Friday 6-22-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Mariners at Red Sox
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Boston Red Sox struggled to score runs for most of their road trip but come home on a high note after breaking out with the bats and avoiding a sweep at Minnesota on Thursday. The Red Sox will try to keep that momentum going at home when they host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

Boston dropped four of the last six on a 10-game trip, including two in Seattle, and failed to score more than two runs in half of those 10 contests but made an exception on Thursday when Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi homered among 16 hits in a 9-2 rout. "We needed some guys to swing it," Betts told reporters. "We got some guys rolling and we hit with some guys on base, so, yeah, we did a good job today." The Mariners did not get off to a great start on a brutal trip through the American League East and were swept in three games at the New York Yankees. Seattle is hoping to keep Wade LeBlanc undefeated when he goes up against Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright on Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (3-0, 2.63 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Steven Wright (2-1, 1.23)

LeBlanc is 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA in nine starts since joining the rotation and had no trouble shutting down Boston at home on Saturday. The veteran struck out nine and did not walk a batter while scattering two hits across 7 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his third win. LeBlanc, who is making his second career start at Fenway Park, has yet to allow more than three runs in a start.

Wright put together his third straight outstanding start on Saturday while going up against LeBlanc but came out on the losing end of the 1-0 final. The knuckleballer held Detroit and Baltimore scoreless in his first two starts after joining the rotation but surrendered his first run as a starter on five hits in seven innings at Seattle. Wright worked at least 6 2/3 innings in each of his first three starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners OF Guillermo Heredia is 0-for-14 over his last eight games.

2. Betts is 5-for-10 in the last two games after going 3-for-18 in the previous five contests.

3. Seattle placed RHPs Juan Nicasio (knee) and Dan Altavilla (elbow) on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Mariners 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Athletics at White Sox (Game 2)
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Oakland Athletics have matched their season-best winning streak of four games as they enter a doubleheader with the host Chicago White Sox on Friday. While Oakland is enjoying a good run, the White Sox have equaled their longest slide of the campaign with seven straight losses entering the four-game series.

The teams are playing a doubleheader after Thursday's series opener was postponed by rain. The Athletics have scored 28 runs during their winning streak and put on an impressive power display by hitting five homers in Wednesday's 12-4 drubbing of San Diego. Chicago has allowed 41 runs during its skid and was hammered 24-5 by Cleveland in a three-game road set earlier this week. The seven-game losing streak is the third of the year for the White Sox, who are a season-worst 25 games below .500.

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

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

Bassitt, who is making his third start of the season for Oakland, is just 2-13 all-time in 31 career appearances (25 starts). The 29-year-old lasted just four innings in his last outing as he gave up six runs - two earned - and seven hits in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Bassitt came away without a decision in his lone career start against the White Sox after allowing four runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 frames on April 5, 2016.

Giolito has dropped three of his last four decisions and has an unsightly 8.75 ERA over his past five outings. The 23-year-old has served up seven homers during the stretch after allowing just four over his first nine turns. Giolito, who never has faced Oakland, has struggled at home as he is 1-4 with a 11.05 ERA in seven starts at Guaranteed Rate Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics scored 30 runs in a three-game home sweep of the White Sox in April.

2. Chicago SS Tim Anderson is batting .175 with 22 strikeouts this month.

3. Oakland DH Khris Davis (stomach illness) is expected back in the lineup after a one-game absence.

PREDICTION: Athletics 8, White Sox 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Yankees at Rays
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The New York Yankees moved in front of the Boston Red Sox in the American League East this week by pulling off a dramatic three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners and are showing no sign that they have any interest in slipping back to the pack. The Yankees will try to record their 18th win in 22 contests and fifth straight when they kick off a six-game road trip by visiting the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

New York recovered from a 5-0 deficit to walk off with a 7-5 win on Wednesday and smashed a pair of first-inning homers to spark a 4-3 win in Thursday's finale, bringing the club to 50 wins. "We've obviously played well and racked up a lot of wins, but you also realize every night how precious those wins are and how hard they are to come by, I don't care who we're playing," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters. "But when you look at it, it is, I think, gratifying to know that we've played pretty well against some of the elite teams and some of the hot teams. I think it just speaks to what we believe our team is capable of, and the confidence these guys have no matter who the opponent is." The Rays are not playing quite as well against teams at the top of the standings and are 2-5 while playing New York and Houston over the last seven games. Tampa Bay will try to grab the upper hand on Friday behind right-hander Ryne Stanek while the Yankees send lefty CC Sabathia to the mound.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-2, 3.30 ERA) vs Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-1, 2.21)

