Tuesday 7-10-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The St. Louis Cardinals look to provide the finishing kick on the final leg of their season-long nine-game road trip Tuesday when they play the opener of their abbreviated two-game interleague series against the Chicago White Sox (30-60). St. Louis (46-43) won four of its first six contests on the trek before dropping a 13-8 decision at San Francisco on Sunday.

Matt Carpenter has shifted into a higher gear after limping out to the worst start of his career, highlighted by a pinch-hit three-run homer in Sunday's setback to improve to .298 over his last 59 games. Carpenter, who paces the Cardinals in nearly every major offensive category, will bid for a fourth All-Star appearance as he competes in the National League's Final Vote. Jose Abreu booked his second All-Star appearance and first as a starter, marking the first member of the White Sox to earn the latter honor since Hall of Famer Frank Thomas won the fan election at first base in 1996. Abreu, however, is mired in a 2-for-23 stretch with six strikeouts over his last seven contests for the slumping White Sox, who have dropped five in a row.


TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (9-3, 2.63 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (3-4, 5.54)

Mikolas was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, four days removed from allowing two runs over six innings and overcoming a career-high four walks in an 8-4 victory at Arizona. The number of free passes likely was quite a surprise for the 29-year-old, who didn't issue more than two walks in any outing this season. Mikolas will get his first look at the White Sox, however he owns a 2-0 career mark with a 1.99 ERA in five interleague outings.

Covey's good fortune has soured over his last four starts as he owns an 0-3 record with a bloated 13.20 ERA after yielding 22 earned runs on 21 hits -- including six homers -- and 13 walks in his last 15 innings. The 26-year-old answered being taken deep four times against Texas on June 29 by getting blitzed for six runs in 3 2/3 frames of a 7-4 setback at Cincinnati on Wednesday. Covey has yet to face St. Louis in his career and has posted an 0-2 mark with a 7.16 ERA in five interleague encounters (four starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada, who had a two-run double in a 3-2 loss to St. Louis on May 1, has a homer, six RBIs and six runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday after missing the last two contests because of shoulder soreness.

3. White Sox INF Yolmer Sanchez, who had an RBI single in a 3-2 setback to St. Louis on May 2, has reached base in each of his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, White Sox 2

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Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Astros Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

After ending one streak in the opener, the Oakland Athletics attempt to extend another when they visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game series. Oakland topped Houston 2-0 in a pitchers' duel on Monday for its third straight overall win and first in its last nine meetings with the Astros.

Stephen Piscotty recorded half of the Athletics' six hits and drove in both runs - belting a solo homer in the seventh to snap a scoreless tie and adding an RBI single an inning later to help make a winner of Frankie Montas, who scattered three hits over six innings. Piscotty enters Tuesday having registered a home run and two RBIs in three consecutive contests. Houston managed only five singles as it had its six-game winning streak halted and fell to 4-1 on its 11-game homestand. George Springer has hit safely in four of the first five contests on the lengthy stretch at Minute Maid Park after notching a pair of hits on Monday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (8-6, 3.33 ERA) vs. Astros RH Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.15)

After enduring a rough month of May in which he went 1-4 while yielding at least four runs in each of his six outings, Manaea has put together a six-start unbeaten streak. The 26-year-old native of Indiana has gone 3-0 during the stretch, allowing fewer than three runs five times and exactly three in the other turn. Manaea, who settled for a no-decision against San Diego on Wednesday after giving up two runs in seven innings, is 2-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 career starts versus Houston - including a 1-1 mark and 2.84 ERA in two outings this season.

Verlander is looking to halt a winless streak that reached four starts when he settled for a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday after yielding two runs and four hits while registering 10 strikeouts in seven innings. The 35-year-old Virginian has not been victorious since June 14, when he extended his winning streak to five games by allowing three runs over seven frames in Oakland. With that triumph, Verlander improved to 11-6 with one complete game and a 2.68 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Athletics.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve has gone 9-for-24 during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Oakland OF Dustin Fowler struck out in all five of his at-bats in the series opener and has fanned 11 times in 24 at-bats this month.

3. Houston SS Carlos Correa (back) is unlikely to return from the disabled list until after the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Athletics 1

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Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Royals vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

One of five candidates for the final spot on the American League All-Star team, Minnesota Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario has presented a compelling case to the voters. Rosario is hitting .300 with 18 home runs and 54 RBIs for the Twins, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

The Twins have won five in a row following a six-game losing streak and are making a concerted effort to support Rosario, who shares the final vote ballot with the New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton, Boston's Andrew Benintendi, Seattle's Jean Segura and the Los Angeles Angels' Andrelton Simmons. "I think he's played like an All-Star," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor told reporters. "For me to imagine that there are X amount of players on that All-Star team that are better is almost unfathomable." Joe Mauer and Eduardo Escobar recorded three hits apiece in Monday's 3-1 win over Kansas City, which has lost 10 straight and 28 of 32. Whit Merrifield has been one of the Royals' few bright spots, going 21-for-47 during his 11-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-8, 5.11 ERA) vs. Twins RH Aaron Slegers (1-0, 2.38)

After missing one start due to an oblique injury, Kennedy will be activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday's contest. The 33-year-old Californian has gone 15 starts without a win dating back to April 7, the longest active winless streak in the majors. Rosario is 7-for-17 with a home run against Kennedy, who is 4-4 with a 4.52 ERA in 12 career starts versus Minnesota - including an 0-3 record and 6.43 mark in five outings last season.

