Thursday 6-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:24 PM

Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

6th June 2018 by Gracenote
the washington capitals are venturing to vegas with more than just breaking the bank on their minds - they are looking to capture their first stanley cup title in franchise history. the capitals can do precisely that on thursday as they look to secure washington's first professional sports championship since 1992 with a win over the vegas golden knights in game 5 at t-mobile arena.

while teams that hold a 3-1 series lead on the nhl's grandest stage own a 32-1 record, the capitals have failed to close the deal with that same advantage on a league-most five occasions in their star-crossed history - and as recently as 2015 against the new york rangers. "there's been heartbreak here, we know that. but i think that's kind of scarred over and has made us a little stronger for it," said washington forward t.j. oshie, who scored a goal and set up two others in monday's 6-2 romp to give him 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in his past 15 contests. while the capitals are looking to exorcise some demons, golden knights coach gerard gallant said his expansion team essentially is playing with the house's money. "the pressure is off us now," gallant told reporters in a conference call. "we're going to go out and play and work hard and go have some fun. so we'll see what happens."

tv: 8 p.m. et, nbc, cbc, sportsnet, tva

about the capitals: the recipient of the conn smythe trophy has been a heated debate in washington, with some tabbing braden holtby (15-7, 2.13 goals-against average) as the front-runner since his paddle save on the doorstep in the waning moments of game 2 arguably turned this series around. the former vezina trophy winner recorded consecutive shutouts to eliminate tampa bay in the eastern conference finals and has won five of six overall, with a .965 save percentage in those victories. three-time hart trophy winner alex ovechkin (nhl high-tying 14 goals, 12 assists) and fellow russian countryman evgeny kuznetsov (12 goals, 19 assists) are also in the mix, with the latter netting four assists on monday to become the fifth player since 1997 to reach the 30-point plateau in a single postseason - moving within five points of the 36 recorded by pittsburgh's evgeni malkin in the 2009 playoffs.
about the golden knights: james neal has reached the 20-goal plateau in all of his 10 nhl seasons, but the 30-year-old felt a bit snake-bitten during the first period of game 4 when his bid into an open net caromed off the far post. "man, you want those chances," neal told reporters. "nine times out of 10, you probably put that in the back of the net." three-time stanley cup champion marc-andre fleury hasn't been receiving as many fortunate bounces of late, as he has answered a 12-3 mark with a .947 save percentage in the first three rounds with a 1-3 record and .845 save percentage in the final.
overtime
1. washington c nicklas backstrom notched three assists in game 4, boosting his total to nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his past six contests.

2. vegas, which has dropped three in a row, did not lose four straight games during its inaugural season.

3. the 1942 detroit red wings are the lone team to lose the stanley cup final after holding a 3-1 series lead.

prediction: golden knights 4, capitals 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:24 PM

Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

6th June 2018 by Gracenote
after getting swept over the weekend, the colorado rockies have a chance to pick up a sweep of their own when they complete a three-game series at the cincinnati reds on thursday. the rockies have a pair of three-run wins to begin the set, including wednesday's 6-3 triumph.

ian desmond slugged a two-run homer and colorado's bullpen put together four scoreless innings as the rockies improved to 4-1 in the season series with the reds. cincinnati has lost four straight despite recording 48 hits in that span, leaving 39 runners on base - a season high-tying 13 in wednesday's loss. scooter gennett remains a bright spot for the reds (21-41), as the slugging second baseman recorded an rbi double and a sacrifice fly - driving in at least one run in 10 of his last 14 contests. colorado's tyler anderson outdueled tyler mahle on the mound in a matchup at coors field last month and the two will start again in the finale.
tv: 12:35 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati)

pitching matchup: rockies lh tyler anderson (3-1, 5.07 era) vs. reds rh tyler mahle (4-6, 4.38)
anderson has an era of 6.67 over his last five starts and the rockies have lost four of them, including friday against the los angeles dodgers, who got to him for five runs in five innings. the 28-year-old has allowed eight home runs in a span of six outings and served up a pair in a no-decision against the reds two turns ago. he is 1-0 with a 3.75 era in two career meetings with cincinnati.

mahle was tagged for four runs in five innings at colorado on may 26 before heading to san diego and blanking the padres over five frames in a win. charlie blackmon is 2-for-2 with a triple and a walk against mahle, who is 0-3 over his last four home starts. the california native is 1-4 with a 4.72 era in six career starts at great american ball park.
walk-offs

1. colorado is 21-13 on the road and cincinnati is 9-21 at home.

