Saturday 6-16-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #9 - BELMONT PARK - 5:45 PM EASTERN POST
The Dancin Renee Stakes
6.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $15,000.00 PURSE

#5 HOLIDAY DISGUISE
#7 ASBSATOOTLY
#3 PICO UNO
#2 COZZY SPRING

This race honors the career of Dancin Renee, the 1997 N.Y. Horse of the year, who 14 of 21 starts over three seasons of racing, earning $490,258. As a 5-year-old in 1997, she won seven consecutive races, including the Grade 3 Honorable Miss Stakes, the Straight Deal Breeders' Cup Handicap, the Berlo Handicap, the Endine Stakes, the Broadway Handicap, and the Regret Stakes to earn statebred Horse of the Year honors, as well as champion sprinter and champion older female. As a broodmare, Dancin Renee produced five winners from six starters, including the Limehouse mare Risky Rachel, a homebred for Bacon who won the Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on the day her dam died. It was Risky Rachel's fifth career stakes victory. Out of three-time New York Broodmare of the Year Lolli Lucka Lolli, Dancin Renee was a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and $2 million earner Say Florida Sandy. Here in the 5th running of The Renee, #5 HOLIDAY DISGUISE has hit the board in each of her last five outings, winning three times, including "POWER RUN WINS" in both her 3rd and 5th races back. Jockey Junior Alvarado and Trainer Linda Rick send her to the post for the "Saturday Feature" ... they've hit the board with 60% of more than 85 entries saddled as a team to date. #7 ABSATOOTLY, the overall speed leader in this field, has hit the board in three of her last five outings, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in her 3rd race back.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Belmont Park

06/16/18, BEL, Race 8, 5.18 ET
1M [Turf] 1.31.03 ALLOWANCE. Purse $77,000.
(UP TO $13,860 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $10,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR STATE BRED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES
Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (8-10), Double
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 30.95, $1 ROI 1.03, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 6 Slot 6-1 Franco M Pletcher Todd A. TFW
096.7132 4 Catch a Cab 7/2 Lezcano J Casse Mark E.
096.6790 8 Wine Not 5/2 Carmouche K Weaver George
096.3653 5 (F)Max Velocity (IRE) 8-1 Rosario J Falcone. Jr. Robert N.
095.6026 10 Fire On Fire 20-1 Bravo J Nagle Reid J
095.4529 7 Compagno 6-1 Cohen D Diodoro Robertino
095.1805 12 The J Y 8-1 Alvarado J Hennig Mark A. EL
094.8330 3 Lunaire 4-1 Castellano J Albertrani Thomas S
094.1034 11 Hembree 10-1 Carmouche K Maker Michael J.
093.2694 2 Kulin Rock 5-1 Davis D Tagg Barclay C
092.8106 1 Battle Midway 9/2 Rider TBA Rodriguez Rudy R.
089.2546 9 Hello Holiday 20-1 Fragoso P Serpe Philip M.
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse Win Percent 33.96, $1 ROI 1.12, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 6 Slot 6-1 Franco M Pletcher Todd A. FW
098.6152 5 (F)Max Velocity (IRE) 8-1 Rosario J Falcone. Jr. Robert N. T
096.4187 8 Wine Not 5/2 Carmouche K Weaver George
095.4040 4 Catch a Cab 7/2 Lezcano J Casse Mark E.
094.9102 11 Hembree 10-1 Carmouche K Maker Michael J.
094.6448 3 Lunaire 4-1 Castellano J Albertrani Thomas JS
094.5256 10 Fire On Fire 20-1 Bravo J Nagle Reid
094.2627 7 Compagno 6-1 Cohen D Diodoro Robertino
094.2395 2 Kulin Rock 5-1 Davis D Tagg Barclay C
093.8077 12 The J Y 8-1 Alvarado J Hennig Mark A. EL
093.0619 1 Battle Midway 9/2 Rider TBA Rodriguez Rudy R.
091.5784 9 Hello Holiday 20-1 Fragoso P Serpe Philip M.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes - Race 5

EXACTA * TRIFECTA * SUPERFECTA (10 Cent Minimum) * PICK 3 (50 CENT MINIMUM: RACES 5-6-7) * PICK 4 (50 Cent Minimum: Races 5-6-7-8) * DAILY DOUBLE (Races 5-6)


