Saturday 7-21-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belterra Park - Race #1 - Post: 1:20pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,000 Class Rating: 49

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 HIGHLY VISIBLE (ML=7/2)
#3 SPIRIT FINGERS (ML=9/2)


HIGHLY VISIBLE - I think that a sprinter coming off a layoff will usually run her best in the 3rd or 4th start back. The addition of Lasix might make this equine wake up and smell the coffee in this event. SPIRIT FINGERS - This horse isn't the morning line choice, but finished ahead of today's M/L favorite in her last race (Jun 30th at Belterra Park). Horse has improved at least 2 Equibase speed figure points in last two races. I look for that to continue in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 PRETTY PENNY PADDY (ML=5/2), #6 KATE'S SONG (ML=4/1), #4 PRIZE SURPRIZE (ML=6/1),

PRETTY PENNY PADDY - This racer showed very liitle last time out finishing sixth. Don't expect any improvement in today's race. KATE'S SONG - Where is the pace? None to be found in here to set things up for this racer. PRIZE SURPRIZE - Today's contest is 6 furlongs. Hasn't hit the board in a sprint race in the last couple of months. Not the best of omens.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - SPIRIT FINGERS - Despite finishing fifth last race out, wasn't too far from the winner. Fits with this group.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #7 HIGHLY VISIBLE on the win end if we get at least 7/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Delaware Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $12000 Class Rating: 77

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JUNE 21 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500, IF FOR $5,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 PIERCINATOR 5/2

# 1 PLAY ME NOW 7/2

# 6 ONE FLASHY CAT 9/5

PIERCINATOR looks to be a competitive contender. Shows evidence of the look of a money-making play, averaging a solid 66 speed fig which is one of the strongest in this group. McMahon has him trained solidly to break speedily out of the gate. Is a solid contender - given the 77 speed figure from his most recent race. PLAY ME NOW - Has recorded solid speed figures in dirt sprint races in the past. ONE FLASHY CAT - Should compete well in the pace contest which bodes well with this group of horses in this race. Could beat this field given the 79 speed figure posted in his last outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Ellis Park
Ellis Park - Race 1

Exacta / $0.50 Trifecta / $0.10 Superfecta / Double / $0.50 Pick 3 (Races 1-2-3)


Claiming $7,500 • 1 1/8 Miles • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 90 • Purse: $12,000 • Post: 12:50
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR THREE YEAR OLDS. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE JUNE 21 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500. (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE BY MANAGEMENT TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT ONE MILE AND ONE EIGHTH.).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. WICKED STRIDE is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * WICKED STRIDE: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse rank s in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. HIGHER FACTOR: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
5
WICKED STRIDE
2/1

5/2
6
HIGHER FACTOR
3/1

4/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
AVIATOR PARKS
1

5/1
Stalker
81

77

76.7

72.4

66.4
5
WICKED STRIDE
5

2/1
Alternator/Stalker
95

94

80.6

86.0

83.0
6
HIGHER FACTOR
6

3/1
Alternator/Stalker
89

73

79.3

79.8

76.3
2
MR. HAIRE
2

6/1
Trailer
79

67

77.4

72.6

63.1
7
SAGE MASTER
7

10/1
Trailer
79

64

47.4

68.3

57.3
4
PASS SET HIT
4

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
73

70

68.3

40.8

28.3
3
PATRIOT SONG
3

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
64

71

58.8

49.3

39.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for North Dakota Horse Park
North Dakota Horse Park - Race 2

$2 Win, Place, Show $2 Exacta ($1 Exacta Box) $2 Trifecta ($1Tri Box) / $.10 cent Superfecta $.50 Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4)


Maiden Special • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 44 • Purse: $2,000 • Post: 1:30P
FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND OLDER. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Paceless Race. There is no true early speed in this race. * KEY ANGLES * EZ GIRL: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest Trac kMaster Power Rating. LAILA'S JEWEL: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance /surface.
4
EZ GIRL
5/2

