Tuesday 5-15-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:39 AM

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

Race 1 - Allowance - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $19300 Class Rating: 78

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN OR CLAIMING OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE APRIL 15 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 GRASSARLA 7/5

# 3 AQUARIUS 5/1

# 2 COLONIAL LASS 6/1

GRASSARLA looks very good to best this field. With Davila aboard her, this mare will almost certainly be able to break out sharply in here. Must be considered here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. Has a strong shot for this event if you like back class. COLONIAL LASS - Decent selection to take this race going in a dirt sprint. I can't pass on this filly given one of the strongest rider and conditioner combos on the grounds.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:39 AM

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

$1.00 Daily Double (Races 4-5) / Exacta .50 Cent Trifecta (Minimum $1.00 Wager) / . 50 Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6) .50 Cent Pick 4 (Races 4-5-6-7) / .10 Cent Superfecta

Claiming $3,200 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 63 • Purse: $5,000 • Post: 2:27P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2017 - 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE MARCH 15 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE IN 2018 ALLOWED 6 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,200.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. LAKE SNOW is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * LAKE SNOW: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest av erage Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. SHAKER MAKER: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
4
LAKE SNOW
7/5

3/2
5
SHAKER MAKER
9/5

7/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
LAKE SNOW
4

7/5
Front-runner
71

62

68.4

54.8

51.8
3
ROYAL RENAISSANCE
3

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
60

55

35.8

46.4

34.9
5
SHAKER MAKER
5

9/5
Alternator/Trailer
75

69

39.4

39.4

35.9
1
DEVIL ALERT
1

20/1
Alternator/Trailer
74

56

32.4

45.4

37.4
6
CIARA FOR THREE
6

12/1
Alternator/Trailer
70

51

14.4

42.2

29.7
7
DADDY'S WILDFLOWER
7

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

57

49.8

43.8

37.8
2
FLYER'S FANTASY
2

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
72

73

43.6

33.2

24.7

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:40 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Indiana Downs
Indiana Downs - Race 1

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / 50 Cent Trifecta / Superfecta 10 Cent Superfecta / 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3)

Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 85 • Purse: $11,000 • Post: 2:05P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 15, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Trailer. ALMOST ENGLISH is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ALMOST ENGLISH: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and trainer's win percentage with horses coming off a layoff is at least 25. Horse ranks in the top thre e in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. BENNY SPECIAL: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. STREET GRAY: Horse ran ks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
6
ALMOST ENGLISH
6/1

3/1
5
BENNY SPECIAL
8/5

9/2
1
STREET GRAY
7/5

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
BENNY SPECIAL
5

8/5
Front-runner
86

86

79.8

74.6

68.6
1
STREET GRAY
1

7/5
Front-runner
87

78

72.2

72.2

63.2
7
DR. CALAHAN
7

12/1
Stalker
89

73

59.2

68.4

60.4
3
CHIEF KNOCKAWAY
3

10/1
Stalker
83

72

47.3

67.6

58.1
6
ALMOST ENGLISH
6

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
99

84

52.3

72.2

67.2
2
HONEST FIGHT
2

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
94

88

87.2

70.4

66.4
4
HADDA NOTION
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
88

85

58.2

65.8

55.8

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:40 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Louisiana Downs - Race #5 - Post: 5:09pm - Maiden Special - 7.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $18,000 Class Rating: 69

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 N. D. FREE (ML=6/1)
#4 MISS BILLIE K (ML=5/1)
#8 BLUSHING KITTEN (ML=20/1)

N. D. FREE - Dominguez comes to race after getting to know the filly in the last event. This filly is back in a race very quick. This is a great angle - Sprinters that come back in less than 10 days after a race. A good sign of a sharp and ready racehorse. MISS BILLIE K - This first time turf runner is going to give these horses a run for their money. She came in second in her try on a sluggish track on Feb 10th. Should like the turf. Looking at today's Equibase class figure, this horse is up against an easier group than last out at Fair Grounds. This animal collects a lot of money per race. I believe she can increase the lifetime earnings today. BLUSHING KITTEN - Looking at today's class figure, this horse is up against an easier bunch than last race out at Fair Grounds. I'm focusing on the class of this magnificent animal, and this one is the 'classiest' of the bunch.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 SKY ENTRY (ML=5/2), #1 STAR PERFORMER (ML=7/2), #6 HUMOROUS KITTEN (ML=5/1),

