Monday 5-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
the houston rockets have had the look all season of a team ready to dethrone the golden state warriors in the western conference. they now get their chance to try to turn that vision into a reality when the star-studded squads tangle in the best-of-seven conference finals, beginning with game 1 on monday night in houston.

the rockets won the west by seven games over the second-place warriors and took two of three regular-season meetings while averaging 117.3 points, and they've cruised to their second conference finals in four seasons - the last in 2015 resulting in a lopsided series loss at the hands of golden state - with back-to-back 4-1 series wins over minnesota and utah. the defending nba champion warriors also needed just five games to get by each of their first two opponents and are seeking their fourth consecutive trip to the nba finals. "we know they are a great team," golden state coach steve kerr recently told the media of the rockets. "we know they are ready, and we'll be ready for them." the teams last met in the playoffs in 2016, when the warriors rolled in five games in a first-round matchup.
tv: 9 p.m. et, tnt
about the warriors: golden state returned to full power when stephen curry came back from a knee injury in game 2 of the semifinal series against new orleans, and the two-time mvp showed little rust as he averaged 24.5 points while making 44.1 percent of his 3-pointers during the series. his presence makes the defending champs a complete team that is supremely confident, even as a rare underdog. "no, i like where we are," kerr told the media. "our guys have rings. that's a good position to be in. to me, the hardest championship is the first one, as an individual player and as a team, because you don't know - you don't quite know - if you can do it."
about the rockets: the big difference between past houston teams that have faltered against golden state is the notable addition of point guard chris paul, who averaged 21.8 points through the first two rounds. "we've got eight more wins to get," he told reporters when asked if he celebrated his first trip to the conference finals in his 13-year career. "i don't know what it's supposed to feel like, but we've still got a lot of work to do." backcourt mate james harden continues to stuff the stat sheet and has joined michael jordan (1988-89 and 1990-91) as the second player in nba history to average at least 28 points, seven assists, five boards and two steals while playing more than five games in a postseason.
buzzer beaters
1. warriors sg klay thompson shot 38.4 percent from the field against new orleans, making just 8-of-34 from 3-point range over the final four games of the series.

2. rockets sg eric gordon averaged 20 points in three regular-season meetings despite going 2-of-24 from beyond the arc.

3. houston c clint capela is averaging 14.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks this postseason.

prediction: rockets 112, warriors 108

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
the vegas golden knights won eight of their first 10 playoff games and entered the western conference finals with five days off, but find themselves facing a potentially deep hole if they cannot slow down the host winnipeg jets in game 2 on monday. the jets show no signs of fatigue after a grueling series victory over nashville, beating marc-andre fleury three times in the opening 7:35 of game 1 en route to a 4-2 victory that puts vegas in a series deficit for the first time.

"we are going to see what kind of team we are," vegas forward jonathan marchessault told reporters after he collected two assists in game 1, but whose team had little answer for winnipeg's waves of pressure. "it's definitely a must-win next game, and i think as a group everybody needs to step up, not just one or two guys." the golden knights did a better job in the middle of the series opener but nonetheless matched their season low with 21 shots on net, or one fewer shot than the jets blocked. it was more of the same for winnipeg's deep offense, as forward blake wheeler dished out three assists while defenseman dustin byfuglien and center mark scheifele each netted a goal with an assist. "it was just a matter of coming out and playing our game, keeping it simple," byfuglien told the media after boosting his postseason totals to five goals and 10 assists. "i felt that we got moving our feet right away. the ice opened up, and we got to moving the puck easily and doing simple things."

tv: 8 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, sportsnet, tva

about the golden knights: a better start is critical for vegas, which found itself chasing the game after giving up a goal 65 seconds in, a power-play tally, and a third goal that originally was disallowed for goaltender interference but reversed after the jets challenged. marchessault found linemate william karlsson on a beautiful feed for the golden knights' second goal with 4:05 left in the second, but vegas mustered just eight shots in the final period. fleury gave up more than three goals for just the third time in 11 playoff games, finishing with 22 saves.
about the jets: scheifele scored his league-high 12th goal of the playoffs in the second period, an important redirect of a byfuglien blast on the power play to make it 4-1. scheifele and wheeler each have 18 points through 13 postseason games, wheeler leads the nhl with 15 assists, and nine jets finished the opener with a plus-rating. winnipeg's top defensive pairing of jacob trouba and josh morrissey each blocked a team-high four shots, and goaltender connor hellebuyck recorded 19 saves in improving to 9-4 in the playoffs.
overtime
1. scheifele is the 16th player in nhl history to have eight or more multi-point games through the first 13 games of the playoffs.

