Wednesday 5-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:22 AM

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

Race 1 - Maiden Claiming - 250y on the Dirt. Purse: $5000 Class Rating: 62

QUARTER HORSE 250Y, FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 9 DASHING AUFLUENTIAL 6/5

# 7 RNR KAS PAPA SAID SO 20/1

# 5 PAPA TOAST 4/1

I give my vote to DASHING AUFLUENTIAL here. Has to be carefully examined versus this group displaying strong figs recently and an average speed figure of 65 under similar conditions. Recent figs for the jockey - 15 win percent - make this filly stand out in this group of animals. She looks very strong in this slot and I expect will be on the front end or close at the midpoint. RNR KAS PAPA SAID SO - Look for a very strong pace improvement from this horse who enters with second time Lasix today.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:22 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Evangeline Downs - Race #5 - Post: 7:42pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $16,000 Class Rating: 60

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#9 A PRETTY FACE (ML=5/1)
#5 D'WILD BARONESS (ML=3/1)

A PRETTY FACE - After the affair aboard this horse on April 28th, the jockey is going to be in touch with the filly much better. Last ran at Evangeline Downs and finished sixth. Reviewing her Past Performances, I see she was close at the wire, within 5 of the winner. D'WILD BARONESS - This filly is back in a race very quick. This is a great angle - Sprint horses that come back in less than 10 days after a race. A good sign of a sharp and ready racehorse. She finished in the place spot May 12th, but was well in front of the show horse. I like to wager on this handicapping theory, a pony coming back off a strong contest within the last 30 days. Traditional handicapping theory - 3rd or 4th start after a layoff generally leads to a big effort. Should run big today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 APRIL MAE (ML=4/1), #4 SWEET ROSEBUD (ML=6/1), #8 JOEY G (ML=6/1),

APRIL MAE - Difficult to take this steed at the odds after the result (fifth) in the last event. Hard to recommend any horse with decreasing speed ratings of 45/39/34. SWEET ROSEBUD - Morning line odds of 6/1 make this animal a pass by my examination. JOEY G - Would have to get more than the oddsmaker's morning line of 6/1 to play this horse.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - D'WILD BARONESS - This filly is utmost in the bunch in earnings per start. I'm wagering on this one.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #9 A PRETTY FACE on top if we're getting at least 9/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:23 AM

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

Race 5 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Turf. Purse: $7000 Class Rating: 74

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 23 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $12,500, IF FOR $10,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 TORNADO MAN 4/1

# 7 SPEEDY HUNTUR 3/1

# 4 LANDING MAN 15/1

TORNADO MAN has a respectable shot to take this race. SPEEDY HUNTUR - Is worth taking a close look at and may be a wager - strong Speed Figures (68 average) at today's distance and surface recently. Must be given a chance - I like the figures from the last race. LANDING MAN - Has decent early pace and will most likely fare well versus this group.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:23 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Mountaineer Park
Mountaineer Park - Race 9

Second Half $2 Late Daily Double (Races 8 &9) $.50 Trifecta $1 Exacta Box ($.20) Superfecta ($.50) Super Five

Maiden Claiming $4,000 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 49 • Purse: $6,100 • Post: 9:56P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Stalker. CALLHIMFIRST is the Lone Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * FRIENDLY REDEEMED: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SPRING GAME: Horse has run a Go od Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. CALLHIMFIRST: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs. RE D ROCK STAR: Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. Horse has a 4F workout since its last race, and the workout time is faster than its own half-mile time in its last race.
1
FRIENDLY REDEEMED
3/1

7/2
3
SPRING GAME
5/2

7/1
7
CALLHIMFIRST
8/1

8/1
4
RED ROCK STAR
4/1

8/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
3
SPRING GAME
3

5/2
Front-runner
41

39

51.3

28.5

23.5
4
RED ROCK STAR
4

4/1
Front-runner
56

41

49.7

24.1

12.6
7
CALLHIMFIRST
7

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
56

41

44.2

25.8

18.3
5
SWEET BEER
5

6/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

23.4

43.1

38.6
1
FRIENDLY REDEEMED
1

3/1
Alternator/Trailer
69

51

13.6

39.9

35.9
8
CHARITABLE VIC
8

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

37.2

22.2

8.2
6
GRIND LINE
6

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

25.0

10.7

0.0
2
HOUSE KEY
2

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
37

34

21.4

24.2

14.2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:23 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Presque Isle Downs - Race #6 - Post: 7:30pm - Claiming - 6.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $19,000 Class Rating: 82

