Monday 5-21-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
for all the excitement they've provided as the overachievers in the nba playoffs, the boston celtics have struggled to find success on the road, a trend they will try to reverse when they take on the host cleveland cavaliers in game 4 of the eastern conference finals on monday. the cavaliers followed up a pair of double-digit losses in boston to begin the series before rolling to a 116-86 win in game 3 back home.

cleveland raced to a 20-4 lead and never looked back against a celtics team that shot 39.2 percent from the floor and made six 3-pointers, their lowest total this postseason. "the toughest team sets the rules," boston point guard terry rozier told reporters. "they came out aggressive from the jump and never looked back. we've got to play aggressive from the tip. tonight, we were all over the place, playing too fast and doing things we didn't want to do." lebron james scored 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting - including 3-of-3 from 3-point distance - and handed out 12 assists in a dominant all-around effort that got his team back in the series. "even when things broke down, we just covered for one another," james told the media. "we made them make extra passes. we made them make extra dribbles. we were flying around, and i just happened to be one of the guys on the floor that wanted to fly around as well."
tv: 8:30 p.m. et, espn
about the celtics: boston is 1-5 on the road in the playoffs but it knows that a victory would've been elusive no matter where they played game 3. "if we would have played like that in boston, we would have gotten beat," coach brad stevens told reporters after his team also tied a playoff low with 16 assists while getting outrebounded 45-34. jaylen brown is averaging 11.3 points on 42.3 percent shooting in the past three road games - compared to 23.3 on 59.6 percent in the past three at home - after being limited to 10 points with one assist and three turnovers in game 3.
about the cavaliers: starting guards george hill and j.r. smith combined to make six 3-pointers and score 24 points saturday after they put up a pair of clunkers in boston, while reserve sharpshooter kyle korver made all five of his shot attempts - four from long range - en route to 14 points in 20 minutes. another complementary player stepped up on the defensive end as center tristan thompson stifled celtics big man al horford, who was limited to seven points in game 3 - his first single-digit showing since march 20. "you've got to give a lot of credit to tristan because horford is really the one that makes them go," teammate kevin love told the media. "[horford] can play a little bit of the point forward. he can do a lot of the intangibles that even for their team might not show up on the box score as well. but he did a great job on him tonight, and he's done a great job on him the last two games."
buzzer beaters
1. james is averaging 34.5 points on 58.5 percent from the floor and 12 assists in the last two games, and he needs six made baskets to pass kareem abdul-jabbar (2,356) for the all-time nba playoff record.
2. celtics pg shane larkin (shoulder) has missed four straight games and there is no timetable for his return.

3. cavaliers pf larry nance jr. had eight points on 4-of-4 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals in game 3 after a pair of scoreless outings in boston.

prediction: cavaliers 108, celtics 101

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
the washington capitals looked unstoppable after posting two straight road victories to open the eastern conference finals, but one week later they are fighting for survival as they host the tampa bay lightning for game 6 on monday night. the capitals have dropped three straight, including saturday's 3-2 setback in tampa bay, as the lightning moved within a victory of their third trip to the stanley cup finals and second in four years.

