Sunday 8-19-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 19th August 2018 by Gracenote
Tigers vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/19/2018

The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins already have watched Cleveland sprint to the largest division lead in baseball in the American League Central and simply are trying to find some positives over the last six weeks of the regular season. The team that can find the most positives on Sunday will take either a win or a split of the series as the Twins host the Tigers in the rubber match of their four-game set.

Minnesota is showing promising signs for the future with its play of late but had a four-game winning streak come to an end with Saturday's 7-5 setback. That loss marked the fifth straight game in which the Twins scored at least five runs, and former MVP Joe Mauer is turning back the clock by going 6-for-10 with a pair of homers and five runs scored in his last three contests. Detroit is allowing plenty of offenses to have big days of late and watched its pitching staff allow at least five runs in the sixth consecutive contest on Saturday - a stretch during which the team has gone 2-4. The Tigers will try to stop the bleeding by sending Jacob Turner to the mound on Sunday while Minnesota counters with Jake Odorizzi.


TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jacob Turner (0-1, 20.25 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (5-7, 4.44)

Turner will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to make the start - his second in the majors since being signed by Detroit in June. The former top-10 draft pick did not last long against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 7 as he was roughed up for seven runs - five earned - and six hits in one inning to suffer the loss. Turner has posted a 2-4 record with a 4.04 ERA in 12 starts for Toledo this season.

Odorizzi snapped his five-start winless streak by holding Pittsburgh to two runs on four hits and a pair of walks in 5 2/3 innings on Tuesday. The 28-year-old fanned nine batters in that outing after failing to record one strikeout in 4 2/3 frames at Cleveland on Aug. 8. Odorizzi is facing Detroit for the second time this season as he did not factor in the decision on June 12, when he gave up two runs and five hits over five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers RF Nick Castellanos went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Saturday - his second three-strikeout performance in five contests.

2. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano has homered four times in his last nine games.

3. Detroit OF Mikie Mahtook has gone deep twice in six contests since being recalled from Toledo.

PREDICTION: Twins 8, Tigers 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 19th August 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/19/2018

Two rivals heading in different directions meet Sunday as the surging St. Louis Cardinals aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. St. Louis took over sole possession of the second wild-card spot in the National League with Saturday's 7-2 victory while Milwaukee lost for the eighth time in its last 11 games and fell out of wild card position for the first time since early in the season.

Marcell Ozuna homered and Paul DeJong drove in three runs on Saturday as the Cardinals won for the 10th time in their last 11 games and improved to 21-10 since interim manager Mike Shildt replaced Mike Matheny on July 15. St. Louis moved four games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and received another spark from rookie outfielder Harrison Bader, who drove in two runs and is 7-for-14 during his four-game hitting streak. Milwaukee fell one-half game behind St. Louis for the second wild-card spot despite homers from Christian Yelich and Travis Shaw, who snapped a 1-for-16 skid with his solo blast in the second inning. Ryan Braun, who is 19-for-52 with four homers and 12 RBIs over his last 18 games, was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight game due to rib cage tightness but hopes to be available Sunday.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chacin (12-4, 3.72 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Gant (5-4, 3.74)

Chacin improved to 6-1 in his past eight starts with a stellar outing last Tuesday, when he struck out a season-high 10 in seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs. The Brewers are 18-8 in games started by the 30-year-old native of Venezuela, who signed with the team as a free agent last December. Chacin is 0-7 with a 6.90 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against St. Louis, including 0-2 with a 5.65 mark in three outings at Busch Stadium.

Gant homered for his first major league hit and allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings in last Tuesday's 6-4 victory over Washington. The 26-year-old began the month with a rough outing versus Pittsburgh but has given up a total of two runs over 11 1/3 innings in his last two starts. Yelich is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts against Gant, who is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in three career games (one start) against Milwaukee.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong exited Saturday's contest with a right elbow contusion and is listed as day-to-day.

