Friday 6-1-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brad Diamond

Jun 01 '18, 7:10 PM in 10h
MLB | CHC vs NYM
Play on: OVER 8½ -114

060118
BRAD DIAMOND RED HOT ON A 31-17 STREAK ALL SPORTS
CASHED 10* TOP PLAY LAST NIGHT ON THE...CUBS!
(901/902) Chicago/Mets OVER the total @ 7:10 Eastern
In the series opener last night, the Cubs (30-23) won out 5-1 collecting 11 hits overall. New York (27-27) continues to struggle with injuries and a short stick and really needs to open their pace to make any noise in the East. Chicago starts RHP Chatwood (3-4, 4.10) who has been inconsistent this year. Although the hurler has thrown well in the recent past up NY can’t expect a replication here. The Mets bring RHP Wheeler (2-4, 5.40) to the hill, and he another arm that clearly illustrates inconsistency. In fact, in his last outing against Milwaukee he allowed 4 runs and 6 hits in just four innings of work. He is 0-2 with a 6.19 ERA last two starts out. Interesting, Wheeler has no solid history of success at home going 8-19 with a 5.19 ERA. The series has shot OVER 5-of-6 games. Not surprising with Wheeler, the Mets have gone OVER 10-3-2 at home. With Chatwood throwing the Cubs are 4-1 OVER on grass and 3-0-1 OVER scoring 5 or more runs in their last game. In closing, when umpire is calling the game total has gone OVER 5-1 L6…HIGH!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sean Murphy

Jun 01 '18, 7:35 PM in 10h
MLB | Nationals vs Braves
Play on: Nationals -127 at pinnacle

Friday MLB Free play. My selection is on Washington over Atlanta at 7:35 pm et on Friday.
The Braves took the opener of this series on Thursday night but I look for the Nationals to bounce back on Friday.
Stephen Strasburg will take the ball for the Nats'. He lasted only five innings last time out but it was still a fairly clean performance as he didn't allow an earned run on three hits, striking out eight and walking two. Prior to that, Strasburg had at least worked into the seventh inning in six straight starts. The Nats' have won four of his last five trips to the hill.
Mike Foltynewicz will counter for Atlanta. He has worked at least six innings in back-to-back starts, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits in 12 innings but has been laboring a bit. Note that he has needed at least 105 pitches to get through his last three outings, and threw 113 in his most recent start. The Braves have won only three of his last nine starts.
Washington rolled into this series riding a six-game winning streak but appeared to lack focus in last night's series opener. I look for a much sharper effort on Friday. Take Washington (8*).

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lee

Jun 01 '18, 8:10 PM in 11h
MLB | Red Sox vs Astros
Play on: Red Sox +114 at GTBets

10* FREE MLB PICK (Red Sox +114)
I'l take my chances here with Boston as an underdog on the road against the Astros on Friday. Houston won the opener 4-2, but this Red Sox offense has been red-hot of late. Even with the lackluster showing on Thursday, Boston has scored 6 or more runs in 5 of their last 7 games. I also trust Chris Sale a lot more than I do Gerrit Cole in a game of this magnitude. Sale has a 2.38 ERA and 0.830 WHIP in 7 career starts against the Astros and has gone 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.818 WHIP in 7 road starts this season. Cole got off to that incredible start in 2018, but he's came back to earth of late. He's got a 4.00 ERA in his last 3 starts and has walked 7 in his last 3 starts after only walking 12 in his previous 8 starts. I think the Red Sox and that potent offense will get to Cole an ultimately bring home the victory. Give me Boston +114!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brad Wilton

Friday night comp play winner is the Yankees and Orioles to put some runs on the scoreboard at Camden Yards with Sonny "50 Runs of" Gray on the hill against Andrew Cashner.

These teams have already posted Overs in 3 of their first 4 meetings this year, including Gray's lone start versus the O's that saw the Yankees take it 8-3.

Both Gray and Cashner have had major issues this year in keeping crooked digits off of the scoreboard when they take the mound. Gray sports a sky-high 5.98 season ERA, and the Over stands at 7-2-1 when it's his turn to throw the pearl. As for Cashner, the Over has cashed just three times in his 11 season starts, but his ERA is over 5.

The Yankees are on a 7-3-1 Over clip their last 11 games played, and the Over in the series is a dominant 23-3 the last 26 times these division rivals have played one another.

Look for the ball to be flying around the yard tonight, and look for the runs to add up to an Over.

