Thursday 8-16-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Arlington - Race #1 - Post: 1:30pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,000 Class Rating: 87

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 SUPERCEDE (ML=2/1)
#5 DOGGERWINII (ML=6/5)


SUPERCEDE - I took a look at this mare's finishes. She's almost always on the board. I have to like this mare's chances to win at the shorter trip. DOGGERWINII - Rider and trainer do well when they team up. Emigh and Brueggemann have been consistent together. Based on works, I look for this mare to run a big race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 SHEZAHOTMAMA (ML=7/2), #4 LATENT PRINCESS (ML=8/1),

SHEZAHOTMAMA - When checking today's class rating, she will have to record a better fig than last time out to be competitive in this dirt sprint. LATENT PRINCESS - 8/1 odds isn't enough for this one when scrutinizing the most recent efforts. Don't think this horse will make an impact today. That last speed rating was most unsatisfactory when compared with today's class figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #6 SUPERCEDE on the nose if you can get odds of 5/2 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Del Mar

08/16/18, DMR, Race 8, 5.33 PT
1M [Dirt] 1.33.01 CLAIMING. Purse $20,000.
Claiming Price $8,000, if for $7,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
$1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / .50 Cent Trifecta - $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) / $1 Super High 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 31.58, $1 ROI 1.07, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 8 Alpha Pegasus 10-1 Pena B Bryner Raymond C. TFWL
094.9934 2 Honor Maker 5-1 Figueroa H Castaneda Kelly
094.1918 12 Cherokee in Me 5/2 Antongeorgi III W Wong Jonathan JE
093.3744 11 Princess Leia(b+) 5-1 Espinoza A Becerra Rafael C
092.5856 6 Sought More Pep 10-1 Maldonado E A Truman Eddie
092.2261 9 Coronado Cool 5-1 Pereira T J McCanna Tim S
091.4358 10 Briartic Gal 6-1 Payeras E Saldana Reed
091.4352 4 Trinitys Turn 20-1 Gonzalez S Ivory John C.
091.2863 3 Jersey Buns 7/2 Ceballos F Metz Jeffrey
089.1022 7 Lovely Linda 15-1 Gutierrez M Garcia Antonio
086.2743 5 Ballerina Headline(b-) 15-1 Franco G Miyadi Steven
000.0000 1 Dizzy Diva S

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 2 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 79

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 SASSY ROSE 8/5

# 2 FAY BELLE 7/2

# 1 SWIFT APPROVAL 2/1

SASSY ROSE is the best bet in this race. The speed fig of 77 from her latest race looks competitive in here. Must be carefully examined here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. Has raced quite well in dirt sprint races. FAY BELLE - Ought to be given a shot here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. She has a good opportunity in this event as handler, Craig, has strong win clip with horses going this distance. SWIFT APPROVAL - Demonstrates the look of a money-making play, averaging a solid 72 speed rating which is one of the top in this field. She looks very good in this spot and I expect will be on the lead or close at the midpoint.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park - Race 2

$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 $.50 Bet 3 (Races 2-3-4) / $.50 Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)


Claiming $10,000 • 1 Mile • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 97 • Purse: $22,000 • Post: 2:29P
(RAIL AT 72 FEET). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER ON THE TURF SINCE JULY 16 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $8,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES). (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE MAIN TRACK AT ONE MILE)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Trailer. PAT M'S IMAGE is the Dominant Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * PAT M'S IMAGE: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. MADISON BLUES: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20. Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
4
PAT M'S IMAGE
3/1

5/2
5
MADISON BLUES
4/1

6/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
9
PATIENT DIGNA
9

5/1
Front-runner
89

81

78.8

79.2

68.2
5
MADISON BLUES
5

4/1
Stalker
96

98

82.4

85.8

78.8
7
PILLANGO
7

7/2
Stalker
95

84

82.0

79.4

70.9
4
PAT M'S IMAGE
4

3/1
Trailer
97

87

84.8

89.4

87.4
3
VINYARDNINA
3

8/1
Trailer
95

72

71.2

72.6

64.6
1
MY GAL LOLLIPOP
1

15/1
Trailer
81

81

68.7

69.7

51.7
6
MIGHTY PATIENT
6

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
91

72

67.3

59.7

44.2
2
REGAL ROMA
2

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
87

83

57.2

78.0

67.0
8
LAPANTALONES FANCE
8

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
91

84

56.8

77.4

70.9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Monmouth Park
Monmouth Park - Race 4