2. reds 1b joey votto is 9-for-19 during the four-game hitting streak.

3. rockies rf carlos gonzalez is 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, four rbis and four runs scored in the series.

prediction: rockies 7, reds 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:24 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
the pittsburgh pirates aim for their first series win against a national league team in nearly a month when they host the los angeles dodgers in the rubber match of a three-game series on thursday. the pirates scored two total runs during a three-game slide - including back-to-back 5-0 losses - before breaking out for an 11-9 victory wednesday night.

josh harrison set the tone with a three-run double in the second inning and corey dickerson had three hits along with four runs scored as pittsburgh matched its best scoring output since april 6. the dodgers failed to get above .500 for the first time since april 23 while falling for just the fifth time in their last 19 games. prospect caleb ferguson could not survive the second inning in wednesday's loss and los angeles was forced to run through seven relievers to get to the finish line. that is not an ideal situation with dennis santana slated to make his first career start for the dodgers on thursday opposite jameson taillon for pittsburgh.
tv: 12:35 p.m. et, mlb network, sportsnet la (los angeles), at&t sportsnet pittsburgh
pitching matchup: dodgers rh dennis santana (1-0, 12.27 era) vs. pirates rh jameson taillon (3-4, 3.97)

santana got a win in his first career appearance, although he can thank his offense for the victory. the 22-year-old from the dominican republic was reached for five runs on six hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings of relief in the 11-8 triumph over the colorado rockies on friday. santana posted a 2.54 era in 10 starts between double-a and triple-a earlier this year.
taillon won for the first time in 10 starts after spinning eight scoreless innings at st. louis on friday. he limited the cardinals to three hits and struck out six while recording just his second quality start since the end of april. chris taylor is 3-for-3 with a double against taillon, who gave up nine runs in nine innings through his first two career starts versus the dodgers.

walk-offs

1. the dodgers optioned rhp pedro baez to triple-a oklahoma city to make room on the roster for ferguson.
2. los angeles lf matt kemp knocked in five runs wednesday and has 13 rbis over a seven-game span.

3. dickerson is 11-for-25 with seven runs scored during a six-game hitting streak.

prediction: pirates 6, dodgers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:25 PM

Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
the minnesota twins seemed to be gaining momentum after three straight victories against cleveland last weekend, but must win thursday's finale to avoid a home series loss against the last-place chicago white sox. the twins needed a rally with four runs in the eighth inning to win the first game of the series and have managed five in a pair of losses since, including wednesday's 5-2 setback.

"they've outplayed us," minnesota manager paul molitor told the star tribune after his team left nine on base wednesday. "they've run aggressively, they've made more plays defensively. we had one good inning." jose berrios will try to salvage the split in the series and beat the white sox for the third time this season when he takes the mound thursday against veteran james shields, who is 8-9 in 25 career outings versus the twins. chicago has won four of six in june after losing six of seven and owns 20 victories - one more than the league-worst baltimore orioles (19). infielder yolmer sanchez takes a 10-game hitting streak (13-for-41) into the series finale for the white sox and slugger jose abreu is 8-for-25 while hitting safely in his last six contests.
tv: 1:10 p.m. et, wgn (chicago), fs north (minnesota)
pitching matchup: white sox rh james shields (1-6, 4.48 era) vs. twins rh jose berrios (6-5, 3.86)