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 SPEARHEAD (ML=7/2)
#6 OCTOBER SKY (ML=6/1)

SPEARHEAD - Taking a trip down the ladder based on class; has the ability to make his presence felt. I like when a race sets up this way. This gelding has the lone pace to demolish this field. Clearly didn't like the surface of the last event as much as two starts back on the equitrack. Watch out today for a return to a sharp race. OCTOBER SKY - The April 5th race at Oaklawn Park was at a class level of (87). Dropping to a lower class level considerably, so he should be in a good spot. Personally, I wouldn't worry about where he finished in his last race (fourth). Should rebound in this race, with some respectable odds. Earnings per start is something that I believe can be an extremely key handicapping factor. This horse is ranked numero uno in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 DAHOG (ML=5/2), #5 ANOTHER FOR MARIO (ML=3/1), #3 EXPEDITER (ML=4/1),

DAHOG - This gelding finished out of the money on Apr 28th and wasn't close to winning last time around the track either. EXPEDITER - 4/1 is not worth the risk for any thoroughbred in a sprint of 6 1/2 furlongs that hasn't finished in the money in a short distance race recently. 4/1 is too low of a price to take on most any thoroughbred that has run poorly in back to back efforts.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - OCTOBER SKY - If a longshot has the top Power Rating, rest assured, he'll be getting my money.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #2 SPEARHEAD to win if we can get at least 7/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 09:24 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Thistledown
Thistledown - Race 8

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta

Claiming $7,500 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 76 • Purse: $11,900 • Post: 5:10P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE APRIL 23 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500 (OHIO REGISTERED FOALS PREFERRED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Trailer. U S DIVA is the Lone Trailer of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * MEADOW GEM: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. J P'S GLADYS: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. LADY COVENTRY: 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. CASCABRIA: 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.
8
MEADOW GEM
5/2

9/2
6
J P'S GLADYS
7/2

6/1
4
LADY COVENTRY
8/1

7/1
1
CASCABRIA
3/1

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
LADY COVENTRY
4

8/1
Alternator/Front-runner
77

68

75.8

68.2

63.7
3
ABOVE THE CROWD
3

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
72

66

60.5

61.6

49.1
1
CASCABRIA
1

3/1
Stalker
66

68

61.0

59.8

51.3
6
J P'S GLADYS
6

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
76

71

69.2

66.6

62.1
8
MEADOW GEM
8

5/2
Alternator/Stalker
83

70

66.2

68.4

64.9
7
U S DIVA
7

10/1
Trailer
76

69

45.4

46.4

35.9
2
PAINT DAKOTA
2

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

65

53.6

55.6

43.6
5
HAY HAY SADIE RAE
5

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
66

56

45.0

43.4

29.4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the cleveland cavaliers recovered to even the eastern conference finals at two games apiece and now look to solve the homecourt mastery of the boston celtics. second-seeded boston is 9-0 at td garden this postseason and cleveland can end the celtics' unbeaten mark if it can win its third straight outing.

boston coach brad stevens didn't get too wound up over monday's 111-102 setback as he simplified the task staring at his team. "it's a best two of three to go to the nba finals. it doesn't get much better than that," stevens said in monday's postgame press conference. "in this deal, it's a blast to have to grit your teeth, get up off the mat and go after it again. that's part of what makes these guys on both sides special." lebron james carried the fourth-seeded cavaliers to monday's win with a 44-point effort that marks his sixth 40-point performance, the most in a single postseason since philadelphia's allen iverson also had six such outings in 2001. "we know it's going to be a hostile environment," james told reporters of game 5. "we know their fans are going to be very energetic. but we have to just have our same mindset we had when we came home for two games. if our minds are there, we put ourselves in a position to be victorious."
tv: 8:30 p.m. et, espn
about the cavaliers: james was 17-of-28 shooting in game 4 as he topped 40 points for the second time in a three-game span. veteran swingman kyle korver (14 points, three blocked shots) is 13-of-20 shooting with eight 3-pointers over the past three games, while center tristan thompson (13 points, 12 rebounds) enjoyed his best showing of the series and third double-double of the postseason. power forward kevin love averaged just 11 points on 7-of-24 shooting in the two victories after averaging 19.5 points in the two losses in boston and is shooting just 37.5 percent in the series.