"a lot of people counted us out when we were down 0-2 (to columbus) in the first round. things got hard in the last series (against pittsburgh) and we could have melted, and we just kept playing," washington defenseman matt niskanen told reporters. "so that's what we've got to do again. bring our best effort for game 6 at home, win a game, and then we'll go from there." the capitals battled back after falling behind 3-0 in game 5, outshooting tampa bay 26-9 in the final 40 minutes, and hope to carry that momentum over on home ice where they are 3-5 in the postseason. the lightning have won five of six on the road in the playoffs and goalie andrei vasilevskiy has been outstanding in three straight wins while turning aside 100 of the 106 shots he has faced to improve to 11-4 in the postseason, but they know there is plenty of work to do. "we have a lot of unfinished business. this isn't even close to being over," tampa bay right wing ryan callahan told reporters. "this last game is definitely the hardest. ... to go in their building and try to close them out, it's going to be tough."
tv: nbc sports network, cbc, sportsnet one, tva
about the lightning: callahan, along with "fourth line" mates cedric paquette and chris kunitz, have played a big part defensively against the alex ovechkin unit the last three games and contributed two goals and two assists in game 5. "they played a winning role for our team and they inspire everyone," tampa bay coach jon cooper told reporters. "they pull our team into the fight, that's what they do." right wing nikita kucherov notched an assist in game 5 to take over the team lead with 17 points, one better than captain steven stamkos and fellow center brayden point, while left wing ondrej palat has at least a point in three straight contests and 12 overall.
about the capitals: washington gave up a goal in the first minute in each of the first two periods saturday after trailing through the opening 20 minutes in both game 3 and 4 at home, forcing it to chase the lightning most of all three contests. "we know we've got to come out with a better start at home, give our fans something to cheer about, and play the brand of hockey at home that we've had so much success (at) over the past years to this point," defenseman john carlson told reporters. center evgeny kuznetsov has scored in four consecutive games and owns at least a point in eight straight to break the franchise record for points in a single postseason (22).
overtime

1. paquette's goal saturday was his first in the playoffs since the winning tally in game 3 of the 2014-15 stanley cup finals against chicago.

2. washington c nicklas backstrom is a minus-2 with six shots on net in two games since returning from a hand injury that forced him to sit out four.
3. the lightning failed on the only power play chance in game 5, but are 6-for-15 in the series while the capitals are 3-for-14 and haven't converted since game 2.

prediction: lightning 4, capitals 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Assiniboia Downs
Assiniboia Downs - Race 5

.20 PICK 3 (Races 5-6-7) / .20 SUPERFECTA / .20 TRIACTOR / EXACTOR / QUINELLA


Claiming $1,500 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 87 • Purse: $7,500 • Post: 3:32P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 21. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $1,500.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. SHE BE FAST is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SHE BE FAST: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and trainer's win percentage with horses coming off a layoff is at least 25. Horse racing of f a layoff of 90+ days and horse has run well in the past in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff. NOT TOO SHINY: 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. GOLD JOURNEY: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
8
SHE BE FAST
10/1

5/2
7
NOT TOO SHINY
7/5

5/1
6
GOLD JOURNEY
8/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
8
SHE BE FAST
8

10/1
Front-runner
67

64

65.4

62.8

53.8
3
CARMEN'S PICTURE
3

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
63

57

63.6

59.8

52.3
7
NOT TOO SHINY
7

7/5
Alternator/Stalker
97

90

63.5

57.8

55.8
6
GOLD JOURNEY
6

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
90

81

50.1

58.0

49.5
9
SAUCY SHADOW
9

3/1
Alternator/Non-contender
67

54

60.0

55.2

47.2
4
PLUNGE
4

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
70

68

53.8

47.4

35.9
2
MISS CAMELOT
2

25/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

56

44.0

50.4

36.4
5
SECRET APPEAL
5

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
77

70

38.7

56.2

46.7
1
JOYFUL GLOW
1

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
65

52

26.6

51.8

35.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 4 - Claiming - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $11000 Class Rating: 84

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE APRIL 20, 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 21 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE MARCH 21 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000, FOR EACH $500 TO $3,000 3 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 DEVIL IN DISGUISE 5/2

# 9 MAGGIE'S GUY 5/1

# 2 CEDERBERG 4/1

DEVIL IN DISGUISE is my choice. Is hard not to look at based on Speed Figures which have been quite good - 79 avg - of late. Is a key contender - given the 83 speed figure from his most recent race. Has been racing admirably and has among the top speed in the race for today's distance. MAGGIE'S GUY - He has been running solidly recently while recording strong speed figures. A nice return on investment of +85 with this rider and trainer combo. CEDERBERG - With a decent 79 Equibase Speed Figure last time out, will clearly be a factor in this race. The average Equibase class rating of 77 makes this one tough to beat.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