shields has not won since his season debut, but the veteran has strung together four straight quality starts and six in his past seven outings. the 36-year-old californian gave up three solo homers for all three runs across seven innings and suffered a 5-0 loss to milwaukee on saturday. brian dozier is 12-for-38 with five doubles, four homers and 10 rbis versus shields, who gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings may 6 in a no-decision against minnesota.
berrios has won three of his last four starts after holding cleveland to four runs over six innings of a 7-4 triumph at home, where he is 4-2 and limits opponents to a .176 batting average. the 24-year-old puerto rico native owns six quality starts in 12 outings this year and boasts 74 strikeouts to go along with 14 walks in 74 2/3 innings. sanchez is 5-for-16 with a homer against berrios, who is 5-1 with a 2.35 era in six career starts versus the white sox.
walk-offs

1. chicago cf adam engel has multiple hits in five of his last 11 games, raising his average from .208 to .228.

2. minnesota inf eduardo escobar is 13-for-30 with four homers and 13 rbis over his last eight contests.

3. abreu needs one homer to break a tie with jim thome (134) for 13th on the team's all-time list and tie minnie minoso (135) for 12th.

prediction: twins 4, white sox 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:25 PM

Miami Marlins vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
the miami marlins look to continue their hot hitting and complete a series sweep for the first time this season when they visit the st. louis cardinals on thursday afternoon for the finale of a three-game set. starlin castro and derek dietrich each delivered four hits wednesday as the marlins recorded an 11-3 victory after scoring seven in the series opener to snap a six-game slide in which they totaled 14 runs.

castro is 13-for-36 during an eight-game hitting streak while dietrich homered wednesday and is 16-for-33 over his last nine contests for miami, which has gone deep five times in the series to improve to 11-21 on the road. marlins rookie elieser hernandez will try to complete the sweep when he takes the mound against fellow right-hander miles mikolas, who can tie michael wacha for the team lead with seven wins. the cardinals had allowed two runs in two wins before miami came to town, but dropped to 5-7 against national league east opponents after two rough nights on the mound. jose martinez had three hits wednesday and is 7-for-15 during a four-game hitting streak for st. louis, which is 3-3 with one contest left on its homestand.
tv: 1:15 p.m. et, fs florida, fs midwest (st. louis)
pitching matchup: marlins rh elieser hernandez (0-3, 4.29 era) vs. cardinals rh miles mikolas (6-1, 2.49)

hernandez allowed five runs on five hits, including three homers, over three innings at arizona last friday after posting three solid starts. the 23-year-old venezuela native gave up four runs on 14 hits and one walk over 15 innings in the first three starts of his major league career despite going 0-2 in that stretch. hernandez owns a 6.77 era on the road in two starts and has given up five homers in 21 innings overall in 2018.
mikolas suffered his first loss of the season last friday when he permitted two runs (one earned) across six innings in a 4-0 setback against pittsburgh. the 29-year-old floridian, who spent the previous three seasons in japan, yielded two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts. mikolas, who has given up just six homers and eight walks in 72 1/3 innings in 2018, is 0-0 with a 5.68 era in three career appearances (one start) against miami.
walk-offs

1. cardinals starting pitchers have allowed just 26 homers, which is the least in the majors.

2. miami 3b-rf brian anderson has six multi-hit games in his last nine outings, going 15-for-37 in that stretch.

3. st. louis rhp matt bowman (blisters) and rhp greg holland (hip) are expected to begin rehab assignments with triple-a memphis on thursday.

prediction: cardinals 5, marlins 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:25 PM

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
Some late-inning drama has set up a rubber match between the Chicago Cubs and the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. The Cubs evened the three-game set at a win apiece on Jason Heyward's walk-off grand slam Wednesday.