SKY ENTRY - 5/2 is not worth the risk for any horse in a sprint of 7 1/2 furlongs that hasn't hit the board in a sprint event of late. STAR PERFORMER - Should have at least finished in the money in the last sixty days in a short distance event to be any kind of value at low odds in a sprint. Most unsatisfactory speed figure last out at Fair Grounds at 1 mile 70 yards. Don't think this pony will improve too much in today's race. HUMOROUS KITTEN - A pattern of declining speed figures 61/48/41 for this entrant. This horse ran a pedestrian speed fig last time around the track. She shouldn't run better and will likely suffer defeat in today's race running that rating.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #5 N. D. FREE to win if we can get at least 5/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
5 with [4,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [4,5,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[4,5,8] with [4,5,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] Total Cost: $36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:41 AM

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

Race 9 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6300 Class Rating: 60

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 15 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 HEAVENLY QUEST 6/1

# 1 MIRABELLE MAGIC 8/1

# 7 LUCKY STIFF 6/1

I like HEAVENLY QUEST here. This filly looks like a live longshot. Solid average Equibase Speed Figs in dirt sprint races make this equine a solid choice. She has been racing soundly recently while recording strong Equibase Speed Figures. MIRABELLE MAGIC - Should come out very solid - I have liked the way this filly has moved quickly to the lead recently. Is difficult not to examine based on Equibase Speed Figs which have been competitive - 51 avg - of late. LUCKY STIFF - Has ran soundly in dirt sprint races. The rapid return to the track points to a sound effort this time around.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:42 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Thistledown - Race #5 - Post: 3:40pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,300 Class Rating: 69

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 ROAN FEATHERS (ML=3/1)

ROAN FEATHERS - I like when a pony wins after shipping in from elsewhere. It shows that they really like the track here. I'll take this mare to win again. Puhl brings her back again. I recommend you stay with this hot mare.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 DUCHESS OF DUKE (ML=9/5), #1 VALENTINE NIGHT (ML=4/1), #4 BOSSY B (ML=6/1),

DUCHESS OF DUKE - Didn't end up on the board on December 28th at Gulfstream Park. Followed it up with another lackluster outing. VALENTINE NIGHT - I cannot play this confirmed non-winner. Gets the job finished now and then. May bounce off of that last extreme effort. BOSSY B - I can't play this confirmed non-winner. Gets the assignment fulfilled once in a while. Improbable that the speed fig she recorded on May 1st will hold up in this race.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Play #6 ROAN FEATHERS to win if you can get odds of 1/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Pass

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:42 AM

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
marcus morris and his boston teammates got the best of lebron james in the opener of the eastern conference finals. the second-seeded celtics look to stymie the cleveland star for the second consecutive contest when they host the fourth-seeded cavaliers on tuesday in game 2 of the best-of-seven series.

morris helped hold james to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting as boston roared to a 26-point halftime advantage en route to a 108-83 torching of cleveland in sunday's series opener. morris moved into the starting lineup and had 21 points and 10 rebounds after boasting prior to the opener that he is one of the best in the nba at defending james. "it's a team effort, man, it's not just me," morris told reporters after the easy victory. "everybody played their part in guarding him. he's obviously the best player in the game, and you need multiple guys and a team to guard him an entire game. i just think we did a great job of that." cavaliers veteran swingman kyle korver summed up the performance this way: "bad game, bad first game. there's lot of things we can do better in the next one."
tv: 8:30 p.m. et, espn
about the cavaliers: james also committed seven turnovers during his porous performance but he said he wasn't worried about his team trailing in the series. "i have zero level of concern at this stage," james told reporters. "i didn't go to college, so it's not march madness. you know, you get better throughout the series. you see ways you can get better throughout the series. but i've been down 0-1, i've been down 0-2, i've been down before in the postseason. but for me, there's never no level of concern, no matter how bad i played tonight with seven turnovers, how inefficient i was shooting the ball." james had plenty of company in the subpar shooting category as cleveland shot 36 percent from the field, including a woeful 4-of-26 from 3-point range.
about the celtics: morris was one of three boston players to reach the 20-point mark in the opener as shooting guard jaylen brown recorded 23 points and eight rebounds and center al horford had 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. but the decision to elevate morris into the starting power forward spot was the big difference-maker as a player who was just 18-of-59 shooting in the five-game series against philadelphia made 7-of-12 shots and effectively hounded james. "he was able to really force the issue in the offensive end and make lebron exert so much energy because then he has to come down and really guard him," backup point guard marcus smart told reporters. "can't take plays off against really good players."

buzzer beaters

1. celtics sf jayson tatum scored 16 points in game 1 to halt his franchise rookie record of seven straight games of 20 or more points.