5/2
2
LAILA'S JEWEL
7/2

3/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
EZ GIRL
4

5/2
Alternator/Trailer
42

40

32.6

36.8

33.3
2
LAILA'S JEWEL
2

7/2
Alternator/Trailer
53

53

13.0

32.4

28.4
3
CAUSE SHE IS
3

4/1
Alternator/Trailer
0

0

0.0

28.3

18.8
1
BELLA VENTURA
1

2/1
Alternator/Non-contender
42

30

55.0

22.7

16.7
5
DOUBLE PLATINUM
5

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
26

10

0.0

12.0

2.5
6
ROCK THE CASSA
6

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0








Unknown Running Style: DOYADANCE (10/1) [Jockey: Ziegler Zack - Trainer: Haar Robert J].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

07/21/18, GP, Race 11, 6.03 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.01 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $47,000.
Claiming Price $16,000 (Races where entered for $12,500 or less not considered in allowances). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR OPTIONAL CLAIMING PRICE OF $16,000
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 32.66, $1 ROI 0.91, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 3 Awesome Mass 9/5 Sanchez J Gold Stanley I. SEW
097.5620 5 Razorback Lady 5/2 Ramsay R R Biancone Patrick L. FL
096.8737 2 Three Socks One 12-1 Gutierrez R Baxter Georgina T
096.5150 6 Estilo Femenino 12-1 Camacho S Arriagada Juan J
096.4834 7 First Distinction 7/2 Juarez N Marcondes Patrick K. C
095.2198 1 Miss Helen 10-1 Panici L Wasilewski Christine
093.6905 4 Enigmatica 6-1 Zayas E J Sano Antonio

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Laurel - Race #7 - Post: 4:10pm - Allowance - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $35,000 Class Rating: 83

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 HASHTAG SELFIE (ML=4/1)


HASHTAG SELFIE - A wise man taught me to wager on the lone speed horse. Take a look at this horse. Jock and handler do well when they unite. Carrasco and Gonzalez have been consistent together. Have to make this filly a solid contender; she comes off a nice contest on July 8th. Wired the field on Jul 8th at Laurel. Quite possible she can do it again in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 VICTORY RALLY (ML=1/1), #6 GHOUL'S NIGHT OUT (ML=3/1), #5 PEARL GEM (ML=6/1),

VICTORY RALLY - This sustainer looks to have slight chance without a speed duel on the front end. GHOUL'S NIGHT OUT - The fifth place result in the last race was not the greatest. Speed figs tell a tale of dropping physical condition. PEARL GEM - Based on the pace scenario in this contest, this horse doesn't fit in here. With a single front-runner and this animal having to race from behind, she sure has a tough assignment. Run-of-the-mill speed fig last time around the track at Laurel at 6 furlongs. Don't believe this pony will improve too much in today's race.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 HASHTAG SELFIE is going to be the play if we are getting 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
4 with [2,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Ruidoso Downs
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 1 - Maiden - 350y on the Dirt. Purse: $10100 Class Rating: 79

QUARTER HORSE 350Y, FOR REGISTERED NEW MEXICO BRED MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 120 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 U GOT THE LOOK 3/1

# 8 ALPHA MERLOT 7/2

# 10 SISTER AMALAYA 12/1

U GOT THE LOOK is the most competitive bet in this race. She must be given a shot given the respectable speed numbers. Will most likely go to the front end and should never look back. Had one of the top Equibase speed figs of this group in her last race. ALPHA MERLOT - Looks very good against this field and ought to be one of the front-runners. Could best this field based on the speed fig - 57 - of his last effort. SISTER AMALAYA - Put up a quite good speed rating last time out.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #10 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE -5:48 PM EASTERN POST
The Diana Stakes
9.0 FURLONGS TURF GRADE I FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $500,000.00 PURSE

#1 SISTERCHARLIE
#6 A PAVING BEAUTY
#2 PROCTOR'S LEDGE
#7 HAWKSMOOR

The Diana is named for the Roman mythological goddess of the hunt, who had the power to talk to and control animals. Here in the 80th running of The Diana, #1 SISTERCHARLIE, an Irish-bred entry, qualifies as a TrackMaster PLUS "PowerPony," and has turned in "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in five straight, with no finish worse the 2nd, including a trio of "POWER RUN WINS" being embedded in this recent streak of racing consistency. #6 A RAVING BEAUTY, a rare German bred entry racing in North America, has hit the board in each of her last four outings, with three of those "board hits," including back-to-back wins, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." Jockey Irad Ortiz and Trainer Chad Brown send her to the post for the "Saturday Feature." They've hit the board with 68% of nearly 165 entries saddled as a team to date.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st July 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/21/2018

The New York Yankees came out of the All-Star break with a frustrating performance at home, and their deficit in the American League East is the largest its been in nearly three months. They will try to bounce back Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game interleague set with the visiting New York Mets.