2. Milwaukee C Manny Pina has missed the last two games due to a sore left shoulder but could be available on Sunday.

3. St. Louis OF Jose Martinez was scratched from the starting lineup Saturday due to right hip tightness but appeared as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Cardinals 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 19th August 2018 by Gracenote
Angels vs. Rangers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/19/2018

The Los Angeles Angels had their offense in high gear in their last contest and attempt to earn a split of their four-game series when they visit the Texas Rangers for the finale on Sunday. The Angels pounded out 16 hits, including five home runs, en route to an 11-7 triumph on Saturday after losing the first two games of the series.

Albert Pujols went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, Shohei Ohtani belted a pinch-hit, three-run shot and Taylor Ward launched the first blast of his career as Los Angeles improved to 4-2 on its nine-game road trip. Pujols has hit safely in 23 of his last 27 contests while Ward has driven in a run in four of his first five major-league games. Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus each recorded three hits and an RBI while Joey Gallo went 3-for-5 with three runs scored as the Rangers fell to 3-2 on their six-game homestand. Gallo has gone 6-for-13 with a homer and four RBIs over the first three games of the series while Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup Saturday after missing three contests with a strained hamstring and delivered a two-run single.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (8-7, 3.50 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (7-10, 5.19)

Barria won his third consecutive decision on Tuesday, when he allowed just one run and six hits over five innings at San Diego. The 22-year-old Panamanian rookie was even better in his previous outing as he scattered five hits over 5 2/3 scoreless frames in a victory over Detroit. Barria made his major-league debut at Texas on April 11 and faced the Rangers at home on June 1, winning both starts while giving up one run and five hits over 11 innings.

After losing all five of his starts in July, Colon has won each of his first two turns this month despite yielding seven runs and 12 hits in 12 innings. The 45-year-old Dominican, who is the winningest Latino pitcher in major-league history with 247 victories, has not allowed fewer than three runs since giving up two at Minnesota on June 24. Colon is 12-9 with five complete games, four shutouts and a 3.88 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance against the Angels - the team with which he won the AL Cy Young Award in 2005.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 2B David Fletcher is riding a five-game hitting streak after recording his third two-hit performance in that span - and driving in three runs - in Saturday's victory.

2. Texas is hopeful LHP Mike Minor (back) will pitch against Oakland early next week after being scratched from his scheduled start on Friday.

3. Los Angeles RHP Akeel Morris was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday - three days after being designated for assignment.

PREDICTION: Angels 10, Rangers 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 18th August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Athletics Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/18/2018

The Oakland Athletics have erased a 12-game deficit in a two-month span and can take over first place in the American League West when they finish a three-game series with the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday. With an extra-inning triumph in the series opener and a 7-1 win Saturday, the Athletics improved to 40-13 since the middle of June to tie the defending champs atop the division.

Matt Olson delivered the walk-off homer Friday and had two hits, two runs and an RBI to pace an 11-hit attack Saturday. Trevor Cahill yielded one hit in seven scoreless frames for Oakland as the club cut its ERA since the All-Star break to 2.90, tops in the majors in that span. Sean Manaea will try to keep that run going as he opposes Astros right-hander Justin Verlander, who will be making his third attempt at career win No. 200. Houston is 7-12 since reigning MVP Jose Altuve (knee) last played a game July 25, but the three-time batting champ is set to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Fresno.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (11-8, 2.52 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (11-8, 3.44)

Verlander was knocked around by Seattle in his first bid to join the 200-win club and then received a tough loss against Colorado on Tuesday. He limited the Rockies to two runs while striking out 11 in six innings of the 5-1 setback. The seven-time All-Star blanked the Athletics over six frames in a matchup July 10 at home and is 11-6 with a 2.55 ERA in 19 career encounters.

Manaea bounced back from a rocky start two turns ago to defeat the Mariners with 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball on Monday. He was reached for three runs and seven hits over four innings opposite Verlander in Houston last month. George Springer is 9-for-28 and Alex Bregman has three homers in 17 at-bats against Manaea, who has a 2.82 ERA lifetime versus the Astros.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland RF Stephen Piscotty has four doubles in his last four games.