Win, Place and Show Exacta, 50-Cent Trifecta and 10-Cent Superfecta Daily Double (Races 4-5)/50-Cent Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6) 50-Cent Pick 5 (Races 4-5-6-7-8)


Claiming $5,000 • 1 1/16 Miles • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 79 • Purse: $15,000 • Post: 2:33P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 16 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. WATCH YOUR WORDS is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ST. PADRIAG: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface . Horse has the highest average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. WATCH YOUR WORDS: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
4
ST. PADRIAG
5/2

5/2
1
WATCH YOUR WORDS
7/2

7/2




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
WATCH YOUR WORDS
1

7/2
Front-runner
84

80

83.8

61.8

58.3
7
SKIPPER DANCER
7

3/1
Stalker
72

66

62.0

64.0

56.0
4
ST. PADRIAG
4

5/2
Stalker
94

88

60.0

82.2

78.2
6
FAKE FRONTIER
6

4/1
Trailer
79

69

62.2

69.2

62.2
2
COWTOWN DUKE
2

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
74

61

57.8

60.2

51.2
3
SKEET SHOT
3

6/1
Alternator/Non-contender
79

65

57.4

52.6

42.6
5
SAHARA GOAL
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

56.4

56.4

44.4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 7 - Allowance - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $30800 Class Rating: 91

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON $18,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR PENNSYLVANIA BRED SINCE FEBRUARY 16. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JULY 16 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE JUNE 16 ALLOWED 4 LBS. (RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $16,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 ITEM 5/2

# 4 CHILLY START 5/1

# 6 FORMAL CLASS 3/1

ITEM looks to be the bet in here. Looks strong to be close to the front end at the first call. The Equibase speed fig of 91 from her latest affair looks formidable in here. Is difficult not to look at based on speed figures which have been formidable - 87 avg - of late. CHILLY START - With a respectable 90 speed rating last time out, will unquestionably be a factor in this affair. She has been running well as of late while recording solid Speed Figures. FORMAL CLASS - This mare looks strong in this contest since Albright has a sharp winning percentage with horses going this distance.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Presque Isle Downs - Race #8 - Post: 8:20pm - Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $17,000 Class Rating: 80

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 COZZENE'S CAT (ML=5/2)


COZZENE'S CAT - Russell brings her back again. I suggest you stick with this hot mare.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1A SIZZLING ROMA (ML=2/1), #1 MAGICAL MYSTOFALES (ML=2/1), #4 LA PIU BELLA (ML=4/1),

SIZZLING ROMA - Would have to get quite a bit more than the oddsmaker's morning line of 2/1 to play this entrant. MAGICAL MYSTOFALES - 2/1 odds isn't enough for this entrant when examining the most recent efforts. This filly registered a speed figure in her last event which probably isn't good enough in today's event. LA PIU BELLA - This vulnerable equine has been letting down the bettors as the favorite time and time again. Will not be easy for this animal to beat this group off of that last speed rating. Improbable to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's class figure, so put her on the possibly overvalued contestants list.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #3 COZZENE'S CAT to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
None

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Saratoga

08/16/18, SAR, Race 7, 4.42 ET
1 1/8M [Dirt] 1.46.03 CLAIMING. Purse $53,000.
Claiming Price $50,000 (Maiden and Claiming races for $35,000 or less not considered in weight allowances). (UP TO $9,222 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES
Exacta, Trifecta (.50), Super (.10), Pick 3 Races (7-9), Double
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 27.17, $1 ROI 0.84, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 4 Tapsolute 6-1 Santana. Jr. R Asmussen Steven M. TC
099.8318 6 Casses Story 6-1 Ortiz J L Casse Mark E. W
099.7317 8 Admiral Blue 7/2 Ortiz. Jr. I Rodriguez Rudy R. J
098.8256 5 Hollywood Handsome 4-1 Saez L Stewart Dallas E
098.7967 2 Adulator 3-1 Velazquez J R Jerkens James A. L
098.0929 7 Virtual Machine 5-1 Franco M Cannizzo David A. F
096.2325 3 Bon Raison 15-1 Lezcano J Contessa Gary C.
095.3060 1 General Downs 10-1 Cohen D Rubley Kelly

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rays vs. Yankees Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

The New York Yankees have endured difficulty in solving the pesky Tampa Bay Rays, as they have dropped seven of their last nine encounters heading into the rubber match of their three-game series in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon. The Yankees (75-45) fell for the third time in their last 10 contests overall with a decisive 6-1 setback to the Rays (61-59) on Wednesday.

