Friday 8-31-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Canterbury Park
Canterbury Park - Race 7

Win, Place &Show / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta $1 Daily Double / $.50 Rolling Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9)


Maiden Claiming $10,000 • 6 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 68 • Purse: $11,500 • Post: 9:32P
FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000. MINNESOTA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $15,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * BERKO: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equ ibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. TIZJOHNDEERSWAY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. CAVA HOYOS: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
2
BERKO
3/1

5/2
8
TIZJOHNDEERSWAY
4/1

4/1
6
CAVA HOYOS
12/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
10
JAZZ LOVERMAN
10

10/1
Front-runner
58

58

69.4

49.2

35.7
7
STOMP MY GRAPES
7

10/1
Front-runner
57

49

65.4

46.5

33.5
2
BERKO
2

3/1
Alternator/Front-runner
86

68

94.4

49.4

42.9
8
TIZJOHNDEERSWAY
8

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
64

68

66.4

61.6

56.6
1
RUFF HOUSE
1

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
53

48

64.8

53.4

44.9
9
REVEREND DON
9

8/1
Trailer
61

58

33.8

50.6

40.6
6
CAVA HOYOS
6

12/1
Trailer
72

59

19.2

47.1

37.6
4
MASTERPIECE DAY
4

5/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

64.9

41.3

34.3
3
WHISTLIN' JACK
3

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

30.8

29.3

9.3
5
KAUFY BUZZ
5

15/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

20.2

47.0

33.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Charles Town - Race #1 - Post: 7:00pm - Maiden Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 45

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 STOPPIEIT (ML=4/1)
#1 UNUSUAL POPPY (ML=5/2)


STOPPIEIT - I am keen on that most recent race on Aug 9th at Charles Town where he finished third. Rounding his way back into form. Each of his finish positions is getting better in his recent starts. This gelding is rounding his way back into shape. Should perform well today. Look at this pattern of improvement. 17/21/41 are the last three speed figs. UNUSUAL POPPY - Gelding took a little vacation, but has been racing into shape.

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 FIRE TIGAR (ML=8/5), #3 LATE NITE MIKE (ML=7/2), #4 FIRE ENGINE RED (ML=8/1),

FIRE TIGAR - The finish of seventh in the last event shows me that this equine may be tailing off. LATE NITE MIKE - Awfully tough to wager on this runner when he hasn't been showing any gumption recently. Improbable that the speed figure he garnered on Aug 25th will be good enough in this event. FIRE ENGINE RED - This gelding hasn't had any recent good results in short distance races. No picnic to bet on him in this race.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 STOPPIEIT to win at post-time odds of 3/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Del Mar

08/31/18, DMR, Race 7, 6.29 PT
5F [Turf] 00.54.04 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $62,000.
Claiming Price $20,000 (Non-Starters for a claiming price of $16,000 or less in the last 3 starts preferred)(HORSES THAT ARE ENTERED FOR CLAIMING PRICE ARE RUNNING FORAPURSE OF $35,000). FOR CALIFORNIA BRED OR CALIFORNIA SIRED FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $10,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $20,000
$1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / .50 Cent Trifecta - $2 Double / $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) / $2 WPS Parlay
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 16.00, $1 ROI 0.69, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 4 Judicial 5-1 Roman E A Glatt Mark FEWC
098.4059 12 Lucky Student 8-1 Figueroa H Pender Michael J
097.2883 2 Twisted Rosie 12-1 Pereira T J Stute Gary
097.2857 3 Silky Slew 5-1 Franco G Mathis Andy L
096.7406 10 Maycee Jo 3-1 Espinoza A McLean Bill
094.6030 6 Swallows Inn Gal 30-1 Payeras E Lucas Robert J.
094.0623 1 Batiquitos 4-1 Pedroza M A Spawr William
094.0423 11 Operandi 5/2 Gutierrez M O'Neill Doug F. S
093.6124 5 Unusually Stylish 7/2 Baze T Wright Blaine D. T
091.3555 7 Silver Apples 30-1 Harvey B Nettles Kenneth E.
000.0000 9 Our Lucky Break S
000.0000 8 Bold At Night S
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse Win Percent 27.78, $1 ROI 1.04, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 4 Judicial 5-1 Roman E A Glatt Mark FWC
098.1757 3 Silky Slew 5-1 Franco G Mathis Andy SL
097.8873 12 Lucky Student 8-1 Figueroa H Pender Michael J
097.1834 2 Twisted Rosie 12-1 Pereira T J Stute Gary
095.3437 10 Maycee Jo 3-1 Espinoza A McLean Bill
094.9074 6 Swallows Inn Gal 30-1 Payeras E Lucas Robert J.
094.5124 1 Batiquitos 4-1 Pedroza M A Spawr William E
094.3964 11 Operandi 5/2 Gutierrez M O'Neill Doug F.
093.0153 5 Unusually Stylish 7/2 Baze T Wright Blaine D. T
092.2230 7 Silver Apples 30-1 Harvey B Nettles Kenneth E.
000.0000 9 Our Lucky Break S
000.0000 8 Bold At Night S