Slegers recorded his first major-league victory on Thursday and earned another start after holding Baltimore to one run over six innings in the Twins' 5-2 win. "It's nice," he told reporters. "It's fun to have that in the stat column, be a major-league winner. I can say that for the rest of my life." The 25-year-old rookie made his season debut on May 30 against Kansas City, allowing two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames of relief.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have lost 11 consecutive series dating back to the end of May, when they took two of three from the Twins.

2. Rosario has hit safely in nine straight games against the Royals.

3. Kansas City MGR Ned Yost said RHP Burch Smith will start Wednesday's series finale, replacing struggling RHP Jason Hammel in the rotation.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 5

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to put a disappointing 10-game homestand in their rear-view mirror Tuesday when they hit the road to open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. The Diamondbacks (50-41) are six games above .500 away from home this season heading into Coors Field, where the Rockies (46-44) have struggled to an 18-22 mark.

Arizona scored 47 runs en route to winning five of six against Colorado this season, highlighted by a three-game sweep at Coors Field last month in which it won all of its contests by five runs. Paul Goldschmidt, who was selected to his sixth straight All-Star Game on Sunday, is 7-for-13 with three RBIs and two runs scored in his last three games overall and 8-for-21 with four homers, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored versus the Rockies this season. While the Diamondbacks limped to a 3-7 mark on their homestand after Sunday's marathon 16-inning loss to San Diego, Colorado saw its five-game winning streak halted with a 6-4 setback at Seattle. All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who has three homers in his last five games, has gone deep four times in 23 at-bats against Arizona this season.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountains (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-3, 3.05 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.90)

Corbin is heading toward his second All-Star Game selection and first since 2013 with a flourish, allowing two runs while striking out 23 in his last three starts (19 innings). The 28-year-old southpaw, however, has been saddled with his third straight no-decision Wednesday despite permitting one run on six hits in as many frames against St. Louis. Corbin improved to 8-3 in his career versus Colorado after yielding two solo homers while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings of an 8-2 win on Opening Day.

Anderson extended his scoreless streak to 16 innings Wednesday after allowing two hits and striking out a season high-tying nine over eight frames in a 1-0 victory versus San Francisco. The 28-year-old has credited a portion of his success to his use of a cutter to keep changeup-minded batters off balance. Anderson was fortunate to escape with a no-decision in his last encounter with Arizona on March 30, as he permitted seven runs and four walks in 2 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado, who was selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game, is 5-for-25 with five strikeouts against Arizona this season.

2. Diamondbacks OF A.J. Pollock is 4-for-10 with three RBIs in his last three contests.

3. Rockies SS Trevor Story, who was selected to his first All-Star Game, has eight multi-hit performances in his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 3

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Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 9th July 2018 by Gracenote
Mariners vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/09/2018

Twenty-three games over .500 only gets a team the fourth-best record in the American League, and the Seattle Mariners are determined to move up in the standings. The Mariners will begin another push when they kick off a six-game road trip to close the first half by visiting the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.

Seattle had some trouble scoring against Colorado to end its homestand but finally got the bats moving Sunday and earned a 6-4 victory to avoid a sweep. Nelson Cruz scored a pair of runs in the win and headlines a trio of Mariners that were announced to the AL All-Star roster Sunday, including right fielder Mitch Haniger and closer Edwin Diaz. The Angels only have one representative on the initial All-Star roster, but center fielder Mike Trout is the AL's marquee player as he gets set for his seventh All-Star appearance in as many seasons and heads into the series against Seattle looking to do damage after struggling to 2-for-10 with three strikeouts at the Mariners last week. Trying to stop Trout on Tuesday will be Mariners right-hander Mike Leake, who opposes Los Angeles righty Garrett Richards.


TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (8-5, 4.11 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (5-4, 3.42)

Leake had a string of eight straight starts lasting at least six innings come to an end with a loss to the Angels on Wednesday. The Arizona State product was reached for four runs (three earned) on nine hits and one walk in four innings while squandering an early lead. Leake allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his previous eight outings, including a win over Los Angeles on June 12 in which he scattered one run and four hits over six frames.