Rookie Miguel Andujar belted his fifth homer in nine outings on Wednesday, improving to 14-for-37 with 11 RBIs and nine runs scored in that stretch. The 23-year-old Dominican is 14-for-47 with two homers and five RBIs against Tampa Bay this season and 1-for-3 with a double versus Thursday starter Blake Snell. While New York is nursing a 3 1/2-game lead over Oakland for the first wild-card spot in the American League, Tampa Bay has won five of eight to move two games over .500. Mallex Smith highlighted his three-hit performance with a two-run homer on Wednesday after going 5-for-32 with eight strikeouts in his previous at-bats in the season series.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Blake Snell (13-5, 2.18 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (9-3, 4.08)

Snell struck out six and retired all 15 batters he faced before departing in Friday's 7-0 romp at Toronto in his second start since coming off the disabled list because of shoulder fatigue. "I'm not going to argue. I felt great, yes, but I haven't gone five innings in a month," the 25-year-old All-Star told reporters of his abrupt exit. Snell hasn't fared well in a pair of losses versus New York this season, permitting nine runs on as many hits - including four homers - while issuing seven walks in 8 1/3 innings.

Tanaka tasted defeat for the first time since April 17 on Friday when he was gouged for six runs on as many hits - including three homers - over five innings of a 12-7 setback versus Texas. The 29-year-old Japanese star had won his previous seven decisions and owned a stingy 1.78 ERA in six previous starts before getting ripped by the Rangers. Tanaka was downright masterful against Tampa Bay on July 24, scattering three hits and striking out a season high-tying nine in a complete-game 4-0 win.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York has belted a home run in 14 straight home games.

2. The Rays will activate OF Tommy Pham from the disabled list prior to Thursday's contest after an 11-game absence due to a fractured foot.

3. Yankees rookie 2B Gleyber Torres is 2-for-29 in his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Rays 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

Wilson Ramos provided the Philadelphia Phillies' ailing offense with a much-needed shot in the arm against the best team in the majors. The Phillies (66-53) aim to ride that momentum into Thursday's doubleheader versus one of the worst in the majors in the visiting New York Mets (51-67), against whom they have dropped five of eight encounters this season with two shutout losses.

Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's contest, highlighted his sixth three-hit performance of the season with a triple, two doubles and three RBIs as Philadelphia remained two games behind National League East-leading Atlanta with a 7-4 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Fellow in-season trade acquisition Justin Bour had two hits in that contest, but is just 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts against New York in 2018. While the Phillies mustered just nine runs en route to losing four of their previous five games, the Mets benefited from Brandon Nimmo's first career five-hit performance to record their best scoring output of the season in a 16-5 romp over Baltimore on Wednesday. The energetic 25-year-old is a robust 9-for-12 with four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last three games entering the series versus Philadelphia, which will send right-hander Zach Eflin and left-hander Ranger Suarez to the mound - although manager Gabe Kapler did not announce the starter of the doubleheader.

TV: 4:05 ET, Facebook-Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Corey Oswalt (1-2, 5.03 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Ranger Suarez (1-0, 7.20)

Oswalt received his second straight no-decision despite allowing three runs over six innings for the second consecutive start. The 24-year-old rookie kept the ball in the park at Miami on Saturday after surrendering a pair of homers in his previous outing against Atlanta. Oswalt took the loss in his first career start versus Philadelphia on July 9 despite retiring the first 12 batters he faced before permitting three runs on one hit while striking out a season-high

Suarez won his major-league debut on July 26 despite allowing four runs on six hits - including two homers - over five innings of a 9-4 victory versus Cincinnati. The 22-year-old was promptly sent back to the minors immediately after that start. Suarez has fared well in the minors this year with a 2.89 ERA recorded in over 106 innings with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 6-for-18 in his last five games entering the series versus New York, against which he is just 6-for-25 this season.