2. vegas f reilly smith picked up his 11th assist of the playoffs in the opener and led the golden knights with five shots on goal.

3. the jets are 5-2 on home ice in the playoffs and have outscored opponents 24-15.

prediction: jets 4, golden knights 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Louisiana Downs - Race #3 - Post: 4:15pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,500 Class Rating: 76

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 HARD ATTACK (ML=8/1)
#3 HANSEN'S HOLIDAY (ML=4/1)


HARD ATTACK - The Mar 8th event at Delta Downs was at a class level of (92). Dropping to a lower class level considerably, so he should be in a good spot to win. The race may set up nicely for this racer's late kick and he's probably the best closer in the field. I like this gelding a lot here. He shows a lot of consistency, finishing in the money frequently. This gelding's last speed fig is lofty enough to score here, I'll bet on him back again in today's event. HANSEN'S HOLIDAY - Mouton gets a break on this horse carrying 5 lbs less than last out. Should be helpful in this field. Handicapping information show this pony with three improving Equibase speed figures. Eramia should be on a live one right here in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 R K GEE (ML=5/2), #1 ELEPHANTE M (ML=3/1), #4 OPPORTUNITY COST (ML=4/1),

R K GEE - Unlikely that this horse will finish better than he did last time when finishing eighth. Earned a substandard speed figure last race out in an Allowance race on April 19th. Doubtful to see an improved performance off of that fig. ELEPHANTE M - On a downward moving cycle. Equibase speed figures keep decreasing. OPPORTUNITY COST - Hard to take this mount at the odds after the finish (ninth) in the last affair.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #5 HARD ATTACK to win if you can get odds of 7/5 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer Park - Race #7 - Post: 9:12pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,300 Class Rating: 78

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 BLACKEYE WYNN (ML=8/1)


BLACKEYE WYNN - When Gonzalez and Sipp unite on equines the ROI has been great at +55. Sprinters that come back to the races quickly are generally good plays. Last race at Mountaineer Park on May 6th was a big class drop for this horse. Facing similar foes in this event. He should do well this time around.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 MOON DOGGIE (ML=1/2), #5 UNBRIDLED GHOST (ML=4/1), #6 MY NICKY (ML=5/1),

MOON DOGGIE - Doubtful that the speed rating he registered on May 6th will hold up in this race. UNBRIDLED GHOST - This gelding hasn't had any strong finishes in short distance races in the last couple months. MY NICKY - The Brain always warns me to keep away from thoroughbreds in short distance races that haven't hit the board in sprint affairs lately.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #4 BLACKEYE WYNN on the win end if we get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Skip

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 9 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $23000 Class Rating: 73

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 14 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 KODOULA 6/1

# 8 SURVIVE 5/1

# 5 LA CAMEDOR 2/1

KODOULA looks very good to best this field. Her 68 average has this mare with among the best Equibase Speed Figures for this race. Could best this group based on the Equibase speed fig - 71 - of her last outing. Is worth careful consideration and may be a bet - strong Equibase Speed Figures (68 average) at today's distance and surface as of late. SURVIVE - She has been racing strongly lately while recording strong speed figures. The winning percentage shown by horses entered by Serey running at this distance are the best in this field. LA CAMEDOR - Must be given a chance - I like the figs from the last contest. Strong jock with handler numbers make this horse a strong betting selection.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunray Park
Sunray Park - Race 1

Daily Double / $1 Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta


Claiming $7,500 • 870 Yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 89 • Purse: $7,500 • Post: 3:00P
QUARTER HORSE 870Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * KINGSBURY: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. WAR KHAL: Quarter Horse has a Fast Break Style designation and no horse in a post position next to it gets out of the gate fast. Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. THE PATRIOT GAME: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the dist ance/surface. Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). WIN SURFER: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Spe ed Figure at the distance/surface.
7
KINGSBURY
9/2

