Thursday 6-21-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Preview: Mets at Rockies
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Colorado Rockies have hit double digits in runs in three of their last four contests and look to make it three in a row against the visiting New York Mets when they complete their four-game set on Thursday afternoon. Colorado scored a dozen times in a loss at Texas on Sunday and have followed a 12-2 loss in the series opener with a pair of 10-8 triumphs.

The clubs went back and forth in Wednesday's contest before pinch-hitter Ryan McMahon belted a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give the Rockies a 9-8 edge. Nolan Arenado has gone 5-for-9 with two blasts and four RBIs in his last two games while Gerardo Parra is 7-for-12 with seven RBIs in his last three contests. Dominic Smith fell a homer shy of the cycle in the loss for the Mets, who are 3-6 on their 10-game road trip. Brandon Nimmo is riding a five-game hitting streak during which he has gone 11-for-24 with three blasts and eight RBIs.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (3-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (6-6, 3.59)

Matz is coming off a victory at Arizona on Saturday in which he allowed one run and six hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old New Yorker has given up three earned runs or fewer in all but one of his 13 starts this season and has served up a homer in just one of his last five turns. Matz fell to 0-3 with a 6.50 ERA in four career starts against Colorado on May 5 despite yielding only one run and three hits in six frames.

Freeland matched his season high by working seven innings at Texas on Saturday but came away without a decision after allowing two runs and eight hits. The 25-year-old native of Denver is 3-2 in five turns at home this season but has posted a 2.93 ERA - more than a full run lower than his mark on the road. Freeland, who tossed three scoreless innings in relief at New York as a rookie last year, gave up two runs and four hits over seven frames en route to victory in his first career start versus the Mets on May 6 at Citi Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 2B Asdrubal Cabrera enters the series finale with a five-game hitting streak that includes four straight two-hit performances.

2. Colorado has given up at least eight runs in nine consecutive home games, joining the 1894 St. Louis Browns as the only teams in major-league history to accomplish the dubious feat.

3. New York recalled Chris Flexen from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday and optioned fellow RHP Hansel Robles to the 51s.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Rockies 3

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Preview: Orioles at Nationals
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Baltimore Orioles had to wait for it, but they finally got a win over their regional rivals. After snapping a six-game slide against the Washington Nationals, the Orioles will try to make it two straight when the teams wrap up a three-game interleague set in the nation's capital Thursday.

The teams endured a rain delay of nearly three hours Wednesday night before Baltimore finished off a 3-0 win, its second triumph in four days following a nine-game losing streak. Mark Trumbo's two-run homer prior to the rain delay was all the Orioles would need as five pitchers combined on a five-hitter. Nationals star Bryce Harper continued his slide with four hitless trips to the plate, falling to 2-for-32 over a nine-game span. Washington ace Max Scherzer gets the start Thursday for the hosts as he attempts to duplicate a dominant outing at Baltimore on May 30, when he yielded two hits and fanned 12 in eight scoreless innings.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (3-6, 4.48 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (10-3, 2.06)

Gausman is 0-4 with a 6.61 ERA over his last six starts - all of which Baltimore has lost. He's been more competitive in his last two outings and limited the Miami Marlins to two runs with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings on Friday. Trea Turner is 3-for-3 against the LSU product, who gave up 10 runs on 16 hits and three walks over 10 innings in his first two career starts at Nationals Park.

Scherzer has been on the wrong end of back-to-back 2-0 losses, allowing just four total runs and striking out 19 across 13 innings over that span. Prior to the two-game losing streak, the three-time Cy Young Award winner had won nine consecutive decisions - including the appearance at Camden Yards that left him 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA against the Orioles. Adam Jones is 13-for-32 with four homers and three doubles against Scherzer, while Manny Machado and Trumbo are a combined 3-for-41 with 21 strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon is 11-for-21 over his last six games.

2. Washington placed IB/OF Matt Adams on the 10-day disabled list due to a broken finger.

3. Baltimore optioned INF Corban Joseph to Double-A Bowie to make room on the roster for RHP Andrew Cashner, who came off the DL to start Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Orioles 2

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Preview: Diamondbacks at Pirates
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks took two of three against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home last week and aim to start the rematch off on a good note when the teams open a four-game set in the Steel City on Thursday. The Diamondbacks scored 22 runs in winning the first two matchups with the Pirates before falling 5-4 in the finale.

