I've watched him shoot that shot countless times in shootaround and practice, just messing around, shooting off the wrong leg," guard Kyle Korver told the media. "I'm like, 'When would you shoot a shot like that?' Apparently to win a playoff game. Amazing shot." Even more important for Cleveland's long-term outlook this spring was the second straight solid game for big man Kevin Love, who had 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting and 16 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Korver, SF Jeff Green and SG J.R. Smith are a combined 22-for-40 from 3-point range in the series.

2. Raptors PG Kyle Lowry is averaging 22 points on 62.9 percent shooting in the series.

3. If the Raptors win they will host Game 5 on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 114, Raptors 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
The Washington Capitals previously have seen the Pittsburgh Penguins up against the ropes only to fall victim to a spirited barrage and find themselves on the canvas. The Capitals aim to prevent that scene from repeating itself on Monday as they bid to land the knockout blow in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at PPG Paints Arena.

Two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh is no stranger to trailing 3-2 in a series, having done so against Tampa Bay in the 2016 Eastern Conference final while avoiding elimination on two separate occasions in 2017 with a 2-0 win over Washington in Game 7 of the conference semis before posting a 3-2 double-overtime victory versus Ottawa in the following round. "Everybody understands the situation," Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby said. "It brings out everyone's best. You don't have anything to save it for, so you go out there with one focus, and that's win a hockey game and get to a Game 7. That's our mindset here." Washington goaltender Braden Holtby was quite clear with what his team's mindset needs to be if it wishes to build off Saturday's 6-3 win in Game 5 and put itself in position to advance to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1998. "Where it's at right now doesn't matter at all. All that matters is the next game," the former Vezina Trophy winner said. "That's got to be our mindset if we want to have success and take a mature approach to it."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVAS

ABOUT THE CAPITALS: Nicklas Backstrom is expected to play in Game 6 despite sitting out Sunday's practice, one day removed from using his hand to block a shot with his team short-handed during the first period. The 30-year-old Swedish Olympian's 10 assists are tops on the team while his 13 points trail only captain Alex Ovechkin, who rebounded from failing to muster a shot on goal in Game 4 by joining Evgeny Kuznetsov in setting up Jakub Vrana's go-ahead tally with 4:38 remaining in the third period. Ironically, the Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Vrana grouping was Washington's top line at the onset of the season as Tom Wilson served a four-game suspension from the league.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Crosby reached the 20-point plateau (nine goals, 11 assists) in the playoffs for the franchise-best fourth time in his career and pushed his overall point total to 184 with his second-period power-play goal in Game 5. The two-time reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner would pull even with Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman for 10th place all-time with another point on Monday. Linemate Jake Guentzel (team-leading 21 points) saw his eight-game point streak end on Saturday, a postseason stretch that was the NHL's longest since Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar's 10-game run in 2014.
Video: All Access | Just Keep Believing

OVERTIME

1. Washington's John Carlson scored his third power-play goal late in the first period on Saturday to become the first defenseman to reach double digits in power-play points since Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Gonchar in 2009.

2. Pittsburgh is 5-for-13 with the man advantage in the last three contests after going 0-for-11 in the previous four dating back to Game 6 of the first-round series versus Philadelphia.

3. Wilson will serve the final contest of his three-game suspension on Monday for his illegal check to the head of Zach Aston-Reese.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Capitals 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
The Winnipeg Jets stand one victory away from the Western Conference finals and have two shots to knock out the Nashville Predators, starting with Monday's Game 6 at home after yet another offensive explosion in Saturday's 6-2 road triumph. The Jets, who were stymied in a frustrating Game 4 loss on home ice, broke loose to take a 3-2 series lead as the top line of Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor combined for three goals and eight points.

Wheeler told reporters Sunday after the Jets returned to Winnipeg that knocking out the Predators - who took Pittsburgh to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals last June - will not be easy, while adding: "What we're focused on is what's given us success all year long, that's just finding a way to win one hockey game." Nashville got the start it wanted in Game 5, dominating play for most of the first period, but could not score in the opening frame before the Jets netted four goals in the middle period. The loss dropped the Predators to 1-2 on home ice in the series, but Nashville coach Peter Laviolette's team already has won one game in Winnipeg this series and must do so again to extend its season. "This group's been built for a game like the one that's coming up," Laviolette told reporters after Saturday's loss. "I've got a tremendous amount of confidence. I believe in them."
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVA

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Nashville will look to repeat the recipe that led to a 2-1 victory at Winnipeg in Game 4 - get an early lead and then dominate the neutral zone. Goaltender Pekka Rinne served up another subpar performance, allowing three goals in a 4:31 span of the second period to turn a 1-1 game into a 4-1 deficit, and after two goals early in the third was pulled again in favor of Juuse Saros. Some of Nashville's key players struggled in Game 5, including Victor Arvidsson and Austin Watson, who both finished minus-3.

