Friday 6-29-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 09:07 AM

Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

CFL Previews 26th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/26/2018

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats look to build off their impressive Week 2 win when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday. The Tiger-Cats split their western road swing following an impressive 38-21 victory against the Edmonton Eskimos and hope to climb over .500 for the first time in nearly two years by avenging a 39-12 home loss to the Blue Bombers last season.

"I think we all feel comfortable in the offence right now," Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli told reporters. "We'll just continue to grow and develop and we got a lot of smart people we can do that with." Winnipeg bounced back from a Week 1 loss to Edmonton with a 56-10 rout of the Montreal Alouettes, which was their largest margin of victory in 16 years. Rookie quarterback Chris Streveler has filled in admirably for an injured Matt Nichols as he became the first player in CFL history to throw three touchdown passes in his first two starts directly out of college, and hopes to lead the Blue Bombers to their third straight win at Tim Hortons Field. "I don't care about stats," Streveler told reporters. "I just want us to be effective moving the ball and put up points to win."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (1-1): Streveler was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after going 22-of-38 for 246 yards through the air and adding 98 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win against Montreal. Drew Wolitarsky, who was Streveler's roommate at the University of Minnesota, has been the main beneficiary of the rookie's hot start as he caught a pair of touchdown passes against the Alouettes to bring his season total to three. Andrew Harris gained 126 yards from scrimmage to go along with a touchdown reception before suffering a knee injury in the third quarter, but is expected to play Friday.

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (1-1): Masoli solidified his status as the starting quarterback as he completed 19-of-29 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns against the Eskimos en route to one of the league's Top Performers of the Week honours. Mercer Timmis had the best game of his young career as the third-year running back racked up 133 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-sealing 44-yard score in the fourth quarter against Edmonton. Terrence Toliver caught four passes for 76 yards in his first game back since tearing his ACL in the opening week of the 2017 season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Winnipeg has won four of its last five road games against East Division opponents.

2. Masoli has thrown for more than 300 yards in his last seven starts.

3. Streveler leads the CFL with seven total touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 37, Blue Bombers 33

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 09:07 AM

BC Lions vs. Edmonton Eskimos Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

CFL Previews 26th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/26/2018

The Edmonton Eskimos look to bounce back from a disappointing Week 2 loss when they host the BC Lions on Friday. The Eskimos opened the season with a promising 33-30 victory against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but were humbled at home 38-21 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and hope to regain their swagger by downing the Lions for the fourth consecutive time.

"(Hamilton) beat our pants off in all three phases and we should be embarrassed about it to be quite honest," Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly told reporters. "We've got to make sure we figure out why that happened, fix it and get better." BC was idle last week after a 22-10 victory against the Montreal Alouettes in its season opener. The Lions have struggled on the road to Edmonton in recent years, dropping four straight games at Commonwealth Stadium and hope to reverse the trend by sending an early message to their West Division opponents. "These games are four-pointers and we haven't had a lot of success in Alberta the last couple of years," BC coach Wally Buono told reporters. "We have to go in there with an attitude and we've been preaching that during the bye week and obviously there is lot of incentive to win a conference game."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

ABOUT THE LIONS (1-0): Jonathon Jennings completed 20-of-24 passes for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns while finishing without an interception after leading the league with 19 picks in 2017. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian recorded seven defensive tackles against Montreal to give him 726 for his career, vaulting him past Kevin Eiben (722) in eighth place on the CFL's all-time list. Veteran quarterback Travis Lulay took individual reps in practice during the off week as he inches closer to a return after suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Alouettes on Sep. 8, 2017.

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (1-1): Reilly threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns to go along with another TD on the ground, but it wasn't enough as Edmonton gave up 521 yards of offence to Hamilton. Derel Walker continued his strong start to the season as he finished with six receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown after hauling in eight passes for 176 yards and a TD in the Week 1 win against Winnipeg. Edmonton signed wide receiver Sam Giguere, who spent the previous three seasons with Montreal, and added defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood to the practice squad Tuesday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Reilly leads the CFL in passing yards (694).