Paul Goldschmidt was 4-for-12 with three walks in that series for Arizona and homered in four of the next six games as he continues his turnaround following a difficult start. The five-time All-Star is 0-for-1 with a walk against Chad Kuhl, who gets the nod in the opener for the Pirates. Kuhl was scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers but heavy downpours at PNC Park forced a postponement, and Pittsburgh elected to push everyone in its rotation back a day. The Pirates have won four of their last six following a 4-13 stretch.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (7-5, 4.77 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (5-4, 3.76)

Godley won his last two outings, allowing two runs and striking out eight both times in victories over the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets. He spun a quality start at Pittsburgh last season in his only prior start against the Pirates. The 28-year-old is 3-4 with a 6.53 ERA in eight road starts this year.

Kuhl secured his first win in a span of seven starts after limiting the Cincinnati Reds to one earned run over six innings on Friday. He has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts. The 25-year-old yielded two runs and three hits across five frames in his one prior career start against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks OF Jon Jay was 2-for-5 in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels and is batting .326 in 12 games since being traded from Kansas City.

2. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson was placed on the family medical emergency list Wednesday and IF/OF Adam Frazier was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

3. Pittsburgh SS Jordy Mercer is hitting .313 at home and .211 on the road.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Diamondbacks 4

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Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Kyle Schwarber has answered a dismal 0-for-15 stretch with a flourish, homering three times to highlight a run in which he's hit safely in six of his last seven games. Schwarber aims to continue his good fortune on Thursday as the Cubs (42-29) begin an eight-game road trip with the opener of a four-game series versus the Cincinnati Reds (28-45).

Schwarber homered for the second time in as many games and Javier Baez collected three extra-base hits (two doubles, triple) and scored twice in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kris Bryant extended his hitting streak to four games with a pair of singles for the Cubs, who have won 17 of their last 25 to jockey with Milwaukee atop the National League Central. Cellar-dwelling Cincinnati has emerged victorious in three straight, with Scooter Gennett pushing his hitting streak to four games after belting a tying two-run homer in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Detroit. "The way we're playing right now is how we expected to play all year. It's a lot of fun," said Gennett, who is 8-for-31 in his career versus Thursday starter Kyle Hendricks.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 3.55 ERA) vs. Reds RH Matt Harvey (1-5, 5.92)

Hendricks snapped a three-start losing skid on Saturday after allowing three runs and four walks over six innings in a 6-3 victory at St. Louis. The 28-year-old was taken deep for the fifth straight contest, with seven of the 14 homers he's permitted coming in the first inning. Hendricks kept the ball in the park against Cincinnati on May 19 but walked away with a no-decision after yielding four runs on six hits in five inning

Harvey fell to 0-3 in his last four trips to the mound on Friday despite allowing three runs on four hits in five innings of a 3-2 setback at Pittsburgh. "I'm just frustrated about the whole outing," the 29-year-old said. "It was kind of a struggle the whole time. To have the lead going into the sixth inning and letting two guys get home is unacceptable and something I'm (upset) about." Harvey kept the ball in the park after being taken deep on three occasions versus St. Louis on June 8.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati is a dismal 8-23 against NL Central representatives.

2. Cubs RF Jason Heyward is just 2-for-12 this season versus the Reds.

3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 3-for-18 with five strikeouts against Chicago in 2018.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Reds 1

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Preview: Athletics at White Sox
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

The Oakland Athletics got a lot of mileage out of the long ball as they completed a two-game interleague sweep of the San Diego Padres to kick off a 10-game road trip. Riding a four-game winning streak, the Athletics look to keep the momentum going when they visit the skidding Chicago White Sox on Thursday in the opener of a four-game set.

