Friday 8-24-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

The Chicago Cubs have the best record in the National League despite disappointing numbers from some of their biggest offensive stars. One of those sluggers is heating up, however, and the Cubs will try for a third straight victory when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon.

After being limited to just one run in five straight games, the Cubs have broken out of their slump to score 15 times in their last two contests. Anthony Rizzo has homered in three consecutive contests and Javier Baez also went deep in Chicago's 7-1 triumph in the series opener. The Cubs, who lead St. Louis by three games in the NL Central, might need another offensive outburst behind spot starter Alec Mills. Matt Harvey is slated to take the mound for the Reds, but he reportedly was claimed off waivers on Wednesday and could be traded before the game.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Matt Harvey (6-7, 4.91 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Alec Mills (0-0, 0.00)

Harvey has made himself a valuable trade chip with two straight excellent outings. The 29-year-old former ace of the New York Mets has allowed two runs over 13 1/3 innings in his last two turns and is 6-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 17 outings with the Reds. Harvey is 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs.
Mills will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa to make his first major-league start and fifth overall appearance. The 26-year-old made an appearance out of the bullpen for the Cubs on July 27 and tossed two scoreless innings at St. Louis. Mills has gone 5-12 with a 4.84 ERA in 23 starts for Iowa this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Daniel Murphy has gone 2-for-5 in each of his first two games with the team and is a career .417 hitter at Wrigley Field.

2. Reds SS Jose Peraza has recorded multiple hits in six of his last eight contests, going 14-for-30 with four doubles and two homers during that stretch.

3. The Cubs placed Tyler Chatwood (hip) on the disabled list Thursday and recalled fellow RHP Dillon Maples from Iowa.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Cubs 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The New York Yankees have spent the bulk of August playing mostly sub-.500 teams, but they haven't been able to make much of a dent in the American League East standings. The Yankees hope to make some more headway in that regard beginning Friday when they visit Baltimore for the first of four games against the league-worst Orioles.

New York (79-47) began the month by dropping its first five contests to fall 9 1/2 games behind division-leading Boston after the Red Sox swept them in a four-game set from Aug. 2-5, but the club proceeded to win 11 of its next 16 - 10 of the victories coming against teams with losing records. The Yankees dropped 9 1/2 games back of Boston following Wednesday's 9-3 setback at Miami and a win by the Red Sox on Thursday, but maintained their 3 1/2-game edge over Oakland for the first wild-card slot in the AL. New York has inexplicably struggled to take advantage of the Orioles (37-90) this season, splitting 12 meetings against the team with the worst record in the majors. Baltimore is on pace for the second-worst season in franchise history - the 1939 St. Louis Browns finished 43-111-2 - and lost for the 11th time in 13 games following Wednesday's 6-0 defeat at Toronto to conclude a 1-5 road trip.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, YES (New York), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Alex Cobb (4-15, 5.09)

Sabathia is expected to come off the disabled list and make his first start since Aug. 12 when he earned the victory after yielding one hit over six scoreless innings against Texas. The former Cy Young Award winner has struck out at least seven in three of his last four turns, but the last outing was his first quality start since July 4. Adam Jones is 24-for-84 with five homers and 15 RBIs against Sabathia, who is 0-1 with an 8.00 ERA in two starts versus Baltimore this season.

Cobb has turned his season around in August, going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA this month after holding Cleveland to two runs in his first complete-game victory of the season. The 30-year-old Bostonian, who went 2-14 with a 6.08 ERA through the end of July, has produced five quality starts in as many tries after recording eight in his first 18 turns. Cobb's month began with a win in Yankee Stadium on Aug. 1, limiting New York to one run while fanning six in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees placed LHP Aroldis Chapman, the team's closer, on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis prior to Wednesday's game.

2. Baltimore was shut out for the 12th time this season Wednesday, matching last's year total in 35 fewer games.

3. New York OF Giancarlo Stanton needs one home run to become the fourth-quickest (1,111 career games) and ninth-youngest (28 years, 289 days old) player in major-league history to reach 300.

PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Orioles 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Blue Jays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

After receiving a sterling start from their National League Cy Young candidate to snap a four-game losing skid, the Philadelphia Phillies look to a former recipient of that award to keep them headed in the right direction. Jake Arrieta takes the mound on Friday as the Phillies (69-58) begin their final interleague series with the opener of a three-game set versus the host Toronto Blue Jays (58-69).

Aaron Nola outdueled Max Scherzer to notch his 15th win and Odubel Herrera belted a two-run homer as Philadelphia kept within three games of NL East-leading Atlanta with Thursday's 2-0 victory over Washington. The Phillies hope their strong interleague play this season carries over into the weekend, as they've won 11 of 17 of contests -- although they dropped two of three to Toronto at Citizens Bank Park in May. Toronto answered a disastrous four-game losing skid in which it was outscored 34-15 by maintaining its mastery over Baltimore, completing a 10-game season sweep at Rogers Centre following Wednesday's 6-0 romp. Kendrys Morales belted his fifth homer in the last four games overall and is 3-for-6 with two RBIs in his career versus Arrieta.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (9-8, 3.25 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Ryan Borucki (2-3, 4.27)

Arrieta has followed up a 4-0 mark over a seven-start stretch with back-to-back losses, although he deserved a better fate in his last trip to the mound. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six without walking a batter over six innings in a 3-1 setback to the New York Mets on Saturday. Curtis Granderson is 10-for-32 with three homers and 10 RBIs against Arrieta, who owns a 4-2 mark with a 4.85 ERA in eight career encounters versus the Blue Jays.

Borucki's last trip to the mound was a brief one, as the 24-year-old rookie was blitzed for a career-worst six runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 10-2 loss at the New York Yankees. Borucki allowed the first six batters he faced to reach base as the wheels came off in a hurry. He has yielded 14 runs on 19 hits and two homers in his last three starts after keeping the ball in the park in each of his previous seven outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 2B Cesar Hernandez has eight hits and six runs scored in his last seven games overall, although he went 1-for-12 in the previous series versus Toronto.

2. Granderson is 7-for-16 with three doubles and four runs scored in his last five contests.

3. Phillies C Wilson Ramos said he hopes to return for the series opener after being sidelined three games with a sore left wrist.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Blue Jays 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
White Sox vs. Tigers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Detroit Tigers and Nicholas Castellanos try to continue their dominance of the Chicago White Sox when the American League Central teams reconvene for the second contest of their four-game series Friday at Comerica Park. Detroit improved to 10-3 versus Chicago this season with a 7-2 victory Thursday as Castellanos, the reigning AL Player of the Week, belted a solo home run among his two hits.

Castellanos (.293, 19 home runs, 71 RBIs), who leads the Tigers (53-75) in every major offensive category, is batting .400 in 55 at-bats with five home runs and 17 RBIs versus the White Sox this season. Chicago (48-79), which is 7-6 in a stretch of 16 straight games versus the American League Central, homered in its 15th straight game Thursday -- its longest run since 2012. Detroit's Michael Fulmer returns from the disabled list to make his first start since July 14 and opposes Reynaldo Lopez, who has struggled in his last two outings. White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing is expected to continue managing the club for a fifth straight game Friday as Rick Renteria returned to Chicago on Thursday to undergo more tests for lightheadedness, which landed him in a Minneapolis hospital Monday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.72 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-9, 4.50)

Lopez hasn't earned a decision in four August starts after allowing six runs, six hits and a walk while striking out five in two innings of Chicago's 7-6 victory over Kansas City on Sunday. The 24-year-old Dominican, who yielded four runs in five innings in a 9-5 loss at Detroit on Aug. 13, began the month by permitting three runs over a pair of seven-inning starts -- a loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 7 and a win over the Royals on Aug. 2. James McCann is 7-for-11 and Castellanos is 7-for-15 with two doubles versus Lopez, who is 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA in five starts versus the Tigers -- 0-1, 3.24 in four outings this season.

Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said Fulmer will be limited to around 70 pitches Friday as he returns from a left oblique strain. "He feels great," Gardenhire said of the 25-year-old Oklahoman. "Everything's went great. He's passed all the tests. That's the right thing to do with him." Tim Anderson and Avisail Garcia are a combined 4-for-31 against Fulmer, who is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA in six starts against the White Sox after winning at Chicago 6-1 on April 7 when he tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit rookie 2B Ronny Rodriguez (.211, 10 RBIs -- six in his last four games) hit his first career home run Thursday as part of a two-hit performance that extended his hitting career-high hitting streak to eight games (9-for-27).

2. Chicago has struck out a major league-most 1,222 times this season and is on pace to shatter the club record of 1,397 set last season.

3. Detroit CF JaCoby Jones (.204, eight home runs, 26 RBIs), who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 13 with a right hamstring injury, begins a three-game rehabilitation stint Friday with Triple-A Toledo.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, White Sox 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Washington Nationals' offense was held in check in their last outing after erupting for 18 runs and 28 hits in the previous two games. Washington (64-64) looks to heat up its bats once again versus a New York Mets club that it lit up for 29 runs during a two-game sweep 3 1/2 weeks ago when the National League East rivals open a three-game series on Friday at Citi Field.

Ryan Zimmerman belted a game-ending two-run homer in Wednesday's 8-7 win over Philadelphia before sitting out the series finale, a 2-0 setback that halted the Nationals' brief momentum. Zimmerman is batting .360 with six homers and 17 RBIs in his last 15 games overall, but is just 6-for-28 this season against New York (56-71). Todd Frazier, who has 13 RBIs in his last 14 games, went deep for the second straight outing on Thursday when he launched a solo homer in the Mets' 3-1 setback versus San Francisco. The 32-year-old Frazier is 5-for-21 with nine strikeouts against Washington this season and just 3-for-16 with eight strikeouts in his career versus Friday starter Gio Gonzalez.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (7-10, 4.51 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jason Vargas (3-8, 7.67)

Gonzalez has seen his once-promising season take a pronounced turn for the worse, as he fell to 1-8 in his last 12 starts after getting blitzed for eight runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings in Sunday's 12-1 romp by Miami. The 32-year-old has been particularly brutal of late, having given up five or more runs in four of his past six starts. Gonzalez aims to turn around his fortunes versus a familiar foe, as he owns a 15-5 mark with a 2.90 ERA in 25 career starts against the Mets.

Vargas tasted victory in his last start for the first time since May 30, as he yielded two runs and didn't walk a batter in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-2 triumph over Philadelphia. The 35-year-old will look to establish a winning streak when he faces Washington, against which he has pitched well but owns an 0-3 mark despite recording a 1.15 ERA. Mark Reynolds is 3-for-8 with two doubles in a small sample size versus Vargas, who will face Washington for the first time since 2006.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York RF Jay Bruce, who has been sidelined since June 19 with a sore right hip, is expected to be activated for the series opener.

2. Nationals OF Bryce Harper is 13-for-40 with four homers, 13 RBIs and 11 runs scored versus the Mets this season.

3. The availability of Mets C Devin Mesoraco is in question after he received an MRI exam on his stiff neck following Thursday's game.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Mets 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Braves vs. Marlins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Atlanta Braves will play the second contest of their four-game series against the host Miami Marlins on Friday, and nobody can blame Ronald Acuna Jr. for looking forward to the matchup. The 20-year-old rookie belted a 432-foot homer in the second inning of Thursday's series-opening 5-0 victory, his 21st blast of the season that marked the sixth consecutive game against Miami in which he's gone deep - the longest such streak by a rookie against one opponent in major-league history.