The Phillies appeared to be on their way to a 2-0 series lead when rookie Dylan Cozens blasted a two-run homer off Cubs closer Brandon Morrow in the ninth inning Wednesday. But Heyward's game-winning blast gave Chicago its fifth win in six games, pulling the Cubs within one game of National League Central leader Milwaukee. In the finale the Cubs hand the ball to walk-happy right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who has issued 49 free passes in 53 2/3 innings this season. Right-hander Nick Pivetta gets the start for the Phillies, who have dropped four of their last five.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.48 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.02)

After allowing one run over 19 innings across three straight wins, Pivetta has come back to Earth in his last two outings. The 25-year-old Canadian lost his second consecutive start Friday at San Francisco, allowing three runs over four innings in a 4-0 defeat. Pivetta faced the Cubs last season and gave up three runs (two earned) over five innings in a win.
Chatwood is winless in his last four starts, but he showed signs of getting back on track last time out. After failing to get through three innings in his previous two outings, the 28-year-old allowed two runs over 5 1/3 frames in a no-decision Friday at the New York Mets. Chatwood is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in six starts against the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 24-for-68 with 17 RBIs in his last 17 games with a plate appearance.

2. Phillies OF Nick Williams left Wednesday's game with left wrist soreness.

3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant is 9-for-23 during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Cubs 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:25 PM

Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

6th June 2018 by Gracenote
the toronto blue jays seemingly can't buy a break at home, as they failed to take advantage of a sterling pitching performance in their last outing to fall to 1-10 in their last 11 contests at the rogers centre. the blue jays (26-35) bid to change the narrative on thursday as they open a four-game series against the baltimore orioles (19-41).

sam gaviglio scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings on wednesday for toronto, but his offense failed to get it in gear as it struck out 15 times in a 3-0 setback in 13 frames against the new york yankees. kendrys morales had two of his team's four hits for the blue jays, who have lost seven of their last eight and 17 of 22. baltimore knows a thing or two about losing skids as it owns the majors' worst mark, but it did record consecutive victories for just the fourth time this season after capping a two-game interleague sweep of the new york mets with wednesday afternoon's 1-0 triumph. manny machado saw his eight-game hitting streak halted in the matinee, but his sacrifice fly in the eighth inning proved to be the difference.

tv: 7:07 p.m. et, masn (baltimore), sportsnet (toronto)
pitching matchup: orioles rh david hess (2-2, 3.47 era)) vs. blue jays lh jaime garcia (2-4, 6.08)
hess sustained a hard-luck defeat on may 30 after bryce harper's solo homer in the third inning accounted for his lone damage among four hits in six innings of a 2-0 setback versus washington. the 24-year-old rookie, who took over for chris tillman in the rotation, has helped a beleaguered bullpen by pitching six or more innings in three of his first four starts. hess threw a first-pitch strike to 17 of the 23 batters he faced to get ahead in the count against the nationals.
garcia was blitzed for four runs on seven hits in a season-low 1 2/3 innings during friday's 5-2 setback versus detroit. the 31-year-old has allowed the opposition to bat a robust .291 against him this season. danny valencia is 2-for-3 in a small sample size versus garcia, but the left-hander won his lone start against baltimore despite being touched for five runs on 10 hits -- including two homers - in 5 1/3 innings.
walk-offs

1. toronto lf curtis granderson is 0-for-17 with nine strikeouts in his last five contests.

2. baltimore cf adam jones is 17-for-42 with six runs scored in his last 10 games.

3. blue jays top prospect vladimir guerrero jr. exited wednesday's double-a game against akron with an apparent leg injury after sliding into second base in the fourth inning.

prediction: orioles 4, blue jays 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:25 PM

Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

6th June 2018 by Gracenote
andrew benintendi is riding an impressive power surge that has produced three homers in his last four contests. benintendi looks to continue to flex his muscles as the boston red sox (43-19) vie for their seventh sweep of the season on thursday in the finale of a three-game series against the visiting detroit tigers (29-34).