about the celtics: boston won its two home games by average of 19 points but things didn't go so smoothly in cleveland as it lost by an average of 19.5 points. "we missed a bunch of easy opportunities," shooting guard jaylen brown said of the game 4 loss. "we made some bad turnovers and things like that. but we still had opportunities to get into the game and to win." brown is averaging 20.3 points in the series and his 25-point effort in game 4 was his third 20-point outing in the east finals.
buzzer beaters
1. the cavaliers are 3-4 on the road in the postseason.

2. boston backup pg marcus smart is just 11-of-38 shooting in the series.

3. cleveland pg george hill averaged 13 points in the two victories after averaging just four in the two setbacks.

prediction: celtics 115, cavaliers 109

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the washington capitals look to put past playoff failures in the rear-view mirror when they visit the tampa bay lightning on wednesday night for a deciding game 7 of the eastern conference finals. the capitals, who sit one win away from their first trip to the stanley cup finals since 1998 after a 3-0 victory monday, have a 4-11 record overall and a 1-3 mark on the road all-time in game 7s while the lightning are 5-2 (3-0 at home) in deciding contests.

"i don't think there's (another) team i've ever had that i'd want to go into game 7 with," washington's barry trotz, who has coached 107 playoff contests in his career and 1,524 in the regular season, told reporters. "this team has done a lot of special things this year. it's grown. it continues to do that. what an opportunity. ... we'll see if we can earn the right to keep playing." while washington's superstar alex ovechkin looks to take his team to the cup finals for the first time in his tenure, fellow captain steven stamkos of tampa bay (four goals in the series) hopes to make it for the second time in four seasons with vegas awaiting the winner for game 1 on monday. the lightning will have raise their level of play after being outshot by an average of more that 10 per game in the series and take pressure off goalie andrei vasilevskiy, who has turned aside 131 of 139 attempts while winning three of the last four contests. "we wish we would have wrapped it up (monday)," tampa bay right wing ryan callahan told reporters. "at the end of the day, game 7s are fun. you enjoy it. this is why you battle for home-ice advantage throughout the regular season."

tv: 8 p.m. et, nbc sports network, cbc, sportsnet one, tva
about the capitals: washington outhit the lightning 39-19, many of those leading to its 17 takeaways in game 6, and defenseman brooks orpik told reporters: "you try to empty the tank as much as you can. that's probably one area where we have an edge is the size and physical play." right wing t.j. oshie scored two of the three goals monday and has seven points in the series while nicklas backstrom set up a pair of tallies for his first points in three games since returning from a hand injury. center evgeny kuznetsov had an assist monday to extend his point streak to nine games and has 23 overall - a franchise playoff record.
about the lightning: tampa bay has been outshot 209-145 in the series, managing only 24 in game 6, and have not scored a goal since 33 seconds into the second period of game 5 on saturday night. "we've got to execute, that's part of it," coach jon cooper told reporters. "people say executing is passing the puck and putting it on the tape. executing is getting pucks on net, putting them where you can get it back. we just haven't been near aggressive enough at that." right wing nikita kucherov, who leads the team with 17 points in the playoffs, and stamkos each managed one shot on net in game 6 while combining for a minus-3 rating.
overtime

1. tampa bay f tyler johnson has not scored a goal in the last nine games after recording three in the first seven playoff contests.

2. washington g braden holtby notched his fifth career shutout in the playoffs monday and owns a .929 save percentage in 76 postseason games.