Richards came off the disabled list after over a month because of a left hamstring strain Wednesday and went up against Leake at Seattle. Richards struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) and four hits to earn his first win since May 4, which also came at Seattle. The 30-year-old is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 14 innings in three starts against the Mariners this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels SS Andrelton Simmons and Mariners SS Jean Segura are on the Final Vote ballot for the last AL All-Star spot.

2. Diaz struck out the side in three of his last four appearances.

3. Los Angeles RF Kole Calhoun is 0-for-13 over the last four games, dropping his batting average to .170.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Mariners 3

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

Yasiel Puig's injury has created an opportunity for Andrew Toles, who is back in the major leagues for the first time in more than a year. Toles figures to be in the lineup again on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres, who have fallen 15 games under the .500 mark.

Recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City after Puig landed on the disabled list with an oblique injury he suffered on Sunday, Toles started in center field and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in Monday's 8-2 series-opening victory. Clayton Kershaw tossed six scoreless innings and Justin Turner recorded three hits and two RBIs as the Dodgers won for the sixth time in eight games. San Diego has dropped eight of its last 11 contests and allowed a total of 28 runs in its last two losses. Wil Myers has been on a tear over the last three games, going 6-for-13 with five home runs, six RBIs and two stolen bases.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2-3, 4.56 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (4-5, 4.84)

Hill earned his first victory in three months with a solid outing last Tuesday, when he gave up two runs over five innings against Pittsburgh. The 38-year-old veteran left the game due to neck tightness but was cleared to start against the Padres after throwing a successful bullpen session on Sunday. Myers is 1-for-13 with eight strikeouts against Hill, who owns a 4-3 record and 3.18 ERA in eight career starts versus San Diego.

Lauer's ERA dropped under 5.00 for the first time in his 14-start major-league career on Thursday, when he allowed one run over five-plus innings in a 6-3 win over Arizona. The 23-year-old native of Ohio has allowed fewer than three runs in four of his last five outings. One of several promising rookies on the Padres' pitching staff, Lauer worked six innings in a 3-0 home victory over the Dodgers on May 7.

WALK-OFFS

1. Turner has reached base safely in each of his last 13 starts.

2. The Padres recalled RHPs Walker Lockett and Phil Maton from Triple-A El Paso and optioned RHP Miguel Diaz and INF Cory Spangenberg to the Chihuahuas.

3. Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (ribs) is expected to rejoin the team's rotation this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Padres 3

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Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 07-10-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 10th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/10/2018

The road was not kind to the Chicago Cubs on their last trip, and their current trek has gotten off to a slow start. Chicago looks to bounce back from a tough loss in the opener as it continues its three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

The Cubs, who went 2-6 on their last road trip, kicked off their six-game trek leading into the All-Star break on Monday with a 2-1 setback in 11 innings. Chicago produced only four hits - three doubles - as it came off a 7-1 homestand while Addison Russell drove in the lone run in the opener, giving him five RBIs in his last three contests. Pablo Sandoval delivered a single with the bases loaded and one out in the 11th inning as San Francisco improved to 3-2 on its 10-game homestand. Sandoval appears to be heating up for the Giants as he has gone 5-for-10 with a homer and six RBIs in his last two games.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (7-6, 4.22 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (3-1, 1.95)

Quintana ended his five-start winless streak on Wednesday as he limited Detroit to a pair of solo homers among five hits over six innings. The 29-year-old Colombian, who has issued three walks in each of his last two outings, is 0-2 with a 4.64 ERA over his last four turns on the road. Quintana has yet to defeat San Francisco in his career as he fell to 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA in three starts when he yielded four runs and five hits over 4 1/3 frames on May 26.

Cueto's return from the disabled list did not go as planned as he suffered the loss against St. Louis on Thursday after surrendering five runs and 10 hits in five innings. It was the first outing since April 28 for the 32-year-old Dominican, who missed over two months with elbow inflammation after allowing three runs over 32 frames in his first five turns of the season. Cueto has made 25 career starts versus the Cubs, going 9-9 with one complete game and a 3.35 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 1B Brandon Belt has posted three straight multi-hit performances, going 7-for-11 in that span.

2. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee on Monday and went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs.

3. San Francisco C Buster Posey (hip) will miss the All-Star Game as he will receive a cortisone shot to help treat persistent discomfort.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Giants 3

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free Houston w/Verlander -200 Over Oakland

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR TUESDAY: Take KANSAS CITY/MINNESOTA OVER the total of 9½ runs

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Totals4U

Tuesday's Free Selection: Detroit Tigers/Tampa Bay Rays over 8

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Atlantic Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: NY Yankees - 220

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#1 Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection: Tampa Bay Rays - 160

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Platinum Plays

Free Pick the Arizona/Colorado Game UNDER 11 Runs

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Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Tuesday Selection Is

Chicago Cubs w/Quintana -108

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Golden Dragon Sports

Free Pick Houston Verlander -203