The Bronx Bombers recorded 14 hits and drew four walks in the series opener but stranded a season high-tying 14 men in a 7-5 setback, sinking 5 1/2 games behind the red-hot Boston Red Sox in the division. Catcher Gary Sanchez had a hit and scored a run in his first game off the disabled list for the Yankees, who fell to 33-14 at home. The Mets got a home run from Yoenis Cespedes in his first game since returning from a hip injury and they finished the victory without closer Jeurys Familia, who was not available while the team reportedly worked out a deal to trade him to Oakland. Sonny Gray was seen as clinging to a rotation spot with the Yankees amid a woeful stretch, but he went into the break on a good note by blanking the Baltimore Orioles over six frames and will get the ball for the hosts opposite Long Island native Steven Matz.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WPIX (Mets), YES (Yankees)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (4-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Sonny Gray (6-7, 5.46)

Matz has back-to-back quality starts and six in his last eight appearances, although he is just 2-4 in that stretch. One of them came at home against the Yankees on June 9, when he worked around five hits and four walks in six innings to limit his opponent to three runs. Didi Gregorius is 5-for-10 against Matz and Giancarlo Stanton is 4-for-12 with two homers versus the 27-year-old, who is 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA on the road this year.

Gray struck out eight Orioles while allowing three hits and one walk in the 9-0 win at Camden Yards on July 11. He was pounded for 11 runs in 4 1/3 frames over his previous two starts, one of which was at home, where the 28-year-old owns an 8.25 ERA. Gray was solid through six innings in defeating the Mets at home last season and is 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA in his interleague career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees All-Star 2B Gleyber Torres (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Tampa on Saturday.

2. The Mets can snap a string of eight straight series losses (0-6-2) to the Yankees with a win either Saturday or Sunday.

3. Yankees RHP Domingo German was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after giving up four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Mets 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th July 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/20/2018

A day after one of their ugliest losses in nearly a decade, the Chicago Cubs get a chance to put it behind them - in fact, they get two chances. The first-place Cubs look to bounce back from an 18-5 drubbing when they host the St. Louis Cardinals for a day-night doubleheader Saturday.


The National League Central rivals have split the first two of the five-game series, as the Cubs rallied to take the opener and St. Louis had its revenge in Friday's rout. Matt Carpenter continued his hot streak, going 5-for-5 with three homers, two doubles, and seven RBIs, as the Cardinals improved to 2-1 under interim manager Mike Shildt. The lopsided defeat was just the Cubs' second loss at home since June 20 and their fourth in 17 games overall. The only silver lining for the Cubs is they were able to preserve their bullpen somewhat for Saturday's doubleheader by using three position players - Tommy La Stella, Victor Caratini, and Ian Happ - to combine for 3 1/3 innings of relief.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (5-8, 4.72 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.04)

Weaver was excellent in his last two starts of the first half, allowing three runs and five hits over 14 innings. The 24-year-old had struggled in his previous five outings, pitching to a 7.71 ERA. Weaver is 0-2 with a 12.00 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, who have tagged him for 10 runs in eight innings across two meetings this season.

Chatwood hasn't won since May 11, posting a 6.41 ERA over 10 starts during the drought. The 28-year-old leads the majors with 73 walks in 84 innings, but he pitched better last time out, allowing three runs over five innings in a no-decision at San Diego. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in six games (three starts) against the Cardinals.


WALK-OFFS

1. Carpenter has homered in four consecutive games - the longest streak of his career - and boasts six homers against the Cubs this season.

2. St. Louis CF Tommy Pham went 3-for-5 with three RBIs Friday and is 11-for-29 with eight RBIs and 11 runs against Chicago in 2018.

3. Cubs C Willson Contreras hit his ninth career home run against the Cardinals on Friday, tied for the third-most by a catcher in Cubs history (Gabby Hartnett, 39; Michael Barrett, 12).