2. Mets 3B Todd Frazier has homered twice in his last three contests and is 13-for-34 with nine RBIs during his eight game-hitting streak.

3. The five-game series, which features a makeup contest from May 12, concludes Sunday with the 2018 Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 15th August 2018 by Gracenote
Cubs vs. Pirates Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/15/2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates are beginning the fade from the National League playoff race, and the next week could do further damage to their postseason hopes. The Pirates begin a seven-game homestand against a pair of division leaders when they play the first of four contests against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.


The Pirates have fallen nine games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and 5 1/2 back of the second wild-card spot. Pittsburgh was swept in two games at Minnesota to begin the week and now faces a brutal stretch of 16 straight games against teams with winning records, including four with the Cubs and six with NL East-leading Atlanta. The Cubs have alternated wins and losses in their past seven contests, but that has been good enough to maintain a three-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the NL Central. After being shut out by the Brewers on Tuesday and holding a players-only meeting, the Cubs hammered 13 hits, including homers by Anthony Rizzo and Albert Almora, in an 8-4 win Wednesday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42)

Lester is winless in five starts since the All-Star break and has pitched to a bloated 10.32 ERA over that span. The 34-year-old was rocked for nine runs (eight earned) over 3 2/3 innings Saturday against Washington, and he surrendered three home runs. Lester is 7-6 with a 3.59 ERA in 16 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in four meetings this season.

The Pirates have won five of Nova's last six starts, and the 31-year-old is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA over that stretch. Nova won at San Francisco last time out, limiting the Giants to two runs and three hits over six frames. Nova is 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in six starts against the Cubs and has allowed four runs in 12 2/3 innings across two meetings in 2018.


WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates are 51-2 when leading after eight innings, while the Cubs are 58-2 when taking a lead to the ninth.

2. Chicago INF David Bote is 9-for-23 over his last eight games.

3. The Cubs acquired OF Terrance Gore from Kansas City on Wednesday. Gore is 0-for-11 in his major-league career but has 21 stolen bases in 49 big-league games and will be eligible for the postseason roster.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Pirates 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

The red-hot St. Louis Cardinals take aim at their ninth straight victory when they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Washington Nationals on Thursday. St. Louis posted a 4-2 victory on Wednesday and has scored 17 runs while winning the first three contests of the series.

The Cardinals have gone 19-9 since interim manager Mike Shildt took over for the fired Mike Matheny to move within four games of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and one of Philadelphia and Milwaukee - the teams occupying the wild-card spots in the NL. Matt Carpenter extended his streak of reaching base to 33 games but departed Wednesday's contest in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist, although the Cardinals announced that X-rays were negative and Carpenter's exit was precautionary. The sinking Nationals have dropped four straight and seven of their last nine contests to slip nine games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and seven back in the wild-card race. Washington's Bryce Harper recorded two hits on Wednesday and is 4-for-12 with two homers and one double in the series.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Tanner Roark (7-12, 4.12 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (6-10, 4.66)

Roark has won four consecutive starts after losing 12 of his first 15 decisions this season. The 31-year-old has posted a stellar 1.21 ERA during his winning streak, striking out 27 batters while walking only two. Roark is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Cardinals and has struggled with Yadier Molina (4-for-8, four RBIs).

Weaver is making his first start since Aug. 6 as he missed his scheduled turn six days later due to a cut on his right index finger. The Floridian lost at Miami in his last outing despite allowing just two runs and seven hits in six innings. Weaver, who turns 25 on Tuesday, is just 1-4 with a 5.13 ERA in 10 home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals OF Harrison Bader recorded his fifth three-hit performance of the season on Wednesday and is batting .348 in 46 at-bats this month.

2. Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (neck) tossed close to 70 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday and could return to the rotation next week without making a rehab start.

3. St. Louis activated Brett Cecil (foot) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned fellow LHP Tyler Webb to Triple-A Memphis.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Nationals 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

Wilson Ramos provided the Philadelphia Phillies' ailing offense with a much-needed shot in the arm against the best team in the majors. The Phillies (66-53) aim to ride that momentum into Thursday's doubleheader versus one of the worst in the majors in the visiting New York Mets (51-67), against whom they have dropped five of eight encounters this season with two shutout losses.

Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's contest, highlighted his sixth three-hit performance of the season with a triple, two doubles and three RBIs as Philadelphia remained two games behind National League East-leading Atlanta with a 7-4 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. Fellow in-season trade acquisition Justin Bour had two hits in that contest, but is just 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts against New York in 2018. While the Phillies mustered just nine runs en route to losing four of their previous five games, the Mets benefited from Brandon Nimmo's first career five-hit performance to record their best scoring output of the season in a 16-5 romp over Baltimore on Wednesday. The energetic 25-year-old is a robust 9-for-12 with four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last three games entering the series versus Philadelphia, which will send right-hander Zach Eflin and left-hander Ranger Suarez to the mound - although manager Gabe Kapler did not announce the starter of the doubleheader.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (5-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (8-4, 3.57)

Matz is expected to return from a two-week absence due to a strained flexor-pronator muscle to start the opener of a doubleheader. The 27-year-old, who tossed a 56-pitch simulated game Saturday, settled for a no-decision at Philadelphia on May 11 despite yielding one run on five hits over five innings. Matz, who issued a season high-tying four walks in that contest, owns an 0-1 mark with a 2.53 ERA in two career encounters with the Phillies.

Eflin will be added from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as the 26th man prior to Thursday's contest. Shuffling the 24-year-old to the IronPigs could be construed as a controversial move as it cost him approximately $20,000 in pay and big-league service time, although Eflin told Philly.com that "I couldn't care less about the money." Eflin, who is 0-2 with a 4.64 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, settled for a no-decision on July 9 after yielding three runs on five hits in as many innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco is 6-for-18 in his last five games entering the series versus New York, against which he is just 6-for-25 this season.

2. Mets 3B Todd Frazier has homered twice in his last three contests and is 13-for-34 with nine RBIs during his eight game-hitting streak.

3. The five-game series, which features a makeup contest from May 12, concludes Sunday with the 2018 Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Mets 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 08-16-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Rockies vs. Braves Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

Charlie Culberson has proven to be the perfect role player for the Atlanta Braves, who enter the opener of a four-game home series Thursday at the Colorado Rockies having won 14 of their past 18 games. Culberson, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in an offseason trade, collected three hits in Wednesday's 5-2 home victory over Miami and is 6-for-12 with four runs in his past three contests to help Atlanta cap a four-game sweep of the Marlins and remain two games up in first place.

The Braves come into the series with an edge after rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna, who had homered in five consecutive games, was drilled with a pitch in the first inning Wednesday - sparking a benches-clearing altercation and knocking the 20-year-old out of the game. Colorado's four-game winning streak ended Wednesday with a 12-1 loss at Houston, and the Rockies play 10 of their next 16 contests on the road. Third baseman Nolan Arenado finished 2-for-3 Wednesday and is hitting .321 in his past 16 games. The Rockies have allowed 10 or more hits in five of their past eight games, and after giving up just six runs in their previous three games, surrendered nine extra-base hits Wednesday.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet (Colorado), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (9-7, 4.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (8-7, 4.33)

Gray struggled throughout most of the first half, posting a 5.77 ERA before being sent to Triple-A Albuquerque at the end of June. The 26-year-old returned and allowed just five earned runs over 29 1/3 innings in his first four starts, winning twice, before permitting four runs across 5 2/3 frames in his last outing Friday. Gray is 3-0 lifetime with a 1.04 ERA against the Braves, beating them twice last season with two runs allowed on 10 hits in 12 innings.

Teheran's up-and-down season has stabilized a bit in his past three starts, as he posted a 3.78 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings while going 1-0 in that stretch. The 27-year-old allowed one run on two hits with six strikeouts in a no-decision Saturday against Milwaukee, after giving up three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision six days earlier against the New York Mets. Teheran is 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA in nine career starts against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves SS Dansby Swanson homered Wednesday, his second homer in the past four games, and has six RBIs in that stretch with four runs scored.

2. Colorado lost two of three to Atlanta in early April, giving up 14 runs and 27 hits in three games at Coors Field.

3. Acuna, who was hit in the left elbow in the first inning, left the game before the top of the second and the Braves did not have a diagnosis after Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Braves 5