benintendi celebrated his bobblehead night by launching a ball into the bullpen in right-center field during wednesday's 7-1 triumph, giving him five homers among his 18 hits and 13 runs scored in his last 11 games. the 23-year-old benintendi will see a familiar face in former arkansas teammate jalen beeks, who will make his major-league debut on the mound for boston. while the major league-best red sox have won four in a row, detroit has answered an 8-2 stretch by dropping four of its last five overall and 13 of its last 17 on the road. miguel cabrera had two hits on wednesday to boost his total to seven in as many games this month for the tigers.
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, espn, fs detroit, nesn (boston)
pitching matchup: tigers lh matthew boyd (3-4, 3.23 era) vs. red sox lh jalen beeks (major-league debut)

boyd recorded six straight starts in which he had not surrendered a homer before he was taken deep on two occasions in a no-decision against toronto on saturday. the 27-year-old allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings against the blue jays after permitting two runs on three hits in his previous two outings (nine innings). mitch moreland is 4-for-11 with three extra-base hits (two doubles, homer) in his career versus boyd, who owns an 0-1 mark in two career outings against boston after yielding eight runs on 11 hits - including three homers - in just six innings.
with drew pomeranz on the 10-day disabled list, beeks was scratched from his scheduled start on tuesday in triple-a pawtucket and summoned to make his major-league debut after posting a 3-3 mark with a 2.56 era and 0.98 whip in 10 outings with pawtucket. the 24-year-old allowed four runs and struck out seven in as many innings in his last outing on may 31. beeks, who leads the international league with 80 strikeouts, was named the red sox minor league pitcher of the year in september.
walk-offs

1. detroit cf jacoby jones had two hits on wednesday, matching his total of his previous seven games.

2. boston ss xander bogaerts has 14 hits and nine runs scored in his last 12 contests.

3. tigers dh victor martinez is 0-for-7 in the series after hitting safely in 13 of his previous 16 games.

prediction: red sox 7, tigers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:26 PM

Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
nelson cruz is enjoying his best stretch of the campaign and the seattle slugger looks for his seventh multi-hit outing in nine games thursday when the mariners open a four-game series against the host tampa bay rays. cruz is 12-for-31 with three homers during the stretch after going deep for the 11th time this season during wednesday's 7-5 loss to the houston astros.

seattle had a five-game winning streak halted with wednesday's setback but owns a one-game lead over houston in the american league west due to a 14-4 stretch. shortstop jean segura went 5-for-9 in two games against the astros and the back-to-back multi-hit outings raise his major league-leading count in that category to 27. tampa bay has scored only 12 runs during a six-game slide and manager kevin cash defended the recent practice of starting a reliever after jonny venters retired only one batter and allowed five runs in the first inning of wednesday's 11-2 loss to the washington nationals. "(wednesday) was one of those gut-wrenching days," cash said afterward. "it didn't go our way and smacked us right in the face. one bad outing, one bad whatever you want to call it. i don't think it's fair to get away from it."
tv: 7:10 p.m. et, root sports northwest (seattle), fs sun (tampa bay)
pitching matchup: mariners rh mike leake (5-3, 4.71 era) vs. rays rh ryne stanek (1-1, 3.65)

leake allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings against tampa bay on friday but didn't get a victory because closer edwin diaz blew the save in the ninth inning. the 30-year-old leake is 1-0 with a 2.70 era in three career starts against the rays but has struggled with carlos gomez (8-for-20, one home run). leake has a solid 1.66 era over his past three starts and hasn't issued a walk over his last four turns.
the rays are 3-5 when opening with a reliever as stanek will start a game for the third time under the unique approach. the 26-year-old is unscored upon in seven of his past eight appearances and has allowed only three hits in 8 2/3 innings during the stretch. stanek retired all five mariners he faced in a relief appearance saturday and has given up one hit in 2 2/3 innings in two career outings versus seattle.
walk-offs

1. the mariners swept the rays in seattle last weekend while holding tampa bay to five runs.

2. tampa bay announced that it will recall 1b jake bauers from triple-a durham prior to thursday's contest.