PREDICTION: Cardinals 7, Cubs 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st July 2018 by Gracenote
Orioles vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/21/2018

The Toronto Blue Jays opened their second half with a dramatic win and will try to build upon the triumph when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Aledmys Diaz's RBI single - his fourth hit of the game - in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Blue Jays to an 8-7 win in the series opener.

Toronto hit three of the game's seven home runs, including one by Diaz that opened the scoring in the third. The Blue Jays, who improved to 9-4 in extra-inning affairs, are 5-0 at home against the Orioles this year and 7-1 in the season series. Baltimore managed 10 hits - six for extra bases - in its first game since trading away All-Star shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the All-Star break. Jonathan Schoop had one of their four home runs and is batting .355 in 16 games this month.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Alex Cobb (2-12, 6.41 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (2-7, 5.86)

Cobb has quality starts in five of his last nine outings to slowly turn around a dismal start, including 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in a loss at Texas prior to the break. He did not walk a batter in that game for the first time since May 12. Cobb was rocked for season highs of nine runs and 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings at Toronto on June 10 and has a 7.06 ERA in four career starts at Rogers Centre.

Stroman gave up three earned runs in five innings of a loss at Fenway Park in Boston prior to the break and expressed frustration with his team in the clubhouse following the game. The Duke University product is 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts since returning from shoulder fatigue. Mark Trumbo is 7-for-17 in his career against Stroman, who owns a 3.83 ERA in 10 career matchups with the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto C Russell Martin is 5-for-12 with a home run over his last three games to raise his average to .184.

2. Baltimore reinstated RHP Chris Tillman from the 10-day disabled list and designated him for assignment.

3. Blue Jays RHP Tyler Clippard has given up four runs in 1 2/3 innings over his last two outings after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth Friday night.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Orioles 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th July 2018 by Gracenote
Red Sox vs. Tigers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/20/2018

The Boston Red Sox averaged seven runs in their final 13 contests before the All-Star Game and found another way to win in their first after the break with a 1-0 triumph Friday, increasing their lead in the American League East. The major league-best Red Sox go after their 14th win in 15 contests when they visit the struggling Detroit Tigers on Saturday night in the second of a three-game set.

Boston made an RBI double from red-hot Steve Pearce in the first inning hold up as four pitchers combined on a five-hitter and Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to seven games (10-for-29, 10 RBIs) with a single. Left-hander Brian Johnson gets the ball for the Red Sox, who lead the New York Yankees by 5 1/2 games in the AL East, in the middle contest of the series and will face snakebit right-hander Mike Fiers. The Tigers had five hits and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Friday to get shut out for the 13th time this season - most in the majors - and drop to 5-21 in their last 26 games. Center fielder Leonys Martin (hamstring) went 1-for-3 in his return from the disabled list for Detroit and Nicholas Castellanos has hit safely in seven of his last eight starts for the Tigers.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.20 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Mike Fiers (6-6, 3.70)

Johnson has made three straight starts and did not make it through five innings in any of them, all of which ended with a no-decision. The 27-year-old Florida native permitted five runs on 13 hits and seven walks in those three outings, following 21 straight relief appearances. Johnson earned his only win of the campaign in his first appearance, limiting Miami to one run and six hits over a season-high six innings on April 2.

Fiers strung together four quality starts before the All-Star break, yielding six runs over 27 innings combined, but managed just a 1-2 record. The 33-year-old Floridian, who is 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA in nine starts at home, walked only three batters in his past four outings while giving up a pair of homers to push his total to 18 against in as many appearances. J.D. Martinez is 7-for-14 with two homers versus Fiers, who is 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA in three outings (two starts) against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Tigers placed RHP Michael Fulmer (left oblique) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Victor Alcantara.

2. Boston UTIL Brock Holt left Friday's game with a left knee contusion and is day-to-day while 3B Rafael Devers (shoulder) is expected to be activated Saturday.

3. Pearce is 13-for-30 with six RBIs in his first 11 games with the Red Sox after being acquired from Toronto.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Red Sox 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 20th July 2018 by Gracenote
Marlins vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/20/2018

Derek Dietrich looks to punish the team that drafted him for the second straight night as his Miami Marlins attempt to clinch the Citrus Series on Saturday when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays. Dietrich, who was picked in the second round in 2010 by the Rays before being traded to Miami for Yunel Escobar, homered twice and knocked in four runs Friday before the Marlins held on for a 6-5 victory - their third in four ties in the six-game season series.

Miami owns six wins in its last eight games overall and can clinch a third straight series victory against a team that started the set with a winning record Saturday, while it tries to even the all-time Sunshine State matchup with the Rays at 56-56. Rookie Pablo Lopez makes his fourth career start when he takes the mound for the Marlins in the second game of the series while reliever Ryne Stanek will pitch the first inning or two for Tampa Bay. The Rays rallied to score four in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday, but left the tying run at second base for their fourth loss in the last five contests. Kevin Kiermaier (left foot discomfort) left Friday's game and Matt Duffy (back) was scratched from the lineup, but both are considered day-to-day moving forward, while teammate Adeiny Hechavarria takes a seven-game hit streak into the weekend.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Pablo Lopez (1-1, 6.35 ERA) vs. Rays RH Ryne Stanek (1-2, 2.08)

Lopez struggled in his last two starts after a strong major league debut on June 30 against the New York Mets when he allowed two runs over six innings. The 22-year-old Venezuelan native gave up 10 runs on 11 hits and five walks across 11 innings combined in his last two outings with nine strikeouts. Lopez, acquired from Seattle in the David Phelps deal, was 2-3 with a 1.44 ERA in 12 starts at Triple-A and Double-A combined this year.

Stanek opened 12 games this season for the Rays, permitting three runs on nine hits and seven walks across 18 2/3 innings with 24 strikeouts. The 26-year-old Kansas native, who was picked 29th by the Rays in the 2013 draft, gave up one run over two innings in his last start Saturday at Minnesota and owns a 2.89 ERA in July after pitching 15 2/3 scoreless innings during June. Stanek gave up one run in two innings of relief against Miami early this month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Mallex Smith ripped a three-run triple in the ninth inning Friday and is 7-for-10 with five runs in his last three games.

2. Miami 2B Starlin Castro is 10-for-18 with a pair of walks and three runs scored against the Rays this season.

3. The Rays recalled C Adam Moore and designated OF Johnny Field for assignment before Friday's contest.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Marlins 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 07-21-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 21st July 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 07/21/2018

The Philadelphia Phillies finished the first half of the season as the National League's best home team, and that success at Citizens Bank Park has played a critical role in allowing them to position themselves atop their division. The Phillies seek a sixth consecutive home victory Saturday when they continue a three-game set with the San Diego Padres.

Philadelphia won for the seventh time in eight contests at Citizens Bank Park and improved to 31-16 at the venue following Friday's 11-5 triumph over the Padres, rallying from a four-run first-inning deficit to maintain its one-half game edge over Atlanta in the NL East. Carlos Santana did the bulk of the damage with a three-run homer during the Phillies' six-run second inning as the first four hitters in the lineup accounted for five runs and nine RBIs. San Diego fell to 1-7 during its 10-game run against each of the division leaders in the NL, dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers before getting swept by the Chicago Cubs leading into the All-Star break. Freddy Galvis tallied three hits in his first game against the team that traded him in the offseason, including a pair of run-scoring singles.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBC 10 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Luis Perdomo (1-4, 7.55 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.39)

Perdomo fell to 0-4 with an 11.29 ERA in four home starts following last Saturday's loss to the Cubs, surrendering five runs on seven hits - including a pair of homers - over 4 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has been mostly on point in three road turns, however, going 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA while not yielding a home run in 12 2/3 frames. Perdomo is allowing opponents to bat .351 against him overall as he enters his first career start versus Philadelphia.

Since giving up 10 runs on nine hits across 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Milwaukee on June 8, Velasquez has permitted a total of nine runs and 13 hits over his last five starts combined. The 2010 second-round pick turned in his best outing over that stretch in a no-decision versus the New York Mets on July 11, giving up only two hits in six scoreless frames. Velasquez has faced San Diego only once, yielding three hits while striking out a career-high 16 to record his only career shutout in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies OF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the opener and is batting .354 with 11 RBIs in 18 career games versus San Diego.

2. Padres CF Manuel Margot left in the eighth Friday after suffering an apparent left wrist injury. His status for Saturday is unknown.

3. Philadelphia is 62-31 against San Diego since 2004 - the club's best winning percentage (.667) versus any opponent over that span.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Padres 2