Sunday 5-20-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #5 - BELMONT PARK - 3:36 PM EASTERN POST
8.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $12,500.00 CLAIMING $25,000.00 PURSE

#2 MIDNIGHT BOUNTY
#1 DOINWHATSHELIKES
#4 RITZY LASS
#6 MADAME BARBARIAN

#2 MIDNIGHT BOUNTY has hit the board in each of her last five outings, winning in her 5th race back, and each of her last four outings also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." Jockey Jose Ortiz has been her irons on one previous occasion, scoring with a win, en route to a +440% return on investment in the process, and is back today here at Belmont Park for his 2nd ride, gunning for another "Circle Trip." #1 DOINWHATSHELIKES has turned in three straight "Circle Trips," hitting the board in a pair, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in her 2nd race back.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 78

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 20, 2017. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 HURRICANE PASS 4/1

# 7 WHISKEY SHINER 5/2

# 1 NOTANINJA 7/2

HURRICANE PASS has a solid shot to take this race. Ran a sharp last race. The quick return to the races points to a sound effort this time out. WHISKEY SHINER - Displays solid Equibase speed figs on average overall when compared with the rest of this group. Reason to like this horse as he has in the irons one of the best jocks using winning percentages over the last 30 days. NOTANINJA - He has put up formidable numbers under today's conditions and will almost certainly fare well versus this group. Paucar will almost certainly be able to get this gelding to break out quickly here.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Emerald Downs - Race #4 - Post: 3:24pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $7,800 Class Rating: 70

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 SOUTHERN BLEND (ML=5/2)
#1 ALIANTE (ML=8/5)


SOUTHERN BLEND - This is the only real pace presser in the race. Ran last time out against a better group of horses at Golden Gate Fields. The move down in class ranks should suit him well. ALIANTE - Looking at today's Equibase class figure, this horse is up against an easier bunch than last time around the track at Emerald Downs. Ranked number one in (EPS) earnings per start. Another sign that this horse is the class of the race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 HOW'S MY HERO (ML=9/2), #2 KID TRICKEY (ML=5/1), #7 PISTOL POWER (ML=8/1),

HOW'S MY HERO - The fourth place finish position in the last event was not the greatest. This entrant ran a common speed figure last out. He shouldn't run much better and will probably lose today running that fig. KID TRICKEY - Not probable for this horse to make a winning move with no recent good showings in a short distance affair. The very long layoff since September 17th is somewhat discouraging. PISTOL POWER - Generally I need a sprinter to have some recent good showings in short distance contests in order to back him. Earned a substandard speed figure last race out in a $25,000 Maiden Optional Claiming race on November 7th. Unlikely to see an improved performance off of that figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 SOUTHERN BLEND is the play if we get odds of 2/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 1 - Claiming - 7.5f on the Turf. Purse: $24000 Class Rating: 83

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR THREE YEAR OLDS. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 20 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000 (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 MOONSHINE CATE 8/1

# 4 DIXIELAND DUDES 5/1

# 5 MS. VIOLETTE 5/2

My selection in this competition is MOONSHINE CATE especially at a such a nice price. Earning some nice paychecks in turf sprint contests. DIXIELAND DUDES - Expect a speed boost today from this horse going off blinkers. The price might be right on this one. MS. VIOLETTE - Has a strong shot for this event if you like back class. Her 78 average has this mare with among the most respectable Speed Figures in this race.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

$2 First Half Daily Double $2 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $2 Trifecta ($1 Box)


Maiden • 330 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 66 • Purse: $1,600 • Post: 1:00P
QUARTER HORSE 330Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. (OPEN TO MIXED BREED)(IDAHO BREDS PREFERRED)(PURSE TO BE ADJUSTED. -ENTRY $175.00, ($100 TO PURSE - $50 TO JOCKEY - $25 TO INSURANCE).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * ROYAL FURY: Quarter horse has the highest last race Equibase Speed Rating. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. DOWN BY THE CREEK: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
3
ROYAL FURY
10/1

7/2
1
DOWN BY THE CREEK
7/2

7/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
DOWN BY THE CREEK
1

7/2
Slow
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0
3
ROYAL FURY
3

10/1
Slow
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0








Unknown Running Style: YOUR FLYS DOWN (8/1) [Jockey: Erickson Dallas - Trainer: Hyde Tony], CROWN APPLE (8/1) [Jockey: Ramirez Nakia - Trainer: Larsen Matt Carter], MISS WINNING COWGIRL (5/1) [Jockey: Torres Raymundo - Trainer: Wheeler Don], BK RICOC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunray Park
Sunray Park - Race 8

