Saturday 7-14-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Preview: Phillies at Marlins
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Philadelphia Phillies look to win another series and continue their hot streak into the All-Star break when they visit the Miami Marlins for the middle contest of a three-game set Saturday afternoon. The Phillies maintained their lead atop the National League East with a 2-0 victory in Friday’s game and can improve to 9-1-1 in 11 series with All-Star right-hander Aaron Nola taking the mound.

Nola goes for his fifth victory in as many starts Saturday as Philadelphia attempts to even its record against NL East foes at 19-19, and third baseman Maikel Franco hopes to keep his power surge going after belting his third homer in six games Friday. The Phillies, who are 6-3 with two contests left on their road trip, lead the East by 1 1/2 games over Atlanta and will face Miami rookie right-hander Trevor Richards on Saturday. The Marlins had scored 23 runs while going 3-1 in the previous four games before managing just three hits in Friday’s setback, getting shut out for the third time this year by Philadelphia and falling back into the division cellar. All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is batting .312 with 12 homers, 20 doubles and 44 RBIs, returned to the lineup Friday after spending time in the paternity list and went 0-for-4.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (12-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (2-5, 5.24)

Nola gave up one hit over seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts on Monday against the New York Mets to win his fourth straight start and sixth decision in a row. The 25-year-old LSU product has given up four runs on 17 hits across 27 2/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and eight walks in his last four outings. Nola tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to beat Miami on May 2 and improve to 3-3 with a 3.88 ERA lifetime against the Marlins.

Richards struggled with control at Washington last Sunday, walking a season-high seven over 3 2/3 innings of an eventual 10-2 triumph for the Marlins. The 25-year-old rookie managed to complete six innings just twice in his past nine turns, winning both of those outings. Odubel Herrera is 2-for-2 with a double versus Richards, who gave up three runs and six hits over four innings in a no-decision with the Phillies on April 8 in his second major-league start.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami OF/3B Brian Anderson has 22 doubles, second only to MIke Jacobs (24, 2006) all-time among Marlins rookies before the All-Star break.

2. The Phillies have registered at least one extra-base hit in 89 straight contests - the fourth-longest streak in franchise history.

3. Marlins 2B Starlin Castro is batting .360 in July despite going 0-for-4 on Friday and is 6-for-20 against the Phillies in 2018.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Marlins 1

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Preview: Angels at Dodgers
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to extend their winning streak to four games Saturday as they continue their three-game interleague series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The Dodgers wrapped up a 4-3 road trip with back-to-back wins in San Diego before edging the Angels 3-2 on Friday behind a 2-for-4, two-RBI performance by Max Muncy.

The 27-year-old Muncy, who will participate in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break, went deep in the first inning of the series opener before adding a run-scoring single in the seventh to give him six RBIs during his four-game streak. Justin Turner (adductor) was kept out of the starting lineup by the Dodgers on Friday and is day-to-day. Kole Calhoun provided the offense for the Angels on Thursday with a pair of solo homers, giving him five RBIs over his last four games. Andrelton Simmons enters Saturday with a four-game hitting streak during which he has gone 7-for-17.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.84 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (5-5, 3.88)

Heaney looks to put an end to his woes on the road this season as he has gone 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA in eight starts away from home. The 27-year-old Oklahoman is hoping to duplicate his success from his last turn on Sunday, when he allowed three runs and three hits over seven innings in a home win over the Dodgers while registering 10 strikeouts for the second straight outing. With the triumph, Heaney improved to 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in three career starts against the Dodgers.

Wood pitched opposite Heaney on Sunday but came away with a no-decision after giving up three runs and five hits over six innings. That outing was the first of the 27-year-old native of North Carolina's career against the Angels, although he is 2-6 against the American League. Wood is unbeaten in his last five turns, going 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA, 29 strikeouts and five walks over 30 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers 2B Chase Utley announced before the series opener that he will retire at the end of the season.

2. The Angels placed DH-1B Albert Pujols (knee), who pulled even with Ken Griffey Jr. (630) for sixth place on the all-time home run list on Thursday, on the 10-day disabled list and optioned OF Michael Hermosillo to Triple-A Salt Lake while recalling 1B Jose Fernandez and OF Jabari Blash from the Bees.

3. The Dodgers activated RHP Walker Buehler (ribs), who allowed two runs in five innings, from the 10-day DL on Friday and optioned SHP Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Angels 4

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Preview: Yankees at Indians
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The host Cleveland Indians broke a long losing streak against the New York Yankees stretching back to their encounter last October and they'll try to make it two wins in a row when the teams play the third of four games on Saturday. Including three straight losses to close out an American League Division Series collapse, the Indians had lost seven in a row to the Yankees before Friday's 6-5 win.