2. BC's last win in Edmonton came July 13, 2013.

3. Walker tops the league in receptions (14) and receiving yards (232).

PREDICTION: Eskimos 31, Lions 21

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 09:10 AM

MIT Simulator
Fri CFL Free Pick

Winnipeg vs. Hamilton, 06/29/2018 19:00 EDT

Point Spread: +4/-106 Winnipeg

Sportsbook:
PinnacleSports

MIT's Free Pick for Week 3 of the CFL season goes Friday and is ready here! As for MIT Simulator's Premium Picks, they enter Wednesday off of B2B 3-0 Sweeps which brings MIT to a RED HOT 16-5 (76%) their last 21 picks! Join an ON FIRE service right NOW and remember, MIT Simulator's picks are available EXCLUSIVELY at Picks and Parlays! MIT Simulator Friday CFL Free Pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers +4 - Hamilton looked great in last week's upset win at Edmonton so they're getting a lot of respect from the betting markets here. However, Winnipeg has also looked sharp early this season and was able to "cake walk" to an easy win at Montreal last week after definitely giving a solid Edmonton team all they could handle in a Week 1 loss by a field goal. The point is that the Tiger-Cats, though certainly improved this season, are still being given a little too much respect here. The East / West variable has not been given proper weighting by the markets. Last season Hamilton went 2-8 versus teams from the West while Winnipeg went 6-2 versus teams from the East! The Blue Bombers don't have to win this game outright to get the cash either. Big value with the road dog here! MIT Simulator Friday CFL Free Pick: Winnipeg Blue Bombers +4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 29th June 2018 by Gracenote
Twins vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 06/29/2018

The competition level steps up for the second leg of the Minnesota Twins' trip to the Windy City. After salvaging the finale of their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, the Twins head to the north side for a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs beginning Friday.

The Twins have lost five of their last seven overall, and they're 15-22 on the road, where they've dropped 11 of their last 16 contests. The Cubs are returning home after a rough 2-6 road trip, though they managed a split of their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 11-5 win Thursday. In fact, Chicago has played 14 of its last 17 games away from home, so the Cubs will be eager to get back to Wrigley Field, where they've won four straight series. Despite the tough stretch, the Cubs are just 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the National League Central as they begin an eight-game homestand against three teams that are at least six games below .500.

TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-5, 3.15 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (2-2, 3.39)

Berrios looks to put a bow on an outstanding month of June with a fifth consecutive quality start. The 24-year-old recorded a season-high 12 strikeouts and allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over Texas on Sunday. Berrios has allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight outings, posting a 2.05 ERA over that stretch.

Montgomery will make his seventh start since moving into the rotation due to Yu Darvish's injury, and he's coming off his least impressive outing during that stint. The 28-year-old allowed four runs over six innings in a no-decision at Cincinnati after giving up four runs over his previous five starts combined. Montgomery has made one start (in 2015) and one relief appearance (in 2016) against the Twins, allowing one run over eight innings with eight strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B Javier Baez is 13-for-29 with two homers and 11 RBIs over his past eight games.

2. Twins 1B Logan Morrison had two hits Thursday -- just his seventh multi-hit game of the season -- including his first home run on the road since May 4.

3. Darvish experienced pain in his right triceps after a bullpen session Thursday and will be reevaluated before continuing his rehab assignment or rejoining the Cubs' rotation.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Twins 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Los Angeles Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

The Los Angeles Angels have fallen to .500 for the first time since splitting their first two contests of the season and will try to snap out of their funk against the woeful Baltimore Orioles when the teams begin their three-game series at Camden Yards on Friday. The Angels suffered their sixth straight loss with Thursday's 4-2 setback at Boston, scoring fewer than three runs for the fifth time in their last seven games.

Perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout, who struck out with a runner on base to end the game, is just 5-for-27 with 11 strikeouts in his last eight games for Los Angeles. Baltimore's spiral continued with a 4-2 loss to Seattle in 10 innings on Thursday, its fifth consecutive defeat overall and 15th in the last 16 games at home. Chris Davis has shown some signs of life amid a dismal campaign at the plate, going 3-for-8 with two homers and four RBIs in his last two contests. He and his Orioles teammates will be getting their first look at Felix Pena, who opposes David Hess in the series opener.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Felix Pena (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Orioles RH David Hess (2-4, 5.44)

Pena will be making his third straight start since being recalled from the minors earlier this month. He has given up four runs and 10 hits with 12 strikeouts in nine innings over his first two starts. The 28-year-old, who never has faced the Orioles, has made all four of his appearances with the Angels this season at home.

Hess posted a 3.07 ERA over his first five starts but has been knocked around in the last three, allowing 15 runs in 12 innings. He suffered his third straight loss on Sunday, when he surrendered five runs over four frames at Atlanta. The native of Tennessee has served up four home runs in his first 15 1/3 innings at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels are 10-19 on the road since opening 11-1.

2. Los Angeles SS Andrelton Simmons has gone 9-for-24 with a home run during his six-game hitting streak.

3. Orioles CF Adam Jones and 3B Tim Beckham Jr. both were given the day off Thursday but are expected back in the lineup for the series opener.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Orioles 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 29th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/29/2018

The Boston Red Sox will take a one-game lead in the American League East into a much-anticipated three-game series with the host New York Yankees that begins on Friday. The Red Sox belted nine home runs while sweeping a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, which was capped by Thursday's 4-2 triumph that completed a 5-1 homestand.

Boston has split its first six games with the rival Yankees as the teams have spent every day since the beginning of May within 2 1/2 games of one another atop the division. The Yankees were blanked twice during a 2-4 road trip that concluded with a 3-0 setback in the finale of a three-game interleague series in Philadelphia. Slugger Aaron Judge was given the day off and should be well-rested as he looks to continue his assault on the Red Sox, against whom he is 11-for-21 with two homers this year. Judge is 0-for-4 but has drawn four walks against Eduardo Rodriguez, who will try to match his career high in wins when he gets the start opposite the veteran CC Sabathia.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (9-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.18)

Rodriguez's six-game winning streak came to an end with a clunker against Seattle at home on Sunday, when he was reached for five runs - four earned - in four innings. He has gone 4-0 with a 3.57 ERA in six road start after registering eight strikeouts over five scoreless frames at Yankee Stadium on May 10. The 25-year-old is 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 career outings versus New York.

Sabathia has dropped back-to-back starts for only the second time since the beginning of the 2017 season, although he has let up just four earned runs in 13 innings during the stretch. The 37-year-old worked a season low-tying four frames opposite Rodriguez on May 10 as he gave up four runs and nine hits. Mookie Betts is 10-for-24 with four walks against Sabathia, who owns a 2.74 ERA in eight home starts this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. has gone 8-for-14 with two homers over his last four games to raise his batting average from .178 to .202.

2. Boston reportedly acquired 1B/OF Steve Pearce and cash from Toronto on Thursday for INF Santiago Espinal.

3. New York's bullpen has posted a 0.90 ERA this month while allowing 38 hits in 80 innings.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Red Sox 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 29th June 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 06/29/2018

The Philadelphia Phillies struck first in the opener of their four-game series and look to knock off the visiting Washington Nationals again on Friday. Slugger Rhys Hoskins went 3-for-4 with a homer, double and two RBIs as Philadelphia recorded a 4-3 win on Thursday.

Hoskins is swinging a hot bat with three homers and seven RBIs in his last five games, a stretch during which he has registered three multi-hit performances. Maikel Franco and Jorge Alfaro each added two hits in Thursday's triumph as Philadelphia won for the 11th time in 17 contests. The slumping Nationals have been outscored 16-3 during their three-game slide and have dropped five of their last six games. Washington's Anthony Rendon (4-for-8) and Bryce Harper (3-for-7) each have belted two homers off Nick Pivetta, who is slated to start for the Phillies on Friday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (0-3, 5.32 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.06)

Fedde will be making his fifth start of the season and the eighth of his career as he looks to record his first major-league win. The 25-year-old lost to the Phillies on Saturday, when he gave up three runs and eight hits over six innings. Fedde has posted a 6.99 ERA and 1.77 WHIP while allowing opponents to record a .347 batting average over 37 1/3 career frames.