7/2
8
WAR KHAL
7/2

6/1
5
THE PATRIOT GAME
5/2

8/1
2
WIN SURFER
20/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
NEVER TAP OUT
1

12/1
Fast
79

67

2.1

0.0

0.0
2
WIN SURFER
2

20/1
Average
87

76

4.2

0.0

0.0
3
FIRST FULL POCKET
3

8/1
Fast
72

66

3.5

0.0

0.0
4
UNBRIDLED SHADOW (T)
4

10/1
Slow
72

67

6.2

0.0

0.0
5
THE PATRIOT GAME
5

5/2
Slow
95

78

7.8

0.0

0.0
6
DEB'S PRETTY BOY (T)
6

3/1
Average
80

75

5.7

0.0

0.0
7
KINGSBURY
7

9/2
Average
100

86

5.1

0.0

0.0
8
WAR KHAL
8

7/2
Fast
83

78

3.5

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $10700 Class Rating: 83

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE NOVEMBER 14, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 14 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE MARCH 14 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 IT JUST TAKES TIME 5/2

# 6 ALYCAR FLASH 3/1

# 1 KAT'S GOOD SCOUT 6/1

IT JUST TAKES TIME looks to be a competitive contender. With Berrios uptop him, this gelding ought to be able to break out early in this event. ALYCAR FLASH - With Houghton getting the mount, watch out for this animal. Will likely be one of the leaders of the group going into the midpoint of the contest. KAT'S GOOD SCOUT - Is worth looking at and may be a wager - strong Equibase Speed Figures (78 average) at today's distance and surface recently. This horse has a fantastic win percent in dirt sprints.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Will Rogers Downs
Will Rogers Downs - Race 4

Exacta / Quinella / Trifecta (.50) / Superfecta (.10) / Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6)


Maiden Claiming $7,500 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 51 • Purse: $7,150 • Post: 2:19P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500.
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 * WINDMILL MAN: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest T rackMaster Power Rating. ACZAR: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. TACKSON: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
10
WINDMILL MAN
5/2

7/2
2
ACZAR
9/2

4/1
9
TACKSON
8/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
10
WINDMILL MAN
10

5/2
Front-runner
56

56

70.1

38.3

34.3
7
BUDS CHIKN
7

5/1
Alternator/Front-runner
51

47

65.7

27.0

17.0
2
ACZAR
2

9/2
Alternator/Stalker
61

53

54.3

44.6

38.1
9
TACKSON
9

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
56

49

35.8

33.6

24.6
5
QAUNICO
5

10/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

42.6

31.0

21.5
6
SUMMERSWEET ROAD
6

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

35.0

32.0

21.5
1
CHECOTAHSBOY
1

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

69.2

24.6

8.1
3
PRIME SUSPECT
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

59.7

24.6

10.6
11
BENDYLS PICQ ME
11

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

23.4

23.4

10.9
8
CCS JUSBLOWINSMOKE
8

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
44

27

0.0

21.4

2.4
4
PRETTY RICKY
4

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

17.3

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
the atlanta braves return to chicago to face the cubs on monday for a make-up game after a mid-april rainout, and they roll into town atop the national league east while owning one of the best records in baseball. the braves' last game at wrigley field featured the cubs scoring nine times in the eighth inning in a wild 14-10 victory, but atlanta is 16-9 since with a staff era of 3.69 after taking three of four in miami to move nine games above .500 for the first time since july 29, 2014.

sean newcomb gave up one hit in six shutout innings of sunday's 4-3 win, the braves' 10th victory in their past 14 games as atlanta pitchers have posted a 2.95 era in that span while averaging 9.1 strikeouts per game. chicago entered sunday having won five games in a row, which followed a five-game losing streak that came after another five-game winning streak, and right on cue lost to the white sox 5-3. chicago had scored 50 runs in its previous five games before sunday, but finished with just three hits in losing at home for just the third time in its past 14 games. second baseman javier baez, who came into sunday leading the nl in rbis with 34, drove in two more sunday on a first-inning single.
tv: 2:20 p.m. et, mlb network, fs southeast (atlanta), wgn (chicago)
pitching matchup: braves rh julio teheran (3-1, 3.14 era) vs. cubs lh jose quintana (4-2, 4.42)