Atlanta carries a three-game lead over Philadelphia in the National League East into the weekend thanks to a bounce-back effort from Sean Newcomb on the mound and homers by Acuna, Charlie Culberson and Ender Inciarte as the team won for the 18th time in 26 games. Atlanta's dominance of Miami - the Braves are 13-3 against the Marlins this season - is a big reason it resides in first place in the division. The Marlins have won only five of their last 21 contests, and Thursday's defeat dropped them to 18-37 against NL East rivals this year. Rookie Isaac Galloway went 1-for-4 on Thursday and is hitting .310 in his first taste of major-league action after 3,655 plate appearances across 11 seasons in the minor leagues.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-7, 2.72 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (4-6, 4.60)

Foltynewicz has flourished this month, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA, only six walks and 28 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old, who has matched the career high in victories he set last season, scattered four hits and struck out nine over seven scoreless frames against Colorado on Saturday, but Atlanta's bullpen was unable to hold the lead. Foltynewicz won both of his previous starts against Miami this season, posting a 0.69 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Straily looks to snap a five-start winless streak during which he has posted a 6.39 ERA while allowing opponents to post a .306 batting average with six homers in 25 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old lost at Washington on Aug. 17, surrendering five runs and nine hits in six frames, and has won just once in his last nine starts despite allowing fewer than three earned runs on four occasions. Straily is 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA against the Braves this season but surrendered eight runs - five earned - over 3 2/3 innings in a loss on July 31.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami C J.T. Realmuto has struck out seven times while going hitless in his last 13 at-bats.

2. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman enters the weekend leading the NL in batting average (.317), while RF Nick Markakis is tied for second (.314).

3. Marlins LHP Jarlin Garcia left the series opener in the fifth inning after being hit in the right shin by a line drive off the bat of Markakis.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Marlins 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th August 2018 by Gracenote
Red Sox vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/24/2018

The Boston Red Sox are the first team in the major leagues to reach the 90-win mark this season, and they start the push toward 100 when they open a three-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The American League East-leading Red Sox are coming off a four-game set against AL Central-leading Cleveland in which they scored 17 runs while winning the final two contests.

Boston's Xander Bogaerts had a strong showing in the series against the Indians as he went 6-for-19 with two homers, two doubles and eight RBIs. Slugger J.D. Martinez recorded three RBIs in the series but didn't go deep and ranks second in the majors with 38 blasts. Tampa Bay has won five consecutive contests after notching a walk-off 4-3 win over Kansas City on Thursday, courtesy of a ninth-inning throwing error by Royals first baseman Ryan O'Hearn. Mallex Smith went 3-for-4 with two doubles on Thursday and is a torrid 16-for-36 with one homer and four two-base hits over his last eight games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (7-1, 2.74 ERA) vs. Rays RH Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.47)

Velazquez suffered his first setback of the season after allowing one run and three hits over four innings in a start against the Rays on Sunday. The 29-year-old, who also has made 31 relief appearances, is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in five turns this season. Velazquez has gone 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 19 road appearances (two starts) this year.

Castillo is serving as the "opener" for the second time in less than a week as the Rays continue their trend of beginning games with relief pitchers. The 24-year-old started Sunday's contest against Boston and gave up one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless innings, departing after throwing 19 pitches. Castillo is unscored upon in five straight outings - a stretch of 7 1/3 frames - and has allowed just four hits over his last eight appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 1B Mitch Moreland departed Thursday's game with a bruised knee and will be re-evaluated prior to the series opener.

2. Tampa Bay 3B Matt Duffy has recorded back-to-back two-hit performances after enduring a 3-for-28 funk over his previous eight contests.

3. Boston RF Mookie Betts, who leads the majors with a .340 batting average, is mired in a 13-game power drought and hasn't driven in a run in seven straight contests.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 8, Rays 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th August 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Twins Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/24/2018

The Oakland Athletics still have a grasp of the second wild card in the American League, but their hopes of winning a division title are in danger of slipping away. Oakland looks to avoid a third consecutive loss when it visits the Minnesota Twins on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series.