Daily Double / $1 Exacta / 50 Cent Trifecta / 10 Cent Superfecta Second Leg Pick 3 / Third Leg Pick 4


Claiming $7,500 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 92 • Purse: $7,500 • Post: 4:03P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED) (ANY THOROUGHBRED OVERNIGHT RACE WITH EIGHT OR MORE STARTERS WILL RECEIVE A 20% INCREASE IN PURSE MONEY). NEW MEXICO BRED CLAIMING PRICE $10,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Trailer. ZACH'S DASH is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DESERT MYSTERY: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. SURF N SKI: 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. ZACH'S DASH: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Ho rse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
3
DESERT MYSTERY
5/2

7/2
6
SURF N SKI
3/1

9/2
4
ZACH'S DASH
6/1

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
6
SURF N SKI
6

3/1
Front-runner
88

90

94.0

82.0

78.5
5
ROMAN PLEASURE
5

8/1
Front-runner
80

78

64.2

64.0

52.0
3
DESERT MYSTERY
3

5/2
Alternator/Front-runner
93

93

71.6

86.8

82.8
4
ZACH'S DASH
4

6/1
Trailer
83

80

37.0

79.6

72.1
7
MOOSEWOOD
7

9/2
Alternator/Non-contender
79

78

62.0

67.6

57.6
2
E P WHO
2

7/2
Alternator/Non-contender
78

74

56.6

64.8

51.3
1
CONEJOS
1

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
86

77

56.0

76.8

71.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Woodbine - Race #6 - Post: 3:51pm - Optional Claiming - 8.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $61,000 Class Rating: 100

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#8 MARCH TO THE ARCH (ML=8/1)
#2 COOLER MIKE (ML=7/2)
#1 NEEPAWA (ML=8/5)


MARCH TO THE ARCH - Stalking speed. My associates and I like this horse. Always beware the longer priced equine when a trainer has an 'uncoupled' entry in a race. COOLER MIKE - Nosowenko brings him right back. I recommend you stick with this hot gelding. 'Blinkers On' is a time-honored positive angle in handicapping the races. NEEPAWA - Just check out his last speed fig, 100. That one fits in this field. Ran a quick time for the last quarter on March 31st at Gulfstream Park. Anything close in this event should get the job done.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 PIPERS WARRIOR (ML=3/1), #5 IT'S FATE (ML=6/1),

PIPERS WARRIOR - In the last affair this less than sharp equine finished fifth. Doesn't look good for his chances this time out. IT'S FATE - Doubtful that this pony will be at his best today off the long turnout. Maybe next time.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#8 MARCH TO THE ARCH is going to be the play if we are getting 7/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
the golden state warriors seized homecourt advantage from the houston rockets in their best-of-seven western conference finals, and that's proven to be a pretty significant edge for the defending champs. the warriors put a 15-game home winning streak in the playoffs - tied for the nba record - on the line when they host the rockets in a critical game 3 on sunday night.

to keep its run alive and set a new league standard, golden state needs to recover from a 22-point loss in game 2 that saw guards stephen curry and klay thompson struggle to shoot a combined 10-for-30 from the floor. "i've gone 0-for-11 before shooting 3s and 1-for-8, whatever the case is," curry told reporters friday. "i always shoot that next shot with the optimism and confidence that it's going in. so, you can work on stuff between practices and games to get your rhythm, just seeing the ball going in and working on your mechanics, but [i'll] never lose confidence in myself. that'll never change." houston sees an opportunity to take back control of the series and insists it is unfazed as it enters two straight games in oakland. "the challenge is you're playing golden state," rockets coach mike d'antoni told reporters. "that's why they've won 15 in a row, not because of the building, but because they're good. i mean, everybody, all these players are used to playing in hostile environments or loud or whatever. i mean, it helps a little bit. sometimes you feed off the energy also from the other crowd. so you try to take them out as soon as you can and take out the crowd, but they're a good basketball team."
tv: 8 p.m. et, tnt
about the rockets: point guard chris paul had 16 points, six assists and three steals in the game 2 win while fighting through a calf issue that he says will not hold him back for sunday's tilt. "his foot was bothering him a little bit," d'antoni told the media of paul, who returned to practice friday. "it shouldn't be a problem. just normal. nothing that would sideline him or anything. he's good." eric gordon scored 27 points while making 6-of-9 from 3-point range in game 2 after averaging 9.7 points and hitting 5-of-18 from beyond the arc over his previous three contests.
about the warriors: coach steve kerr is one of many on the golden state side hoping that a change of venue will help his team rediscover its mental edge. "game 2 everything changed," kerr told knbr's tolbert and lund. "we gave up easy hoops. pj tucker got two wide open 3s in the corners in the second quarter. that got him going. everything that houston needed to get going, they got it. some of it was their doing, some of it was lack of intensity and focus, and we've got to be better with that." kevin durant has carried the load offensively by averaging 37.5 points on 55.1 percent shooting in the series.
buzzer beaters
1. tucker scored 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting in game 2 after going 35 minutes without a field goal in game 1.