3. the capitals have killed off all three power plays in the last two games after giving up six in 14 attempts over the first four contests of the series.

prediction: capitals 4, lightning 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
the milwaukee brewers have won four straight series to ascend to the top of the national league central while also knocking the arizona diamondbacks out of first place in the nl west. milwaukee won two of three in arizona as part of its current 9-3 streak and looks to complete a three-game sweep of the stumbling diamondbacks on wednesday afternoon.

after mashing three home runs in a 4-2 series-opening win, the brewers could only muster a sacrifice fly by domingo santana on tuesday that stood up as a 1-0 victory. corey knebel, back in his closer's role, has earned both saves in the series after following a pair of scoreless innings by strikeout machine josh hader. the diamondbacks were 24-11 on may 8 but have dropped 12 of 13 since, scoring a total of nine runs during their current six-game slide. in fact, arizona has failed to score more than two runs in 10 of its last 12 games and had scraped together only six hits over the past two nights against milwaukee.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, mlb network, fs arizona, fs wisconsin (milwaukee)
pitching matchup: diamondbacks rh zack godley (4-3, 3.78 era) vs. brewers lh brent suter (3-3, 4.72)

godley's winless streak stretched to four starts last time out at the new york mets when he permitted three runs (one earned) on only four hits over six innings. the 28-year-old continued to struggle with his control, walking four batters, and has allowed 22 free passes over his last seven turns. godley has been superb in four appearances (three starts) against arizona, posting a 2-0 record and 1.42 era.
suter is coming off his longest outing, picking up the victory at minnesota on friday by holding the twins to one run on five hits while striking out a season-high six in 5 2/3 innings. his previous three appearances -- two in relief and a start on short rest -- came in a span of nine days. suter is allowing the opposition to hit .321 with runners on base and .304 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

walk-offs

1. diamondbacks 1b paul goldschmidt is 2-for-22 with 10 strikeouts in his past six games.
2. brewers rhp zach davies will come off the disabled list to start against the mets on thursday in his season debut.

3. diamondbacks of steven souza jr. (pectoral strain) went on the 10-day disabled list on tuesday.

prediction: brewers 5, diamondbacks 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

23rd May 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins aim to continue their dominant run against the detroit tigers when the american league central foes wrap up a three-game series in minneapolis on wednesday afternoon. brian dozier's three rbis and a strong start from lance lynn led the twins to a 6-0 win in tuesday's matchup, giving them a 9-1 record against the tigers over the last 10 meetings.

minnesota has outscored detroit 68-25 in that span and dozier has reached base safely in 20 consecutive contests against the tigers. detroit, which left eight runners on base and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in tuesday's loss, has scored 10 total runs during a five-game slide. it will take aim at twins right-hander kyle gibson, who has a 5.59 era in 16 career starts against the tigers. michael fulmer gets the nod for the visitors as they try to improve upon an 8-18 mark away from home.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, fs detroit, fs north (minnesota)

pitching matchup: tigers rh michael fulmer (1-3, 4.35 era) vs. twins rh kyle gibson (1-2, 3.96)
fulmer is winless over a span of seven starts, although he posted a quality outing in a no-decision at seattle on friday - limiting the mariners to three runs and three hits with seven strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. the former first-round pick won his major league debut at minnesota in 2016 and is 3-0 with a 3.50 era in three career meetings. dozier has a home run and a double in eight career at-bats against fulmer.

gibson gave up five runs and a season-high eight hits - two home runs - in 5 1/3 frames in a loss to milwaukee on friday. it left the 30-year-old with a 6.16 era and a 2.00 whip in four home starts in 2018. gibson has had his way with tigers right fielder nicholas castellanos, who is 6-for-32 with 10 strikeouts against him.
walk-offs

1. twins 1b logan morrison has five walks and three hits over his last four games.

2. castellanos has three straight two-hit games.

3. minnesota ss ehire adrianza owns three doubles over his last two contests after going 12 consecutive games without an extra-base hit.

prediction: twins 5, tigers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Kansas City Royals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

23rd May 2018 by Gracenote
the kansas city royals hope to build off their second victory in 10 contests when they visit the st. louis cardinals on wednesday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game interleague series. alex gordon snapped out of a slump with a homer among three hits as the royals halted a five-game losing streak against the neighbor cardinals with a 5-1 victory tuesday and earned their first win in four interleague contests.