The Athletics own a four-game lead over AL West-rival Seattle for the wild-card spot but fell 1 1/2 games behind division-leading Houston with Thursday's 6-4 setback. Khris Davis belted his major league-high 39th home run and Jed Lowrie also went deep for Oakland, which has lost consecutive contests for the first time since enduring a three-game sweep in Colorado from July 27-29. Davis, who is four blasts away from matching the career high he set last season, has homered five times in as many games and a league-best 10 times this month. Minnesota overcame an early 2-0 deficit to post its ninth win in 11 home contests as Joe Mauer delivered an RBI single during a three-run fourth inning for his 2,085th career hit, tying Rod Carew for second place on the franchise list.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Manaea (11-9, 3.70 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (5-7, 4.55)

The team leader in victories, Manaea has alternated wins and losses over his last six decisions after being tagged for six runs and nine hits over four innings of a setback against Houston on Sunday. The 26-year-old native of Indiana has not suffered back-to-back defeats since the final week of May, when he surrendered 10 runs and 13 hits over 8 2/3 frames in losses to Arizona and Tampa Bay. Manaea has split his two career starts against Minnesota, allowing seven runs on 12 hits and six walks with 13 strikeouts in 11 innings.

Odorizzi is unbeaten in four starts this month but has notched just one win as he escaped with a no-decision against Detroit on Sunday after yielding four runs and four hits across five innings. The 28-year-old from Illinois has worked more than five frames only four times in his last 15 outings and has yet to go more than six this season. Odorizzi has made five career starts versus Oakland, going 1-2 with a 3.34 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Bobby Wilson walked and scored a run on Thursday before exiting with a sprained right ankle.

2. Lowrie has reached the 20-homer plateau for the first time in his career and is the third Athletic to hit the mark this year.

3. Minnesota has gone 20-6 at home since June 24.

PREDICTION: Athletics 7, Twins 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Brewers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Milwaukee Brewers' hold on the National League's final wild-card spot is tenuous at best, making this weekend a bad time to welcome a team it has struggled against this season. The Brewers attempt to solve the riddle of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday when the NL Central rivals meet in Milwaukee for the opener of a three-game set.

Red-hot St. Louis bypassed the Brewers (71-58) in the Central and in the wild-card standings earlier this week, leaving them in a virtual tie with Colorado for the final wild-card slot and 3 1/2 games back of the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Milwaukee has steadied the ship of late by winning three of four following a 5-10 start to August, but the club needs to look no further than its 2-8 record against Pittsburgh as to why it doesn't have more margin for error. The Pirates got the majority of their eight wins in the season series right before the All-Star break, sweeping a five-game series from July 12-15. The Pirates enter this series 7 1/2 games behind the Brewers and may have trouble replicating their earlier success against Milwaukee, as they have scored a total of 16 runs while dropping eight of their last 10 contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (5-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Wade Miley (2-2, 2.18)

Musgrove registered his fifth consecutive quality start in a win against Chicago on Saturday, limiting the Cubs to one run while striking out seven on only 87 pitches across seven innings. The 25-year-old leads Pittsburgh's rotation in ERA and WHIP (1.18) and has worked at least seven frames in five of his last six trips to the mound. Musgrove's strong recent stretch began immediately after a rough outing against Milwaukee, which tagged him for five runs over 7 2/3 innings in a no-decision on July 15.

Miley has yet to yield more than three earned runs in any of his nine starts after spending separate stints on the disabled list with groin and rib injuries earlier this season. The Southeast Louisiana product took the loss at St. Louis on Saturday, permitting four runs (one earned) despite striking out a season-high seven over five frames. David Freese is 6-for-15 with a home run and four walks versus Miley, who was saddled with the loss in Pittsburgh after giving up two runs over five innings on July 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers OF Christian Yelich, whose next home run will give him a career-high 22, is riding a nine-game hitting streak.