Sabathia absorbed a loss at home against Tampa Bay on Sunday, when he was charged with three runs on 10 hits over 7 2/3 innings. The 37-year-old, who struck out a season-high 10 in the loss on Sunday, allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last four outings. Sabathia made two starts at Tropicana Field last season and won both while yielding a total of one earned run and seven hits across 10 innings.

The Rays continue to go the unconventional route by using a reliever in a starting role, and Stanek made that plan look smart the last time he made a start. The 26-year-old needed just 11 pitches to record five outs before handing it over to Jonny Venters in a game Tampa Bay eventually lost to the Astros on Monday. Stanek worked a scoreless inning in relief the next night against Houston, giving him eight consecutive scoreless appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees OF Brett Gardner (right knee) could return to the lineup on Friday and avoid a trip to the disabled list.

2. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) is 0-for-9 in two games since returning from a two-month absence.

3. New York RF Aaron Judge hit his 19th home run on Thursday, snapping a 10-game homer drought.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Rays 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
Jun 22, 2018

Until their recent surge, the Cincinnati Reds had the worst record in the National League, but now they’re one of the league’s hottest teams. The Reds aim for a fifth straight victory when they host the Chicago Cubs for the second of a four-game series Friday.


Cincinnati beat the Cubs 6-2 in Thursday’s series opener and is batting .314 as a team with eight homers and 28 runs during its four-game winning streak. The Reds are without a big left-handed bat for at least the first three games of the series with outfielder Scott Schebler going on the bereavement list Thursday, but they got to the Cubs’ pitchers during a six-run sixth inning Thursday. The loss was just the seventh in 22 games for the Cubs, who dropped a game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. Chicago was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on in the opener, and that has been a recurring problem for what has been a boom-or-bust offense.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (6-5, 4.06 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (4-8, 5.77)

Quintana has allowed two runs or fewer in four straight starts and five of his last six, but he’s winless in his last three outings. The 29-year-old gave up two runs and four hits over five innings in a 5-0 loss at St. Louis on Sunday. Quintana threw seven innings of one-hit ball in a shutout of the Reds on May 19 and is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three career meetings.

Castillo has lost his last four starts and posted a 6.97 ERA over that span. The 25-year-old has posted only four quality starts in 15 outings this season and has surrendered a National League-high 17 home runs. Castillo pitched well against the Cubs in the first game of a May 19 doubleheader, allowing one run over five innings in a no-decision, and he threw six scoreless frames in his only start against Chicago last season.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RF Jason Heyward is hitting .370 with 10 extra-base hits and 11 RBIs over his past 19 games and has reached base in 13 straight contests.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 12-for-40 with four homers during a career-high 11-game hitting streak.

3. OF Jesse Winker’s grand slam Thursday was the Reds’ sixth of the season, tied with Boston for the most in the majors.


PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Reds 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Tigers at Indians
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Cleveland Indians have seen their offense kick it up a notch during their four-game winning streak, highlighted by a 12-run eruption in their last contest. The Indians (40-33) aim to continue their good fortune on Friday when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Detroit Tigers (36-39), who have dropped seven straight in Cleveland.

Jose Ramirez belted a three-run shot in Wednesday's 12-0 rout of the Chicago White Sox, boosting his home-run total to 22 to tie for fourth in Indians' history for the most through the team's first 73 games in a season. The 25-year-old Dominican has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games overall and is 12-for-37 with three homers versus Detroit this season, against which Cleveland has won seven of the 10 encounters. The Tigers moved into second place in the division on the strength of a five-game winning streak before their interleague struggles continued with back-to-back losses to Cincinnati. Detroit owns just a 13-22 mark away from Comerica Park this season and a 6-20 record in its last 26 at Progressive Field.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, SportsTIme Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. Indians RH Shane Bieber (1-0, 3.97)

Fiers was left with his second straight no-decision and fourth in five outings last Friday after permitting three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against the White Sox. The 33-year-old has pitched well versus Cleveland this season, yielding one run on three hits in six innings of a 6-3 victory on May 14 before allowing a run in seven frames of a no-decision on June 9. Jose Ramirez (6-for-16) and Yonder Alonso (6-for-18) have flustered Fiers, although the hurler has done the same to Jason Kipnis (2-for-16) and Edwin Encarnacion (2-for-16).