First Half $2 Early Daily Double (Races 1 &2) $.50 Trifecta $1 Exacta Box ($.20) Superfecta


Claiming $15,000 • 5 Furlongs • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 75 • Purse: $12,000 • Post: 7:00P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 21 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $15,000 (W V A BRED RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY). (IF NECESSARY WILL BE RUN SAME DISTANCE MAIN TRACK.).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. RUN TO FREEDOM is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * RUN TO FREEDOM: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ha s the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. ROYAL SILK: 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 ranks in the to p three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
4
RUN TO FREEDOM
3/1

2/1
8
ROYAL SILK
4/1

9/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
AMERICAN COTTON
1

8/1
Front-runner
81

74

91.8

75.0

69.0
5
MY WAY TAPPER
5

5/1
Front-runner
83

82

63.4

67.6

58.6
6
HOT SPECIAL
6

6/1
Stalker
79

73

85.4

68.6

54.6
8
ROYAL SILK
8

4/1
Stalker
88

85

81.5

80.4

73.9
4
RUN TO FREEDOM
4

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
98

93

99.8

86.0

82.5
9
ARGOT
9

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
0

0

68.8

65.6

59.1
2
SPOILED BY GOD
2

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
81

80

77.2

71.8

62.3
7
STORMY SANDY
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
67

60

62.6

46.5

31.0
3
G F BUDDERS
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
82

70

54.8

67.8

58.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 5 - Maiden Special Weight - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $19000 Class Rating: 70

FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 FLASH THE CASH 9/5

# 3 MIRACLE PUNCH 7/2

# 2 LITTLE BRIAN 3/1

FLASH THE CASH is my choice. Should come out very strong - I have liked the way this colt has moved promptly to the lead recently. Ran a strong last race. MIRACLE PUNCH - Is worth considering and may be a bet - strong Equibase Speed Figures (59 average) at today's distance and surface lately. Will likely be one of the leaders of the bunch going into the halfway point of the outing. LITTLE BRIAN - Well above average win rate at this distance/surface. Must be given a shot based on the strong Equibase Speed Figure garnered in the last outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #9 - Post: 4:31pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $19,000 Class Rating: 72

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 APPEALING MISS (ML=6/1)
#8 BALHARBOUR MISS (ML=5/2)
#10 MOON SHOCK (ML=8/1)


APPEALING MISS - This mare likes to be near the lead. Today's affair is a shorter trip and should enhance her chances of winning. Rosado and Caraballo getting together are a horseplayer's friend. Traditional handicapping theory - 3rd or 4th start after a layoff generally leads to a big effort. Going to run a nice one here. Running over a familiar track, where she has won multiple times before, I have to put this horse at the top of my list of contenders in this race. BALHARBOUR MISS - Haddock rode this horse for the initial time last time around the track and comes right back this time. I think the shorter trip will help this filly stay the trip. Trainer, Milian, has been deliberate with this filly off the layoff. Look for a solid effort today. This horse coming off a solid race in the last month is a solid contender in my humble opinion. MOON SHOCK - Ocasio and Velazquez perform well when they team up. It's hard to beat a +213 ROI for a rider and trainer. Velazquez brings her right back. I advocate you stay with this live filly.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 LITTLE CATON (ML=9/5),

LITTLE CATON - Not likely for this entrant to make a winning move with no recent good showings in a short distance event.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 APPEALING MISS is the play if we get odds of 2/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with [8,10]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,8,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[1,8,10] with [1,8,10] with [1,6,7,8,10] with [1,6,7,8,10] Total Cost: $36

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Woodbine - Race #1 - Post: 1:00pm - Maiden Optional Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $34,000 Class Rating: 82

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 POQUITO BANDITO (ML=3/1)
#3 SILENT EDGE (ML=10/1)