2. Pittsburgh's rotation has lost four of five decisions despite posting a 1.69 ERA over the last seven contests.

3. Milwaukee OF Lorenzo Cain is on a six-game hitting streak and batting .370 in August.

PREDICTION: Brewers 3, Pirates 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 24th August 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. Royals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/24/2018

The Cleveland Indians just battled the team with the best record in baseball and now take aim at a club with one of the worst when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Cleveland lost the final two games of its set against American League East-leading Boston for a four-game split and look to halt the minor slide against the Royals, who own the second-worst record in the majors.

Cleveland stars Jose Ramirez (2-for-14) and Francisco Lindor (3-for-17) both failed to drive in a run in the series versus Boston as their team was outscored 17-4 in the final two contests. "There were good things and bad things in this four-game series," Lindor told reporters. "We could have done a couple of things better. But it's live and learn. We move forward. We continue to get better day in and day out. They have a good team. You can't be too mad." Kansas City has dropped five straight games after first baseman Ryan O'Hearn's errant throw home allowed Tampa Bay to post a 4-3 walk-off victory on Thursday. Whit Merrifield went 3-for-4 in the defeat and has gone 19-for-47 with two homers and seven RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-7, 3.25 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (6-5, 3.32)

Clevinger is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his last three starts and pitched six scoreless innings in a win over Baltimore in his last turn. The 27-year-old has a solid 2.75 ERA while going 5-4 in 12 road outings. Clevinger is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts against Kansas City this season and 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts).

Keller has recorded back-to-back victories, allowing two runs in 12 innings. The 23-year-old is 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 17 home appearances (seven starts) this season. Keller has tossed 4 1/3 scoreless frames in two relief appearances against the Indians this season and picked up the victory on May 11, when he worked three innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians swept a three-game set in Kansas City from July 2-4 and have a 7-2 record in the season series.

2. Kansas City activated LHP Danny Duffy (shoulder), who pitched five innings on Thursday, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Glenn Sparkman to Triple-A Omaha.

3. Cleveland placed Neil Ramirez (back) on the 10-day DL and activated fellow RHP Josh Tomlin (hamstring), who worked three frames on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals are both riding hot streaks and each team is making a run at first place in their respective divisions. The Cardinals and Rockies are also locked in a duel for the top two wild cards in the National League as they prepare to open a three-game series on Friday night at Colorado's Coors Field.

St. Louis has won 13 of its last 15 after completing a three-game sweep at the Los Angeles Dodgers to move atop the wild-card chase and into second place in the NL Central. "It shows the resilience of our team. Everyone steps up on a nightly basis," said Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, who delivered a tie-breaking two-run homer in the ninth during Wednesday's series finale in Los Angeles. "It's always someone new coming through." The Rockies are coming off a dramatic win of their own as Ian Desmond clubbed a walk-off two-run blast in the ninth in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. It was the 10th win in 12 games for the Rockies to pull them into a virtual tie for the second wild card - a half-game behind St. Louis - and one game back of division-leading Arizona in the NL West.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (13-3, 2.80 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (4-3, 4.47)

Mikolas continued his rags-to-riches tale after spending the past three years pitching in Japan, winning his fifth consecutive decision by limiting Milwaukee to one run and five hits over six innings on Saturday. He has permitted two runs or fewer in nine of his last 11 starts. That included a no-decision against the Rockies on Aug. 2, when he yielded two runs (one earned) over seven innings.

Senzatela has rebounded nicely from a pair of rocky efforts that sandwiched the All-Star break, when he was touched for 10 runs over 11 1/3 innings in losses at Seattle and Arizona. He has allowed a combined four runs over his last three starts, including a no-decision against Mikolas and St. Louis when he pitched six innings of one-run ball. Senzatela is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six home appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies SS Trevor Story is 10-for-25 over his last six games.