Pivetta has dropped four consecutive decisions and is winless over his last six starts. The 25-year-old settled for a no-decision against the Nationals on Sunday, when he gave up two runs and eight hits in five innings. Pivetta is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in two starts against Washington this season and 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in four career matchups.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harper went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series opener and is batting .188 with one homer, six RBIs and 31 strikeouts this month.

2. Philadelphia RHP Pat Neshek (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance at Double-A Reading on Friday as he works toward making his season debut.

3. Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) threw on flat ground Thursday and may throw a bullpen session over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Phillies 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

The Toronto Blue Jays are stumbling back home after having a series victory at the defending champion Houston Astros and a winning road trip snatched from their grasp on Wednesday. The Blue Jays will try to turn the page on the road trip when they return home to host the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a nine-game stand on Friday.

Toronto took the opener from the Astros but dropped a 7-0 decision on Tuesday and watched a 5-0 lead disappear on Wednesday before falling 7-6 on a walk-off home run. "That game right there sums up our year to this point, to be honest with you," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters after the loss. "Five runs in that first inning. ... When you have good innings, you have to get a shutdown inning or close to it. We didn't do that." The Tigers aren't coming that close to series wins and watched their losing streak reach nine straight while falling to the Oakland Athletics 4-2 at home on Thursday afternoon. Detroit, which fired pitching coach Chris Bosio for making insensitive comments toward a team employee on Wednesday, will send veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano to the mound on Friday opposite Toronto righty Marcus Stroman.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-3, 3.94 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (0-5, 6.80)

Liriano could not get past the fourth inning at Cleveland on Saturday, when he was charged with three runs - two earned - on four hits and three walks while striking out three in a loss. The Dominican Republic native failed to record an out in the sixth inning in four of his last five turns and is up to 32 walks in 61 2/3 total innings. Liriano, who made 18 starts for Toronto in 2017, is 1-2 with a 2.80 ERA in six road starts this season.

Stroman returned from a seven-week stay on the disabled list on Saturday and turned in his best outing of the season, scattering six hits over five scoreless innings and striking out five at the Los Angeles Angels. The Duke product posted a 7.71 ERA in seven starts before going on the DL in early May with shoulder fatigue. Stroman is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in two career starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. New Tigers pitching coach Rick Anderson told the media that the team will return to a five-man rotation, sending LHP Blaine Hardy to the bullpen.

2. Gibbons reached 1,500 career games managed on Wednesday - second in team history (Cito Gaston, 1,731).

3. Detroit RF Nick Castellanos is 9-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Tigers 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:01 AM

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

The New York Mets are going through a bit of a rough patch lately, and another bad weekend could send them all the way to the National League East basement. The Mets will try to avoid that fate when they visit the Miami Marlins for the opener of a three-game series on Friday.

New York, which enters the weekend two games in front of the last-place Marlins, dropped eight of its last nine games and is becoming an intriguing team as a possible seller in front of the trade deadline next month, with even aces Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom possibly on the table. "Not only do we have the ability, that's what we have been charged with, improving this club," Mets assistant general manager John Ricco told reporters. "Obviously the trade deadline is coming up and that's a big pressure point to better your club. Certainly, we're going to take advantage of that and look to be active." The Marlins were active in dealing star players during the winter - sending away the 2017 starting outfield of Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich, among others - and are going through some growing pains as a team in transition. Miami will try to snap a three-game slide while giving prospect Sandy Alcantara his team debut on Friday against deGrom.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-3, 1.69 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (2017: 0-0, 4.32)

DeGrom is coming off what counts as a poor start for him this season, allowing three runs and five hits over six innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. That snapped a string of 11 straight starts in which the Stetson product, who leads the majors in ERA, allowed two or fewer earned runs. DeGrom was held out of the decision in his last start against Miami on May 23 despite scattering four hits and striking out eight over seven scoreless innings.