Maiden Claiming $5,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 60 • Purse: $9,000 • Post: 2:58P
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Trailer. PURSUING JUSTICE is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * PURSUING JUSTICE: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. PATELLA: 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. HIGH HEEL CHIC: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figu re at the distance/surface.
2
PURSUING JUSTICE
8/5

4/1
7
PATELLA
5/1

6/1
11
HIGH HEEL CHIC
7/2

7/1
6
DEVIL BUSTER
20/1

9/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
11
HIGH HEEL CHIC
11

7/2
Front-runner
66

52

66.0

40.6

32.6
6
DEVIL BUSTER
6

20/1
Front-runner
68

63

60.7

27.0

17.5
10
WEALLHAVECHANGED
10

6/1
Alternator/Front-runner
57

42

53.4

35.6

25.6
8
BONFIRE RISING
8

8/1
Stalker
48

40

47.8

40.2

29.2
7
PATELLA
7

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
58

52

53.6

47.6

42.1
12
CAYMAN A BIKINI
12

5/1
Alternator/Stalker
44

30

36.6

28.2

15.2
2
PURSUING JUSTICE
2

8/5
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

22.6

55.3

52.3
1
MY FLYING DRAGON
1

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

46.5

21.8

5.3
3
FANCY RED
3

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
55

46

43.2

26.4

8.9
4
COURAGEOUS SOX
4

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
41

23

27.3

27.0

10.0
5
SECOND HAND LOVE
5

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

26.5

20.9

0.4
9
CONCORDECHARDONNAY
9

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fair Meadows Tulsa
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 10 - Claiming - 300y on the Dirt. Purse: $7500 Class Rating: 75

QUARTER HORSE 300Y, FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 124 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 SARITA LEFT 5/1

# 8 THE CASH FERRY 4/1

# 10 INSPIRIO 12/1

I've got to go with SARITA LEFT. Overall the speed figures of this animal look strong in this contest. Win percentage under similar conditions may be the key for this filly. Put up a reliable Equibase Speed Figure in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. THE CASH FERRY - Has been running very well lately and ought to be on or close to the front end early on. INSPIRIO - Ought to be given a shot - I like the numbers from the last contest.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Hastings
Hastings - Race 4

Exactor / Triactor / Superfecta / Pick 4 (Races 4-5-6-7)


Optional Claiming $35,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 100 • Purse: $24,000 • Post: 3:20P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR CLAIMING PRICE $35,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE MAY 16, 2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE APRIL 16 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $35,000, IF FOR $30,000, ALLOWED 3 LBS. (PREFERENCE TO HORSES THAT HAVE NOT STARTED FOR LESS THAN $20,000 IN THEIR LAST 3 STARTS).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Trailer. SQUARE DANCER 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 * DON'T HOLD ME BACK: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. JAM N ADDY: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. TRILL POINT: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Po wer Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface.
1
DON'T HOLD ME BACK
6/1

9/2
2
JAM N ADDY
2/1

6/1
5
TRILL POINT
3/1

6/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
JAM N ADDY
2

2/1
Front-runner
97

99

91.4

84.4

80.9
5
TRILL POINT
5

3/1
Front-runner
97

96

90.8

86.9

78.4
1
DON'T HOLD ME BACK
1

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
102

101

76.0

93.6

89.6
4
SARGENT RICK
4

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
93

90

59.4

86.4

75.9
6
SQUARE DANCER
6

7/2
Trailer
91

89

67.8

86.8

77.3
3
CAPTAIN JONES
3

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
97

88

87.0

87.0

77.5
7
SUNSET DRIVE
7

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
84

83

73.0

80.9

70.9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Lone Star Park - Race #6 - Post: 5:05pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $23,000 Class Rating: 54

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 SWEET SHOT (ML=15/1)
#2 GYMNASTIC (ML=8/5)