2. St. Louis has homered in 15 consecutive games, one shy of Philadelphia's season-best mark.

3. Rockies LF Matt Holliday made his season debut and went 0-for-3 in his first game with Colorado since 2008.

PREDICTION: Rockies 4, Cardinals 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Seattle Mariners vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Seattle Mariners are struggling to keep pace with the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, and the schedule isn't getting any easier. The Mariners will try to bust out of the slump when they enter their fifth consecutive series against a playoff contender by visiting the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

The Mariners sit four games behind the Athletics for the second AL wild card and 5 1/2 in back of the Astros in the division after going 3-6 in the last nine games against Oakland, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston. "I think we have a lot of time left to get everything firing on all cylinders, and this team's done a great job," Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales told reporters after absorbing the loss on Wednesday. "When one part struggles, the other part steps up. We're really close for everything to be firing, and we have September to get hot, and I think that's gonna be good for us." The Diamondbacks own a one-game lead in the NL West and are winners of six of their last seven after polishing off a two-game sweep of another AL West opponent - the Los Angeles Angels - on Wednesday. Arizona will greet Seattle with right-hander Zack Godley while the Mariners counter with righty Erasmo Ramirez.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (0-2, 5.49 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (13-6, 4.44)

Ramirez is making his fifth start since joining the Seattle rotation and surrendered a total of one run and seven hits across 10 innings over his last two turns. The Nicaragua native issued four walks against the Dodgers on Saturday to drive up his pitch count and has yet to earn a win. Ramirez is making his third career appearance against Arizona and is 5-5 with a 5.33 ERA in 22 career interleague games - 12 starts.

Godley last absorbed a loss on July 1 but was knocked around a bit in a no-decision at San Diego on Saturday, surrendering six runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings. The 28-year-old did not yield a home run in that outing and last surrendered a blast on June 26 at Miami. Godley won his lone previous start against the Mariners and is 3-2 with a 2.88 ERA in nine career interleague games - five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano, who made his first career start at 3B on Wednesday, hit safely in seven of eight games since returning from an 80-game suspension.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt hit safely in each of the last 14 contests.

3. Seattle SS Jean Segura (ribs) left Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mariners 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The Houston Astros are clinging to their spot atop the American League West while battling through a tough road trip against division foes. The Astros will try to finish strong when they reach the last stop of the trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Angels in the opener of a three-game set on Friday.

Houston looked ready to relinquish its hold on first place briefly last weekend at Oakland but fought to avoid a sweep in that series and then took two of three at Seattle to push 1 1/2 games ahead of the Athletics and 5 1/2 clear of the Mariners entering play on Thursday. "I think the good thing about our team is that once someone gets out or gets a hit, they come back to the dugout and are really communicative toward their teammates," outfielder Tony Kemp told reporters. "That's good. Sometimes you hit slumps, you hit ruts, and people don't talk as much. But I think the main thing is our communication is at a high level right now, and that's what we have to keep doing to be successful." The Angels are 14 1/2 back but will get a chance to impact the race in the West with 10 more games against the Astros and six versus Oakland. Los Angeles will try to snap a three-game slide behind lefty Andrew Heaney on Friday while Houston counters with former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (9-10, 3.59 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (7-7, 4.11)

Keuchel is winless in his last three starts and was knocked around for five runs on nine hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings at Oakland on Saturday. The 30-year-old surrendered three or fewer runs in each of his previous eight outings. The best performance in that bunch came at Los Angeles on July 20, when Keuchel breezed through 7 2/3 innings on two hits and yielded only an unearned run in the win.

Heaney struggled at Texas on Saturday, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings without factoring in the decision. The Oklahoma native failed to post a quality start in three of his last four turns and owns a 1-1 record with a 6.46 ERA in that span. Heaney was sharp at home against the Astros on July 22, when he scattered one run and four hits over six innings to earn a win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF George Springer (quad) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

2. Los Angeles INF David Fletcher (knee) left Wednesday's game and is day-to-day.

3. Houston C Martin Maldonado has homered in three of his last four starts.

PREDICTION: Astros 7, Angels 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Dodgers Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The return of closer Kenley Jansen has failed to provide a stabilizing effect on the skidding Los Angeles Dodgers, who attempt to get back on track against the National League's worst team. The Dodgers had a day off to regroup from a sweep by visiting St. Louis and look to bounce back in Friday's opener of a three-game home set versus the San Diego Padres.