Oakland cracked back-to-back homers in back-to-back innings Wednesday and went deep five times overall in Wednesday's 12-4 rout, ignited by Franklin Barreto's early three-run blast. In the series opener, the Athletics were one strike from defeat before getting a tying solo shot from Stephen Piscotty and a two-run homer from Jed Lowrie in a 10-inning victory. While Oakland is surging, the White Sox are mired in an ugly spiral, matching their longest losing streak of the season with a seven-game slid. Chicago was hammered at Cleveland 12-0 in the finale of a three-game series and was outscored 24-5 by the Indians to drop a season-worst 25 games below .500.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), NBCS Chicago-Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Bassitt (0-2, 2.45 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (4-7, 7.19)

Bassitt was unable to build on his strong season debut, lasting four innings and giving up six runs (two earned) on seven hits in an 8-4 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels. He was a hard-luck loser against Kansas City on June 9 despite limiting the Royals to one run on three hits over seven innings. Bassitt broke in with the White Sox in 2014, going 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in six appearances (five starts).

Giolito continues to be plagued by either control problems or the home run ball, giving up a pair of blasts while allowing five runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus Detroit last time out. He has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts, giving up seven homers and going 1-3 in that span. Giolito has never faced Oakland but is 1-4 with a 11.05 ERA in seven home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics have homered in 21 consecutive road games, matching a franchise record set in 2013.

2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu has nine homers and 24 RBIs in 29 career games versus the Athletics.

3. Oakland last hit back-to-back homers in consecutive innings in May 1997, when Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire were on the team.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, White Sox 4

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Preview: Cardinals at Brewers
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The St. Louis Cardinals have a desire to move closer to the top of the National League Central standings, and they have a chance to do that when they open a four-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. The Cardinals are 4 1/2 games behind the Brewers and Chicago Cubs, who are in a virtual tie for first place in the division.

St. Louis' slump has prevented it from moving upward as Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Philadelphia was its sixth in eight games and ninth in the last 15. Yadier Molina went deep twice and recorded three RBIs for his fifth career multi-homer performance, but his two-run blast in the sixth inning was the team's lone hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position. Milwaukee had its contest in Pittsburgh on Wednesday postponed by rain after splitting the first two games of the series. Jesus Aguilar is 6-for-13 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last four games and has hit 14 shots overall, two shy of last season's total.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (3-3, 2.73 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Brent Suter (7-4, 4.30)

Martinez has issued 18 walks over just 12 2/3 innings in three starts since returning from a four-week absence due to a lat muscle injury. The 26-year-old is winless over his last four starts, with his most recent victory coming against the Chicago White Sox on May 2. Martinez is 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA in two turns against the Brewers this season and stands 6-4 with a 1.95 ERA in 25 career appearances (14 starts) versus Milwaukee.

Suter was slated to start the rained-out game in Pittsburgh, and the Brewers didn't announce their pitching plans before catching the flight home. The 28-year-old has won six of his last eight decisions, including a victory over the Cardinals on May 28, and is 1-2 with a 4.10 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against St. Louis. Right-hander Junior Guerra, who was Thursday's scheduled starter prior to the rainout, owns a 3-5 record and 2.89 ERA but is winless in his last six outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 1B Jose Martinez (shoulder) received treatment after Wednesday's contest and hopes to play in the series opener.

2. Brewers LF Ryan Braun (thumb) is doubtful after undergoing a cryotherapy injection to relieve nerve pain on Wednesday.

3. St. Louis RHP Michael Wacha (oblique) will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday after working just 3 2/3 innings on Wednesday before leaving.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Brewers 4

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Preview: Blue Jays at Angels
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

Mike Trout is no stranger to putting up gaudy numbers, as the two-time American League Most Valuable Player leads the majors in homers (23), runs (60) and on-base percentage (.469). Another number enters into play on Thursday as Trout will play in his 1,000th career contest as the Los Angeles Angels (39-35) open a four-game series versus the visiting Toronto Blue Jays (34-39).