SWEET SHOT - Ruiz was aboard this filly in the last race and was impressed enough to take the animal right back. Expect better today as this filly gets Lasix for the 2nd time. Gonzalez drops her down to this level. You don't need too much more handicapping information to think this one will be tough to beat at this level. GYMNASTIC - Dropping in class rating points from her Aug 5th race at Ellis Park. Based on that info, I will give this animal the edge. Just see her most recent speed fig, 64. That one fits well in this field. Can't help but like the 2nd time addition of Lasix by the trainer today. Pretty good indication Calhoun thinks she can win. Has a decent opportunity to break maiden changing to the dirt in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1A VICTORIOUS GOLD (ML=5/2), #1 ROSES N PISTOLS (ML=5/2), #8 LUCKY KNICKERS (ML=4/1),

VICTORIOUS GOLD - This less than sharp equine will most likely be way back as this bunch crosses the finish. ROSES N PISTOLS - In any event of 6 furlongs, I like to bet on a contender that has been looking good in short distance events recently. This filly finished outside the top 3 on March 3rd and wasn't close to victory last out either. LUCKY KNICKERS - The result of sixth in the last affair shows me that this equine may be going out of form.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Brain - SWEET SHOT - Pouring over thousands of records has given me insight into this type of horse. With her front running speed, this one could be dominant.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #7 SWEET SHOT on the nose if you can get odds of 7/5 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #4 - Post: 2:16pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $24,000 Class Rating: 58

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#11 RANDOM THOUGHTS (ML=5/2)
#6 CHARMN CHARLIE RAY (ML=2/1)


RANDOM THOUGHTS - Entered last at Penn National in a race with a class number of 74. Dropping significantly in class rating this time out puts him in a solid position today. This gelding was sharp enough to post a 'top two' workout recently. I think he's ready for today's event. Always be wary of the longer priced animal when a trainer has an 'uncoupled' entry in a race. This gelding shows a classic pattern of layoff, two sprints, and stretching to a route today. CHARMN CHARLIE RAY - Faced tougher in the last race at Penn National. Based on class ratings, this is a weaker bunch, so I will put this horse on my list of contenders.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 INDIAN TANGO (ML=3/1), #4 CRUISE CONTROL (ML=5/1), #5 BIG SHACK (ML=8/1),

INDIAN TANGO - Ran somewhat erratically last time out on May 23rd at Presque Isle Downs. CRUISE CONTROL - Not likely that this equine will finish better than he did last time out of the box when finishing ninth. The speed rating in the last race doesn't fit very well in this event when I look at the Equibase class figure of today's event. Mark this horse as a likely underpriced equine. BIG SHACK - This thoroughbred just hasn't looked fit lately.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - RANDOM THOUGHTS - I like to check out the TrackMaster Platinum PPs to look for the top racer in earnings per start. This race horse looks good to me so I'm making a wager on him.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #11 RANDOM THOUGHTS on the nose if you can get odds of 2/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,11]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 5 - Maiden - 350y on the Dirt. Purse: $7800 Class Rating: 78

QUARTER HORSE 350Y, FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 ANGRY ORCHARD 10/1

# 5 JESS MY CANDY 7/2

# 10 MAGNIFICO 6/1

ANGRY ORCHARD has a respectable shot to take this contest and is a strong value-based bet given the 10/1 line. Ran a strong last race. Is hard not to consider given the company run in as of late. Is worth a look and may be a wager - strong Speed Figures (73 average) at today's distance and surface lately. JESS MY CANDY - Has to be given a shot versus this group of animals displaying competitive figs as of late and an average Equibase Speed Figure of 72 under similar conditions. This animal enters today's competition with second time Lasix. MAGNIFICO - Is tough not to consider based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been formidable - 61 avg - of late. Could best this field based on the speed figure - 55 - of his last contest.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

15th June 2018 by Gracenote
luis severino looks to rebound from his first loss in two months and become the third 10-game winner in the majors when the new york yankees host the tampa bay rays on saturday afternoon in the third of a four-game series. severino had a 10-start unbeaten streak snapped last time out but he is 3-0 with six runs allowed in his last four starts versus the rays.