2. Bregman drew a walk Saturday and has reached safely in 38 straight road games.

3. The teams meet once more for a three-game series at Houston from Aug. 27-29.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Athletics 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 19th August 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Mariners Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/19/2018

Even a rare blown save by closer Edwin Diaz couldn't stop the Seattle Mariners, who improved to 12-1 in extra innings with Saturday's 5-4, 10-inning victory over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Seattle looks to build on the unusual win Sunday in the rubber match of its three-game series against the Dodgers, who have lost six of their last eight.

Cameron Maybin scored on a walk-off balk on Saturday as the Mariners won for the sixth time in nine contests and climbed within 3 1/2 games of American League West co-leaders Oakland and Houston. Kyle Seager belted a three-run homer and Mitch Haniger reached base four times while Dee Gordon made his second straight start at shortstop in place of Jean Segura (paternity list), who is expected to return on Monday. Los Angeles remained two games behind National League West-leading Arizona despite belting three home runs - including a solo shot by Justin Turner, who is 20-for-48 during his 12-game hitting streak. Max Muncy homered for the second straight game and Cody Bellinger added a solo blast for the Dodgers, who fell to 20-1 when hitting at least three home runs in a contest.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 2.47 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Roenis Elias (2-0, 2.88)

Kershaw was in vintage form on Monday, allowing one run with nine strikeouts and no walks over eight frames in a no-decision against San Francisco. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has gone 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA over his last eight starts. Denard Span is hitless in 13 at-bats against Kershaw, who last faced Seattle in 2012 and owns a 2-0 record and 3.46 ERA in two career outings versus the club.

Elias will be activated from the disabled list to start in place of Marco Gonzales, who is being given a few days of extra rest. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since July 31 with a triceps strain and likely will have a pitch limit on Sunday in his second start of the season. Brian Dozier is 4-for-7 with a home run against Elias, who is facing the Dodgers for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seager has hit at least 20 home runs in seven consecutive seasons.

2. Dodgers RHP Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat) hopes to be cleared to rejoin the team following Monday's cardiologist appointment.

3. The Mariners recalled Matt Festa from Double-A Arkansas and optioned fellow RHP Christian Bergman to Triple-A Tacoma.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Mariners 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 19th August 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/19/2018

The San Diego Padres ended a lengthy slide with a walk-off victory and look to earn a split of their four-game series when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the finale on Sunday. San Diego squandered a one-run lead in the seventh inning on Saturday before pinch-hitter Christian Villaneuva delivered a two-out RBI single in the ninth, ending the team's five-game skid.

Freddy Galvis went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the 7-6 win as the Padres improved to 3-6 on their 10-game homestand. Paul Goldschmidt was 4-for-4 and drove in four runs as the top four batters in Arizona's lineup combined to go 11-for-17 with six RBIs and six runs scored. Goldschmidt is riding an 11-game hitting streak that includes seven multi-hit performances, four home runs and 11 RBIs. Saturday's loss ended the Diamondbacks' three-game winning streak as they fell to 4-4 on their nine-game road trip and remained just one-half game ahead of Colorado for the top spot in the National League West.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (12-8, 3.00 ERA) vs. Padres RH Brett Kennedy (0-2, 11.00)

After winning seven straight decisions, Greinke has lost three consecutive starts - including an outing at Texas on Monday in which he yielded four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. It marked the first time the 34-year-old Floridian allowed more than two runs in 10 turns dating to June 18. Greinke, who gave up a total of three runs in his previous two outings, improved to 11-2 with two complete games and a 2.10 ERA in 21 career starts against the Padres when he permitted one run in seven frames on July 27 at San Diego.

Kennedy makes a third attempt at his initial major-league victory after surrendering 11 runs and 20 hits - four homers - over nine innings in his first two starts. The 24-year-old rookie from New Jersey demonstrated control, however, as he has issued just one walk while registering five strikeouts. Kennedy was superb for Triple-A El Paso this season before being recalled, going 10-0 with a 2.72 ERA in 16 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Villanueva was kept out of the starting lineup Saturday after being hit in the left foot with a ball in each of his previous two games.

2. San Diego LHP Eric Lauer (forearm) was sent to Single-A Lake Elsinore on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment.