4* N.Y. YANKEES-BALTIMORE OVER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Benton

Your Friday freebie is the Brewers.

These teams are meeting for the first time since the 2015 season, and it looks to me like the Brewers are in a very good position to have a winning weekend on the South Side of Chicago.

Milwaukee is the N.L. Central Division leader with a 36-21 mark. Chicago is the A.L. Central cellar-dweller at 16-37, so just based on that fact laying the road wood makes sense, but I will give you a little more to chew on.

The Brewers are on a 20-8 overall run, and they have won 10 of their past 13 on the highway, while the White Sox have dropped 4 straight heading into this weekend series, and 6 of their past 7 overall.

It is Chase Anderson and Hector Santiago to the hill, and Anderson is 4-3 for the year, while the Brewers are 7-3 when he makes the start. Santiago is just 1-2 on the campaign, and the Sox are 1-4 when he takes the ball to the hill.

Gotta lay the wood in Chitown tonight.

4* MILWAUKEE

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
the new york yankees and host baltimore orioles will try again friday night to begin their series in camden yards after rain washed out thursday's scheduled opener. it marked the seventh time that the yankees have had a game called off or suspended due to inclement weather, and they've played a major league-low 21 road games.

"sadly, we're used to it. it is what it is," manager aaron boone told reporters of the weather. "we'll try and make the best of it. get ready to go (friday)." new york enters the set - and a four-city road trip - having won 10 of its last 11 series and is looking to avenge a rare series loss to the orioles, who took three of four at yankee stadium earlier in the year. the scheduled starters for thursday - new york's sonny gray and baltimore's andrew cashner - are expected to take their turns friday. the orioles are looking to snap a five-game slide in which they've managed six total runs.
tv: 7:05 p.m. et, yes (new york), masn (baltimore)

pitching matchup: yankees rh sonny gray (3-4, 5.98 era) vs. orioles rh andrew cashner (2-6, 5.07)
gray produced three quality starts in four turns - including an eight-inning gem at kansas city on may 20 - before stumbling in a home loss to the los angeles angels on saturday. he gave up five runs over 3 2/3 innings in the setback while striking out seven and walking three. the 28-year-old defeated baltimore with six solid innings at yankee stadium on april 7 but has a 5.15 era in seven career meetings with the orioles.

cashner gave up five runs in five innings while allowing a season-high 11 hits and walking a season-high four in a loss at tampa bay on saturday. he has walked at least three in eight of his last 10 starts and opponents are batting .290 against the 31-year-old. aaron hicks is 3-for-3 with a double against cashner, who limited the yankees to one run across six innings of a win in new york on april 5.
walk-offs

1. yankees of brett gardner is 8-for-17 with three homers over his last four games.

2. orioles of colby rasmus (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment friday with double-a bowie.
3. thursday's postponement will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader july 9.

prediction: yankees 7, orioles 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
the detroit tigers are making a spirited charge during their 12-game homestand, winning back-to-back series to move into second place in the american league central. the surging tigers (26-30) could see additional good news in the form of the return of miguel cabrera to the lineup on friday when they open a three-game set versus the toronto blue jays (25-31).

"if he's good, he'll go right in the lineup," detroit manager ron gardenhire said of cabrera, who has been sidelined for nearly one month with a strained right hamstring. nicholas castellanos has recorded consecutive three-hit performances to finish may with a flourish, batting 20-for-49 with seven runs scored in his last 11 games. while the tigers have located their offense to win six of their last eight, the blue jays have struggled to find consistency at the plate en route to losing 13 of their last 17 contests. toronto has fallen to a season-worst six games under .500 after a 9-19 record in may, with its .321 winning percentage marking its worst in that month since 1981.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, sportsnet (toronto), fs detroit
pitching matchup: blue jays lh jaime garcia (2-3, 5.52 era)) vs. tigers lh blaine hardy (1-0, 2.70)

garcia returned from a stint on the disabled list due to shoulder inflammation and recorded his best start with toronto on saturday, breezing through a season-high seven innings on just 73 pitches. "he looked totally different than he has all year," manager john gibbons said of the 31-year-old, who allowed one run on five hits. "he had great command, and that's what was hurting him all year. ... that 10 days off looks like it did him wonders." garcia, who has permitted the current crop of tigers to bat .385 against him, surrendered two runs in four innings for a no-decision in his lone career appearance versus detroit.
hardy posted his first career win in a starting role on sunday after yielding one run on three hits over a career-long seven innings in a 3-2 triumph versus the chicago white sox. "did i expect this? no chance," said the 31-year-old, who had never pitched more than five innings during his major league career. "i was hoping i could get through five and turn the game over to the bullpen." hardy retired his last 14 batters and fanned a season-high six while making his third start in place of the injured jordan zimmermann (shoulder).
walk-offs

1. toronto dh kendrys morales has two straight multi-hit performances in the sweep against boston to give him four such games in his last eight outings after notching just three in his previous 31.
2. detroit 3b jeimer candelario has reached base in 25 consecutive contests, accounting for the longest active streak in the majors.