Alcantara was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the deal that sent Ozuna away last winter and went 5-3 with a 3.71 ERA in 14 starts from Triple-A New Orleans. "He's a lot different than you would think, then just a guy who throws 96-99 (mph)," Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters of Alcantara. "You'd think he throws just a ton of fastballs. He's a guy who has got a pretty good two-seamer." The 22-year-old Alcantara made eight appearances in relief for the Cardinals last season, allowing a total of four earned runs over 8 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto (wrist) is expected to start on Friday after missing the last four games.

2. Mets CF Brandon Nimmo (finger) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Wednesday after missing a pair of starts.

3. Miami 2B Starlin Castro had a string of six straight games with at least one run scored come to an end on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Marlins 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:02 AM

Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 29th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/29/2018

The Tampa Bay Rays' winning streak came to an abrupt halt in the series opener, but they hope to resume their victorious ways when they continue the four-game set Friday against the Houston Astros, who look to set a franchise record with their 12th straight road win. After scoring 12 runs while posting back-to-back shutouts versus Washington, the Rays were blanked 1-0 on Thursday to fall to 5-1 on their nine-game homestand.

Tampa Bay, which has allowed eight runs - six in one contest - over its last six games, produced only six hits in the setback as it suffered its third loss in four meetings with Houston over the last 11 days. Rookie Willy Adames went 2-for-3 on Thursday, recording the Rays' lone extra-base hit (a double), for his third two-hit performance in five games. Jake Marisnick was 2-for-2 and drove in the game's lone run with his second homer in as many games as the Astros notched their third straight victory and 18th in 21 contests. Jose Altuve, who leads the majors with a .345 batting average, enters Friday with an eight-game hitting streak but had his string of five games with a run scored come to an end in the series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (9-1, 2.56 ERA) vs. Rays RH Wilmer Font (1-3, 6.46)

Cole won his seventh consecutive decision on Sunday as he allowed one run and two hits in a season low-tying five innings against Kansas City. The 27-year-old Californian has been having control issues of late, however, issuing 13 walks over 24 frames in his last four turns. Cole, who is 6-0 with a 2.21 ERA in eight road starts this season, made his first career start versus Tampa Bay on June 18 and did not factor in the decision after yielding four runs on three hits and five walks in seven innings.

Font is coming off his first career victory, a triumph over the New York Yankees on Saturday in which he scattered three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his fourth major-league start. It was the longest turn in the rotation by the 28-year-old Venezuelan, who has given up three runs and 11 hits over 16 frames in his four outings. Font made his only two career appearances against Houston in relief earlier this season and was hit hard, surrendering eight runs and 10 hits - four homers - in 4 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros are likely to place SS Carlos Correa, who hasn't played since Monday due to a sore back, on the 10-day disabled list on Friday.

2. Tampa Bay RHP Chris Archer (abdomen) threw 47 pitches in a three-inning simulated game on Thursday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon.

3. Houston placed Yuli Gurriel on the paternity list Thursday and recalled fellow 1B AJ Reed from Triple-A Fresno.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Rays 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:02 AM

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 29th June 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Reds Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 06/29/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers got their brief road trip off to a good start in the series opener thanks in part to Eric Thames, who hopes to continue his recent dominance against the host Cincinnati Reds when the four-game set continues on Friday. Thames erased a deficit with a three-run homer in the seventh inning of Thursday's 6-4 win, giving him 13 blasts in his last 20 contests against Cincinnati and six in 33 at-bats at Great American Ball Park.