All-Stars Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez drove in two runs apiece for Cleveland, which won for just the second time in its last seven games overall. Ramirez is 8-for-14 with four home runs, one triple, one double, 10 RBIs and five runs scored during a four-game hitting streak. New York fell for just the third time in 15 games against the American League Central this season, stranding the tying run in the ninth inning. The Yankees turn to one-time Indians great CC Sabathia on Saturday opposite Mike Clevinger for the hosts.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.34 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (7-4, 3.34)

Sabathia is tied with Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for 53rd on the all-time list with 243 wins but he lost his last time out, giving up five runs in five frames at Baltimore. The 37-year-old spun six scoreless innings against Cleveland at home earlier this season and owns 3.36 ERA in 12 career starts against his former team. Francisco Lindor is 6-for-12 and Ramirez is 5-for-10 against Sabathia, who has 51 career wins at Progressive Field.

Clevinger tied a season high with 11 strikeouts Monday against Cincinnati but he was reached for five runs in six innings in a loss. The Florida native limited the Yankees to one hit while striking out 10 over 7 1/3 innings in a meeting at Yankee Stadium on May 6. Aaron Judge has a home run in three at-bats against Clevinger, but the rest of the current Yankees are a combined 2-for-20.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lindor scored six runs and drove in five in his last four games.

2. Yankees OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton homered Friday while also finishing without a strikeout for the first time in 12 games.

3. Cleveland is 16-9 against left-handed starters.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Yankees 4

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Preview: Rangers at Orioles
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

After getting beat up by the best team in baseball, the Texas Rangers managed to get back on track against the worst team in the majors. The Rangers rebounded from a three-game sweep in Boston by holding on for a 5-4 victory in Friday's series opener in Baltimore and have a chance to hand the Orioles their 70th loss of the season on Saturday night.

Ryan Rua had been 0-for-18 as a pinch hitter in his career but he broke the drought in memorable fashion with a three-run homer as Texas won for only the third time in 11 games this month. Shin-Soo Choo celebrated his 36th birthday by reach base for the 49th consecutive game, the second-longest streak in baseball since 2007. The beating goes on for Baltimore, which wasted Caleb Joseph's three-run double in losing for the 17th time in 20 games. Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop went 2-for-5 in the loss, the seventh time he has collected multiple hits in the past 11 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-3, 9.67 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Yefry Ramirez (0-3, 3.93)

Perez has been sidelined since the end of April, when he was placed on the disabled list due to discomfort in the surgically repaired elbow on his non-pitching arm. He failed to pitch beyond four innings in three of his five starts this season and has surrendered seven home runs in only 22 1/3 innings. Perez was battered for 13 runs and 16 hits over 10 1/3 innings in a pair of losses to Baltimore last July.

Ramirez remains in search of his first major-league win entering his fifth career appearance and fourth start, as the Orioles have scored only six runs in his four appearances this season. The 24-year-old Dominican was tagged for four runs and nine hits in a season-low four innings versus the New York Yankees on Monday. Ramirez is limiting right-handed batters to a collective .205 average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers RH Keone Kela has converted all 23 save opportunities.

2. Baltimore is 1-16 against AL West opponents.

3. Rangers CF Delino DeShields cleared his concussion protocol and entered as a defensive replacement Friday.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Rangers 5

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Preview: Mariners at Rockies
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

Few players are heading into the All-Star break as hot as Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who was selected for the Midsummer Classic for the first time following a torrid first half. Story is batting .425 this month for the Rockies, who continue their three-game interleague series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Story homered and drove in four runs while Carlos Gonzalez added three hits and scored three times in Friday’s 10-7 victory as the Rockies won for the eighth time in 10 games. The Rockies' bullpen has been an ongoing area of concern, but Adam Ottavino continued to be a bright spot with two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning on Friday. Seattle lost for the sixth time in nine games despite receiving three hits from Ben Gamel, who made his second start of the season in center field. Gamel started in place of the slumping Guillermo Heredia, who grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning and is 19-for-110 since June 1.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (5-0, 3.39 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (7-7, 5.77)

LeBlanc won his second straight start on Sunday, allowing four runs and five hits over six frames against Colorado. The 33-year-old has not lost a start since 2014 and has yet to lose in a Mariners uniform, going 8-0 with a 3.80 ERA in 29 games (21 starts) across his two stints with Seattle. Gonzalez is 6-for-18 with three homers against LeBlanc, who owns a 3-3 record and 6.46 ERA in 10 career appearances (8 starts) versus the Rockies.

Gray was the Rockies’ Opening Day starter but was demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on June 30 after posting a 7.25 ERA over his last nine outings. The 26-year-old Oklahoman is being recalled after two starts with the Isotopes to replace scheduled starter Chad Bettis, who remains out with a blister on his right middle finger. “Jon has delivered many times as a major-league starter the past couple of years,” manager Bud Black told reporters. “We’re confident he can do that Saturday.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners LHP James Paxton was placed on the 10-day disabled list with inflammation in his lower back, but the team is optimistic he’ll be able to rejoin the rotation next weekend.

2. The Rockies placed RHP Antonio Senzatela on the 10-day disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger.

3. Seattle optioned INF Gordon Beckham and RHP Nick Rumbelow to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled RHPs Casey Lawrence and Mike Morin from the Rainiers.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Rockies 3

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Preview: Athletics at Giants
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

The Oakland Athletics have won five consecutive series, but that streak will be in jeopardy when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague set. Oakland, which is 7-0-1 in its last eight series, managed only three hits Friday as it opened the first installment of the Bay Bridge Series with a 7-1 setback.