3. blue jays 3b josh donaldson likely will return from a two-game absence due to a tight left calf.

prediction: tigers 5, blue jays 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

1st June 2018 by Gracenote
Most of the Chicago Cubs' starting pitchers were dominant in the last turn through the rotation, and the one exception will try to turn things around Friday. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood looks to follow his peers and bounce back from consecutive rough outings when the visiting Cubs play the second of a four-game series against the New York Mets.

Cubs pitchers held the Mets to four hits during a 5-1 win in the series opener, handing New York its third straight home loss and its eighth defeat in its last 11 games overall. The Mets have scored a single run in each of their last three home games. The difference in the opener was the bullpens, as four of the five relievers New York used allowed at least one run, while Chicago's bullpen allowed only one hit - Brandon Nimmo's solo homer - in three innings of work. The Cubs have won four of their last five games overall and five of six on the road.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-4, 5.40)
Chatwood has struggled to find the strike zone all season, but particularly in his last two starts. The 28-year-old has issued 11 walks over his last two outings, failing to get through the third inning in either, and has walked 45 in 48 1/3 innings this season. Chatwood is 3-2 with a 4.29 ERA in seven starts against the Mets.

Wheeler is winless in his last five starts and has posted a 6.43 ERA over that stretch, but he has struck out at least six in each of his last four outings. The 28-year-old gave up four runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision at Milwaukee last time out. Wheeler is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RF Jason Heyward is 8-for-13 over his last three games, raising his average from .222 to .262.

2. Nimmo had a double and a home run Thursday and owns 10 extra-base hits along with seven RBIs over his past 10 games.

3. Chicago 2B-3B Tommy La Stella collected his 11th hit as a pinch-hitter Thursday, the most in the majors.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Mets 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
the atlanta braves sit in first place in the national league east entering friday's home matchup with the washington nationals, after using a strong pitching performance to capture the opener of a four-game series pitting the division's top two teams. three atlanta pitchers combined to hold the nationals to five hits in thursday's 4-2 triumph, ending washington's six-game winning streak and vaulting the braves ½-game ahead of the nationals at the top of the division.

the braves retired 20 of the final 22 nationals hitters they faced as the combination of sean newcomb, dan winkler and arodys vizcaino stymied a washington offense that averaged 4.7 runs and 9.7 hits in winning eight of its previous nine games. the braves got four hits and two runs scored from the top two hitters in their lineup - center fielder ender inciarte and second baseman ozzie albies - while first baseman freddie freeman extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double in the third inning. washington third baseman anthony rendon finished with two hits and two rbis and is hitting .355 with six doubles, two homers and six rbis in his past eight games. washington looks to recapture the division lead friday against the braves, who enter june in first place for the first time since 2014.
tv: 7:35 p.m. et, masn2 (washington), fs south (atlanta)
pitching matchup: nationals rh stephen strasburg (6-4, 3.13 era) vs. braves rh mike foltynewicz (4-3, 2.55)

strasburg has helped fuel washington's rise toward the top of the division, going 4-1 in five may starts with a 2.51 era and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. the 29-year-old gave up seven homers in his first 39 2/3 innings but has surrendered just three across his past 32 1/3 innings, and since may 2 has allowed no more than three earned runs in any start. strasburg, who shut out miami on three hits with eight strikeouts in five innings sunday, beat the braves in april behind eight shutout innings.
the 26-year-old foltynewicz continues to make strides in his fourth full major-league season, entering friday having allowed more than two earned runs only once in 11 starts. he was fantastic in beating boston on sunday, surrendering just one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in a season-high seven innings, and has limited opponents to a .216 batting average. foltynewicz made consecutive starts against the nationals in early april, going 1-1 with a 2.61 era.
walk-offs

1. washington activated rhp ryan madson (strained chest muscle) from the disabled list thursday, and could activate of brian goodwin (left wrist) and lhp matt grace (groin) this weekend.
2. winkler has limited right-handed hitters to five hits in 51 at-bats with 23 strikeouts this season.