Milwaukee, which was coming off a six-game homestand and has a seven-gamer slated after the series in Cincinnati, also received a homer from Jesus Aguilar in the victory. The 27-year-old Venezuelan pulled into a tie with Colorado's Nolan Arenado and Washington's Bryce Harper for the National League lead with his career-high 19th blast - a two-run shot in the third inning that gave him 54 RBIs, eclipsing the personal best of 52 he registered last year. Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker went deep for the Reds, who lost for just the second time in 11 contests. Winker has gone 5-for-8 over his last three games and collected 12 RBIs over his last eight.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Chase Anderson (5-6, 4.37 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (4-7, 5.40)

Anderson rebounded from a drubbing at the hands of Philadelphia on Saturday, when he limited St. Louis to one run and two hits over five innings of a no-decision. The 30-year-old Texan registered a season-high nine strikeouts in the outing but also issued four walks and served up his 16th home run of the year, which ties for second most in the National League. Anderson improved to 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in eight career starts against the Reds despite yielding four runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 frames on May 1 at Cincinnati.

Romano escaped with a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday after surrendering five runs and eight hits in five innings. The 24-year-old New Yorker was superb in his previous two turns, giving up one run and eight hits over 15 frames while going 1-0. Romano has yet to defeat the Brewers in his brief career, going 0-4 with a 6.27 ERA in four career starts - including a loss at Milwaukee on April 17 in which he allowed two runs and four hits over five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers welcomed back 3B Travis Shaw (wrist) in the series opener after missing two games but could be without OF Christian Yelich on Friday after he left in the first inning with lower back tightness.

2. Suarez has hit safely in 20 of his 24 games this month while SS Jose Peraza has registered three straight two-hit performances.

3. Milwaukee purchased the contract of LHP Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Colorado Springs, optioned RHP Adrian Houser to the Sky Sox and sent SS Tyler Saladino (ankle) to Single-A Wisconsin on a rehab assignment.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Brewers 4

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:02 AM

Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo finished May with a flourish and hasn't slowed down throughout June, as he brings pronounced hitting and on-base streaks into Friday's opener of a three-game series versus the Chicago White Sox. Choo, who has hit safely in 11 consecutive contests, is batting .336 with a .468 on-base percentage while reaching base in 40 straight contests.

Choo had a double and a single as Texas (36-46) posted its ninth win in 11 outings with a 5-2 triumph over San Diego on Wednesday. The 35-year-old ravaged Chicago (28-52) by going 5-for-13 with a homer, five RBIs and four runs scored, but the White Sox took two of three at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago's bid for a season-high four-game winning streak was halted after 13 innings in Thursday's 2-1 setback to Minnesota. Leury Garcia, who went 6-for-10 in the series against the Twins, had four hits and two RBIs in the previous series versus Texas.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-2, 3.45 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 12.08)

Covey expressed no issues during his bullpen session on Tuesday after exiting his last start against Oakland with soreness in his hip and groin. "Everything felt great. Unless something weird happens, I'll be good to go. That's the plan," the 26-year-old said. Covey would like to get back on track after yielding nine runs and as many walks over his last two starts (nine innings) on the heels of allowing just three runs in his previous three outings.

Gallardo has struggled out of the blocks in two starts since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, although the 32-year-old walked away victorious in his last outing. Gallardo followed up a five-run performance on June 17 with a four-run effort over 5 1/3 innings of a 9-6 win at Minnesota. Gallardo has been taken deep three times in those two contests and sports a 1-1 mark with a 4.79 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre has nine hits, four RBIs and three runs scored in his last six contests.

2. Chicago RF Avisail Garcia has two homers, three RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

3. Choo's on-base streak is tied with Philadelphia OF Odubel Herrera for the longest of the season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, White Sox 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:02 AM

Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game home series Friday against the Atlanta Braves in a matchup of teams looking to shake off recent slumps and build momentum heading into the final two weeks before the All-Star break. The Cardinals lost Wednesday to Cleveland, ending a four-game winning streak that was preceded by eight losses in 10 games, while the Braves endured a miserable homestand - losing four of six against last-place teams in Baltimore and Cincinnati.