3. seattle released veteran lhp marc rzepczynski five days after designating him for assignment.

prediction: mariners 4, rays 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:26 PM

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
gerrit cole aims to win his fifth consecutive decision when the houston astros open a four-game series against the host texas rangers on thursday. the right-hander is unbeaten over his last seven turns since suffering his lone setback of the season against the los angeles angels on april 23.

cole was acquired from the pittsburgh pirates in the offseason and got his tenure with houston off to a good start when he gave up one run and two hits and struck out 11 over seven innings in a win over the rangers on april 1. he will look to help the astros win their second straight contest after their three-game slide was extinguished with wednesday's 7-5 victory over the seattle mariners. texas has won five of its last eight games and scored 15 runs in a two-game sweep of the oakland athletics. infielder jurickson profar was the star of wednesday's 8-2 victory as he went deep twice for his first career multi-homer outing and drove in a career-best five runs.
tv: 8:05 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet southwest (houston), fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: astros rh gerrit cole (6-1, 2.20 era) vs. rangers lh cole hamels (3-5, 3.63)

cole ranks second in the majors with 116 strikeouts and has allowed 48 hits while holding opponents to a .171 average. the 27-year-old has given up three runs or fewer in all 12 starts but has allowed six homers over his last four outings after serving up three over his first eight. cole, who is 2-0 with a 1.29 era in three career starts against texas, received a no-decision against the rangers on april 13 when he allowed two runs and three hits and fanned 14 in seven innings.
hamels has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts but is 2-2 during the stretch. the 34-year-old has served up six homers over his last three turns, including two solo shots while allowing two runs and five hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the los angeles angels in his last turn. hamels allowed one hit over six shutout innings while beating the astros on may 11 and is 1-1 with a 2.55 era in three starts against houston this season and 8-5 with a 3.95 era in 19 career outings.
walk-offs

1. the astros have won six of this season's 10 meetings.

2. houston activated rf josh reddick (knee infection) - he went 1-for-4 on wednesday - and optioned inf j.d. davis to triple-a fresno.

3. texas ss elvis andrus (elbow) has been cleared to participate in batting practice and could begin a rehab stint as soon as monday.

prediction: astros 3, rangers 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:26 PM

Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 06-07-2018

7th June 2018 by Gracenote
the kansas city royals sit 20 games below .500 in a lost season as they open a four-game series against the host oakland athletics on thursday. the royals have dropped four straight games and began their expected shopping of players by trading center fielder jon jay prior to wednesday's 4-3 loss to the los angeles angels.

kansas city is in the midst of a youth movement and it dealt jay (.307 average) to the arizona diamondbacks for two minor-league pitchers - right-hander elvis luciano and southpaw gabe speier. "arizona sought out jon, and they wanted jon," royals assistant general manager of baseball operations scott sharp said during a conference call. "we felt like if we could put a deal together that had some impact and some long-range ceiling to go ahead and do it, rather than wait for something to come along." oakland allowed 15 runs in back-to-back setbacks against the texas rangers and has lost six of its past nine contests. athletics designated hitter khris davis homered in both losses to the rangers while going 4-for-7 with four rbis and two walks.
tv: 10:05 p.m. et, fs kansas city, nbcs california (oakland)
pitching matchup: royals rh jason hammel (2-5, 5.17 era) vs. athletics rh paul blackburn (2017: 3-1, 3.22)

hammel has allowed four runs while going 2-0 over his past three starts after being 0-8 with a 7.28 era over his previous 13 turns dating back to last season. the 34-year-old allowed one total run and struck out 16 in wins over st. louis and texas before giving up three runs and seven hits over six innings in a no-decision against oakland in his last turn. hammel is 4-2 with a 4.65 era in 10 career appearances (six starts) against the athletics.
blackburn will be activated prior to the game to make his season debut after suffering a right forearm strain late in spring training. the 24-year-old showed promise during 10 starts last season prior to having his campaign ended when he was struck on his pitching hand by a line drive off the bat of baltimore's trey mancini on aug. 22. blackburn received a no-decision against kansas city in his next-to-last start of last year when he gave up four runs and eight hits over four innings.
walk-offs

1. the athletics won two of three from the royals in kansas city last weekend, including a 16-0 shellacking friday.

2. oakland placed lf matt joyce (back) on the 10-day disabled list - he is slated to undergo an mri exam thursday - and recalled of nick martini from triple-a nashville.