Recalled from Triple-A Columbus, Bieber secured his first career major-league win on Sunday after allowing just one run in 5 2/3 innings of a 4-1 triumph over Minnesota. "It was hectic," the 23-year-old said of being told about his promotion Saturday evening. "They said go pack what you need and get on the road as soon as possible." Bieber, who is a fourth-round pick of the 2016 draft out of UC Santa Barbara, is battling Adam Plutko for final spot in the rotation as Carlos Carrasco deals with a bruised right elbow.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos, who is batting a team-best .302 this season, is just 6-for-37 versus Cleveland this season.

2. Encarnacion is 2-for-21 versus the Tigers this season.

3. Detroit SS Jose Iglesias is 7-for-16 with three RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Dodgers at Mets
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers will attempt to bounce back from their first series loss in over a month when they wrap up a six-game road trip with the first of three against the New York Mets on Friday night. The Dodgers put together an unbeaten streak of nine consecutive series before dropping two of three games at the Chicago Cubs.

The Dodgers were on a 22-7 tear before scoring a combined one run in the last two games against the Cubs, but manager Dave Roberts was not concerned by the offensive swoon despite stranding 31 runners in the series. "The series could have gone either way," Roberts told reporters. "You're not going to win every series, but going into New York, we feel pretty good about ourselves." The same cannot be said for the Mets, who return home off a 3-7 road trip that culminated in three straight losses at Colorado in which they gave up 26 runs. New York's Brandon Nimmo has hit safely in six consecutive games and has knocked in nine runs during a five-game RBI streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles) SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (2-5, 4.22 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-5, 4.82)

Wood won for the first time in nearly a month last Saturday, limiting arch-rival San Francisco to one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He lasted a combined 12 innings over his previous three starts but managed to escape with a pair of no-decisions despite giving up 15 runs and 20 hits over that span. Wilmer Flores is 4-for-13 with a homer off Wood, who is 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in eight starts versus the Mets.

Wheeler has been pitching markedly better but has nothing to show for it, extending his winless drought to nine starts after settling for a no-decision with six innings of two-run ball at Arizona last time out. It marked the fourth quality start in the last six outings for Wheeler, who is 0-4 since winning at San Diego on April 29. He was rocked by the Dodgers for seven runs in two innings last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles has won nine straight against New York, which has dropped 10 of its last 11 overall at Citi Field.

2. Mets 2B Asdrubal Cabrera did not play Thursday due to a bruised left elbow but is expected back Friday.

3. Dodgers SS-CF Chris Taylor exited Wednesday's game due to left hamstring tightness and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Orioles at Braves
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Baltimore Orioles arrive in the Peach State for a three-game interleague series against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, a matchup of two teams on the opposite ends of the baseball spectrum. Baltimore comes to town owning baseball’s worst record at 21-52 and begins the set 29 ½ games out of first place in the American League East, while the Braves – baseball’s biggest surprise so far in 2018 – leads the National League East by three games as they have won six of their last eight.

The Braves lost 90 games each of the last three years but are on pace for a 95-win season, thanks to the emergence of several young players – including Sean Newcomb, who will start the series opener – and outstanding campaigns from veterans like Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman. Atlanta has been great in close games, going 11-5 in one-run contests and winning nine times in its last at-bat. The Orioles are enduring their worst season since finishing 54-107 in 1988, losing for the 11th time in their last 13 games with Thursday’s 4-2 setback at Washington. Right fielder Colby Rasmus returned from the disabled list Thursday and finished 1-for-3 with a solo homer in his first contest since April 6.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (2-9, 7.14 ERA) vs. Braves LH Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70)

Cobb signed a four-year deal with the Orioles late in spring training but has endured a miserable first season, posting a 1.71 WHIP while allowing 13.1 hits per nine innings. The 30-year-old has surrendered 14 runs and 18 hits - four homers - over 10 2/3 frames in his last two turns, losses to Toronto and Miami. Cobb, who won his only career start against the Braves in 2012, has received just 3.17 runs of support in his 12 outings this season.