ABOUT THE JETS: Connor set a franchise record for most points in a playoff game by a rookie, scoring his first two goals of the postseason in the pivotal second-period stretch, and assisted on Scheifele's goal 28 seconds into the third period. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 38 saves on the night, and a determined defense which blocked 16 shots survived a 20-shot onslaught by Nashville in the third period. Forward Mathieu Perreault, who had missed the past eight games with an injury, scored a goal in his return and gave the Jets a much-needed boost.
Video: Connor’s three-point night leads Jets to Game 5 win

OVERTIME

1. Nashville C Ryan Johansen scored his fifth goal of the playoffs in Game 5, and with 11 points is one behind F Filip Forsberg for the team lead.

2. Scheifele scored his ninth goal in 10 postseason games Saturday and leads the Jets with 14 points, one ahead of Wheeler.

3. Nashville D P.K. Subban told reporters he expects a Game 7, saying, "We had to go to Winnipeg anyway, so we are going to go there and win a game and come back here."

PREDICTION: Jets 4, Predators 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
the san francisco giants are on their longest winning streak of the season and will go for their fifth consecutive victory when they visit the philadelphia phillies on monday night. it is the opener of a four-game series for the teams and comes after san francisco completed a three-game sweep of national league east-leading atlanta over the weekend.

san francisco has piled up 33 runs over its past four wins and outscored the braves 24-9 in its first sweep in atlanta since 2014. giants starter jeff samardzija has a nightmarish history against the phillies, owning an 8.18 era against them overall and a 15.43 mark in four appearances at citizens bank park. philadelphia suffered its fourth straight series loss when closer hector neris (1-2) walked in the tying run before giving up the game-winning single in the ninth inning of a 5-4 loss at washington on sunday. maikel franco is 7-for-15 with two homers and three doubles during a four-game rbi and hitting streak for the phillies.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, nbcs bay area (san francisco), nbcs philadelphia
pitching matchup: giants rh jeff samardzija (1-1, 5.27 era) vs. phillies rh zach eflin (0-0, 1.50)

samardzija has sandwiched two solid outings around a dud, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings in a no-decision against san diego last time out. the 33-year-old was knocked around for six runs in 3 2/3 innings in a loss versus washington on april 25 after tossing five scoreless innings at the los angeles angels in his season debut. carlos santana is hitless in seven at-bats against samardzija.
elfin had a no-decision in a strong season debut last time out, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning and permitting one run on three hits over six frames. he made 11 starts in each of his first two seasons, posting a 4-10 record overall and surrendering 28 home runs in only 127 2/3 innings. red-hot brandon crawford is 4-for-8 with two homers off elfin, who is 0-1 with a 6.75 era versus the giants.

walk-offs

1. crawford has multiple hits in four straight contests, going 10-for-18 with seven rbis, to extend his overall hitting streak to five games.
2. phillies cf odubel herrera, who had three hits sunday, is batting .386 at home.

3. giants rf andrew mccutchen has hit safely in six straight games.

prediction: phillies 5, giants 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
the losses are piling up for the skidding new york mets - both on and off the field. with another injury to a key player to cap off a wretched homestand that dropped the team into third place in the national league east, the mets hit the road for a six-game road trip beginning with the first of three against the cincinnati reds on monday night.

outfielder yoenis cespedes left sunday's 3-2 loss to colorado due to soreness in his right quadriceps and told reporters he was unsure of his availability for the series opener in cincinnati. jacob degrom was expected to start monday for new york but was placed on the 10-day disabled list to allowed more time to rest his hyperextended elbow. the mets were outscored 34-11 during a disastrous 0-6 homestand and have dropped 14 of their last 20 after a blistering 11-1 start to the season. joey votto homered among four hits and drove in four runs in sunday's 8-5 loss to miami, which kept cincinnati tied with baltimore for the worst record in the majors at 8-26.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, sny (new york), fs ohio (cincinnati)
pitching matchup: mets lh p.j. conlon (nr) vs. reds rh homer bailey (0-4, 4.81 era)

conlon was recalled from triple-a las vegas to make his major league debut and he'll also go into the history books, becoming the first irish-born player to reach the bigs since 1945. with degrom expected to start sunday at philadelphia, it figures to be a one-game audition for conlon, who is 1-2 with a 6.75 era in five starts this season. he has allowed only one homer but opponents are batting .310 against him.
bailey endured some hard-luck losses at the outset of the season after registering three quality starts in his first four outings, but he has regressed over the past two weeks. after a pair of no-decisions, he was tagged for five runs on six hits over five innings in a loss to milwaukee on tuesday. bailey, who has surrendered six homers over his last three starts, is 1-4 with a 6.49 era lifetime versus new york.

walk-offs

1. new york was held to two runs or fewer five times on the winless homestand, including three shutouts.
2. votto was 7-for-13 with a homer and three doubles in the three-game series versus miami.