like most of atlanta's starting rotation, teheran has pitched very well in his past few starts, giving up only three runs over 23 innings across his past four outings. he fired six shutout innings wednesday at tampa bay with no walks and seven strikeouts, six days after carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning in holding the new york mets to two hits and no runs. teheran, who has a 0.86 whip in his past five starts, is 2-1 with a 3.09 era in seven career starts against chicago.
quintana has settled down after a rough three-start stretch, posting a 0.53 era and a .197 opponents batting average in his past three outings, striking out 16 in 17 innings. that is far better than his first four outings, when the 29-year-old surrendered four runs or more three times, including allowing seven with four walks in 2 1/3 innings against the braves on april 14. quintana beat miami on wednesday, giving up one run on five hits in six innings.
walk-offs

1. the cubs stole a season-high five bases sunday, including two by lf kyle schwarber, who began the day with four steals in 231 career games.

2. atlanta of preston tucker is 6-for-14 as a pinch-hitter this season, and delivered a rbi single off the bench in the ninth inning sunday.
3. after monday's make-up game, the cubs will follow the braves to atlanta to open a three-game series tuesday.

prediction: cubs 5, braves 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
two struggling teams on the business end of blowouts in their last outings look to regain their footing on monday when the visiting tampa bay rays open a three-game series versus the kansas city royals. tampa bay was blitzed for 17 runs and 19 hits on sunday en route to its sixth loss in seven outings. while kansas city fell for the fourth time in five contests with an 11-2 setback in cleveland.

wilson ramos saw his 18-game hitting streak come to halt in sunday's 17-1 shellacking, but c.j. cron pushed his current run to six games, during which he is 10-for-25 with a homer and three rbis. neither player enjoyed much success against the royals last year as ramos went 2-for-12 versus kansas city and cron went 1-for-9 as a member of the los angeles angels. whit merrifield erupted for three homers among his seven hits in 2017 against tampa bay and carries a seven-game hitting streak into monday's encounter. the 29-year-old had an rbi single in sunday's rubber match against the indians to improve to 11-for-26 with four runs scored during his hitting streak.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, espn, fs sun (tampa bay), fs kansas city
pitching matchup: rays lh ryan yarbrough (2-2, 4.30 era) vs. royals lh eric skoglund (1-2, 6.34)

yarbrough answered a sterling five-inning performance on may 4 with a disastrous one on wednesday, as he allowed five runs on six hits in a 5-2 setback against atlanta. the 26-year-old lamented missing the target on what was expected to be a fastball away, which resulted in a three-run homer to nick markakis to cap a four-run third inning. the blast was the third in five appearances permitted by yarborough, who will be receiving his first look at kansas city.
skoglund received his second straight no-decision on wednesday after yielding three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings at baltimore. the 25-year-old has been taken deep in three straight outings and five of six this season, including in his lone win of the season in which he allowed just two hits over seven frames versus the chicago white sox on april 28. like yarbrough, skoglund will be making his first career appearance against tampa bay.
walk-offs

1. kansas city c salvador perez has eight hits - including three homers - 11 rbis and six runs scored in his last seven games.

2. tampa bay lf denard span had an rbi single in sunday's finale versus the orioles to give him five hits in his last five outings.

3. the royals open a six-game stretch at kauffman stadium with just six wins at home, which is tied for second-fewest among all major-league teams.

prediction: royals 4, rays 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
the cleveland indians will take their power bats to the road when they begin a three-game series at the detroit tigers on monday. an 11-2 win over the kansas city royals on sunday was the third in the last four games for the indians, who hit three home runs in the contest and have slugged 12 over a five-game stretch.