The 25-year-old Newcomb has emerged as a bona fide All-Star candidate in his first full major-league season, entering Thursday third in the NL in wins and hits per nine innings (6.5), and seventh in ERA. The native of Massachusetts rebounded from a rare subpar performance with another gem Saturday at San Diego, giving up two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Newcomb has not allowed an earned run in six of his 14 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore SS Manny Machado finished 1-for-4 Thursday and has recorded at least one hit in 55 of his 72 games this season.

2. Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is expected to start a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Gwinnett.

3. Orioles 1B Mark Trumbo went deep Thursday, belting his third homer in four games.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Orioles 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Royals at Astros
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Houston Astros' loud bats played a significant role in the club recording a decisive sweep of the Kansas City Royals last weekend. Victorious in 13 of their last 14 contests to reach the 50-win plateau, the Astros (50-26) look to continue their torrid stretch on Friday when they begin a three-game series against the visiting Royals (22-52).

Jose Altuve collected his second three-hit performance of the series against Tampa Bay on Wednesday when he recorded his third career multi-homer performance in a 5-1 victory. The 2017 American League Most Valuable Player reached base five times in last weekend's series versus the Royals and is 8-for-16 in his career against Friday starter Danny Duffy. Kansas City's offense is doing the team no favors, as the reeling Royals batted an AL-worst .188 this month while losing nine straight and 15 of their last 16 games overall. Mike Moustakas belted a leadoff homer in Wednesday's 3-2 setback to Texas to extend his hitting streak to six games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-7, 5.55 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (4-8, 4.15)

Duffy bids for a bit of revenge in the series opener after getting gashed for seven runs on as many hits in six innings of Saturday's 10-2 rout by Houston. The 29-year-old surrendered a three-run shot to Max Stassi in that contest and three free passes for the third straight outing, giving him 17 homers and 40 walks permitted in 82 2/3 innings. While Altuve and Marwin Gonzalez (7-for-14) have battered Duffy, the hurler has flustered Carlos Correa (1-for-12) and Josh Reddick (1-for-7) in their respective encounters.

Keuchel benefited from the Astros' offensive explosion on Saturday to post his first win since May 13 after allowing two runs (none earned) in six innings. The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner had yielded 23 runs and 41 hits in his previous five outings, with a disastrous three-homer performance against Seattle resulting in his eighth loss of the season on June 5. Keuchel has flustered Salvador Perez (2-for-21, seven strikeouts) and Alex Gordon (2-for-13), although Cheslor Cuthbert (5-for-9, two homers) has gotten the better of the hurler.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston INF Alex Bregman enters the series riding a 31-game on-base streak.

2. Gordon reached base five times in the recent set versus the Rangers after going for 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in last weekend's set against the Astros.

3. The Royals will play a regular-season game against Detroit in Omaha (Neb.) during the 2019 season, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Royals 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Cardinals at Brewers
Gracenote
Jun 22, 2018

The Milwaukee Brewers have cranked up the bats over the past two weeks and look to post another strong offensive performance when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. The Brewers rolled to a 11-3 win in the opener of a four-game series and have scored nine or more runs in five of their last 12 contests.

Eric Thames drove in three runs while Travis Shaw and Jesus Aguilar recorded two RBIs apiece to pace Milwaukee's 12-hit attack on Thursday, but center fielder Lorenzo Cain departed with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Friday. Aguilar is in the midst of a six-game hot stretch during which he is 9-for-21 with three homers and 10 RBIs. St. Louis is sliding in the wrong direction with seven setbacks in its last nine games and 10 in the past 16. Matt Carpenter homered in the opener and has gone deep five times with eight RBIs over his last seven contests.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jack Flaherty (3-2, 2.66 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Junior Guerra (3-5, 2.89)

Flaherty has allowed fewer than two runs in six of his nine starts this season. The 22-year-old has struck out 55 batters in 50 2/3 innings, topped by a career-best 13 in a victory over Philadelphia on May 20. Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers, including a no-decision on April 3 in which he gave up one run and six hits with nine strikeouts in five frames.