2. cleveland pf/c kevin love (17 points) was just 5-of-14 shooting in the opener after averaging 25 points on 26-of-48 shooting over the previous three playoff games.

3. boston pg terry rozier had just eight points in game 1 but also had eight assists against just one turnover.

prediction: cavaliers 113, celtics 107

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 05:42 AM

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the suddenly struggling tampa bay lightning look to begin digging out of a deep hole in the eastern conference final series when they visit the red-hot washington capitals for game 3 on tuesday night. the lightning dropped the first two games of the series at home by a combined score of 10-4 and a team has not rebounded from down 2-0 to win a conference final since pittsburgh beat boston in 1991.

"i'm confident in our group," tampa bay coach jon cooper told reporters monday. "they've got 113 points (in the regular season) for a reason. ... they've got a ton of experience, and when their backs have been against the wall, they've shown the propensity to fight back. this is a tough one. we lost two at home and it's definitely not an ideal situation. but we're not done. it's not over." washington lost the first two games at home in the first-round series against columbus, but won four in a row to move on and are 10-2 in the last 12 games after scoring the final five goals of sunday's 6-2 triumph. the capitals have scored seven of their 10 goals at even strength and tampa bay, which dominated boston while playing 5-on-5 in the semifinal series, has scored three of its four on the power play in the opening two contests. "it's huge, but it's not over yet," washington captain alex ovechkin, who scored in each of the first two games, told reporters. "we're going to (have to) come back home and do our thing and take another one. it's going to be hard. they have tremendous players over there and we just have to play the same way and don't give them anything."
tv: 8 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, sportsnet, tva
about the lightning: the team has plenty of confidence in vezina finalist andrei vasilevskiy, who has allowed 10 goals in five periods of hockey during this series with little help from his defense after posting a .927 save percentage in the first two rounds. "we all have tremendous belief in him, and he's a rock for our team," tampa bay defenseman anton stralman told reporters. "he's going to be back and be his best. we're not making his job easier by executing our game plan defensively and offensively. the scoring chances are way up compared to the previous series and that's on us, not him." captain steven stamkos has scored in four of his last five games while compiling seven points in that stretch.
about the capitals: lars eller is prospering after moving up to the second-line center role with nicklas backstrom (hand) missing the last three games, recording two goals and two assists in the first two contests of this series. "he's got all the qualities of a playoff-type player," washington coach barry trotz told reporters of eller. "he's big. he's strong. he's got some experience. he's very competitive. he's got a good skill level. he's playing to his ability right now. ... he's one of the guys that's stepped up in a major way for us." ovechkin, who shares the team lead with kuznetsov at 19 points in the playoffs, is the second washington player to reach 10 goals in a postseason run by joining john druce (14 in 1990).
overtime

1. washington d john carlson has three assists in the series and 13 points in the playoffs, most by a capitals blue liner in team history.

2. tampa bay d victor hedman boasts a seven-game point streak, passing martin st. louis (2004) for the franchise playoff record.

3. the capitals are 0-2 in their playoff history when winning the first two games of a series on the road, including a loss to tampa bay in 2003.

prediction: capitals 4, lightning 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:17 AM

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

colorado rockies rookie noel cuevas belted his first career home run on monday, hours after learning that he would be starting at second base for injured starter dj lemahieu. cuevas figures to be in the lineup again tuesday as the rockies conclude their brief two-game set against the host san diego padres.