2. thompson needs four points to move past hall of famer rick barry (1,776) and into second place on the franchise's all-time postseason scoring list.
3. houston took the only meeting in oakland during the regular season with a 122-121 victory, as durant's jumper at the buzzer was ruled too late.

prediction: warriors 116, rockets 111

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
the vegas golden knights have seized every opportunity during their spectacular inaugural season, and now stand one win from the stanley cup finals entering game 5 of the western conference finals sunday at the winnipeg jets. after dropping the opening game of the series, the golden knights have ridden marc-andre fleury's outstanding goaltending, an impressive performance from their top line and the ability to counter winnipeg's every punch to a 3-1 series lead.

"the fact we always bounce back right away when they get (a goal) and keep the momentum on our side, i think has been the key to the series," fleury told reporters after vegas captured game 4 with a 3-2 victory on reilly smith's go-ahead goal with 6:58 to play. four times in the series, vegas has scored fewer than 90 seconds after a winnipeg goal, and the golden knights have netted the game's opening tally in winning each of the past three games. winnipeg played well for long stretches of each of the past two games, only to come away with two road losses that has put the jets' season on the brink following a hard-fought seven-game series victory over nashville in the conference semifinals. "in our minds, this series is far from over," jets defenseman tyler myers told reporters after game 4, in which he scored the game-tying goal early in the third period. "we're going back home for the next one and we'll focus on that."
tv: 3 p.m. et, nbc, cbc, sportsnet, tva
about the golden knights: vegas' top line of william karlsson, jonathan marchessault and smith shined yet again in game 4, combining for two goals and two assists. that was more than enough for fleury, who made 35 saves overall and robbed winnipeg several times in facing 27 shots in the final two periods. vegas has excelled in the past two games by hounding the jets in the neutral zone, finishing game 4 with 24 takeaways and blocking 25 shots.
about the jets: goaltender connor hellebuyck made 26 saves but allowed three goals in losing his third game in a row, and his save percentage during the losing streak is .895. winnipeg applied waves of pressure in the final two periods and outshot the golden knights 37-29 in the game, sparked in part by a strong performance from jack roslovic and mathieu perreault on the third line (both finished plus-1). patrik laine picked up a power-play goal friday, giving the 20-year-old five tallies in 16 playoff contests.
overtime

1. jets f nikolaj ehlers, who missed game 3 with illness, played 16:35 in game 4 but remains scoreless in the postseason after netting 29 goals in the regular season.
2. vegas f david perron played 13:51 after missing the past two games with illness.

3. winnipeg f blake wheeler recorded his league playoff-leading 18th assist on laine's goal.

prediction: jets 3, golden knights 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
mookie betts gets another chance to take aim at the baltimore orioles' pitching staff when he leads the boston red sox into the finale of a four-game series at fenway park on sunday. betts slugged his major league-leading 15th home run - a two-run shot - to help the red sox secure a 6-3 victory saturday night.

the 25-year-old is 7-for-13 with two homers and two doubles in the series and has gone deep 14 times in 43 matchups with the orioles over the past three years. betts and his teammates will get a look at rookie right-hander david hess, who is expected to be called up to make sunday's start for baltimore. the orioles enter the finale with a 4-18 record on the road, a 1-5 mark against the red sox and a 5-12 showing in day games. they'll face lefty eduardo rodriguez, who has kept baltimore slugger manny machado (6-for-28, no home runs) in check over the years.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, masn 2 (baltimore), nesn (boston)

pitching matchup: orioles rh david hess (1-0, 4.50 era) vs. red sox lh eduardo rodriguez (3-1, 4.68 era)
hess won his first career start last saturday against tampa bay, allowing three runs - all in the first inning - in six innings before being sent back down to the minors. the 24-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.12 era in six starts for triple-a norfolk this year while recording 29 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. hess owns a 4.04 mark in five seasons in baltimore's system.

rodriguez followed up five scoreless innings at yankee stadium with five innings of three-run ball in a loss to oakland on tuesday at home. he struck out only four but got through the outing without allowing a walk for the first time this year. the 25-year-old dominated the orioles through six innings to pick up his first win of the season april 13 while improving to 4-5 with a 4.35 era in 11 career meetings.
walk-offs

1. red sox cf jackie bradley jr. is 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in the series and is batting .161 in 38 games.