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #2 - Post: 2:17pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,500 Class Rating: 92

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 BOLEO (ML=10/1)
#5 LIFE IS A TRIP (ML=4/1)
#6 OUTLOOK (ML=7/2)


BOLEO - Dropped in class last time around the track, and keeps in that lower class right here. A good sign this horse is comfortable and ready to go. Three consecutive improved speed ratings (75-90-92) make this animal a dominant contender. LIFE IS A TRIP - This gelding likes to be near the lead. Today's race is a shorter trip and should aid his winning probability. Trainer Hollendorfer gave this gelding a nice long workout. That's a really good indicator. Just missed hitting the board on Jun 18th at Golden Gate Fields. With decent odds right here in this race, he has my interest. OUTLOOK - I'm optimistic this gelding will run well today. Last work was 2nd fastest of the day, which tells me he's sharp right now. Utilizing this rider/conditioner combination is a smart choice.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 MISTER MOJO (ML=9/5), #1 TROJAN TIME (ML=2/1),

MISTER MOJO - Didn't come through as the favorite in back to back races. Probably won't gain a win today either. Shouldn't play this one as the public's top choice with little to offer for the risk involved. TROJAN TIME - In any race of 5 1/2 furlongs, I like to back a contender that has been sharp in sprint affairs lately. This colt notched a speed fig in his last contest which likely isn't good enough in today's event.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Putting our cash on #3 BOLEO to win. Have to have odds of at least 7/2 or better though

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,5,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Claiming - 4.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $13500 Class Rating: 81

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE JUNE 30 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 5 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 TRICKY LIZ 9/5

# 6 FOXY FRESH 6/5

# 1 AIMING STRAIGHT 15/1

TRICKY LIZ is the top bet in this race. She has been running well recently while recording strong Equibase Speed Figs. Looks formidable to be up near the front end at the first call. Has to be given a chance based on the very good speed figure garnered in the last contest. FOXY FRESH - With one of the strongest riders in terms of gains at the window, don't count this mare out. Had one of the strongest speed figs of this group in her last outing.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Remington Park
Remington Park - Race 7

Exacta / Trifecta (.50 Cent Minimum) / Superfecta (.10 Cent Minimum) Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) (.50 Cent Minimum)


Allowance • 1 Mile • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 97 • Purse: $40,000 • Post: 9:48P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER ON THE TURF SINCE MAY 31, 2018 ALLOWED 3 LBS. (MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ALLOWANCES) (PREFERENCE TO TOTAL EARNINGS IN 2017/2018). (IF MANAGEMENT DEEMS IT NECESSARY TO TAKE THIS RACE OFF THE TURF, IT WILL BE RUN AT A DISTANCE OF 1 MILE ON THE MAIN TRACK.).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Trailer. JOYOUS THUNDER is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SPECIAL ROCKSTAR: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. AMERICIUM: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surfac e (dirt or turf) is at least 50. ADORE: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race). JOYOUS THUNDER: Horse racing off a layoff of 90+ days and horse has run well in the pas t in its first and/or second starts after a long layoff. INDUSTRIAL POLICY: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
6
SPECIAL ROCKSTAR
6/1

9/2
5
AMERICIUM
3/1

7/1
3
ADORE
5/2

7/1
8
JOYOUS THUNDER
9/2

9/1
2
INDUSTRIAL POLICY
7/2

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
TERRA'S ANGEL
4

20/1
Front-runner
87

92

92.8

79.6

69.1
3
ADORE
3

5/2
Front-runner
95

99

82.0

95.4

88.9
5
AMERICIUM
5

3/1
Alternator/Front-runner
92

92

93.8

88.3

78.8
6
SPECIAL ROCKSTAR
6

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
94

90

80.0

90.6

84.1
2
INDUSTRIAL POLICY
2

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
96

86

71.8

85.2

75.2
8
JOYOUS THUNDER
8

9/2
Trailer
98

82

63.8

87.6

81.6
7
STRIVE
7

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
96

99

79.0

85.2

74.2
1
DANCE PROPOSAL
1

8/1
Alternator/Non-contender
89

88

73.0

58.8

47.3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga
RACE #9 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 5:18 PM EASTERN POST
The Lucky Coin Stakes
5½ FURLONGS TURF FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#3 ROCKET HEAT
#8 POCKET CHANGE
#5 READY FOR RYE
#7 EXTRAVAGANT KID