3. nationals 1b mark reynolds finished 0-for-4 in the series opener, but is hitting .341 with six homers and eight rbis in 14 games with washington.

prediction: nationals 5, braves 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
the best team in the national league meets the worst in the american league when the milwaukee brewers visit the chicago white sox on friday in the opener of a three-game interleague series. the brewers are winners of 11 of their last 14 games to improve to 36-21 and ascend to the top of the nl central.

milwaukee did not drop back-to-back games in may and won their last six series after polishing off a series win over the st. louis cardinals with a 3-2 win on wednesday. "our team is very together," brewers right-hander junior guerra told reporters after the win. "we're all one. when it comes to a long season, being part of one, being connected, it's a big thing." the white sox (16-37) are losers of four in a row and six of seven after wrapping up a six-game road trip by getting swept in cleveland by a combined score of 25-10. chicago will try to snap the slide behind left-hander hector santiago while milwaukee counters with righty chase anderson on friday.

tv: 8:10 p.m. et, fs wisconsin (milwaukee), nbcs chicago
pitching matchup: brewers rh chase anderson (4-3, 4.42 era) vs. white sox lh hector santiago (1-2, 4.87)
anderson was bailed out by his offense and did not factor in the decision against the new york mets on saturday, when he was ripped for five runs on seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings in a game milwaukee went onto win 17-6. the 30-year-old posted his lone quality start of may in the previous turn, when he allowed two runs over six innings in a win over arizona. anderson won his lone previous start against chicago and is 5-2 with a 2.93 era in 13 career interleague games - 12 starts.
santiago tossed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on monday but is making his regular turn in the rotation on friday. the 30-year-old earned a win at detroit in his last start on saturday, scattering three runs - two earned - and seven hits across five innings. santiago is making his second career start against the brewers and is 1-5 with a 4.10 era in 23 career interleague games - 14 starts.
walk-offs

1. white sox 2b yoan moncada struck out 10 times in his last four games and is up to 71 in 45 games this season.

2. brewers of christian yelich recorded multiple hits in five of his last six games and scored 10 runs in that span.

3. milwaukee cf lorenzo cain is 1-for-12 over the last three contests.

prediction: brewers 6, white sox 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

1st June 2018 by Gracenote
the top two strikeout pitchers in the american league will go head-to-head when the visiting boston red sox and houston astros resume their four-game series on friday night. boston ace left-hander chris sale, the major league leader with 308 strikeouts in 2017, ranks second in the al this season behind astros right-hander gerrit cole.

acquired from the pittsburgh pirates in the offseason, cole has turned in a quality start in 10 of his 11 outings while reaching double digits in strikeouts five times. astros shortstop carlos correa muddled through may with a .188 batting average before capping the month with a two-run homer in thursday's 4-2 victory for the al west leaders. sale is coming off his worst outing of the season but has a great track record against houston, owning a 5-1 record and 1.31 era in six starts. xander bogaerts extended his hitting streak to four with a two-run double in thursday's loss for major league-best boston, which was without leading hitter mookie betts for a fifth straight game due to soreness in his left side.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, mlb network, nesn (boston), at&t sportsnet southwest (houston)
pitching matchup: red sox lh chris sale (5-2, 2.76 era) vs. astros rh gerrit cole (5-1, 2.05)

sale lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings against atlanta on sunday, giving up six runs and five hits to snap his six-start undefeated streak. it was the first time in a dozen starts this season that he permitted more than three runs and marked the fifth straight outing in which he has surrendered a home run. reigning al mvp jose altuve is among the few astros to enjoy success against sale, going 8-for-21 with a homer.
cole gave up three runs and four hits over seven innings at cleveland last time out but lost his chance for his sixth victory following a ninth-inning meltdown by houston's bullpen. cole is unbeaten in his last six turns overall but is finding wins hard to come by at minute maid park, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.41 era in five home starts. cole is 1-1 with a 5.25 era in a pair of career starts versus the red sox.
walk-offs

1. correa has reached base safely in each of his 20 career games against boston.

2. astros c brian mccann had his right knee drained and received some shots on wednesday.