the 26-year-old cuevas batted second in monday's 6-4 victory while filling in for lemahieu, who was hitting .279 with five home runs and 13 rbis before landing on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb that could require surgery. "we're concerned about it,'" manager bud black told reporters. "we're trying to be optimistic on this one, but we will have to wait and see." the rockies opened their nine-game road trip with three home runs among their 11 hits against san diego, which lost for the fifth time in its last eight games despite a strong showing from shortstop freddy galvis, who went 3-for-4 and came within a homer of hitting for the cycle. the padres purchased the contract of outfielder franmil reyes from triple-a el paso prior to the game and promptly inserted him into the starting lineup, where he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts from the sixth spot in the order.
tv: 3:40 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (colorado), fs san diego
pitching matchup: rockies rh german marquez (2-4, 5.35 era) vs. padres rh jordan lyles (0-1, 3.28)

marquez lost for the third time in his last four starts last thursday against milwaukee, allowing five runs on 12 hits across 4 2/3 innings. the 23-year-old has recorded a 10.34 era in four home starts compared to a 1.96 era in four outings away from coors field. marquez is 2-1 with a 5.48 era in six career games (four starts) against san diego, including 1-1 with an 8.03 era in three career games (two starts) at petco park.
lyles moved into the rotation last thursday in place of struggling bryan mitchell and earned another start after limiting st. louis to two runs (one earned) over five frames. the 27-year-old, who played for colorado from 2014-17 before being released last august, began the season by holding opponents scoreless in 10 of his 13 relief appearances. carlos gonzalez is 7-for-13 with two home runs against lyles, who owns an 0-3 record and 6.07 era in 10 career games (four starts) against his former team.
walk-offs

1. padres 3b christian villanueva snapped an 0-for-37 slump with a fourth-inning single on monday.

2. the rockies recalled inf pat valaika from triple-a albuquerque to take lemahieu's place on the roster.
3. san diego optioned 2b carlos asuaje to triple-a el paso.

prediction: rockies 6, padres 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:18 AM

New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the washington nationals have emerged from their early-season doldrums in a big way and will put their hot streak to the test when they host the powerful new york yankees in an intriguing two-game interleague matchup beginning tuesday in the nation's capital. a four-game sweep at the first-place arizona diamondbacks gave the nationals 13 victories in their last 15 games after they opened the year 11-16.

the yankees have been just as hot, winning 19 of 22, including a 6-2 triumph sunday afternoon behind giancarlo stanton, who went 4-for-4 with a home run and three rbis. "up and down the lineup, we can hurt you a lot of different ways," center fielder brett gardner told reporters. "it seems like a different guy every day. today it was big g coming through." the nationals have relied a bit more on their outstanding pitching, although mark reynolds shined in his season debut with a pair of homers in sunday's 6-4 win over the diamondbacks. gio gonzalez has been a stalwart in the rotation for washington but carries a 1-5 record and a 6.65 era in eight career starts against the yankees into the series opener opposite new york's masahiro tanaka.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, yes (new york), masn (washington)
pitching matchup: yankees rh masahiro tanaka (4-2, 4.66 era) vs. nationals lh gio gonzalez (4-2, 2.22)

tanaka gave up four runs and a season-high eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against boston his last time out, also tying a season low with three strikeouts. the 29-year-old has yet to get through seven innings after doing so 13 times in 2017. tanaka won his only prior start against washington with seven innings of one-run ball at yankee stadium in 2015.
gonzalez has allowed one run or fewer in five of his eight starts, including three straight - the latest of which saw him strike out a season high-tying eight batters in six innings. the 32-year-old has surrendered one home run in 44 2/3 innings on the season. stanton is 6-for-31 with no home runs and nine strikeouts against gonzalez, who is 10-13 with a 4.50 era in interleague action.
walk-offs

1. new york is beginning a stretch in which it plays 19 of 25 on the road.

2. washington rf bryce harper was 5-for-18 with a home run and two doubles in the sweep of arizona after going 0-for-16 with five strikeouts over his previous four contests.

3. the yankees have a 15-13 lead in the all-time series but the nationals won three of four when they last played in 2015.

prediction: nationals 5, yankees 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:18 AM

Chicago White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the chicago white sox have dropped 27 of their first 37 games with much more losing expected on the horizon during a rebuilding season, but there are some lights at the end of the tunnel with matt davidson perhaps the brightest. the 27-year-old designated hitter tries to homer in his third straight contest when chicago begins a two-game series tuesday against the pirates in pittsburgh.