This race honors the career of Lucky Coin who hit the board in 7 of his career starts, all at N.Y.R.A. tracks. Here in the 5th renewal of :The Coin," #3 ROCKET HEAT, a 5-1 shot, has excellent early speed abilities to compliment for this sprint, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" in five straight starts, winning three times in this recent streak of racing consistency. #8 POCKET CHANGE has posted a trio of "Circle Trips" in his last five outings, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 3rd race back. Jockey Irad Ortiz was in his irons for those 3 victories, and is back this afternoon here at "The Spa" for his 4th ride, gunning for a "Grand Slam Win!"

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Race 8 - Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $24100 Class Rating: 86

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD OR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JULY 31 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000, IF FOR $19,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 TURBO DRIVEN DIVA 3/1

# 3 SAM'S CROSS 10/1

# 4 CUATTHEFINISHLINE 6/1

TURBO DRIVEN DIVA has a formidable shot to take this race. Have to look at solely on class, with some of the most respectable class numbers of this group. Earnings per start in dirt sprint races is reliable for this horse. SAM'S CROSS - Her 81 average has this filly with among the strongest speed figures in this event. Could beat this group of horses given the 85 Equibase speed fig posted in her last outing. CUATTHEFINISHLINE - Ought to compete admirably in the early pace clash which bodes well with this group of horses. Should be considered based on the strong speed rating earned in the last contest.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

The New York Yankees have not been shy about making moves this summer to help them make a push for the American League East crown, and they did so again Thursday by reportedly acquiring Andrew McCutchen from San Francisco. The five-time All-Star could debut with his new team as early as Friday as the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers for the second contest of their four-game series.

Minutes after New York dropped a gut-wrenching 8-7 decision to Detroit in Thursday's opener, it reportedly traded for McCutchen, presumably in an attempt to fill the void in the outfield created by Aaron Judge's wrist injury late last month. The former National League MVP would join fellow trade acquisitions Zach Britton, J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn with the Yankees, who fell eight games behind Boston in the AL East but remained 4 1/2 ahead of Oakland for the first wild card. The Tigers entered the series ranked last in the major leagues with 106 home runs but belted five against New York, including Niko Goodrum's tiebreaking solo shot that capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning. Detroit snapped its five-game losing streak as a result, winning for only the eighth time in 26 contests this month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (6-6, 4.38 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (17-6, 3.27)

Zimmermann's second-half struggles continued in Sunday's loss to the Chicago White Sox as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in six innings. Although he has worked at least six frames in four of his last five turns, the 32-year-old is 2-5 with a 5.50 ERA since the All-Star break after going 4-1 with a 3.71 mark during the first half. Giancarlo Stanton (7-for-32, five walks) has recorded three homers and nine strikeouts versus Zimmermann, who is 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in five career starts against the Yankees.

Severino has yet to rediscover his first-half form, but he has managed to win three of his last four starts - including Sunday's victory at Baltimore in which he allowed three runs - two earned - over 5 2/3 innings. The two-time All-Star has fanned eight batters in each of his recent wins, allowing him to move 11 strikeouts away from his second straight season with at least 200. Nicholas Castellanos (6-for-12) is one of the few Tigers who has fared well against Severino, who is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA in four career starts versus Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton reached 300 career homers in his 1,119th career game on Thursday, becoming the fifth-quickest player to hit the plateau in major-league history.

2. Detroit DH Victor Martinez on Thursday registered his first multi-homer performance since July 21, 2017 by belting a pair of shots.

3. New York 2B Gleyber Torres has reached base 11 times in his last four contests and is batting .400 over his last 14 games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Tigers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

A day after helping the Philadelphia Phillies gain ground in the National League East race, the Chicago Cubs will try to damage the host Phillies' playoff hopes when the NL contenders begin a three-game series Friday. Chicago leads the NL Central by 4 1/2 games over St. Louis after opening an 11-game road trip with a 5-4 win Thursday at Atlanta, which leads the Phillies by three games in the NL East.

The Phillies have lost eight of their last 11, but they rallied for an 8-6 win over Washington on Wednesday and gained ground thanks to the Cubs' win over Atlanta on their day off. After the Cubs leave town, the Phillies will play 12 of their next 15 against teams with losing record, but first they have to deal with the NL's best team - and one of its hottest. Chicago has won eight of its last nine and expects to have former MVP Kris Bryant back in the lineup as early as Saturday for the first time since July 23. The Cubs haven't lost a series since dropping two of three at St. Louis from July 27-29.


TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago Plus, NBC 10 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (11-9, 4.33 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-10, 4.76)

Quintana has been inconsistent, but he has pitched better in his last two outings, allowing three runs over 10 innings. The 29-year-old held Cincinnati to two runs over five frames in a win Saturday, snapping a three-start winless streak. Quintana is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three starts against the Phillies.

Pivetta started the month with three straight quality starts, but he has been knocked around in his last two outings. The 25-year-old was tagged for five runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Toronto on Saturday after giving up six runs in 3 2/3 frames in his previous outing versus the New York Mets. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two meetings with the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 10-for-21 with four multi-hit games during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Phillies C Jorge Alfaro is 8-for-26 with two homers and five RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cubs OF Jason Heyward left Thursday's game with a right hamstring injury after diving for a ball in the outfield and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Phillies 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
Jhoulys Chacin was one of the more under-the-radar signings in the offseason, but the veteran right-hander is among the biggest reasons that the Milwaukee Brewers are in the thick of the postseason chase. Chacin can match his career high in wins when he goes for his 14th victory in Friday's opener of a three-game series at the Washington Nationals.

Milwaukee, which is 19-9 in games started by Chacin, is jockeying with St. Louis for the top wild card in the National League. Lorenzo Cain, another offseason acquisition, extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games with a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of Thursday's 2-1 win over Cincinnati as the Brewers improved to 7-3 in their last 10. Washington, which had a three-game winning streak snapped in an 8-6 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday, has been playing .500 ball for most the the past two months and offering no sign it can make a run at a wild-card spot. Right-hander Tanner Roark has lost a career-most 13 games but has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the past five weeks, starting with a dominating performance in Milwaukee last month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jhoulys Chac�n (13-5, 3.61 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (8-13, 3.95)

Chacin had his three-start winning streak snapped last time out, giving up three runs on eight hits and four walks over six innings in a loss to Pittsburgh. He was superb in his previous two outings, yielding only seven hits across 13 scoreless innings, and beat the Nationals on July 23 with 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Chacin has made nine career starts against Washington, posting a 4-2 record and 3.06 ERA.

Roark was a hard-luck loser at the New York Mets on Saturday, coming out on the short end of a 3-0 decision after permitting one run on four hits over six innings. The 31-year-old has surrendered only eight earned runs over the last seven turns, including a win at Milwaukee on July 25 in which he struck out 11 over eight scoreless innings. Christian Yelich is 9-for-36 with one extra-base hit against Roark.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yelich leads the NL with a .316 batting average after going 8-for-15 with three homers and nine RBIs versus the Reds.

2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper, battling a bad cough, is in a 3-for-20 slump.

3. Brewers LHP Dan Jennings rolled his ankle in Thursday's win and had to be assisted off the field.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Brewers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

Tommy Pham is beginning to flaunt some power after a slow start with his new team and hopes to continue the surge when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians for the opener of a three-game set Friday night. Pham is 11-for-23 with a pair of homers and five RBIs in his last five games after going 2-for-22 in his first seven contests with the Rays following a trade deadline deal with St. Louis.

Tampa Bay has won nine of its last 10 games to sit on the fringe of the AL wild-card race, producing 37 runs over the past five contests, and manager Kevin Cash told reporters: "We're getting a lot of contributions, a lot of good at-bats." It will be difficult to continue that type of offense in the series opener as the Indians send two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the mound against Rays fireballer Tyler Glasnow. Cleveland took the rubber match of a three-game set against Minnesota on Thursday afternoon 5-3, improving to 41-25 at home, and has won four consecutive season series against Tampa Bay (4-3 in 2017). Jason Kipnis is beginning to turn around a rough season while going 9-for-15 with two homers and seven RBIs over the last four games for the Indians, and is batting .318 with 15 RBIs in 30 career contests versus the Rays.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 4.18 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (16-7, 2.91)

Glasnow has yet to win in his first five outings since coming over from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline but has a 3.80 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old California native gave up three runs on five hits and three walks across five innings against Kansas City in a no-decision last Thursday. Glasnow faces Cleveland for the first time and is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA on the road overall this season.

Kluber had an uncharacteristic outing against one of the major league's worst offenses last Saturday, yielding five runs over 5 1/3 innings in a setback at Kansas City. The 32-year-old Alabama native had won his previous four decisions over five starts, posting a 2.21 ERA in that stretch. C.J. Cron is 3-for-5 with two doubles versus Kluber, who is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in eight career contests against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland C Yan Gomes, who was rested Thursday, is 11-for-23 with a homer during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Tampa Bay 2B/OF Brandon Lowe is 10-for-28 with a homer and eight RBIs in his last 10 games after starting his major-league career 0-for-19.