POQUITO BANDITO - I figure that this shorter trip should help this gelding. SILENT EDGE - I like this first-timer mainly because his morning workouts for this have been here at Woodbine. I know the stable is serious today. The gelding gets Lasix for the 1st time.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 YALLHAVEANICEDAY (ML=2/1), #2 CHESTERMERE (ML=4/1), #6 SPRING EDITION (ML=9/2),

YALLHAVEANICEDAY - Not probable that the speed rating he recorded on May 5th will hold up in this clash. CHESTERMERE - If he goes off close to the morning line odds of 4/1, I'll have to pass. SPRING EDITION - Tough to play any thoroughbred in a short distance clash at 9/2 when he hasn't shown any successful efforts in sprints in the last two months. If you keep playing these kind of 'hanger' types, you're going to be disillusioned most of the time.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #1 POQUITO BANDITO on top if we're getting at least 3/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,3]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
the philadelphia phillies host the atlanta braves in the opener of a three-game series monday, an interesting matchup of two rebuilding teams that have accelerated their timetable with strong starts in 2018. the first-place braves lead the phillies by 1 1/2 games in the national league east, and while division titles are not won in may, the way both teams have pitched this season is a big reason why they could contend deep into the summer.

one season after the phillies finished 18th in the majors in era (4.55) and the braves were 24th (4.72), both teams are ranked in the top 10 - atlanta sixth at 3.51 and philadelphia eighth at 3.56. the braves got an uncharacteristic poor pitching performance from julio teheran before a six-run ninth capped a frantic 10-9 victory at home against miami on sunday, but their rotation is 19-8 on the season while the bullpen has vastly improved after a poor start - a big reason why atlanta is 21-1 when leading after six innings. the phillies, who lost 5-1 on sunday at st. louis, have experienced similar success as their starters have posted 17-12 record while their bullpen sports a 3.77 era. philadelphia's aaron nola, who pitched sunday, has established himself as one of the top starters in the nl and veteran jake arrieta sports a 2.82 era while giving the phillies a key veteran presence in the rotation.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, fs southeast (atlanta), nbcs philadelphia
pitching matchup: braves rh mike foltynewicz (3-2, 2.87 era) vs. phillies rh nick pivetta (3-2, 3.72)
foltynewicz walked a season-high five hitters in his last start, a no-decision on tuesday against the chicago cubs, but struck out a season-high 10 while limiting the damage to one unearned run. the 26-year-old has not allowed an earned run in his past two starts, giving up six hits across 10 innings. foltynewicz makes his 10th start of the season and his fourth against philadelphia, going 1-0 with a 2.12 era and 21 strikeouts in 17 innings in the first three.

pivetta gave up just two hits over seven innings with one run allowed and a career high-tying 11 strikeouts in a victory at baltimore on wednesday. the 25-year-old faces atlanta for the fourth time this season, having allowed eight runs in 14 innings while going 0-1 with a 1.50 whip in the first three. since allowing six runs in one inning against washington on may 4, pivetta has given up just one run on six hits with 18 strikeouts in his past two starts (12 innings).
walk-offs

1. atlanta cf ender inciarte, winner of two consecutive gold gloves, left sunday's game after six innings following a hard crash into the outfield wall two frames earlier.
2. phillies cf odubel herrera's streak of reaching base safely ended at 45 consecutive games sunday despite making it to first on a dropped third strike in the ninth inning, which does not extend the run.