Atlanta activated rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna (right knee sprain) from the disabled list Thursday, but outfielder Ender Inciarte (right oblique) and second baseman Ozzie Albies (left foot) will be game-time decisions for the first-place Braves in the series opener. A bigger concern is the Braves bullpen, which posted a 5.46 ERA with 14 walks in 29 2/3 innings on the recent homestand. St. Louis has pitched better of late, posting a 2.20 ERA in the past five games after allowing 5.6 runs per game during its previous 10 contests. Outfielder Tommy Pham remains mired in a miserable stretch, going hitless over his last 24 at-bats, and is batting just .171 with 39 strikeouts in 34 games since May 20.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (5-5, 4.52 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (8-2, 2.69)

Teheran makes his 16th start of the season and 178th of his big-league career, and nothing captures his inconsistency better than his past two outings. The 27-year-old fired six no-hit innings June 17 against San Diego to snap a three-start losing streak, only to give up four first-inning runs - seven in all over 4 2/3 innings -in a loss Saturday to Baltimore. Since starting the season 4-1, Teheran is 1-4 in his past six outings with a 6.06 ERA and seven homers allowed in 32 2/3 innings.

Mikolas had not appeared in the majors since 2014 before breaking camp in the St. Louis rotation this spring, and the 29-year-old has pitched himself into All-Star consideration with a strong first three months. He has walked just 12 hitters in 97 innings while ranking second in the National League in WHIP (0.97) and sixth in ERA entering Thursday. Mikolas retired 15 hitters in a row at one point in Saturday's victory at Milwaukee, allowing just two runs on three hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Cardinals improved to 10-5 in his 15 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta placed RHP Brandon McCarthy (right knee tendinitis) on the disabled list Thursday and recalled RHP Matt Wisler, who could start in McCarthy's place Saturday.

2. St. Louis INF Matt Carpenter walked, doubled and scored Wednesday against Cleveland, one game after collecting five runs and five hits in a victory.

3. The Cardinals are hopeful SS Paul DeJong (left hand fracture) can begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Braves 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 06-29-2018, 11:02 AM

San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 06-29-2018

MLB Previews 28th June 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 06/28/2018

Paul Goldschmidt has answered an ice-cold May with a sizzling June, batting .368 in the current month with nine homers and 22 RBIs in his last 22 games overall. Goldschmidt looks to fuel the Arizona Diamondbacks (47-34) to their eighth win in nine outings on Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the visiting San Francisco Giants (42-40).

Goldschmidt had three hits and an RBI in Thursday's 4-0 victory over Miami to surge into the series opener versus San Francisco, against which he is 16-for-33 with nine extra-base hits (seven doubles, two homers) and seven RBIs this season. Jake Lamb has 10 hits and eight runs scored in his last seven contests for Arizona, which tied a season high by moving 13 games above .500. While the Diamondbacks completed an 8-2 road trip, San Francisco had won seven of eight before dropping a wild 9-8 decision to Colorado on Thursday. Brandon Belt, who launched a two-run homer against the Rockies, has gone deep twice despite going 4-for-19 with seven strikeouts against Arizona this season.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Andrew Suarez (2-4, 4.43 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.24)

Suarez has yielded nine runs and 27 hits in his last five outings, but only has a win on June 2 and four straight no-decisions to show for it. The 25-year-old permitted just a solo homer for his lone run allowed in 5 2/3 frames against San Diego on Saturday in his last outing. Suarez made his major-league debut against Arizona on April 11, surrendering homers to Goldschmidt and John Ryan Murphy and four runs total in a 7-3 loss.

Corbin has posted a 2-0 mark with a 2.32 ERA in three starts versus San Francisco this season. The 28-year-old took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in a 1-0 win on April 17 and surrendered one run in 6 1/3 frames of a 3-2 triumph on June 5. Corbin enters Friday's contest with some momentum after matching a career high with 12 strikeouts, albeit in a no-decision against Pittsburgh last Friday.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco C Buster Posey is 11-for-31 against Arizona this season.

2. Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed is just 4-for-33 with eight strikeouts versus the Giants in 2018.

3. San Francisco Brandon Crawford had eight hits -- including four for extra bases -- over a four-game stretch before going 0-for-5 on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Giants 2

Friday 6-29-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 6-29-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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