new york made it two in a row over tampa bay with a 5-0 victory friday night, improving to a major league-best 25-10 at home with its 12th victory in 15 games. catcher gary sanchez, mired in a 1-for-31 slump entering friday's game, delivered a three-run double for his first rbis in june and didi gregorius homered among three hits for the yankees. the rays arrived in new york off a three-game sweep of toronto but managed only four hits friday to fall to 0-4 against the yankees this season. rookie first baseman jake bauers is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts in the series following a five-game hitting streak for tampa bay.
tv: 1:05 p.m. et, mlb network, fs sun (tampa bay), yes (new york)
pitching matchup: rays rh ryne stanek (1-1, 2.76 era) vs. yankees rh luis severino (9-2, 2.27)

ryan stanek is expected to be the designated opener and is scheduled to be followed by left-hander ryan yarbrough as tampa bay goes to its bullpen to take the lead in the next two games. stanek has been idle since tuesday, when he opened versus toronto and retired all six batters he faced in two spotless innings. yarbrough earned his fifth win with six innings of four-run ball against the blue jays on monday.
severino allowed just two runs and five hits over five innings in a loss to the new york mets on sunday, which also ended a string of 10 consecutive quality starts dating to a loss at boston on april 10. he handled the rays with ease in his second start of the season, earning the victory with 7 1/3 innings of two-run ball. severino is 5-0 with a 1.79 era and .174 batting average against in seven home starts this season.

walk-offs

1. yankees rf aaron judge had his second straight two-hit game to improve to 7-for-14 with seven runs scored in four games versus the rays this season.
3. rays cf mallex smith has hit safely in eight of the last nine games.

3. gregorius is 5-for-10 with three homers in his last three games

prediction: yankees 6, rays 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

16th June 2018 by Gracenote
the detroit tigers will undoubtedly miss miguel cabrera at some point in the near future, but the club's knack for pulling off the late rally since his season-ending injury has the team feeling good about itself at the moment. the tigers attempt to remain unbeaten without their 11-time all-star on saturday when they visit the chicago white sox for the middle contest of a three-game series.

detroit erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat minnesota 5-2 on wednesday, tallied all three of its runs in the seventh thursday to beat the twins again and pulled out a 4-3 victory in friday's series opener when john hicks scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice grounder in the eighth. victor martinez contributed a two-run double and james mccann had three hits for the tigers, who improved to 6-1 against their american league central rival - including 4-0 at guaranteed rate field. after finishing may at 16-37, chicago is 8-7 in june despite dropping two in a row. however, the white sox are in danger of losing the first series of the month after splitting both of their four-game sets while taking two of three from division leaders milwaukee and boston.
tv: 2:10 p.m. et, fs detroit, nbcs chicago
pitching matchup: tigers rh jordan zimmermann (2-0, 4.88 era) vs. white sox rh lucas giolito (4-7, 7.09)

zimmermann is expected to be activated friday in time to make his first start since landing on the disabled list on may 5 due to a right shoulder impingement. the two-time all-star did not yield a run across 12 innings over his last two big-league outings and is coming off the best of his three turns during his rehab stint, allowing one run in 5 1/3 frames with single-a western michigan on monday. zimmermann gave up six runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision april 5 at chicago.
giolito walked more batters (four) than he struck out (three) for the seventh time in 13 starts monday against cleveland, taking the loss after surrendering four runs on four hits across five innings. the 23-year-old ranks third in the majors in walks (43) and has been abysmal in six home turns this season, going 1-4 with an 11.63 era while allowing opponents to bat .303 in those outings. giolito was tagged for five runs in 5 2/3 frames in a loss to detroit on april 7.
walk-offs

1. four of the last five meetings have been decided by one run.

2. chicago is holding opponents to a .104 batting average with runners in scoring position over the last eight contests.

3. hicks is 6-for-12 with a triple and a home run in three starts at first base since cabrera ruptured his left biceps tendon tuesday.

prediction: tigers 5, white sox 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

16th June 2018 by Gracenote
evan gattis is on a tremendous tear and strives to continue to torment opposing pitchers when the houston astros visit the kansas city royals on saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game series. gattis slugged his second career grand slam in friday's 7-3 victory, giving him six homers and 20 rbis during the astros' nine-game winning streak.