streaking shortstop francisco lindor did not go deep in the win but he was 3-for-4 and is batting .476 with eight home runs during a 14-game hitting streak. the tigers opened their homestand by taking two of three from the seattle mariners, rallying in the ninth for a 5-4 victory sunday. they managed 10 hits in the contest despite playing without the meat of their order, as rookie jeimer candelario (wrist) and nicholas castellanos (finger) both sat while veteran slugger miguel cabrera (hamstring) remains on the disabled list. cleveland swept four straight from detroit at home in april to extend their winning streak in the series to 11 in a row.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, sportstime ohio (cleveland), fs detroit
pitching matchup: indians rh carlos carrasco (5-1, 3.61 era) vs. tigers rh mike fiers (3-2, 4.73)

carrasco tied for the american league lead in wins last year with 18 and is tied for second early in 2018 after a complete-game triumph at milwaukee on wednesday. he struck out 14 batters - one shy of his career high - while allowing five hits in the outing, lowering his opponents' batting average to .226. one of carrasco's two complete games this year came in a dominating effort against detroit on april 11, which left him 11-7 with a 3.67 era in his career against the tigers.
fiers failed to complete six innings for the fourth time in six starts his last time out but he limited the texas rangers to two runs in 5 1/3 innings to get the win. the 32-year-old has issued only five walks in 32 1/3 innings - one or fewer in each start. yonder alonso is 6-for-14 with two doubles and three walks against fiers, who owns a 2.42 era in four career starts against cleveland.

walk-offs
1. indians cf bradley zimmer (chest) missed the entire series against kansas city.

2. detroit has managed only 13 total runs during its 11-game losing streak to cleveland.

3. indians 3b jose ramirez has five home runs over his last nine contests.

prediction: indians 6, tigers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
sean manaea didn't have fond memories of the boston red sox after getting battered in his three previous starts before flipping the script with a no-hitter in a 3-0 gem on april 21. the 26-year-old left-hander hopes his newfound success against the red sox carries over to monday when the oakland athletics continue their 10-game road trip with the opener of a three-game set.

manaea's no-hitter did not come without controversy as andrew benintendi was ruled out for venturing wide of the baseline on an apparent two-out single in the sixth inning. the 23-year-old benintendi is riding a six-game hitting streak and fellow outfielder mookie betts has multi-hit performances in six of his last 11 contests following sunday's 5-3 victory over toronto. while boston (28-12) won three of four against the blue jays to wrap up a 6-4 road trip, oakland (19-21) has dropped five of six after dropping the rubber match of a three-game series to the new york yankees. jed lowrie, who had an rbi single in sunday's 6-2 setback, went 5-for-13 with three doubles and two rbis against his former team in the first series on april 20-22.

tv: 7:10 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: athletics lh sean manaea (4-4, 2.11 era) vs. red sox rh rick porcello (5-0, 2.79)
manaea answered the 12th no-hitter in athletics' franchise history with a one-run performance over seven innings against houston to pick up his third straight win on april 27. back-to-back four-run outings have ensued for the left-hander, who has seen his era elevate from 1.03 to 2.11. betts has homered twice among his four hits versus manaea, while xander bogaerts is 4-for-7, but the hurler sports a 2-2 career mark against boston despite being saddled with a 7.52 era.
porcello received his third no-decision in four outings on wednesday despite surrendering season-high totals in runs (five) and hits (eight) in 5 1/3 innings against the yankees. the 2016 american league cy young award winner also permitted three walks for the second time in four trips to the mound after issuing just one free pass in his previous four starts. lowrie is 3-for-5 in his career versus porcello, but the 29-year-old right-hander has flustered marcus semien (0-for-12, four strikeouts) en route to posting a 6-5 mark in 14 appearances against the athletics.
walk-offs

1. boston of j.d. martinez, who homered and drove in three runs in sunday's series finale, went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in two games versus oakland this season.

2. semien has recorded multi-hit performances in three straight games overall and two of the three versus the red sox last month.
3. boston 2b eduardo nunez carries a six-game hitting streak into the series versus oakland, against which he had three hits in a 7-3 win on april 20.

prediction: red sox 5, athletics 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

13th May 2018 by Gracenote
the seattle mariners dropped a road series for the first time in 2018 over the weekend, but it is another loss that threatens the club's ability to stay in the thick of the american league west race for the foreseeable future. the mariners play their first game of the season without eight-time all-star second baseman robinson cano on monday when they visit the minnesota twins in a make-up game for an april 8 postponement.