3. red sox 2b dustin pedroia (left knee soreness) was scratched from the lineup thursday and is listed as day-to-day.

prediction: astros 3, red sox 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

1st June 2018 by Gracenote
all-star infielders francisco lindor and jose ramirez look to continue their red-hot hitting when the visiting cleveland indians go after a seventh straight win friday night against the slumping minnesota twins. ramirez homered for his third straight game and lindor was 4-for-5 with two blasts - improving to 9-for-14 over his last three contests - in thursday's 9-8 victory at minnesota.

ramirez boasts multiple hits in four of the last five outings and lindor has knocked in seven runs in his past four for the indians, who have scored 52 times during the current winning streak to extend their lead in the american league central to 4 1/2 games. carlos carrasco will try to keep it going for cleveland when he takes the mound friday against jose berrios in a rematch of the april 18 game in puerto rico when each completed seven scoreless innings for a no-decision before the twins won 2-1 in 16 innings. minnesota has dropped three straight and seven of eight after rallying from eight runs down to tie thursday before giving up a lindor's game-winning solo shot in the eighth inning. eddie rosario had two singles in the series opener to extend his hitting streak to six games for the twins and batted .368 in may with 21 rbis and 20 runs scored.
tv: 8:10 p.m. et, sto (cleveland), fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: indians rh carlos carrasco (6-3, 3.98 era) vs. twins rh jose berrios (5-5, 3.67)

carrasco managed a victory last time out against houston despite allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts. the 31-year-old venezuela native finished with a 4.98 era in five starts during may, but owns a 2.91 mark overall across six road starts in 2018. brian dozier is just 6-for-29 but boasts three homers versus carrasco, who stands 5-6 with a 3.53 era in 18 career appearances (15 starts) against the twins.
berrios permitted two or fewer runs in three straight starts, but took the loss sunday after surrendering a pair at seattle over 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 setback. the 24-year-old puerto rican accumulated 27 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in his last three outings after settling for four combined in his previous three trips to the mound. berrios is 2-2 with a 3.95 era in five career starts against the indians and owns a 2.92 mark in six home games this year.
walk-offs

1. minnesota 1b joe mauer, who has been out since may 18 with neck and concussion issues, suffered a setback and is no longer expected to return this weekend.

2. cleveland cf bradley zimmer (bruised chest) is expected to be activated for friday's game after missing more than three weeks.
3. twins rhp tyler duffey was recalled thursday and pitched two scoreless innings while rhp aaron slegers was sent to triple-a rochester.

prediction: indians 4, twins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
the kansas city royals haven't given their fans much to cheer during the 2018 season, as they reside in fourth place in the american league central due in large part to a 9-19 mark at kauffman stadium. the royals (20-36), however, have enjoyed a sliver of success of late and look to ride the momentum of back-to-back victories into friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting oakland athletics (29-28).

mike moustakas recorded his second straight multi-hit performance in wednesday's 11-8 victory over minnesota, with six of his last seven hits (four doubles, two homers) going for extra bases. while moustakas enjoyed a 14-game hitting streak in april, jon jay carries a 12-game stretch into june by going 18-for-50 entering the series versus oakland. stephen piscotty has answered both a personal and professional tough stretch by recording his third double in four games, with the latest one driving in two runs in the second inning of thursday's 7-3 victory over tampa bay. the triumph salvaged the finale of a four-game set versus the rays and enabled the athletics to conclude their 10-game homestand with a 4-6 mark.
tv: 8:15 p.m. et, nbcs california (oakland), fs kansas city
pitching matchup: athletics rh frankie montas (1-0, 1.50 era) vs. royals rh ian kennedy (1-5, 5.15)

montas was impressive in his season debut on sunday, retiring his first 10 batters and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in a 2-1 victory against arizona. the 25-year-old dominican matched his career high with seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits in the encounter. montas has squared off against kansas city in one relief appearance during his career, retiring all three players he's faced that are currently on the royals' roster.
kennedy saw his winless stretch extend to nine outings (0-5, 6.31 era) on saturday despite permitting just two runs in five innings of a no-decision at texas. the 33-year-old was gashed for 19 runs on 24 hits - including five homers - in his previous three starts. khris davis is 4-for-12 with a homer in his career versus kennedy, who sports a 1-2 career mark and 5.09 era in three starts against the athletics.
walk-offs

1. oakland 1b matt olson went deep on thursday to give him six hits (two homers, two doubles, two singles) in his last seven games.

2. kansas city rf jorge soler homered to highlight his four-hit performance on wednesday, marking the third time he's gone deep in his last six outings.