2. orioles dh/3b pedro alvarez slugged a two-run homer saturday and has eight long balls in 86 at-bats on the year.
3. boston is 13-1 in series finales this season.

prediction: red sox 6, orioles 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
the oakland athletics have received a lot of mileage from the long ball on their 10-game road trip that concludes with the finale of a four-game set against the toronto blue jays on sunday afternoon. the athletics have homered in all nine games on the trek, including chad pinder's dramatic eighth-inning grand slam in saturday's 5-4 victory.

pinder's blast capped a five-run inning that erased a 4-0 deficit, lifting oakland to its third consecutive victory and fifth win in the last six games. khris davis collected two more hits saturday and is 7-for-13 in the series for the athletics, who are 6-3 on the trip against american league east foes new york, boston and toronto. the skidding blue jays have dropped six of sevento fall two games below .500 for the first time since losing the first two of the season and will try to avoid a four-game sweep when they send winless joe biagini to the mound. toronto's gio urshela belted a two-run homer in saturday's defeat, the 11th loss in the last 14 at home to assure the team of a sixth straight winless series (0-4-2).
tv: 1:07 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), tvas, sportsnet (toronto)
pitching matchup: athletics rh daniel mengden (3-4, 3.75 era) vs. blue jays rh joe biagini (0-2, 7.98)

mengden ended a four-start winless string with a strong performance last time out in boston, limiting the red sox to two runs (one earned) on eight hits over six innings. it marked the fifth time in six starts he yielded two runs or fewer, a span in which he has walked a combined three batters. mengden made his lone career start against toronto in july 2016 and was roughed up for seven runs over 3 1/3 innings.
biagini has made three appearances this season -- all spots starts -- and may be running out of chances after failing to get through five innings in his last two outings. he was tagged for four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to boston on may 13 and six runs and 10 hits at cleveland 10 days earlier. opponents are batting .317 against biagini, who has lost 15 of 18 decisions since the start of the 2017 season.
walk-offs

1. oakland improved to a major league-best 8-2 in one-run games.

2. toronto of teoscar hernandez returned to the lineup after a two-game absence but was hitless in five at-bats.

3. athletics lhp brett anderson went on the disabled list after exiting friday's game due to a shoulder strain.

prediction: athletics 6, blue jays 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york mets own consecutive wins for the first time in more than a month and have a chance to complete a three-game series sweep when they host the arizona diamondbacks on sunday. a two-run homer by devin mesoraco pulled the mets into a tie and wilmer flores' sacrifice fly in the ninth gave them a walk-off 5-4 victory over the reeling diamondbacks on saturday.

michael conforto followed up a four-hit effort in the series opener with a two-run homer for new york and is 9-for-17 with seven rbis in his last five home games against arizona. the diamondbacks have been alone in first place in the national league west since april 1 but their lead is down to a half-game amid a woeful 1-9 stretch. clay buchholz will be making his first start since april 11, 2017, after signing as a free agent with arizona earlier this month. he will be opposed by fellow right-hander noah syndergaard, who has a 2.72 era in his career at citi field.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, fs arizona, pix 11 (new york)

pitching matchup: diamondbacks rh clay buchholz (2017: 0-1, 12.27 era) vs. mets rh noah syndergaard (3-1, 3.14)
buchholz had a 2.93 era in five minor league starts for kansas city and arizona before getting called up. the two-time all-star made only two starts for philadelphia last season before having surgery in april to fix a torn flexor tendon. buchholz was pounded for six runs in 2 1/3 innings in his only prior matchup with the mets on april 11, 2017, which was also his last outing with the phillies before the surgery.
syndergaard picked up his first win in more than a month his last time out despite lasting only five innings against toronto, allowing two runs and striking out seven. he has a 3.71 era and has allowed 21 hits and seven walks in 17 innings over three starts this month - all at home. daniel descalso is 3-for-6 against the 25-year-old, who is 2-1 with a 2.89 era in three career starts against arizona.

walk-offs

1. arizona has lost six times by two runs or fewer in its last 10 games.