Jansen was victimized in each of his last two appearances after coming off the disabled due to an irregular heartbeat, giving up a pair of solo homers in the ninth in Monday's defeat before serving up a two-run blast in Wednesday's loss to St. Louis. "Very frustrating. Got to figure out how to get back out of this mess," said Jansen after Los Angeles fell to 3-9 over its last 12 games. While the Dodgers are 3 1/2 games out of the second wild card and 4 1/2 behind first-place Arizona in the NL West, the Padres are 30 games below .500 and nestled in last place in the division. San Diego was one out from a series win at Colorado on Thursday before Ian Desmond delivered a walk-off, two-run homer to send the Padres to their eighth loss in 10 games.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, SportsNet LA

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (7-10, 5.11 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (5-4, 3.73)

Since winning his first four starts in June, Richard has gone 10 consecutive outings without a victory, including no-decisions in his last four appearances. He failed to pitch past five innings for the fifth time in six starts last out time, giving up five runs and nine hits to Arizona. Matt Kemp is 15-for-38 with three homers off Richard, who pitched six innings of four-run ball in a loss to the Dodgers on May 25.

Hill pitched at least six innings for the fifth time in six starts since the All-Star break at Seattle on Saturday, but did not factor in the decision after allowing four runs and four hits. He permitted a combined six earned runs in his previous five turns, compiling a 3-0 record in that span. Hill's last loss came in San Diego on July 10, when he gave up four runs and eight hits in a season high-tying seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles, which hasn't had a losing record at home since 2005, is 32-33 at Dodger Stadium.

2. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva (fractured finger) went on the 10-day disabled list

3. Dodgers OF Joc Pederson homered Wednesday but is mired in a 2-for-26 slump.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Padres 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 08-24-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 23rd August 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 08/23/2018

The San Francisco Giants are drifting out of the postseason race in the National League while the Texas Rangers are sitting in last place - both far from the two pennant winners that met in the 2010 World Series. The teams will renew acquaintances this weekend, when the Giants host the Rangers in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Friday.

San Francisco, which beat Texas in five games in that 2010 World Series, sits nine games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West and eight out of the second NL wild card spot after a seven-game road trip that saw it drop five games against teams with losing records. The Giants did manage to salvage the finale of a four-game set at the New York Mets on Thursday to avoid a series loss, leaning on Madison Bumgarner's arm and bat to earn the 3-1 victory. The Rangers were shut out in back-to-back contests at the Oakland Athletics this week to begin the six-game road trip but avoided a sweep with a 4-2 triumph on Wednesday and will play their next five games against NL opponents, with the Los Angeles Dodgers set to visit for a two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday. Texas will send right-hander Drew Hutchison to the mound on Friday while San Francisco is expected to bring rookie righty Dereck Rodriguez off the disabled list to face his Hall of Fame father's former team.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Drew Hutchison (2-2, 5.71 ERA) vs. Giants RH Dereck Rodriguez (6-1, 2.25)

Hutchison earned his first win for Texas against the Los Angeles Angels last Friday, when he struck out six and surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. The 28-year-old, who made 11 relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this season, last worked as a full-time starter in the majors for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. Hutchison did not yield a home run against the Angels after serving up a total of three blasts in his first two starts.

Rodriguez is hoping to return from a strained hamstring just as strong as he was before the injury, when he ripped off a string of nine straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs. The 26-year-old, who is the son of Hall of Fame catcher and Rangers legend Ivan Rodriguez, last worked against Pittsburgh on Aug. 12 and allowed one run on two hits and a walk across seven innings to pick up the win. Rodriguez is seeing the Rangers for the first time in his career and yielded a total of one run in 13 1/3 innings against two other AL West squads - Oakland and Houston.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) served as the DH in each of the last three games.

2. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria homered in two of the last three games and hit safely in six straight.

3. Texas RHP Jose Leclerc yielded a total of three hits and no runs over 11 scoreless innings across his last 11 appearances.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Rangers 1