catcher salvador perez also went deep in the middle contest of the series and has seven homers in 28 games since starting the season on the disabled list for kansas city, which scored more than three runs tuesday for just the third time in 10 outings. jake junis, who leads the royals with five victories, gets the call in the series finale while red-hot michael wacha makes his 10th start of the season for the cardinals. st. louis has lost six of its last 10 contests after going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners on base in tuesday's setback. rookie tyler o'neill saw his three-game home run streak come to an end, but had a single tuesday and has hit safely in five straight contests for the cardinals (8-for-16, three homers, six rbis).
tv: 1:15 p.m. et, mlb network, fs kansas city, fs midwest (st. louis)
pitching matchup: royals rh jake junis (5-3, 3.15 era) vs. cardinals rh michael wacha (5-1, 3.08)

junis permitted two runs on seven hits and one walk over 5 1/3 innings to get the victory against the new york yankees last friday. the 25-year-old illinois native allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last six outings and six of nine overall on the season, but has surrendered 11 homers - five in one game against the chicago white sox - across 56 1/3 innings overall. junis faces the cardinals for the first time in his career and is 2-0 with a 2.95 era in three interleague starts.
wacha has given up two or fewer runs in six straight outings and won five consecutive decisions since opening the season with a loss to the new york mets. the 26-year-old texas a&m product held philadelphia to two runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six innings of a 12-4 victory last friday. jorge soler is 4-for-7 with two homers against wacha, who is 3-1 with a 2.81 era in five starts versus st. louis and 5-6 with a 3.86 mark in 16 interleague appearances.
walk-offs

1. st. louis inf yairo munoz went 4-for-4 on tuesday after starting his major league career with two hits in 20 at-bats.

2. kansas city of jon jay has hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games, going 21-of-61 during that stretch.
3. cardinals inf greg garcia left monday's game with lower back tightness and is considered day-to-day after missing tuesday's contest.

prediction: cardinals 4, royals 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:16 AM

San Francisco Giants vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

23rd May 2018 by Gracenote
the houston astros' offense is so potent, even a five-rbi performance by their ninth-place hitter can go relatively unnoticed. the surging astros are a season-high 13 games over .500 and conclude a brief two-game interleague series against the visiting san francisco giants on wednesday afternoon before heading out on a seven-game road trip.

with tony kemp leading the way from the bottom of the order with two hits and a career-high five rbis, the astros rolled to an 11-2 victory on tuesday, giving them five wins in their last six games. alex bregman and jose altuve drove in two runs apiece for the astros, who lead the majors in run differential at plus-107 - which is 28 runs better than the second-place new york yankees. gerrit cole worked six strong innings tuesday, with his only mistake being a two-run homer he served up to brother-in-law brandon crawford. brandon belt doubled in three at-bats for the giants in his first contest since being named the national league player of the week after batting .444 with five homers and 11 rbis in seven games.
tv: 2:10 p.m. et, nbcs bay area (san francisco), at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston)
pitching matchup: giants rh jeff samardzija (1-2, 6.30 era) vs. astros rh justin verlander (5-2, 1.05)

samardzija did not factor in the decision against colorado on thursday after allowing three runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. the 33-year-old native of indiana is winless in his last five starts, giving up 21 runs while issuing 14 walks in 25 frames. altuve is 7-for-25 with five strikeouts against samardzija, who owns a 6-3 record and 3.51 era in 22 career games (seven starts) against houston - including a 1-1 mark and 3.51 era in six contests (three starts) at minute maid park.
verlander recorded the eighth shutout of his career last wednesday, when he held the los angeles angels to five hits while registering seven strikeouts in a 2-0 victory. "pretty much a clinic on how to pitch," manager a.j. hinch told reporters. "i mean, it's just an epic performance by a really good pitcher." the six-time all-star, who is making his second career start against the giants, leads the majors in era (1.05), whip (0.72), opponents' batting average (.148) and opponents' ops (.449).
walk-offs

1. san francisco lhp madison bumgarner (finger) threw 30 pitches on tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment at triple-a sacramento on saturday.

2. kemp is 6-for-14 with six rbis in five games since being recalled from triple-a fresno last wednesday.