Guerra is winless in his last six turns despite allowing three runs or fewer in each outing. The 33-year-old is holding opponents to a .220 batting average and has given up fewer than five hits in seven of his 13 turns. Guerra is 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals this season and 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA in six career outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals made four errors in the series opener to help the Brewers score six unearned runs.

2. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (thumb) sat out the opener after undergoing a cryotherapy injection to relieve nerve pain on Wednesday.

3. St. Louis placed Michael Wacha (oblique) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP John Grant from Triple-A Memphis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Brewers 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Rangers at Twins
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

The Minnesota Twins are looking more like the team that earned a wild card berth last season after back-to-back series wins over Cleveland and Boston, and the team believes it can be better. The Twins will try to keep rolling when they host the Texas Rangers on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

Minnesota had chances to sweep the Indians and the Red Sox but fell short in the last game of each series, leaving the team with a sour taste. "Like we were in Cleveland, we were looking to try to find a way to take advantage when you get the first couple," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters after a 9-2 loss to Boston in the series finale on Thursday. "Two really good teams we couldn't finish it off against. You'll take the four out of six in the big picture, but today you're thinking about sweeping." The Rangers did manage to pull off a sweep in their latest series and come into Minnesota with a five-game winning streak after taking three straight at Kansas City. Texas will send veteran lefty Mike Minor to the mound in Friday's opener while the Twins counter with rookie Fernando Romero.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (4-4, 5.35 ERA) vs. Twins RH Fernando Romero (3-2, 4.17)

Minor posted quality starts in each of his last two outings but could not find his way into the win column. The Vanderbilt product struck out six and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings against Colorado on Saturday but was held out of the decision in a game the Rangers went onto win 5-2. Minor is just 1-2 with an 8.14 ERA in five starts on the road this season.

Romero is struggling to work deep into games and was limited to four innings at Cleveland on Saturday while allowing three runs and six hits - two home runs - in a no-decision. The 23-year-old rookie allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his nine outings but completed six innings in only three of those turns. Romero is seeing Texas for the first time in his career and is 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in four starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins CF Byron Buxton (fractured toe) played his third straight rehab game for Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and could return to the majors once he finds his timing at the plate.

2. Texas RHP Chris Martin (calf, knee) could come off the disabled list when eligible on Friday.

3. Minnesota RHP Ervin Santana (finger) is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Friday.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Rangers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Marlins at Rockies
Gracenote
Jun 21, 2018

Red-hot Nolan Arenado should be well rested as the Colorado Rockies prepare to host the Miami Marlins on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. Colorado is on a three-game winning streak thanks to the torrid bat of Arenado, who had been slumping before he homered in each of the victories while collecting nine RBIs and scoring five runs.

"When you're losing and you're not getting hits it hurts. It keeps me up at night," said Arenado, who belted a three-run homer and added a two-run double in Wednesday's 6-4 victory over the New York Mets. Colorado scored only two runs in losing two of three at Miami in late April but the Rockies piled up 26 runs in taking the final three of a four-game set versus the Mets. The Marlins, who are 3-3 entering the final leg of the nine-game road trip after dropping the final two at San Francisco, will be without manager Don Mattingly after he was suspended one game for a beanball incident Tuesday in San Francisco. Shortstop Miguel Rojas is 7-for-12 with four RBIs and four runs scored during a four-game hitting streak for Miami.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-3, 5.91 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (6-7, 5.89)

Chen turned in his second quality start of 2018 last time out at Baltimore, giving up three runs on eight hits over six innings to pick up his first win since his season debut versus Colorado on April 28. He limited the Rockies to one run and four hits over 5 1/3 innings in that outing but failed to pitch beyond 4 1/3 innings in six of his next eight turns. Chen is 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA versus Colorado.

Gray has piled up 19 strikeouts over his last two starts at Texas and Philadelphia but went 0-1 in them, giving up a three-run homer in each while allowing a combined 10 runs in 11 innings. Since surrendering one run during a three-start winning streak, he has permitted at least four runs in six of his last seven turns. Derek Dietrich has been a nemesis for Gray with five hits in 10 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arenado homered in a franchise-record six consecutive games in September 2015.

2. Marlins RHP Dan Straily is appealing a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at San Francisco's Buster Posey.