seattle, which entered sunday's series finale in detroit with a 5-0-2 record in series play on the road, saw cano leave in the third inning after he was hit on the hand by a pitch, and the tigers added insult to injury with a walk-off hit in the ninth to take the three-game set. the 2017 all-star mvp was later diagnosed with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand and is out indefinitely, although the mariners will wait until he visits with a specialist tuesday before announcing how long he will be sidelined. the twins return to target field for the start of a nine-game homestand after concluding a 7-3 road trip with a 2-1 defeat against the los angeles angels on sunday. minnesota had been on quite the offensive roll prior to the loss, scoring at least four runs in 12 consecutive contests.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, root northwest (seattle), fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: mariners lh wade leblanc (0-0, 3.18 era) vs. twins rh jake odorizzi (3-2, 3.83)

leblanc will make his third straight turn in place of the injured erasmo ramirez, attempting to build upon strong showing in his each of his first two starts. the louisiana native gave up only a solo homer among the four hits he allowed over five innings wednesday at toronto after tossing four scoreless frames against oakland on may 3. leblanc has faced minnesota three times in his career - all in relief - and worked a total of 2 1/3 perfect innings.
odorizzi permitted only one run on two hits over five frames in tuesday's victory at st. louis, marking the fourth time in eight turns he has allowed one run or fewer. the 28-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.76 era in his last three outings after going 1-2, 4.50 through his first five turns. nelson cruz (7-for-20) and mitch haniger (2-for-2, grand slam) each have a home run and four rbis versus odorizzi, who was tagged for 15 runs (10 earned) in a pair of losses to seattle last year.
walk-offs

1. cano, who ranks second in the majors among second baseman with a .385 on-base percentage, has played in at least 150 games in 11 consecutive seasons.

2. minnesota of eddie rosario went 0-for-4 on sunday but is still batting .385 with six home runs and 15 rbis in may.
3. seattle 1b ryon healy is hitting .349 with seven homers and 15 rbis in 16 contests since missing the same number of games with a sprained right ankle.

prediction: mariners 4, twins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 05-14-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the arizona diamondbacks look to snap out of their funk when they host the milwaukee brewers on monday night to open a three-game series between a pair of national league division leaders. the nl west-leading diamondbacks have lost a season-high five straight games and scored only 10 times during that stretch, including a 6-4 setback against the washington nationals on sunday.

arizona, which holds a 2 1/2-game lead in the division, scored three runs in the seventh inning to tie it up sunday night before the bullpen coughed up two more as the diamondbacks dropped to 13-10 at home. left-hander patrick corbin has been the best starting pitcher for arizona and will get a chance to end the slide when he takes the mound against righty junior guerra in the series opener. milwaukee leads the crowded nl central race by one-half game to start the week after winning three of four at colorado, capped by a 7-3 triumph sunday as rookie pitcher freddy peralta struck out 13 in his major league debut. lorenzo cain, who was rested sunday, is 9-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak and hernan perez is 7-for-14 in the first four contests of the road trip for the brewers.
tv: 9:40 p.m. et, fs wisconsin (milwaukee), fs arizona
pitching matchup: brewers rh junior guerra (2-3, 3.09 era) vs. diamondbacks lh patrick corbin (4-0, 2.12)

guerra has dropped three straight decisions, giving up nine runs, 12 hits and six walks over 10 innings in the last two starts after opening the season with four strong outings. the 33-year-old venezuela native allowed three runs (two earned) across 22 innings in his first four starts of the season. guerra is 0-1 with a 3.09 era in two starts against arizona and is 1-1 with a 1.59 era in two outings on the road this season.
corbin has struggled with his command of late, yielding six walks in the last two starts, but has limited opponents to three or fewer runs in all eight of his outings - two or fewer in six. the 28-year-old new york native has not registered a decision in his last three starts while permitting five runs over 17 2/3 innings after going 4-0 in the first five with a 1.89 era. jonathan villar is 5-for-10 against corbin, who is 2-4 with a 5.03 era in seven games (six starts) versus milwaukee.
walk-offs

1. milwaukee placed rhp chase anderson (illness) on the 10-day disabled list sunday and recalled rhp jorge lopez.

2. arizona 1b paul goldschmidt, a five-time all star who belted 36 homers last season, has not gone deep in his last 25 games.

3. brewers 3b travis shaw is 7-for-17 with two homers and four rbis over the last four contests.

prediction: diamondbacks 5, brewers 2