3. Arizona signed RHP Randall Delgado, who was released on July 31 after going 2-0 with a 5.14 ERA in six relief appearances, to a minor-league contract on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 18th August 2018 by Gracenote
Mets vs. Phillies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/18/2018

The second edition of the MLB Little League Classic will feature the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies as the National League East rivals meet Sunday night in Williamsport, Pa. The contest wraps up a five-game series between the teams that began with a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Thursday and has featured a pair of wins for both clubs.

Jacob deGrom pitched a complete game to lead the Mets to a 3-1 win in Saturday's matchup, which kept the Phillies one-half game out in the NL East. Devin Mesoraco homered while rookie Jeff McNeil ripped an RBI triple and singled as New York improved to 21-21 since July 1 after going 32-48 through June. A victory in Williamsport would give the Mets their 20th series win in the last 26 tries against Philadelphia. The Phillies will try to buck that trend in the rubber game behind Nick Pivetta, who opposes journeyman Jason Vargas at Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Cutters of the New York-Penn League.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (2-8, 8.10 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-9, 4.37)

Vargas is 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA in four starts since returning from the disabled list last month but is coming off one of his better outings as a member of the Mets. He limited the Baltimore Orioles to two runs in a season-high six innings of a no-decision Tuesday on the road. Asdrubal Cabrera is 7-for-16 with a home run against Vargas and Carlos Santana is 9-for-41 without a homer.

Pivetta is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three August starts after holding the high-powered Boston Red Sox to a run and three hits over six innings his last time out. He has lasted exactly six frames in four consecutive outings and owns 31 strikeouts against four walks in that span. The 25-year-old from British Columbia has yet to face the Mets this year after going 2-1 with a 4.98 ERA in four starts against them in 2017.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 3B Todd Frazier, OF Michael Conforto and Phillies SS Scott Kingery all played in the Little League World Series as kids.

2. New York OF Brandon Nimmo (finger) missed his third straight game Saturday and is day-to-day.

3. Pittsburgh defeated St. Louis 6-3 in the first Little League Classic last year.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Mets 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Preview and Predictions 08-19-2018 in CFL

CFL Previews 16th August 2018 by Gracenote
Stampeders vs. Roughriders Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/16/2018

The Calgary Stampeders look to keep their perfect record intact when they visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday in a key West Division clash. The Stampeders beat the BC Lions 27-18 to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 1995 before getting a week off, and hope the break doesn't rob them of their momentum as they search for their second road win against the Roughriders in three weeks following a 34-22 victory July 28.

"I don't really like bye weeks after you win," Calgary coach Dave Dickenson told reporters. "You're 7-0 and in a good rhythm so I personally would have continued to keep playing." Saskatchewan was busy during its off week as it retooled its roster following a 26-19 setback to the Edmonton Eskimos on Aug. 2 for their second straight loss. Roughriders coach Chris Jones made numerous moves, including the release of star wide receiver Duron Carter in an effort to shake things up, and hopes the changes have the desired effect as they try to stay in the thick of the playoff race. "Over the break we're always evaluating our roster, our team and the way we do things," Jones told reporters. "We released a very good player who is going to land on his feet but we decided to go in a different direction with our football team."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN Plus

ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (7-0): Don Jackson, who leads the team in rushing with 442 yards, practiced during the week and looks poised to return after missing the last two games with a pulled hamstring. Defensive end Cordarro Law was placed on the six-game injured list with a bone bruise in his leg while running back/kick returner Terry Williams is expected to return after sitting out the win over BC with with a shoulder issue. Calgary signed former Boise State quarterback Montell Cozart on Tuesday and released Larry Brihm Jr, who did not take a snap in the regular season.

ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (3-4): Carter caught 73 passes for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns last season before switching to defensive back to provide cover for injuries in 2018. Running back Trent Richardson, who won two national championships with the Alabama Crimson Tide before he was selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft, was released earlier in the week after failing to make an impact in Regina. Saskatchewan signed wide receiver Rob Bagg after releasing him prior to the start of the 2018 campaign and released former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Calgary has won 11 of the last 12 meetings.

2. The Stampeders are 34-8 against West Divisional rivals since 2014.

3. The Roughriders have been held to fewer than 20 points four times in their last six games.

PREDICTION: Roughriders 26, Stampeders 24