3. kansas city lf alex gordon has only 14 rbis but he drove in three runs for the third time this season wednesday.

prediction: athletics 7, royals 5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:28 PM

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park
RACE #6 - BELMONT PARK - 4:40 PM EASTERN POST
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#3 EYEINTHESKY
#8 ATHENS QUEEN

Just F.Y.I. folks ... this race is named for Astoria,which is a town in here in the New York City borough of Queens. Here in the 107th renewal of this stakes event, which was first run at Gravesend Raceway, #7 TIJORI comes off a maiden-breaking, "POWER RUN WIN" in her "first asking," in a race which was contested at today's TrackMaster PLUS Class Level of 91. Jockey Flavien Prat was in her irons for that win, which came at Santa Anita Park in Southern California, and is here in New York this afternoon for his 2nd ride, gunning for back-to-back "Circle Trips." #1 WONDER STONE also comes off a "POWER RUN WIN" to break her respective maiden in her "first asking."

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:28 PM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belterra Park - Race #5 - Post: 3:24pm - Claiming - 5.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $11,000 Class Rating: 70

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#12 SHAPE OF YOU (ML=8/1)
#7 GALES OF NOVEMBER (ML=5/2)
#6 SPIRIT WARRIOR (ML=20/1)

SHAPE OF YOU - You always have to be on the lookout for revenue generating jockey/conditioner tandems; we have it right here. Took a big class drop last out, and I think she may have needed it. McCutchen enters her at a similar class level today. I'd expect an improved performance. This filly is tops in earnings per race. Take a good look at this thoroughbred in the saddling ring. I know the stable is serious today. The filly gets Lasix for the 1st time. GALES OF NOVEMBER - Have to like the way Santangelo has raced this filly back into shape off the layoff. Equine is well spotted in this sprint and I think she'll run well today. Horse has improved at least two speed rating points in last two races. I look for that to continue to trend in a positive direction today. SPIRIT WARRIOR - Rounding her way back into form. Each of her finish positions is getting better in her recent starts. This is this filly's first try on the turf. Ran well finishing first on May 18th. The track was slow that day, so I think this equine will take to the turf. Won her last after shipping in. I like her again. Don't often see a beneficial return on investment like +175. This jockey/conditioner tandem has done well together over the last 12 months. This horse has increased her speed ratings in each of the last two races. That kind of progress is telling me this horse is ready.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 SPIRIT FLY (ML=7/2), #9 TIZ B B N (ML=5/1),

SPIRIT FLY - Generally I need a sprinter to have some recent success in short distance contests in order to back her. TIZ B B N - In the last event this vulnerable equine finished fourth. Doesn't bode well for her chances in today's event.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #12 SHAPE OF YOU to win. Have to have odds of at least 3/1 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,12]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,12] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[6,7,12] with [6,7,12] with [2,3,6,7,12] with [2,3,6,7,12] Total Cost: $36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-07-2018, 01:29 PM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Churchill Downs

06/07/18, CD, Race 4, 6.27 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.07.03 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $18,700.
Claiming Price $10,000. FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6) - Pick 5 (Races 4-8)
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 38.18, $1 ROI 1.09, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 3 Ship Stalker 3-1 Bridgmohan S Cox Brad H. J
097.3607 9 Myluckycharm 9/2 Morales E Tomlinson Michael A. T
097.1849 5 Uncle Pancho 10-1 Saez G Milligan Allen WL
097.1151 6 Big Tom D 5-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Drury. Jr. Thomas
096.8842 8 Tap You're It(b-) 6-1 Court J K Quartarolo Anthony T. EC
096.7243 7 Aggravator 7/2 Borel C H Wiggins Lon F
094.6569 4 Mini Chunk 10-1 McMahon C Hartman Chris A.
094.5976 2 First Set 8-1 Hill C Romans Dale L.
093.4326 1 B Efficient 20-1 Miranda R Barnett Bobby C.
093.3698 1A Hitthegroundrunnin 20-1 Miranda R Barnett Bobby C.

Thursday 6-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Thursday 6-7-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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