2. diamondbacks 1b paul goldschmidt homered for the first time in more than a month saturday and has hit all five of his long balls this year on the road.
3. the mets have a 71-70 advantage in the series.

prediction: mets 5, diamondbacks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
The Chicago Cubs will try to notch another series victory over the Cincinnati Reds when the National League Central rivals wrap up a four-game set Sunday in Cincinnati. The Cubs are 42-19 against the Reds since the start of the 2015 season after splitting a doubleheader with Cincinnati on Saturday.

Chicago has taken two of the first three games of the series to improve to 22-10 at Great American Ball Park over the past three-plus seasons. The Reds claimed a rare win over the Cubs on Billy Hamilton's bases-loaded walk in the 11th inning for a 5-4 victory in the opener of Saturday's twinbill. Chicago dominated the nightcap 10-0 and has outscored Cincinnati 22-6 in the first three games of the series. The Reds have lost four of their last six following a six-game winning streak, while the Cubs have alternated losses and wins in their past six contests.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Yu Darvish (0-3, 5.56 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (3-5, 4.34)
Darvish experienced cramping in his right calf Tuesday at Atlanta and was pulled after four innings for precautionary reasons. The 31-year-old has lasted six innings only twice in his first seven starts with the Cubs. Darvish is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two starts against the Reds.

Mahle is coming off his shortest outing of the season after allowing four runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings in a loss at San Francisco on Tuesday. The 23-year-old has struck out 46 and walked 16 in 47 2/3 innings, but he has allowed 10 home runs in nine starts. Mahle dominated the Cubs in his season debut, striking out seven and allowing one hit over six scoreless innings in a win.
WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs OF Ian Happ homered in both games of Saturday's doubleheader, the first Cubs player to do so since Chris Coghlan in 2014.

2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, including seven multi-hit games.

3. The Cubs have homered in 21 of their past 25 games at Great American Ball Park.

PREDICTION: Reds 5, Cubs 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 05-20-2018

19th May 2018 by Gracenote
christian villanueva was on the verge of losing his job after going hitless for nearly two weeks, but the same powerful bat that performed so well in april appears to be back. the san diego padres look to secure their first series win in pittsburgh since 2014 on sunday when they face the pirates in the finale of their four-game set.

after hitting .338 with eight homers and 19 rbis in april, the 26-year-old third baseman promptly hit another home run in his first at-bat of may before falling into a 0-for-36 slump that led manager andy green to consider giving more playing time to cory spangenberg. villanueva finally got out of his rut with a single against colorado on may 14 and is 4-for-9 with two homers and four rbis over his last three games, including a solo shot and rbi double in saturday's 6-2 victory over pittsburgh. while san diego is 9-8 this month after going 10-20 in march and april combined, pittsburgh has lost consecutive games after winning eight of its previous nine. the offense that served the pirates so well during their surge (.293 average, 6.3 runs per game) has fallen on hard times over the last two contests, hitting .215 as a team while scoring a total of four runs.
tv: 1:35 p.m. et, fs san diego, at&t sportsnet pittsburgh
pitching matchup: padres rh jordan lyles (1-1, 2.53 era) vs. pirates rh trevor williams (5-2, 2.72)

lyles' bid for a perfect game fell five outs short against his most recent employer tuesday versus colorado, recording a career high-tying 10 strikeouts and the win after allowing a single and a walk. the 27-year-old south carolinian, who is filling the rotation spot occupied by the injured joey lucchesi, permitted one earned run in five frames of a loss to st. louis in his first turn of the season five days earlier. lyles has struggled mightily versus pittsburgh, going 0-5 with a 7.82 era in nine appearances (seven starts).
williams produced his second scoreless start of at least six innings this season tuesday against the chicago white sox, allowing six hits and striking out six while throwing 94 pitches in seven frames. the arizona state product has limited the opposition to two or fewer runs in seven of his nine outings and is 3-1 with a 2.22 era in four turns at home this season. right-handed batters are hitting .200 against williams entering his first career start versus san diego.
walk-offs

1. the pirates' defeats over the last two days mark only the second time this season they have dropped consecutive home games.

2. san diego 1b eric hosmer went 0-for-4 with a walk saturday, ending his seven-game hitting streak as well as his four-game rbi streak.
3. pittsburgh ss jordy mercer, who ended a string of 16 hitless at-bats with an infield single friday, went 3-for-3 and knocked in a run saturday.

prediction: pirates 3, padres 2