3. athletics rf matt joyce launched a solo homer in the eighth inning on thursday, ending an 0-for-15 stretch.

prediction: royals 4, athletics 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

31st May 2018 by Gracenote
miles mikolas was forced to head to japan to resume his professional career, a move that has led him to becoming one of the more improbable success stories of the season. mikolas has yet to taste defeat in 10 starts in 2018 and seeks his seventh win when the st. louis cardinals continue their four-game series against the visiting pittsburgh pirates.

mikolas will be facing the pirates for the third time in five weeks, coming away with a no-decision in each of the first two - including six innings of four-run ball at pittsburgh on sunday. st. louis won the series opener in dramatic fashion, blowing an early four-run lead before rallying for five in the ninth capped off by yairo munoz's walk-off, three-run homer. pirates catcher francisco cervelli, in his second game back after sitting out three, belted a three-run homer thursday and also is 3-for-6 against mikolas. gregory polanco had a pair of rbi doubles among three hits for pittsburgh, which closed out the month by losing 10 of 13.
tv: 8:15 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet pittsburgh, fs midwest (st. louis)
pitching matchup: pirates rh jameson taillon (2-4, 4.53 era) vs. cardinals rh miles mikolas (6-0, 2.58)

taillon's winless drought reached nine starts despite a solid outing versus st. louis on sunday, when he permitted three runs on five hits and left with the lead after 6 1/3 innings. he was hammered for six runs and eight hits over six innings in his previous turn and is 0-4 since tossing a one-hit shutout on april 8. matt carpenter is 7-for-16 with a homer off taillon, who is 1-1 with a 4.45 era versus st. louis.
prior to struggling against the pirates last time out, mikolas had allowed two runs or fewer in seven straight starts, including seven innings of two-run ball at pittsburgh on april. 27. the 29-year-old picked up his first shutout in the majors on may 21, blanking kansas city on four hits while registering a career-high nine strikeouts. mikolas has limited right-handed batters to a collective .177 batting average.
walk-offs

1. munoz doubled his season total with five rbis thursday to extend his hitting streak to six games.

2. cervelli's eighth homer topped his career high of seven set in 2015 with the pirates.

3. carpenter and cardinals of harrison bader have hit safely in seven and six games, respectively.

prediction: cardinals 5, pirates 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 06-01-2018

1st June 2018 by Gracenote
before opening a three-game series against the host colorado rockies on friday evening, the los angeles dodgers will be anxiously awaiting news on ace clayton kershaw. the three-time cy young award winner will undergo an mri on his back after it tightened up during a five-inning start thursday against philadelphia.

in his first turn since landing on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis on may 1, kershaw gave up one run and four hits as los angeles split the four-game series against the phillies with thursday's 2-1 loss. the injury-plagued dodgers have won 10 of their last 14 games and are tied for third place in the national league west with san francisco. colorado leads the division by 1 1/2 games over arizona and boasts one of the league's hottest hitters in nolan arenado, a five-time gold glove winner who is 8-for-21 with three home runs and eight rbis in his last six games. "i think it's just a matter of trying to hit the ball hard, not trying to do too much, staying within myself," arenado told reporters. "there's little things, little tweaks that i'm doing that i think are helping me."
tv: 8:40 p.m. et, mlb network, sportsnet la (los angeles), at&t sportsnet-rocky mountain (colorado)
pitching matchup: dodgers tbd vs. rockies lh tyler anderson (3-1, 4.72 era)

alex wood was scheduled to start but has been bumped back until sunday due to lingering hamstring cramps. "he threw a bullpen session thursday and felt good," los angeles manager dave roberts told reporters. "this will give him a couple of extra days to be sure his leg is in good shape, especially going to altitude." roberts said he hasn't decided on a starter for friday but expects to use multiple relievers - including new arrival dennis santana, who has combined to go 1-3 with a 2.54 era in 10 starts with double-a tulsa and triple-a oklahoma city this season.
anderson came away with a no-decision against cincinnati on saturday after giving up three runs while throwing 101 pitches in six innings. the 28-year-old served up two home runs in the contest and has yielded a total of 10 over 55 1/3 frames in 11 outings. justin turner is 9-for-17 with a homer against anderson, who owns a 2-3 record and 4.30 era in seven career starts versus the dodgers - including a 2-2 mark and 3.75 era in four turns at coors field.
walk-offs

1. colorado of charlie blackmon is 12-for-35 during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. the dodgers optioned ambidextrous pitcher pat venditte to triple-a oklahoma city before thursday's game to make room for kershaw.
3. the rockies have reached double digits in hits in a season-high five consecutive games.

prediction: rockies 8, dodgers 4