3. the braves and phillies will not meet after this series until sept. 20, then the two teams will play seven times in the season's final 11 days.

prediction: phillies 4, braves 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
the washington nationals bid for their first victory in eight days on monday when they open a three-game series against the visiting san diego padres. the nationals (24-21) had won 13 of 15 before seeing one game suspended and two more postponed due to mother nature, then getting unceremoniously swept by the los angeles dodgers.

trea turner launched a two-run shot in the third inning of sunday's 7-2 setback to increase his eight-game total to eight hits - including three homers - and seven runs scored for washington since going 1-for-10 in a three-game set against san diego. bryce harper went 1-for-10 with five strikeouts in the weekend series versus the dodgers but hopes to rebound versus monday starter robbie erlin, against whom he is 4-for-4 with five rbis in a small sample size. san diego (20-28) benefited from a four-run ninth inning to record a series victory with sunday's 8-5 triumph over pittsburgh. freddy galvis has 10 hits and six runs scored during his last seven games overall for the padres, although he went 1-for-11 in the previous set against washington and is 11-for-45 versus monday starter gio gonzalez.

tv: 7:05 p.m. et, fs san diego, masn (washington)
pitching matchup: padres lh robbie erlin (1-2, 3.46 era) vs. nationals lh gio gonzalez (4-2, 2.36)
with left-hander joey lucchesi nursing a hip injury, erlin will be ushered into making his second spot start this season after recording four consecutive scoreless outings in which he allowed a total of four hits while striking out four. the 27-year-old, who has been limited to just one inning since last monday, permitted six runs in three frames in his lone previous start against the dodgers on april 16. in addition to harper, erlin has been tormented by anthony rendon (4-for-6, homer) and the current crop of nationals (10-for-16, two homers, 11 rbis).
gonzalez was saddled with the first of his two straight no-decisions on may 9 despite allowing one run on five hits over six innings against san diego. the 32-year-old received the same fate six days later, although he issued four walks to drive up his pitch count (111) against the new york yankees in a suspended game. eric hosmer is 5-for-10 with two homers in his career versus gonzalez, although the southpaw owns a 3-2 mark with a 3.21 era in seven career appearances against san diego despite allowing the padres to bat .299 against him.
walk-offs

1. san diego 3b christian villanueva has six hits - including three homers - and six rbis with three runs scored in his last four games.
2. rendon is mired in a 2-for-23 stretch in his last seven contests since going 5-for-12 with three extra-base hits against the padres.

3. san diego lf jose pirela, who has hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games, went 4-for-9 in the previous series versus the nationals.

prediction: nationals 5, padres 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york mets are riding high after the first sweep of at least three games at citi field in two years while the miami marlins are down in the dumps after squandering a six-run lead in their series finale versus atlanta. the mets (23-19) hope to continue their good fortune on monday when they open a three-game home series versus the marlins (17-29), against whom they outscored 16-9 in a three-game sweep from april 9-11.

amed rosario became the youngest met to record a multi-homer game since lastings milledge in 2007 by going deep twice and asdrubal cabrera added a two-run shot in sunday's 4-1 win over arizona. cabrera launched a pair of homers in new york's 8-6 triumph over miami on april 10 to highlight a series in which he went 4-for-12 with four runs scored, while rosario had three hits and three runs scored in the set's first two contests. while the mets are 4-1 on their eight-game homestand, the marlins saw leads of 6-0 and 8-2 go by the boards en route to losing for the ninth time in 13 outings with sunday's 10-9 setback in atlanta. lewis brinson belted a grand slam in the series finale versus the braves, but went 0-for-9 with four strikeouts in the previous set against the mets.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, fs florida (miami), sny (new york)
pitching matchup: marlins rh elieser hernandez (0-0, 2.25 era) vs. mets lh jason vargas (0-3, 13.86)

hernandez acquitted himself well in his first career major league start on wednesday, yielding one run on three hits in five innings of a no-decision versus the los angeles dodgers. the 23-year-old venezuelan primarily relied on his fastball, as he went to that pitch on 51 of his 75 deliveries to the plate. "in spring, he was just a kid with a good look on his face, no. 1," manager don mattingly told the sun-sentinel of the rule 5 draft pick. "he's been aggressive. he was aggressive in spring. we've seen him pitch a couple of times now. he throws the ball over the plate. he doesn't seem to be fazed."
manager mickey callaway opted to give right-hander zack wheeler an extra day of rest and is shuffling vargas to the mound, with the latter pitcher receiving his first start since may 8. the 35-year-old has struggled mightily in three outings this season, as he was taken deep five times in his previous two and allowed four runs on six hits over four innings of a 7-2 setback to cincinnati in the last one. cameron maybin is 4-for-6 and starlin castro is 3-for-8 versus vargas, who lost his lone career appearance against miami after permitting four runs on eight hits across six innings.
walk-offs
1. miami rf brian anderson has four multi-hit performances in his last six outings and had three hits in the previous series against new york.