"it's fun when you see everyone on the team contributing and playing how we think we can play,'' davidson told reporters after belting his team-leading 11th home run in sunday's 5-3 victory over the cubs - the white sox's second win in their last 13 games. "it's pretty cool. obviously, we come here to win every day, and after the last couple of losses we had, it's a good win." the pirates are coming off a 5-0 loss to san francisco on sunday, snapping a five-game winning streak that included a pair of victories over the white sox. pittsburgh (23-17) is also supposed to be in rebuilding mode but finds itself in a four-team scrimmage with milwaukee, st. louis and the cubs for the national league central lead. the pirates' trevor williams opposes reynaldo lopez in a rematch from wednesday, when neither earned a decision as the pirates scored four times in the ninth to win 6-5 and cap a sweep of the two-game set in chicago.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, nbcs chicago, at&t sportsnet-pittsburgh
pitching matchup: white sox rh reynaldo lopez (0-2, 2.44 era) vs. pirates rh trevor williams (4-2, 3.13)

lopez pitched a career-high 7 1/3 innings wednesday, allowing two runs (solo homers to jordy mercer and gregory polanco), three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. the 24-year-old dominican has yielded more than two earned runs only once in seven starts with a 1.13 whip and .198 batting average against this season. lopez is 1-0 with a 1.42 era in two games (one start) versus pittsburgh.
williams permitted four runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings wednesday, marking the second straight outing and third time in eight starts this season he didn't reach the sixth frame. the 26-year-old californian, who was facing chicago for the first time, allowed two-run homers to tim anderson and rookie daniel palka. williams, whose era went up .50 after his last start, boasts a 1.17 whip and .213 batting average against.
walk-offs

1. pirates lf corey dickerson (club bests of .319 average among qualified batters, 27 rbis) went 0-for-4 on wednesday, kicking off a 2-for-12 stretch after going 7-for-10 with four rbis in his previous two games.
2. chicago owned the second-worst era in baseball at 5.35 through sunday's games, including a major-league worst 5.78 among starters.

3. pittsburgh's francisco cervelli (.305, six home runs, 24 rbis) batted leadoff sunday, becoming the first catcher in franchise history since jason kendall to hit first since oct. 3, 2004.

prediction: pirates 3, white sox 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:18 AM

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the philadelphia phillies have shown they can step to the plate at citizens bank park, with their recent 5-1 homestand improving their mark to 16-6 in the city of brotherly love. the phillies have dropped six of their last nine outside the city limits, however, as they head down i-95 to begin a six-game road trip on tuesday with the opener of an abbreviated two-game series versus the baltimore orioles.

after initially providing pennies on the dollar, carlos santana has started paying significant dividends on the three-year, $60 million contract he signed in the offseason. the 32-year-old dominican went deep in philadelphia's 4-2 triumph over the new york mets on sunday, marking his fifth homer in nine outings while improving to 12-for-37 with 16 rbis and eight runs scored in that stretch. baltimore has discovered its offense while taking three of four from tampa bay, as the club belted four of its dozen homers in the series in sunday's emphatic 17-1 romp over the rays. "there's really no explanation for why april went the way it did," said danny valencia, who homered to highlight a career high-tying four-hit performance.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, nbcs philadelphia, masn2 (baltimore)
pitching matchup: phillies rh nick pivetta (2-2, 4.15 era) vs. orioles rh andrew cashner (1-4, 4.84)

pivetta answered a brutal outing with one of his best of the season on wednesday, scattering four hits and striking out seven over five scoreless innings in an 11-3 romp over san francisco. the 25-year-old british columbia native, who emerged victorious for the first time since april 5, had been blitzed for six runs - including two homers - in one inning in his previous start. pivetta and the rest of the phillies starters have stepped up their game this month, with the group posting a 1.99 era with 67 strikeouts in 11 games while holding opponents to a .209 batting average.
cashner received his second straight no-decision and saw his winless stretch extend to six outings (0-3) on wednesday despite allowing three runs on six hits in six innings versus kansas city. the 31-year-old was taken deep for the fifth straight outing against the royals, raising his home run total to 10 in 44 2/3 innings after surrendering just 15 in 166 2/3 frames in 2017. cesar hernandez (5-for-11, four walks) and odubel herrera (6-for-14, two homers) have taken cashner to task, but the right-hander sports a 4-1 career mark versus the phillies.
walk-offs

1. herrera has reached base in 41 consecutive games, which is tied with pete rose (1982) and don hurst (1929) for the fifth-longest streak in phillies' franchise history.
2. orioles 3b manny machado is 9-for-24 with four homers, 11 rbis and eight runs scored in his last six games.