3. the giants placed rhp jose valdez (elbow) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled lhp josh osich from sacramento.

prediction: astros 6, giants 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:16 AM

San Diego Padres vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
juan soto has played only two full games in the major leagues and the san diego padres already have seen enough of the washington nationals' star rookie. after hitting a three-run homer monday night, soto reached base in all four at-bats and scored the winning run tuesday, putting washington in position for a three-game sweep wednesday versus the visiting padres.

soto was the first 19-year-old to homer in the majors since bryce harper in 2012, and joined his teammate as the only teenagers with three walks in a game since robin yount in 1975. harper is 4-for-8 in the series and has homered in each game to boost his national league-leading total to 15. erick fedde, a first-round draft pick in 2014 and rated washington's no. 4 prospect, is expected to be called up from triple-a syracuse to face padres right-hander tyson ross in the series finale. second baseman josé pirela collected two hits in tuesday's 2-1 loss to extend his hitting streak to five for san diego, which fell to 3-3 on its 10-game road trip.
tv: 4:05 p.m. et, fs san diego, masn (washington)
pitching matchup: padres rh tyson ross (3-3, 3.35 era) vs. nationals rh erick fedde (2017: 0-1, 9.39)

ross ended a five-start winless drought last time out at pittsburgh, overcoming a season-worst four walks to limit the pirates to two runs and five hits over six innings. it marked the eighth time in nine outings in which ross has pitched at least six innings this season and was his sixth quality start. matt adams is 5-for-9 with a homer and four rbis off ross, who is 2-2 with a 5.34 era against washington.
fedde made his first three major-league starts for the nationals a year ago and was hit hard in each of them, giving up 16 runs and 25 hits over 15 1/3 innings. he surrendered five homers in the final two starts, but has done a better job of staying away from the long ball this year. fedde is 1-1 with a 4.35 era in eight starts at triple-a syracuse, striking out 42 and giving up zero homers in 41 1/3 innings.

walk-offs
1. nationals cf michael a. taylor had a walk-off double and threw out a running at the plate in tuesday's win.

2. padres lf franchy cordero his a 449-foot homer tuesday, which was only his fourth-longest blast of the season.

3. nationals lhp sean doolittle has 33 strikeouts versus three walks in 20 2/3 innings after fanning the side tuesday.

prediction: padres 5, nationals 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-23-2018, 11:16 AM

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 05-23-2018

22nd May 2018 by Gracenote
gleyber torres has joined legendary company just 25 games into his major-league career, and the new york yankees have used his powerful bat to make some history of their own. with the help of their exciting rookie second baseman, the yankees aim for a fourth consecutive victory tuesday as they continue their three-game series against the host texas rangers.

torres went deep in the second and sixth innings of monday's 10-5 victory over texas to become the second-youngest player (21 years, 159 days) in club history to hit at least two home runs in one game, trailing only hall-of-famer mickey mantle (20, 296). new york belted five shots in all, marking the first time in team history it has connected on at least four long balls in three straight contests and the first time since the 2011 rangers any team had done so. texas managed to get three homers from the bottom of its lineup, but that production was not nearly enough to keep it from falling to 7-17 at home. the rangers, who have dropped three straight and seven of nine, already have lost 12 games by at least five runs.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, yes (new york), fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: yankees rh domingo german (0-1, 4.26 era) vs. rangers lh cole hamels (2-4, 3.48 era)

german will make his first career start on the road after producing two drastically different results at home over his last two turns. the 25-year-old dominican struck out nine over six hitless innings against cleveland on may 6 before surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks in another no-decision on may 12 versus oakland. german, who did not give up a run in two road relief appearances spanning seven innings, is holding left-handed hitters to a .163 average as he faces texas for the first time.
hamels was scratched from his last scheduled start due to neck stiffness but is expected to take the mound for the first time since may 11, when he yielded one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings in a win at houston. the four-time all-star seemingly has settled into a bit of a groove after beginning the season 1-3 with a 4.76 era, as he has gone 1-1 with a 1.93 over his last four outings. giancarlo stanton is 13-for-51 with three homers against hamels, who is 1-2 with a 3.24 era in four career starts versus new york.
walk-offs

1. the yankees have connected on 14 homers over the last three games to increase their major league-leading total to 72.

2. nine of texas' 18 wins this season have come in the second game of the series (9-6).

3. new york ss didi gregorius halted a 1-for-48 slide with an rbi double in the sixth inning on monday.

prediction: rangers 5, yankees 3

Wednesday 5-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 5-23-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment