Sunday 7-22-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Preview: Indians at Rangers
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018

The American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians look to continue their offensive surge and complete a three-game sweep when they visit the struggling Texas Rangers for the finale Sunday afternoon. The Indians have accumulated 25 runs on 38 hits - 17 for extra bases - to win the first two contests of the series and won four of the last five to increase their lead in the Central to 9 1/2 games.

Jose Ramirez, who leads the majors with 30 homers, has been swinging the hottest bat for the Indians of late, going 15-for-31 with six blasts and 13 RBIs during his current eight-game hitting streak - with multiple hits in seven of those outings. Cleveland’s Mike Clevinger hopes for more offensive support from a team that is averaging eight runs over its last nine games when he takes the mound Sunday opposite Yovani Gallardo, who will make his sixth start of the season. The Rangers have dropped seven of their last eight contests and are 3-12 in July after allowing 31 runs in the last three contests of a four-game losing streak. Shin-Soo Choo, one of the bright spots for the Texas this season, went 0-for-4 on Saturday to end a franchise-record 52-game on-base streak.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (7-5, 3.47 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 8.60)

Clevinger struggled in his last two starts, permitting 10 runs - nine earned - and 14 hits while registering 19 strikeouts in 12 innings. The 27-year-old Floridian owns a 4-2 record and 2.61 ERA in nine road starts this year compared to 3-3 with a 4.26 mark at home. Clevinger held Texas to three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 1 and is 0-0 with a 2.30 ERA in four career games (two starts) against the Rangers.

Gallardo has won three of his four decisions since being re-acquired but owns a 6.75 ERA in those five starts during his second stint with the Rangers. The 32-year-old Mexican gave up six runs and seven hits over five innings at Boston in his last start on July 10 after winning three in a row. Edwin Encarnacion is 9-for-25 with three homers and six walks against Gallardo, who is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two career games versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre belted his 467th career homer Saturday, pulling within one of Chipper Jones for 33rd place on the all-time list.

2. Cleveland 3B Yandy Diaz is 5-for-7 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs in his first two games since being recalled.

3. Rangers OF Willie Calhoun, who was acquired in the Yu Darvish trade last year, is 2-for-10 since being recalled this week.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Rangers 3

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Preview: Giants at Athletics
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018

After taking two of three on the road last weekend in the first installment of the Bay Bridge Series, the Oakland Athletics attempt to do the same at home when they host the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in the rubber match of their three-game set. Oakland dropped the opener of the series and nearly suffered the same fate on Saturday as it squandered a two-run lead before emerging with a 4-3 victory in 11 innings.

Jonathan Lucroy delivered the last of three straight two-out singles in the 11th to give the Athletics their 10th win in 14 contests and pull them within three games of the second wild-card spot in the American League. Hunter Pence went 3-for-5 and drove in two runs for San Francisco, which has lost four of its last five road games. The two RBIs matched the veteran outfielder's total from his previous 14 contests and raised his overall amount to 13 during an injury-plagued season. Brandon Belt returned from a paternity leave that lasted just one day and belted a solo homer - his first blast since June 28.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (3-1, 2.36 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (9-6, 3.42)

Cueto was superb over his first five starts of the season but has struggled in two outings since returning from an elbow injury, going 0-1 while surrendering eight runs on 16 hits - four homers - and five walks over 10 innings. The 32-year-old Dominican showed a bit of improvement in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on July 11, allowing three runs in five frames while registering seven strikeouts. Cueto, who has yet to give up a run in 20 innings on the road this season, won his only career start versus the Athletics as he scattered seven hits over seven scoreless frames at Oakland on June 23, 2010 while with Cincinnati.

Manaea has won four consecutive decisions, including a triumph at San Francisco last Sunday in which he allowed two runs and five hits over six innings. With the victory, the 26-year-old native of Indiana improved to 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts against the Giants. Manaea, who hasn't lost since May 30 versus Tampa Bay, has given up three runs or fewer in each outing during his eight-start unbeaten streak.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman recorded three of the team's seven hits on Saturday and has gone 5-for-12 over his last three games.

2. San Francisco optioned 3B Ryder Jones to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday - one day after recalling him to replace Belt on the roster.

3. Oakland acquired RHP Jeurys Familia from the New York Mets on Saturday for RHP Bobby Wahl, 3B William Toffey and future considerations while transferring RHP Daniel Gossett (elbow) to the 60-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Giants 4

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Preview: Astros at Angels
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018

The Houston Astros attempt to complete their third series sweep of the month when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the finale of their three-game set. Houston, which won a two-game series at Texas from July 3-4 and followed with a four-game shellacking of the Chicago White Sox, has come out of the All-Star break and won back-to-back contests against the Angels.

George Springer highlighted a five-run sixth inning with his fifth career grand slam and Justin Verlander struck out 11 over six scoreless frames to end his six-start winless streak as the Astros posted a 7-0 victory on Saturday. Yuli Gurriel lifted a sacrifice fly but went 0-for-4 in the win, ending his hitting streak at 13 games. Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani recorded two doubles while David Fletcher hit a pair of singles as Los Angeles suffered its third consecutive setback. Ian Kinsler enters the finale with a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-24.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.77 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.78)

McCullers won four straight decisions before falling to Oakland on July 11, when he was tagged for six runs on four hits and five walks over four innings. The 24-year-old Floridian registered only one strikeout in the loss after fanning a season-high 12 batters in a triumph over the Chicago White Sox in his previous outing. McCullers is 3-2 with a 1.90 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels, including a road loss on May 14 in which he gave up two runs across six frames.

Heaney is coming off a no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14, when he allowed three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old native of Oklahoma registered six strikeouts in that outing after recording 10 in each of his previous two turns. Heaney, who owns a 0.95 ERA against Houston notched his first win in three career starts versus the Astros on May 14 after giving up one run and four hits with 10 strikeouts over eight frames while pitching opposite McCullers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels OF Justin Upton has hit safely in four straight games, going 5-for-13 in that span.

2. Springer had gone 24 contests without a home run prior to Saturday's grand slam.

3. The Angels activated Nick Tropeano (shoulder), who took the loss Saturday after allowing two runs over five innings, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow RHP Eduardo Paredes to Triple-A Salt Lake.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Angels 2

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Preview: White Sox at Mariners
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018

The race for the second wild-card spot in the American League is taking shape between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics, two teams looking to end lengthy postseason droughts. Oakland is quickly closing in on the slumping Mariners, who host the Chicago White Sox on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.

Dylan Covey allowed two hits in 8 1/3 innings and Avisail Garcia blasted a three-run homer in a 5-0 victory on Saturday as the White Sox won for the fourth time in five games. Garcia, who returned after missing six games with a strained right hamstring, has belted nine home runs over his last 14 overall contests and recorded a total of 10 RBIs in 10 career games at Safeco Field. Seattle has lost nine of its last 13 and had its lead over Oakland for the second wild card reduced to three games. Dee Gordon went 4-for-4 in the series opener and notched one of the team’s two hits on Saturday, but Kyle Seager has registered just one hit in 14 at-bats over his last four contests.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-7, 3.91 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (10-5, 3.41)

Lopez took the loss against Kansas City on July 14 after giving up five runs and nine hits over 7 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old Dominican has issued 47 walks in 112 2/3 frames, including 13 in his last five outings. “Right now, I’m good with where he’s at,” Chicago pitching coach Don Cooper told reporters. “I think he’s doing fine. But we’ve got about 12 or 13 more starts this season to continue the learning curve.”

Gonzales won his third straight start on July 11, allowing two hits without issuing a walk over seven innings in a 3-0 road victory against the Los Angeles Angels. The 26-year-old has worked six-plus frames in 13 of his last 15 starts, going 9-3 with a 2.70 ERA, 79 strikeouts and 19 walks over that stretch. Gonzales tossed six scoreless innings and registered eight strikeouts in a 1-0 road victory over the White Sox on April 24.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners LHP James Paxton (back) is expected to be activated from the disabled list in time to start Tuesday’s game against San Francisco.

2. White Sox C Omar Narvaez has gone 12-for-23 during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Seattle optioned OF John Andreoli to Triple-A Tacoma to make room on the roster for RHP Felix Hernandez (back), who was activated from the 10-day disabled list and allowed four runs over five innings en route to the loss on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, White Sox 4

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Preview: Rockies at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Jul 22, 2018

Once considered possible sellers at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Colorado Rockies quickly have turned into serious buyers. The surging Rockies look to complete a sweep of their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday after winning each of the first two contests by one run.

Colorado extended its winning streak to seven games and moved past Arizona for second place in the National League West with Saturday’s 6-5 victory. Tom Murphy delivered a pinch-hit solo homer in the eighth inning and Ian Desmond extended his hitting streak to eight games as the Rockies pulled within one game of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado rookie Garrett Hampson was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque before the game and started at second base in place of DJ LeMahieu, who will miss the next several weeks with a left oblique strain. Arizona fell to 6-10 this month and dropped one half-game behind Colorado despite a strong performance by Steven Souza Jr., who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.34 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (10-5, 3.18)

Senzatela was placed on the disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger on July 13 but was cleared to return following a successful bullpen session on Thursday. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has posted a 7.20 ERA in seven games (one start) on the road this season compared to a 3.52 mark in five appearances (one start) at home. Senzatela owns a 9.00 ERA in five career games (one start) against Arizona, including a 3.00 mark in four relief appearances at Chase Field.

Greinke entered the All-Star break pitching as well as anyone in the majors, going 4-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his last five starts. The 34-year-old Floridian earned his fifth All-Star invitation after posting a stellar 124-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 121 2/3 innings. Trevor Story is 9-for-29 with five homers against Greinke, who is 10-5 with a 3.88 ERA in 27 career games (26 starts) versus Colorado - including a 2-0 record and 2.84 ERA in his last four meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado has won six consecutive series for the first time since 2014.

2. Arizona 2B Ketel Marte is batting .372 with four homers and 18 RBIs over his last 24 home games.

3. The Rockies designated INF Daniel Castro for assignment to make room for Hampson.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 2

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Preview: Padres at Phillies (Game 2)
Gracenote
Jul 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. Following Saturday's rainout, the Phillies look to keep it rolling at home on Sunday when they wrap up their three-game set with the split doubleheader against 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: 6:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, NBCS 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 Sunday 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: Padres 3, Phillies 2

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Preview: Mets at Yankees
Gracenote
Jul 21, 2018

The New York Yankees have accumulated 26 hits through their first two games of the second half, but they have just one win to show for it and now must face New York Mets' ace Jacob deGrom in the series finale at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night. The Yankees stranded 14 runners in a series-opening loss but got enough big hits in Saturday's 7-6 win, surviving a meltdown by closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning.

Didi Gregorius' RBI triple opened the scoring in a four-run fourth and Aaron Judge added his 26th home run in the seventh for the Bronx Bombers, who are aiming to extend their series unbeaten streak against the Mets to nine straight (6-0-2). Yoenis Cespedes was given Saturday off for the Mets after homering in his return from the disabled list Friday night. Michael Conforto tried to carry the load with a solo shot along with two runs scored, and the 25-year-old outfielder has seven RBIs with six runs scored over his last five games. DeGrom is 1-4 with a 3.67 ERA in his career against the Yankees and has given up 11 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.68 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 4.54)

DeGrom leads the majors in ERA by a comfortable margin and is coming off another scoreless outing. The 30-year-old did not get a decision despite holding Philadelphia to five hits and one walk while fanning seven in eight frames of a 3-0 win July 11 - the fourth time in his last seven appearances that he's thrown eight innings. One of those eight-inning starts came against the Yankees on June 8, when deGrom allowed three runs (two earned) in a 4-1 loss.

Tanaka was knocked out after 4 1/3 innings in his return from the disabled list July 10 at Baltimore, but recovered in solid effort at Cleveland five days later. He held the Indians to two runs over 6 1/3 innings and received a no-decision, extending his unbeaten streak to 11 straight starts. The one-time All-Star left his start at the Mets last month with hamstring injuries after five strong innings and has a 3.08 ERA in four career matchups.

WALK-OFFS

1. Judge is 6-for-9 with two runs scored and no strikeouts in the series.

2. The Mets dealt RHP Jeurys Familia to Oakland Saturday for minor leaguers RHP Bobby Wahl and 3B William Toffey, along with international pool money.

3. The Yankees recalled IF/OF Brandon Drury from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and he went 1-for-4 on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 3, Mets 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brian Bitler

Brian's 9* MLB Electric Dog

San Diego vs. Philadelphia, 07/22/2018 12:05 EDT

Money Line: +147 San Diego

Sportsbook:
Betonline

Nick Pivetta did not close out the 1st half of the his season very good as he posted a 9.00 ERA his last 3 starts and I think the Phillies are looking to trade to replace him in the rotation he faces off against a pitcher who is on the market in veteran Tyson Ross who has had a strong year so far. Ross had a rough start to July but has gotten under control heading into the break. Tremendous value here as the bulk of the action i going on the Phillies love Padres in game one for 9 units rotation #905

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Tony Brown

Tonys *5 Mlb free pick

Baltimore vs. Toronto, 07/22/2018 13:07 EDT

Total: -115/+9 Under

Sportsbook:
Bodog

Fp: Baltimore 70+ loses already have not shown up at the plate this season and Toronto hasn’t lit up any score boards ! 10 runs to beat us will be a chore making the under my mlb free pick !

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Alex Smart
MLB

Atlanta vs. Washington, 07/22/2018 13:35 EDT

Total: -112/+8 Under

Sportsbook:
Betonline

Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 2.66 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (12-5, 2.41)

Both teams decided not to go with Saturday's starters after yesterdays cancellation/postponement -- Atlanta's Sean Newcomb (8-5, 3.51 ERA) and Washington's Gio Gonzalez (6-6, 3.72) -- and instead stay with Sunday's scheduled pitchers.All-Stars Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 2.66 ERA) of the Braves and Max Scherzer (12-5, 2.41) of the Nationals. Scherzer the Nationals starter today is 1-1 against the Braves this season and has allowed two earned runs in 14 innings. Meanwhile, Foltynewicz the Braves man on the hill owns a decent achievement chart against the Nationals this season, allowing three earned runs in 10 1/3 innings for a stingy 1.40 ERA . The Braves righty ranks fourth in the NL in ERA and fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.6), pitched to a 0.87 ERA while holding opposition batters to a .146 average in nine tries. I expect after yesterdays day off, that the offences could find themselves starting slow while the pitchers dominate, as they are well rested and rejuvenated after the break.

Under is 7-2-3 in Foltynewiczs last 12 starts vs. National League East.Under is 7-2 in Scherzers last 9 starts overall.Under is 6-1 in Scherzers last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.Under is 4-1 in Scherzers last 5 home starts.Under is 6-2 in Braves last 8 vs. National League East.Under is 22-6 in Nationals last 28 during game 2 of a series.Under is 7-2 in Nationals last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.Under is 20-7 in Nationals last 27 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.Under is 40-15-3 in Nationals last 58 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game . WASHINGTON is 21-9 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season with a combined average of 7.5 rpg going on the board.


Under is 11-1 in umpire Bucknors last 12 games behind home plate vs. Washington.

Under is 16-4-1 in umpire Bucknors last 21 games behind home plate vs. Atlanta.

The Nationals have gone under 10 straight times as a favorite after a game as a home favorite in which they hit more home runs than their opponent.

Play UNDER

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Chase Diamond

Chase's 15* WNBA LOCKDOWN

Indiana vs. Las Vegas, 07/22/2018 18:00 EDT

Point Spread: +8/-110 Indiana

Sportsbook:
Bodog

Las Vegas might be 11-13 but they should not be laying these kinda points to any WNBA team. Indiana is off a win at LA Friday night and now takes on a Las Vegas team who has the second place Mercury on deck. I expect them to be distracted and Indiana to keep it close take them plus the points for a 15* winner.

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Elite Sports Picks

MLB Oakland -140

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Doc's Picks

MLB Mets +165

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Profit On Sports

MLB Rays over 7.5

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Top Rank Sports Picks

MLB Reds -120