3. philadelphia 3b maikel franco has answered a seven-game hitting streak with a 1-for-11 rut with three strikeouts in his last three contests.

prediction: phillies 4, orioles 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:18 AM

Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

14th May 2018 by Gracenote
the boston red sox have dipped back into second place in the american league east for just the second time since the beginning of april. they will try to bounce back from a homestand-opening loss to the oakland athletics when the teams continue a three-game series at fenway park on tuesday.

the athletics utilized three solo homers and 11 hits overall to take the series opener 6-5 on monday, dropping the red sox to 11-11 since their 17-2 start and a half-game behind the idle new york yankees in the division. j.d. martinez homered among two hits for boston and the slugger has gone deep in six of his last 12 games while pushing his average to .346. he will take aim at oakland right-hander daniel mengden, who owns a 2.95 era over his past 13 starts dating to last season. the red sox turn to eduardo rodriguez in the middle game of the set as they look to snap a three-game losing streak against the athletics.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), nesn (boston)

pitching matchup: athletics rh daniel mengden (2-4, 4.06 era) vs. red sox lh eduardo rodriguez (3-0, 4.58)
mengden allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, including a hard-luck loss against houston on wednesday in which he let up two runs over 6 2/3 innings. the texas a&m product has issued five walks in 44 1/3 innings and got through 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball against boston last month without issuing a free pass. jackie bradley jr. is 3-for-5 against mengden, who will be making his first career appearance at fenway park.
rodriguez has 24 strikeouts in 15 innings over his last three starts after fanning eight in five scoreless at yankee stadium on thursday. the venezuela native also has 21 strikeouts in 13 2/3 frames at home but his era at fenway park sits at an unsightly 5.93. oakland slugger khris davis is 0-for-10 with five strikeouts against rodriguez, who is 2-0 with a 1.64 era in three career starts against the athletics.

walk-offs

1. davis homered in monday's win and has eight long balls in 21 road games.

2. boston rf mookie betts had two hits in the loss to raise his major league-leading average to .362.
3. oakland is 7-2 in one-run games.

prediction: red sox 5, athletics 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-15-2018, 08:18 AM

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 05-15-2018

15th May 2018 by Gracenote
the detroit tigers finally ended a long losing streak in the series against their american league central rivals and can creep within one game of first place when they host the cleveland indians on tuesday night. the tigers had dropped 11 in a row against the indians, including four by a combined score of 18-5 this year, before rookie niko goodrum belted a pair of homers and knocked in five for a 6-3 win monday.

detroit is without two-time mvp miguel cabrera (hamstring), while promising third baseman jeimer candelario (wrist) was placed on the 10-day disabled list monday; outfielder nicholas castellanos (finger) has also missed the last two games, but he could return during the series. the tigers have still won three of four and hope to improve on that with left-hander francisco liriano on the mound tuesday against cleveland right-hander josh tomlin, whose only solid start this season was against detroit on april 10 when he permitted four hits in five scoreless innings. the indians (20-20) dropped back to .500 after leaving eight on base in the series opener and not building on a jose ramirez solo homer in the top of the first inning. cleveland's all-star shortstop francisco lindor extended his career-long hitting streak to 15 games with a ninth-inning run-scoring single monday and boasts eight homers and 16 rbis during his run.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, sportstime ohio (cleveland), fs detroit
pitching matchup: indians rh josh tomlin (0-4, 8.06 era) vs. tigers lh francisco liriano (3-1, 3.35)
tomlin pitched a season-high seven innings in last time out against the new york yankees on may 4, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks in a no-decision. the 33-year-old texan has given up at least five runs in four of his five starts in 2018, yielding 13 homers over 25 2/3 innings overall. castellanos is 10-for-31 with a homer versus tomlin, who is 7-6 with a 4.87 era in 17 games (13 starts) against the tigers.

liriano owns four quality starts in seven outings this season, including six innings of two-run ball in a loss at cleveland on april 9. the 34-year-old dominican gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings of a no-decision at texas on wednesday - his second straight after going 2-0 in the previous three outings. rajai davis is 12-for-36 with a homer against liriano, who is 5-7 with a 4.11 era in 21 appearances (16 starts).
walk-offs

1. cleveland lf michael brantley is 8-for-22 with 10 rbis during a four-game hitting streak.

2. the tigers recalled inf dawel lugo from triple-a toledo to take candelario's place on the roster.
3. indians of greg allen is 5-for-9 over the last two games after going 0-for-12 with six strikeouts in his first five contests of 2018.

prediction: indians 7, tigers 5

Tuesday 5-15-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Tuesday 5-15-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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