3. Indians LF Michael Brantley has recorded multiple hits in seven of his last games, going 15-for-43 in that stretch.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Rays 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Florida Marlins Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 30th August 2018 by Gracenote
Aaron Sanchez could use a strong finish to another injury-marred campaign as he and the Toronto Blue Jays glance toward improvement in 2019. Sanchez will try to recover from a rocky start his last time out when he climbs the hill for the Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game series at the Miami Marlins on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who has struggled to stay healthy since a dynamic All-Star effort in 2016, gave up six runs over four innings in his return from the disabled list against Philadelphia on Saturday. Sanchez will be tasked with trying to get the Blue Jays out of their latest slide, which reached four straight losses with Wednesday's 10-5 loss at Baltimore. They've been outscored 37-13 during the losing streak and have lost seven in a row on the road - their longest such slide since a seven-gamer in 2014 - while posting a 9.77 ERA in that stretch. The Marlins lost leads in back-to-back games at Fenway Park earlier in the week, including Wednesday's affair in which the bullpen was rocked for 11 runs in one inning of a 14-6 loss.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.95 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (5-6, 4.35)

Sanchez is 4-8 with a 4.74 ERA in 24 starts over the last two years after going 15-2 with an American League-leading 3.00 mark in 2016. Despite the rocky outing against the Phillies, he is 4-1 with a 2.68 mark in his career in interleague play. The California native has never faced the Marlins.

Straily snapped a five-game winless streak with six scoreless innings against Atlanta last Friday. His one interleague game this year resulted in seven innings of one-run ball at Tampa Bay on July 20, and the 29-year-old is 7-5 with a 3.87 ERA in his career against the opposing league. Kendrys Morales is 4-for-9 with two homers, one double and two walks against Straily.

WALK-OFFS

1. Morales is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in two games since he put together a streak of seven straight contests with a home run.

2. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto is 5-for-11 with a home run, a double and five RBIs during a three-game hitting streak.

3. Toronto won five of the last six meetings, including all three when the teams last met in 2015.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Marlins 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 08-31-2018 in MLB

The Pittsburgh Pirates won 11 games in a row in July, but that success is only a fading memory heading into the opener of a three-game road series Friday at the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates fell 5-0 on Thursday at St. Louis - their 20th defeat in the past 32 games - and stand at 2-4 on their current nine-game road trip as they head to Atlanta to face a team that leads the National League East by three games and completed a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh last week.

Catcher Francisco Cervelli has reached base in 13 consecutive games for Pittsburgh after going 1-for-4 on Thursday and is hitting .298 in that stretch while left fielder Adam Frazier is batting .344 with 12 doubles and four homers since returning from the minors July 25. Atlanta has dropped two of three to begin a nine-game homestand, losing 5-4 on Thursday to the Chicago Cubs. Rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna continues bolstering his case for NL Player of the Month, finishing 3-for-5 with two runs scored Thursday to raise his average to .339 with 10 homers, 20 RBIs and 24 runs scored in August. Catcher Kurt Suzuki, who doubled and drove home a run, has hits in 10 of his past 11 games with four doubles, a homer, four RBIs and seven runs scored.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet - Pittsburgh, FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (10-9, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 3.05)

Taillon looks to end August with another strong outing after going 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in his first four turns this month. The 26-year-old has pitched to a 2.54 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break after posting a 3.91 ERA in the first half and allowed only one run in six innings in each of his past two starts (a no-decision Aug. 19 against the Cubs and a win Saturday against Milwaukee). Taillon, who has never faced Atlanta, has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 16 consecutive starts.

Sanchez lost his past two outings despite giving up just four runs on nine hits in 12 1/3 innings, in part because the Atlanta offense scored only three runs combined against Colorado on Aug. 19 and Miami on Saturday. The 34-year-old has regressed a bit in the second half, allowing six homers while posting a 3.82 ERA in 37 2/3 innings after allowing just seven home runs and owning a 2.60 ERA in 65 2/3 innings before the All-Star break. Sanchez is 3-5 with a 3.62 career ERA in eight starts against Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Acuna's 38 hits in August is the most by a Braves' 20-year-old since Hank Aaron collected 37 in July of 1954.

2. Pittsburgh OF Gregory Polanco has recorded at least one RBI in four of his past six games. He has also collected at least one hit in eight of his past 10 games is batting .325 in that span.

3. The Braves outscored the Pirates 9-2 in sweeping the three-game series last week.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Pirates 3