Tuesday 9-25-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago White Sox Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Indians vs. White Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

All-Star Trevor Bauer looks to get himself ready for the postseason as he makes the start Tuesday night when the American League Central champion Cleveland Indians visit the Chicago White Sox for the second of a three-game set. Bauer, who returned last Friday for a short appearance after missing more than a month with a stress fracture in his right leg, is expected to throw between 60 and 65 pitches Tuesday.

"The health, the feeling in the ankle, has been better," Bauer told reporters after pitching 1 1/3 innings in Boston last week. "So, everything's trending in a very positive direction." Corey Kluber reached 20 victories for the first time in his career with seven strong innings as the Indians took the series opener 4-0 on Monday for their fifth win in seven games overall and 13th in 17 meetings with the White Sox this season. Chicago, which needs two wins to avoid its first 100-loss season since 1970, has dropped six of its last eight contests after managing four hits and leaving five on base Monday. Nicky Delmonico registered a pair of hits for the White Sox in the series opener and Avisail Garcia extended his hitting streak to four games with a single.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.21 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (7-16, 4.48)

Bauer threw 34 pitches against the Red Sox while giving up two hits and issuing one walk in his first appearance since Aug. 11. The 27-year-old UCLA product, who boasts 215 strikeouts in 167 1/3 innings, had won four straight starts before the abbreviated outing against Boston. Yoan Moncada is 4-for-11 with a homer versus Bauer, who is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts against the White Sox in 2018 and 8-3, 3.15 in his career.

Shields has registered six quality starts in his last nine outings, including two solid efforts against the Indians despite being unable to earn a victory. The 36-year-old Californian held Cleveland to two runs on five hits Thursday in a no-decision and is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts versus the Indians this year. Francisco Lindor is 7-for-15 with two homers against Shields, who is 5-8 with a 3.76 ERA lifetime versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox OF Daniel Palka has 27 homers, tied with Zeke Bonura (1934) for the third-highest total by a rookie in franchise history.

2. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley, who was rested in the series opener, is 9-for-21 with a homer during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu, who has not played since Sept. 16 due to a thigh infection, could be done for the season.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, White Sox 3

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Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Brewers vs. Cardinals Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

The Brewers can take a huge step toward clinching a wild-card berth and remain within striking distance of winning the National League Central on Tuesday when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals in the middle contest of a three-game set. Milwaukee lowered its magic number to clinch a postseason spot to three following Monday's 6-4 victory over St. Louis.

The win stretched out Milwaukee's lead over the Cardinals - the Brewers' closest competition in the wild-card race - to three games with five left to play. The victory also allowed Milwaukee (90-67) to close within 1 1/2 games of the Central-leading Cubs as the club continues its quest to end a six-year postseason drought. The Cardinals (87-70) appeared to be on their way to closing the gap on the Brewers on in the opener after roughing up All-Star reliever Josh Hader and taking a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning, but two late RBIs from Christian Yelich and a wild pickoff throw in the eighth inning ultimately led to the end of St. Louis' three-game winning streak. The loss not only made the Cardinals' bid to overtake the Brewers this week unlikely, but it also reduced their lead over Colorado to a half-game for the final wild card.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin, Dish455 (Milwaukee), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Gio Gonzalez (9-11, 4.28 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (6-1, 3.63)

Gonzales remained unbeaten in three starts since arriving in a trade from Washington earlier this month, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five over six scoreless innings on his 33rd birthday. The two-time All-Star is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA as a member of the Brewers, although all three of his outings with them have come at home. Yadier Molina (8-for-23) has fared well while Matt Carpenter (2-for-19) has not versus Gonzalez, who was tagged for five runs across four frames in a loss at St. Louis on Aug. 14.

Gomber rebounded from his worst performance as a major leaguer to move to 5-1 as a member of the rotation, permitting one run while fanning five over as many innings last Tuesday against Atlanta. The Florida Atlantic product continues to struggle with his control, however, handing out 31 free passes over his first 69 1/3 big-league innings. Gomber, who did not give up a run in two-thirds of an inning in his only appearance versus Milwaukee on June 23, is allowing left-handed hitters to bat .301 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers reached the 90-win mark in the opener for only the eighth time in the franchise's 50-year history.

2. The Cardinals reached Hader for three runs - a walk sandwiched by two homers - in one inning of work Monday after entering the game with only three hits in their first 28 at-bats against him.

3. With a victory in either one of the final two games of this series, Milwaukee will win the season series for the second year in a row after failing to do in the previous six seasons.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Cardinals 3

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Phillies vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

Trevor Story is back in the lineup after a five-game absence and the All-Star shortstop will look to help the Colorado Rockies win their fifth straight contest when they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. Story recorded two doubles as the Rockies rolled to a 10-1 victory in the opener of the four-game series to climb within one-half game of St. Louis for the National League's second wild-card berth.

Story injured his right elbow during a defensive play against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 17 but avoided ligament damage and was able to make a swift return. The Rockies, who opened their season-ending seven-game homestand on Monday, have outscored opponents 23-4 during their winning streak and sit 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the NL West. The Phillies continue to plummet downward as they have lost five in a row and 24 of their last 34 to drop to .500. Philadelphia slugger Rhys Hoskins belted his 33th homer in the series opener but has gone just 6-for-40 over his last 10 games.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (9-11, 4.59 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (5-2, 5.18)

Velasquez has struggled over his last four outings, going 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA. The 26-year-old has worked five or fewer innings in eight consecutive starts and three or fewer in three of those turns. Velasquez defeated the Rockies on June 14, when he gave up two runs and one hit over 6 2/3 innings, to improve to 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA in five career meetings.