2. mets 3b wilmer flores carries a four-game hitting streak into monday's tilt versus the marlins, against whom he had three extra-base hits (two doubles, homer) in two games earlier this season.

3. miami has yielded at least seven runs in seven of its last 13 games.

prediction: mets 6, marlins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

20th May 2018 by Gracenote
the arizona diamondbacks hope to ignite their dormant offense as they continue a nine-game road trip monday against the milwaukee brewers in the opener of a three-game series between a pair of national league division leaders. the diamondbacks have lost four in a row and 10 of their last 11 contests, managing just 22 runs in that stretch, to see their lead over colorado in the nl west shrink to one-half game.

arizona was the victim of a three-game sweep by the new york mets on the first leg of its trek, collecting six singles while giving up four runs over the sixth and seventh innings in sunday's 4-1 loss as it fell to 11-9 overall on the road after winning 10 of its first 14 away from home. the diamondbacks' only win in their last 11 games was a 2-1 triumph over milwaukee on tuesday, when zack greinke allowed one run over six innings in a no-decision, and the veteran faces his former team again monday while chase anderson gets the nod for the brewers. milwaukee, which leads the nl central, was unable to complete a three-game sweep of minnesota over the weekend as it fell 3-1 in sunday's finale but still has won seven of its last 10 contests. jesus aguilar has been red-hot for the brewers of late, belting four homers and knocking in six runs over his last three games while hitting safely in five straight (8-for-19) to raise his batting average to .333.
tv: 7:40 p.m. et, fs arizona, fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: diamondbacks rh zack greinke (3-2, 3.46 era) vs. brewers rh chase anderson (3-3, 3.97)
greinke has allowed fewer than two runs in five of his nine starts, including each of the last three - a stretch during which he did not receive a decision while surrendering 13 hits over 18 2/3 innings. the 34-year-old floridian has recorded four quality starts over his last six outings and registered 58 strikeouts while issuing only seven walks in 54 2/3 frames this season. aguilar is 2-for-5 with a double and a homer versus greinke, who is 1-3 with a 3.75 era in seven career games (six starts) against milwaukee.
anderson returns from the disabled list after sitting out two weeks due to an illness to make his ninth start of the season and vie for his fourth win in six appearances. the 30-year-old texan has given up nine runs on 11 hits - three homers - and six walks over 10 2/3 innings in his last two starts following his longest outing of the season - a seven-frame effort in which he yielded just one run in a loss to the chicago cubs. nick ahmed is 2-for-5 against anderson, who is 2-1 with a 1.88 era in four career games versus arizona.
walk-offs

1. arizona 1b paul goldschmidt is 36-for-79 with 10 doubles, seven homers and 20 rbis in 20 career games at miller park.

2. the brewers have won all 16 games in which lhp josh hader has pitched, and the 24-year-old has recorded 56 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.

3. the diamondbacks have committed the fewest amount of errors in the major leagues (14) while milwaukee has made 32, which is tied for second-to-last in the nl.

prediction: diamondbacks 6, brewers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york yankees, who lead the major leagues in runs scored and also own the best record (30-13), look to feast on another struggling team when they visit the texas rangers on monday for the opener of their three-game series. the yankees posted 18 runs over the weekend to win the final two games of a three-game set against kansas city (14-32) and prepare to play rangers (18-30), who reside in the american league west cellar.