the 31-year-old gattis has been hotter than lava over his last 28 games, belting 13 shots and driving in 38 runs during the stretch. he has been especially lethal over the last four contests with four homers and 14 rbis, including back-to-back five-rbi performances against oakland earlier in the week. alex bregman and carlos correa belted solo homers in the series opener as houston handed the slumping royals their 10th loss in 11 games. kansas city also lost right fielder jorge soler to a fractured left foot when he tripped while leaving the batter's box and fell after hitting a ground ball in the sixth inning, and he will undergo a ct scan on saturday to determine the severity.
tv: 2:15 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet-southwest (houston), fs kansas city
pitching matchup: astros lh dallas keuchel (3-8, 4.45 era) vs. royals lh danny duffy (3-6, 5.28)

keuchel has struggled over his last five outings as he is 0-3 with a 7.33 era during that stretch. the 30-year-old allowed six runs - five earned - and a season-high 13 hits in just 4 1/3 innings against texas in his last turn but escaped with a no-decision. keuchel is 3-1 with a 3.32 era in six career starts against the royals and has shut down both salvador perez (2-for-18) and alex gordon (1-for-10).
duffy put together a stellar showing while beating oakland in his last turn as he registered a season-high 10 strikeouts while giving up just three hits over seven scoreless innings. the 29-year-old is 2-0 over his last four turns, allowing fewer than two runs in three of the outings. duffy is 2-2 with a 4.50 era in seven career appearances (four starts) against houston and has been torched by jose altuve (7-for-14) and george springer (3-for-9, two homers).
walk-offs

1. the astros are 8-0 during their 10-game road trip that concludes on sunday.

2. kansas city has scored just 26 runs in 13 games this month.

3. houston of tony kemp recorded two hits on friday and is 12-for-30 with five multi-hit efforts over his last nine appearances.

prediction: astros 10, royals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Marlins vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

15th June 2018 by Gracenote
brian anderson continues to make an impression in his first full season with the miami marlins and looks to add to his best month saturday afternoon against the host baltimore orioles in the middle contest of a three-game interleague series. anderson had two hits in miami's 2-0 victory on friday and the 25-year-old is 21-for-55 in june with 10 rbis to raise his overall batting average to .307.

anderson, who has appeared in all 70 games, played a big role as the marlins won four of their last five outings and 24-year-old center fielder lewis brinson is also warming up while going 7-for-19 with five rbis over the past five contests. left-hander wei-yin chen will try to extend miami's surge when he takes the mound against the team he won 46 games with from 2012-15 to start his major league career and slumping baltimore counters with righty alex cobb, who has already lost eight games in his first season with the team. the orioles own the worst record in the majors (19-49) after dropping a season-high eight straight games overall and 10 in a row at home. adam jones had one of three hits for baltimore on friday and is 8-for-25 over his last six games while star shortstop manny machado is struggling through a 4-for-28 stretch.
tv: 4:05 p.m. et, fs florida (miami), masn2 (baltimore)
pitching matchup: marlins lh wei-yin chen (1-3, 6.13 era) vs. orioles rh alex cobb (2-8, 7.23)

chen has not won since his season debut on april 28, going more than five innings just twice during his winless stretch. the 32-year-old taiwan native gave up four runs on six hits and four walks across 4 1/3 innings monday for a no-decision in a 7-5 victory over san francisco. jace peterson is 2-for-4 versus chen, who is 0-3 with a 10.31 era in five road starts this season and has issued 22 walks over 39 2/3 innings in 2018.
cobb followed up his second win of the season by suffering through his worst start of 2018 on sunday in toronto when he allowed nine runs over 3 2/3 innings. the 30-year-old boston native had posted three quality starts in four outings before yielding 11 hits - two homers - last time out against the blue jays. cameron maybin (1-for-8) has a homer against cobb, who is 3-1 with a 1.78 era in four career games versus miami.
walk-offs

1. baltimore 1b corban joseph was recalled friday and made his first major league appearance since 2013 - going 1-for-4.