Chad Pinder produced one of the Athletics' hits, a solo home run in the fifth inning that gave him two blasts and four RBIs over his last three games. Rookie Steven Duggar led the charge for San Francisco, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Buster Posey also recorded two hits and drove in a pair of runs. The 24-year-old Duggar has hit safely in each of his first four major-league contests as he is 6-for-21 with three doubles and three RBIs. Brandon Belt hopes to regain his swing as he has gone 0-for-8 over the last two games after going 8-for-15 over his previous four contests.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS California (Oakland), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (1-2, 5.75 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 6.42)

Anderson's return from a lengthy stay on the disabled list due to a strained shoulder was an impressive one as he scattered three hits over five scoreless innings in a victory at Cleveland on Sunday. The 30-year-old Texan had not pitched since May 18, when he allowed two hits in one frame at Toronto before exiting with the injury. Anderson has made nine career starts against San Francisco, going 2-4 with a 4.53 ERA.

Samardzija also came back from a stint on the DL that lasted over a month last weekend but was not as fortunate as Anderson as he suffered the loss against St. Louis on Saturday after giving up three runs and seven hits in five innings. The 33-year-old native of Indiana, who is winless since his season debut against the Los Angeles Angels, hadn't pitched since yielding two runs in one frame of a loss at Colorado on May 29. Samardzija owns a 2-2 record and 7.92 ERA in four career starts versus Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 2B Jed Lowrie (leg) exited the series opener in the fifth inning after colliding with teammate Stephen Piscotty two frames earlier.

2. San Francisco signed OF Peter Bourjos, who batted .205 with a homer and four RBIs for Atlanta earlier this season, to a minor-league contract and expect him to report to Triple-A Sacramento.

3. Oakland purchased the contract of LHP Jeremy Bleich from Triple-A Nashville, optioned RHP Josh Lucas to the Sounds and transferred RHP Andrew Triggs (arm) to the 60-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Athletics 3

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Preview: Cubs at Padres
Gracenote
Jul 14, 2018

After breaking out of his slump with three hits in the series opener, Anthony Rizzo could find himself batting first again Saturday as his Chicago Cubs continue their three-game set against the host San Diego Padres. Rizzo snapped an 0-for-21 skid in Friday’s 5-4, 10-inning victory while hitting leadoff for the second time this season.

Rizzo tied the game in the ninth inning with an RBI double and the Cubs completed the comeback in the 10th, when Javier Baez singled with one out and stole second base before scoring on consecutive errors. Ian Happ added two RBIs for the Cubs, who have won 11 of their last 15 games to pull even with Milwaukee atop the National League Central. San Diego has dropped nine of its last 12 games and needs more production from Eric Hosmer, who is mired in an 0-for-16 slump and has gone without a homer in his last 115 at-bats. The Padres have gone deep just four times in their last seven contests, including a two-run blast by leadoff hitter Travis Jankowski in Friday’s loss.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ABC7 (Chicago), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (5-8, 3.93 ERA) vs. Padres RH Luis Perdomo (1-3, 7.09)

Hendricks turned in a dominant outing against San Francisco on Monday, allowing one unearned run and five hits with eight strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings. The performance was an encouraging return to form for the 28-year-old, who has recorded one victory in his last eight starts. Wil Myers is 3-for-12 against Hendricks, who is 3-1 with a 2.50 ERA in six career starts versus San Diego - including a 2-1 mark and 3.15 ERA in three outings at Petco Park.

Perdomo made his second start since being recalled from Triple-A El Paso and allowed six runs over seven innings in last Monday’s 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. “There’s a lot to like about the work he's put in,” manager Andy Green told reporters. “His effort’s been great.” The 25-year-old, who began the season in the rotation before his demotion in mid-April, allowed one unearned run over seven frames in a 2-1 win over the Cubs on May 31, 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs OF Albert Almora Jr. is 16-for-48 with nine runs scored in his last 13 games, including four multi-hit efforts.

2. San Diego fell to 6-25 in series openers with Friday’s loss.

3. The Cubs activated LHP Brian Duensing from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Luke Farrell to Triple-A Iowa.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Padres 2

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Free St Louis w/Flaherty -145 Over Cincinnati

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Free Selection from Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Saturday, July 14, 2018



7/14 01:10 PM PT / 4:10 PM ET

MLB (953) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS (954) ATLANTA BRAVES

Take: (953) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Reason: Your free play for Saturday, July 14, 2018 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves. Your free play is on the DIAMONDBACKS

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Jeff Allen Sports

Saturday's Free Selection is on the Philadelphia Phillies

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR SATURDAY: Take CHICAGO CUBS (Hendicks) -170 over San Diego

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Totals4U

Saturday's Free Selection: Cincinnati/St Louis over 9

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John Anthony Sports

Saturday's Free Selection: Philadelphia Phillies - 155

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Atlantic Sports

Saturday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: LA Dodgers

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#1 Sports

Saturday's Free Selection: Seattle Mariners