slugger giancarlo stanton continues to turn around his season, going 10-for-20 with a pair of home runs over his last five games to raise his batting average to .263, while aaron hicks went 7-for-12 with a homer for new york in the series versus kansas city. masahiro tanaka gets the start in the series opener for the yankees and will oppose the ageless bartolo colon, who is coming off his best performance of the season. the rangers arrive home after losing three of four to the white sox in chicago, including a 3-0 defeat on sunday in which they recorded only two hits. shin-soo choo registered one of them and is 9-for-28 with four walks and six rbis over his last seven games for texas, which is just 7-16 at globe life park as it begins a seven-game homestand.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, mlb network, wpix (new york), fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: yankees rh masahiro tanaka (4-2, 4.73 era) vs. rangers rh bartolo colon (2-1, 2.82)

tanaka is winless in his last three starts, permitting 10 runs and 17 hits - three homers - over 16 1/3 innings, although his last outing was a shortened one as tuesday's contest at washington was suspended after 5 1/2 frames. the 29-year-old native of japan gave up one run in three of his first six starts of 2018 but has not worked more than 6 2/3 innings this year. robinson chirinos is 4-for-8 with a pair of doubles versus tanaka, who is 0-2 with a 6.38 era in four career starts against texas.
colon recorded his second victory of the season last time out as he limited seattle to four hits over a season high-tying 7 2/3 scoreless innings. the 44-year-old dominican, who has notched 242 career wins, has completed at least seven frames in four of his last six starts while issuing a total of three walks in that stretch. stanton is 6-for-16 with two homers against colon, who is 6-9 with a 6.11 era in 21 career appearances (20 starts) versus the yankees.
walk-offs

1. new york 3b miguel andujar finished a double shy of the cycle on sunday and has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games (13-for-41).

2. texas rhp chris martin was activated from the 10-day disabled list sunday and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief.
3. the teams split six games in 2017 after the rangers won the previous two season series.

prediction: yankees 4, rangers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 05-21-2018

21st May 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins have won only one of their first five full series at target field this season but hope to double that total when they begin a three-game set against the visiting detroit tigers on monday. minnesota, which had two series in the gopher state abbreviated by inclement weather last month, won two of three against houston from april 9-11 but proceeded to go 0-3-1 in its next four home sets.

the twins salvaged the finale of their three-game series against milwaukee on sunday, posting a 3-1 triumph as logan morrison snapped a tie with a two-run single in the eighth inning. detroit continues its seven-game road trip after losing the final three contests of its four-game set in seattle. the tigers were two outs away from recording a shutout victory on sunday but went on to drop a 3-2 decision in 11 innings. detroit failed to get on the board after a first-inning, two-run homer by john hicks, who has notched two rbis in four of his last nine games.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, fs detroit, fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: tigers lh blaine hardy (0-0, 3.38 era) vs. twins rh jose berrios (4-4, 4.05)

hardy will be making his second career start - and first on the road - after lasting only 4 1/3 innings against seattle on may 13, when he gave up two runs and eight hits in a no-decision. the 31-year-old native of washington made a relief appearance versus the mariners in his hometown on thursday, striking out the only batter he faced. hardy is 1-0 with a 3.78 era in 17 career efforts out of the bullpen against minnesota.
berrios halted a string of four straight rough starts on tuesday as he registered 10 strikeouts while allowing one run and two hits over 7 1/3 innings in a victory over st. louis. the 23-year-old puerto rican has given up five runs and 13 hits in 24 1/3 frames over his last four turns at home, with four and five coming in a loss to cincinnati on april 29. berrios has made four starts and one relief appearance against detroit in his career, posting a 2-1 record despite surrendering 21 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 13 walks in 15 1/3 innings.
walk-offs

1. hicks has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and 20 of 26 this season.

2. minnesota of byron buxton has gone just 3-for-26 since returning from a month-long stint on the disabled list.

3. detroit rhp jordan zimmermann (shoulder) is expected to throw a few bullpen sessions before making at least one rehab start next week.

prediction: twins 6, tigers 2