3. Rockies LF Gerardo Parra is 7-for-15 with eight RBIs in his last four contests.

PREDICTION: Rockies 5, Marlins 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Blue Jays at Angels
Gracenote
Jun 22, 2018

Mike Trout was unable to play in the field in his 1,000th career game and again will serve as the designated hitter when the Los Angeles Angels host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Trout is nursing a sprained right index finger that affects his throwing, and the injury will prohibit him from playing center field for a "few days," according to the Angels.

Trout, who leads the majors with 23 homers, went 0-for-2 with three walks and scored twice in the series opener as Los Angeles recorded an 8-5 victory. Luis Valbuena registered his eighth career multi-homer performance with a pair of shots and drove in three runs while Kole Calhoun added a two-run blast. The Blue Jays have dropped nine of their last 10 road games after losing the opener of a seven-game trip that concludes with three in Houston. Toronto's Kendrys Morales, who went 2-for-3 with a homer against his former team, has gone deep in back-to-back games and has recorded two hits in eight of his last 13 contests.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (4-6, 4.66 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.64)

Estrada is in the midst of a solid stretch during which he is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA over three starts. The 34-year-old defeated Washington in his last turn as he gave up three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Estrada lost to the Angels on May 24, when he gave up four runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 frames, and is 1-2 with a 6.95 ERA over four career starts against Los Angeles.

Heaney came away without a decision in his last turn after giving up three runs and three hits while striking out eight in as many innings against Oakland. The 27-year-old originally was scheduled to start Saturday but was moved up a day due to an injury to left-hander Tyler Skaggs. Heaney was roughed up for eight runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 frames of a loss to the Blue Jays on August 22, 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles 2B Ian Kinsler struck out three times over five hitless at-bats in the opener after fanning just four times over his previous 21 games.

2. Toronto RHP Aaron Sanchez (finger) departed Thursday's game after one inning and X-rays taken after his departure were negative.

3. Skaggs (hamstring) was scratched prior to Thursday's scheduled start and will be re-evaluated on Friday.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Angels 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Padres at Giants
Gracenote
Jun 22, 2018

Two National League West rivals who are streaking in opposite directions square off Friday, when the San Francisco Giants host the San Diego Padres for the second contest of their four-game series. After losing the opener of its 10-game homestand, San Francisco has posted three straight victories - including a 3-0 triumph in the first game of the set on Thursday.

Madison Bumgarner was a one-man show in the series opener, scattering three hits and registering eight strikeouts over eight innings while helping his own cause with a sacrifice fly in the fifth that plated the only run he needed. Buster Posey has gone 4-for-11 with a homer and two RBIs in three games on the homestand after delivering a run-scoring single in the eighth and scoring later in the frame on Thursday. San Diego managed only four hits as it kicked off its seven-game road trip with its fifth consecutive loss. Wil Myers returned from a stint on the disabled list due to an oblique injury and went 0-for 3, but Manuel Margot posted his second straight two-hit performance with a pair of doubles for the Padres, who have scored a total of seven runs during their slide.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (6-6, 4.31 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (8-4, 4.22)

Richard is unbeaten this month, winning all three of his starts while posting a 2.70 ERA and limiting opponents to a .187 batting average. The 34-year-old native of Indiana has worked at least six innings in eight straight turns since lasting a season-low four in a loss at San Francisco on May 2. Richard surrendered seven runs on eight hits and four walks in that outing to fall to 6-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 22 career appearances (19 starts) against the Giants.

Stratton is coming off his fifth win in six decisions, a road triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday in which he gave up one unearned run and three hits over six innings. The 27-year-old from Mississippi is 4-1 in seven turns at home this season despite posting a 5.45 ERA and a .316 batting average against. Stratton improved to 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Padres when he allowed just one hit with three walks in seven scoreless frames at San Diego on April 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. In addition to Myers, the Padres activated RHPs Phil Maton (lat) and Colin Rea (elbow/lat) from the DL, optioned Rea and OF Franmil Reyes to Triple-A El Paso, placed RHP Phil Hughes (rhomboid) on the 10-day DL and transferred OF Franchy Cordero (forearm) from the 10- to the 60-day DL.

2. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford was activated from the paternity list and went 0-for-4 in the series opener while 2B Kelby Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

3. The teams combined to go 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position in the series opener.

PREDICTION: Padres 4, Giants 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Spot Player

MLB A's -130 GM2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Insider Sports Report

MLB Giants -135