2. miami placed lhp caleb smith on the bereavement list friday while recalling rhps merandy gonzalez and reinstating brett graves.
3. orioles 3b danny valencia saw his six-game hitting streak (8-for-23) come to an end by going 0-for-3 in the series opener.

prediction: orioles 6, marlins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

16th June 2018 by Gracenote
the pittsburgh pirates have won consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month and look to make it three in a row when they continue a three-game set with the visiting cincinnati reds on saturday. a run-scoring double play and two sacrifice flies gave the pirates just enough offense in a 3-2 win to begin the series friday night.

pittsburgh was outhit 7-6 and committed each of the game's three errors, but its staff held the reds to 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position. starling marte had one of the two sacrifice flies for the pirates and he owns six hits an six rbis during a four-game hitting streak. cincinnati had its three-game winning streak come to an end with friday's loss as it fell to 1-4 at pittsburgh this year and 5-13 in one-run games. the reds will try to bounce back behind struggling right-hander luis castillo, who opposes veteran ivan nova in saturday's matchup.
tv: 4:05 p.m. et, fs ohio (cincinnati), at&t sportsnet pittsburgh

pitching matchup: reds rh luis castillo (4-7, 5.79 era) vs. pirates rh ivan nova (3-5, 4.68)
castillo continues to struggle to keep the ball in the park and served up two more home runs in a loss to the st. louis cardinals his last time out. he allowed five runs over six innings in the setback, although the 25-year-old did tie a career high with 10 strikeouts. castillo's last win came against pittsburgh on may 24, when he yielded two runs in six innings.

nova returned from the disabled list to score a win at wrigley field on sunday, limiting the chicago cubs to one run in 5 2/3 frames while striking out eight. he was the losing pitcher opposite castillo last month after struggling through 5 1/3 innings and fell to 3-7 with a 4.67 era lifetime versus the reds. scott schebler is 9-for-22 against nova while eugenio suarez is 8-for-21 and jesse winker is 3-for-6 with two home runs.
walk-offs

1. reds rhp homer bailey (knee) halted his rehab assignment at triple-a louisville.

2. the pirates reinstated inf jung ho kang and optioned him to triple-a indianapolis.

3. cincinnati 1b joey votto has drawn 10 walks in his last seven games.

prediction: pirates 5, reds 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 06-16-2018

16th June 2018 by Gracenote
ian desmond made his last all-star game in his only season with the texas rangers, and he wasted no time feeling right at home in his first game back in arlington. the 32-year-old first baseman will try to build upon his most productive game of the season at the plate saturday when his colorado rockies attempt to extend the rangers' season-high seven-game skid in the middle contest of a three-game set.

desmond batted .285 with 22 home runs to go along with 86 rbis and stole 21 bases with the rangers in 2016 before signing with the rockies the following season. despite some recent success at the plate, he was still hitting a meager .195 until friday, when he homered in two of his first three at-bats and added a single in the ninth inning to record his first three-hit performance of 2018. the rangers appeared to be in good shape to end their losing streak in the opener after putting up five runs in the first inning but managed only two hits thereafter as colorado responded with six runs in the next frame. texas, which is already 19 games out of first place in the american league west, will try to avoid its longest slide since dropping eight in a row on three separate occasions during the 2014 campaign.
tv: 4:05 p.m. et, at&t sportsnet rocky mountain (colorado), fs southwest (texas)
pitching matchup: rockies lh kyle freeland (6-6, 3.68 era) vs. rangers lh mike minor (4-4, 5.65)

freeland fell to 5-2 since the beginning of may in sunday's defeat versus arizona, giving up four runs on four hits while tying season highs in walks (four) and strikeouts (eight) in six frames. the evansville product has yielded at least three runs in each of his last four turns but logged six or more innings in eight of his last nine outings. freeland has struggled a bit on the road (3-4, 4.15 era) and will face texas for the first time but is 4-0 with a 2.03 in four career interleague starts.
minor recorded his first quality start he's registered since may 3 in last saturday's no-decision versus houston, permitting three runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. the 30-year-old tennessee native has shown good control so far (15 walks in 12 starts) but is allowing opponents to bat .281 overall and has surrendered 10 homers over his last seven turns. desmond is 7-for-27 with two doubles and a home run versus minor, who is 3-2 with a 5.73 era in eight appearances (six starts) against colorado.
walk-offs

1. desmond is batting .298 with six home runs and 16 rbis in his last 17 games.

2. since joining texas in 2011, 3b adrian beltre is batting .411 with five homers and 15 rbis versus the rockies.
3. colorado ss trevor story is 15-for-30 with three home runs, 11 rbis and six multi-hit efforts in the last seven contests.

prediction: rockies 7, rangers 4