Trout is hitting a staggering 16-for-23 with four homers, nine RBIs and 11 walks during his eight-game hitting streak to boost his June batting average to a robust .448 (26-for-58). "This is not an easy game and this guy makes it look easier and easier every year, so it's a special talent that we're not going to see too many times, so enjoy it now," fellow outfielder Kole Calhoun said. Trout's heroics aside, Los Angeles has emerged victorious in just two of its last nine heading into a tilt with Toronto, which has answered a demoralizing 4-15 stretch by winning nine of its last 15. Former Angel Kendrys Morales celebrated his 35th birthday with a two-run homer in the Blue Jays' 5-4 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.35 ERA) vs. Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (6-4, 2.81)

Sanchez recorded his second straight no-decision on Friday despite striking out a season high-tying eight battlers and allowing three runs in six innings against Washington. The 25-year-old California native also received a no-decision in his last encounter versus the Angels on May 23 despite scattering two hits over five frames -- albeit with five walks. Sanchez owns an 0-1 mark with a 2.03 ERA in three career appearances against the Angels, with Justin Upton (5-for-10) and Ian Kinsler (1-for-12) finding themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of success against the hurler.

Skaggs improved to 3-0 with an 0.45 ERA in his last three starts after yielding two runs and striking out eight over seven innings in an 8-4 triumph at Oakland. The 26-year-old owns a 2-2 mark with a 4.11 ERA in five career starts versus Toronto, although he walked away with a no-decision despite surrendering two homers over five frames on May 23. Yangervis Solarte and Devon Travis went deep against Skaggs in that last outing, although the remainder of the Blue Jays are 13-for-51 with 11 strikeouts versus the hurler.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) will return from the disabled list to start Saturday's game, manager John Gibbons said on Wednesday.

2. Eight of Kinsler's 10 homers this season have come in his last 20 games.

3. Morales has seven multi-hit performances this month, which matches his total from April and May combined.

PREDICTION: Angels 4, Blue Jays 2

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Preview: Padres at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 20, 2018

San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is in search of his first win as he makes his fourth start of the season but faces an opponent that has bedeviled him of late. Bumgarner, who missed more than two months due to a broken pinkie suffered in spring training, gets the ball for Thursday's opener of a four-game set versus the San Diego Padres.

Bumgarner has not beaten San Diego since May 17, 2016, going 0-4 in his last six starts against San Francisco's National West Division rival. Gorkys Hernández was 4-for-8 with a homer and five RBIs as the Giants won the last two against Miami to win the opening series on their 10-game homestand. The Padres, in the midst of playing 17 and 19 away from home, were swept in a two-game interleague series by visiting Oakland and have scored seven runs during a four-game skid. Wil Myers could return from the disabled list for San Diego but he is only 5-for-35 in his career against Bumgarner.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (5-4, 3.51 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (0-2, 4.67)

Ross had his six-start unbeaten streak halted at Atlanta despite giving up three runs on only three hits over six innings. It marked the seventh straight start in which the 31-year-old permitted three earned runs or fewer. Brandon Belt is 8-for-21 against Ross, who pitched six innings of one-run ball in a no-decision at San Francisco on May 1 and six innings of one-run ball to beat the Giants on April 13.

Bumgarner pitched six innings for the second time in his three starts but was touched for three runs on five hits while walking four and surrendering two homers in a 3-1 loss at the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has made 30 career starts against the Padres, tying Arizona for the most against any opponent, and is 10-9 with a 3.46 ERA. Hunter Renfroe is 5-for-10 with two homers and four RBIs versus Bumgarner.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva hit his 16th homer Wednesday, ending a 13-game drought.

2. Giants SS Alen Hanson exited Wednesday's game due to a knee contusion.

3. Padres OF Franchy Cordero has a bone spur in the back of his elbow that will likely require surgery.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Padres 3

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free St Louis/Milwaukee Under 9 Runs

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Free Selection from Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, June 21, 2018



6/21 10:10 AM PT / 1:10 PM ET

MLB (913) BOSTON RED SOX VS (914) MINNESOTA TWINS

Take: (913) BOSTON RED SOX

Reason: Your free play for Thursday, June 21, 2018 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. Your free play is on the Red Sox

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Jeff Allen Sports

Thursday's Free Selection is on the NY Yankees

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON OVER the total of 7½ runs

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Totals4U

Thursday's Free Selection: Toronto Blue Jays/Los Angeles Angels over 7 1/2

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John Anthony Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: Oakland Athletics - 140

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Atlantic Sports

Thursday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Ottawa - 1 1/2 (CFL)