3. mets ss asdrubal cabrera has hit safely in four straight games and eight of nine.

prediction: reds 5, mets 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:56 AM

Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

6th May 2018 by Gracenote
the texas rangers' bats went silent over the weekend as they dropped three straight to finish a four-game series with the visiting boston red sox. they will try to put a few more runs on the board and shake out of a season-long funk at home when they open a three-game set against the visiting detroit tigers on monday.

after beginning the series with the red sox with an 11-5 win, texas produced a total of seven runs from friday through sunday and its lineup recorded 14 strikeouts in a 6-1 loss in the finale. the three straight losses gives the rangers a 5-15 mark at home, where it has lost its first six series to begin a season for the first time. the tigers also managed seven total runs over their last three contests and finished a four-game set at kansas city with a 4-2 setback sunday afternoon. they are 3-3 in starts made by right-hander michael fulmer, who gets the nod in the series opener opposite veteran left-hander matt moore for texas.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, fs detroit, fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: tigers rh michael fulmer (1-2, 2.80 era) vs. rangers lh matt moore (1-4, 7.67)

since giving up nine runs in three innings at the cleveland indians on april 12, fulmer has turned in three straight quality starts while posting an era of 1.89. he did not factor in the decision after giving up two runs in six solid innings against the tampa bay rays at home on wednesday. the former first-round pick is 1-1 with a 3.21 mark in two career starts against the rangers, both of which took place at texas.
moore posted a 3.18 era over his final three starts in april - as well as a scoreless inning of relief - but was rocked in his first outing this month. the 28-year-old gave up 10 runs on 11 hits in just four innings against the indians, serving up three home runs after allowing only one over his first six appearances this season. moore has not faced the tigers since june 4, 2013, when he was pounded for six runs in two frames.

walk-offs

1. tigers 3b jeimer candelario (thumb) did not play sunday and rf nicholas castellanos (flu-like symptoms) did not start.
2. rangers rookie 1b ronald guzman is 1-for-19 with 12 strikeouts over his last six contests.

3. detroit c/1b john hicks is 9-for-20 with a home run and two doubles during a five-game hitting streak.

prediction: tigers 5, rangers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2018, 09:57 AM

Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-07-2018

7th May 2018 by Gracenote
the miami marlins have won four consecutive series after a rough start to the season and look to continue moving in a positive direction when they visit the slumping chicago cubs on monday for the opener of their three-game set. j.t. realmuto reached base four times and starlin castro knocked in three runs for the second straight game as the marlins outlasted cincinnati 8-5 on sunday, improving to 8-3 in their last 11 contests after a 5-17 start.

"we talked early in the year about how i thought we were playing pretty good," miami manager don mattingly told reporters. "we were playing close games and finding ways to lose. now, we're finding ways to win. to get back into it, we have to do it like this - winning two out of three (in a series)." jarlin garcia looks to continue his strong start to the season when he takes the mound in the series opener against kyle hendricks, who is 2-1 with a 1.35 era in five career games against the marlins. the cubs have dropped a season-high five straight games after losing on a walk-off home run for the second straight day on sunday as rival st. louis posted a 4-3 victory. javier baez homered for the second straight contest to give chicago the lead in the 14th inning before former cub dexter fowler delivered a two-run shot in the bottom half to end it.

tv: 8:05 p.m. et, fs florida (miami), nbcs chicago
pitching matchup: marlins lh jarlin garcia (1-0, 1.09 era) vs. cubs rh kyle hendricks (2-2, 3.19)
garcia has strung together four consecutive outstanding starts but has just one win to show for it despite allowing two runs and 10 hits over 23 innings in that span. the 25-year-old dominican gave up one run and five hits with three strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision on tuesday against philadelphia. garcia limited the cubs to one hit over six scoreless frames of relief during his season debut on march 30 as miami posted a 2-1 victory in 17 innings.
hendricks registered his fourth quality start in six outings on tuesday but came away with the loss after permitting three runs on four hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings against colorado. the 28-year-old dartmouth product served up three homers in that setback, and opponents have gone deep against him eight times in 36 2/3 frames this season. castro is 3-for-6 lifetime versus hendricks, who held miami to one run on four hits and three walks over six innings in a no-decision on march 30.
walk-offs

1. chicago 3b kris bryant has hit safely in six straight games after homering on sunday but is just 6-for-37 over his last 10 contests.
2. realmuto, who went 2-for-4 on sunday, has hit safely in 14 of his 16 games this season.

3. the teams split a four-game series in miami to open the season, playing a total of 36 innings in the last three contests.

prediction: cubs 5, marlins 2

Monday 5-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Monday 5-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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