Since Jon Gray was moved up to start the series opener after Tyler Anderson (shoulder) was scratched, Colorado manager Bud Black announced he will begin Tuesday's game with Bettis on the mound. Black stated the 29-year-old, who has made six straight relief appearances, likely will only be able to throw between 35 and 50 pitches. Bettis is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon went 1-for-5 in the series opener to extend his career-best hitting streak to 16 games.

2. Philadelphia LF Aaron Altherr (concussion/toe/knee) departed in the fourth inning on Monday after crashing into the left-field fence.

3. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the opener but is homerless in his last 10 contests.

PREDICTION: Rockies 9, Phillies 3

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers send rookie sensation Walker Buehler to the mound Tuesday against the host Arizona Diamondbacks with hopes of moving a step closer toward their sixth consecutive division title. David Freese went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs on Monday as the Dodgers opened the three-game series with a 7-4 victory.

Manny Machado drove in two runs to help Los Angeles win for the 10th time in 12 contests and remain 1 1/2 games ahead of Colorado in the National League West. Justin Turner added two hits and is batting .364 in his last 29 games for the Dodgers, whose magic number for the NL West title is five with five games remaining. There was a large and vocal contingent of Dodgers fans at Chase Field for Monday's series opener against the Diamondbacks, who have dropped 13 of their last 16 contests and scored a total of seven runs during their current four-game losing streak. Ketel Marte provided the bulk of Arizona's offense in Monday's loss by going 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run and three RBIs.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, ESPN, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (7-5, 2.74 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Matt Koch (5-5, 4.26)

Buehler turned in another stellar outing last Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs and three hits while registering a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings of a 5-2 victory over Colorado. The 24-year-old rookie owns a 1.58 ERA over his last 10 starts, recording 79 strikeouts over 62 2/3 frames. "I really like our chances when he's taking the mound," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "I feel the same, obviously, about Clayton (Kershaw). A different sort of track record, but Walker has ascended to that."

Koch has shuttled between the bullpen and rotation this season but earned another start after tossing four scoreless innings of relief against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. "He threw the ball extremely well in the back end of that game," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "We felt like this is a good opportunity for him to go out there and get a true start." The 27-year-old rookie is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two career games (one start) versus the Dodgers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles has won 10 of its last 14 games on the road, where it has gone 44-32 this season.

2. Arizona 1B Christian Walker is day-to-day after being hit in the face by a pitch in the eighth inning of Monday's contest.

3. The Dodgers activated RHP J.T. Chargois from the 10-day disabled list.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 1

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Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Rangers vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

The Los Angeles Angels turned on the power to end their five-game losing streak and hope the surge continues when they resume their season-ending six-game homestand on Tuesday with the middle contest of their three-game set against the Texas Rangers. Los Angeles belted four solo homers in the series opener, including a lead-off, pinch-hit blast by Jose Briceno in the 11th inning that produced a 5-4 victory.

Shohei Ohtani, Jefry Marte and Michael Hermosillo also went deep, with the latter's shot being his first in the major leagues, as the Angels posted their first win since last Tuesday at Oakland. Texas is looking to break out of its funk as it continues its season-ending seven-game road trip. The Rangers staged a two-out rally in the ninth inning on Monday as Ronald Guzman doubled before pinch-runner Delino DeShields scored on pinch-hitter Elvis Andrus' single, but the team went on to suffer its sixth loss in eight contests. Guzman also belted a solo homer to complete his second consecutive two-hit performance after going 1-for-17 over his previous seven games.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (8-6, 6.59 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-2, 5.48)

Gallardo has struggled down the stretch, surrendering 14 runs on 20 hits and nine walks over 12 1/3 innings in his last three starts - all losses. The 32-year-old from Mexico suffered his fifth defeat in six decisions last Tuesday, when he yielded three runs on eight hits and three walks in five frames against Tampa Bay. Gallardo fell to 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus the Angels after yielding six runs and six hits in three innings at Los Angeles on Sept. 12.

Shoemaker lost his second straight start on Thursday as he was tagged for five runs and five hits in just 2 2/3 innings at Oakland. It was just the fifth outing of the season for the 31-year-old native of Michigan, who allowed three runs or fewer in each of the first four but has yet to last six frames. Shoemaker is 4-2 with a 4.91 ERA in seven career starts against Texas, including a no-decision on Sept. 3 in which he gave up two hits over five scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels CF Mike Trout drew two walks on Monday to raise his season total to a franchise-record 117, breaking the mark he set in 2016.

2. Texas INF Jurickson Profar belted his 19th homer in his 140th game of the season on Monday after going deep only 12 times over his first 206 major-league contests.

3. Los Angeles SS Andrelton Simmons (knee) sat out the series opener but could return to the lineup on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 3

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Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

The Oakland Athletics have clinched an American League postseason berth, but they still have business in front of them as they visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Oakland is 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the battle for the top wild-card spot and home-field advantage in next week's one-game playoff.

The Athletics' playoff spot was cemented when Tampa Bay lost to New York on Monday, but they went out and posted a 7-3 victory over the Mariners. Slugger Khris Davis belted his major league-leading 46th homer while Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie and Jonathan Lucroy also went deep as Oakland remained 4 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West. Seattle has been outscored 13-4 while losing its last two games as it plays out the string of a season in which it missed the playoffs for a 17th straight time. Dee Gordon hit a two-run homer on Monday and Robinson Cano launched a solo shot.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Brett Anderson (4-5, 3.96 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Mike Leake (10-10, 4.10)

Anderson defeated the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn as he allowed three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. The 30-year-old is 3-3 with a 2.98 ERA and .229 batting average against in nine starts since the All-Star break after being 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA and .356 opponents' average in six outings prior to the Midsummer Classic. Anderson settled for a no-decision on Aug. 15, when he held Seattle to five hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings, and is 8-4 with a 1.82 ERA in 18 career appearances (17 starts) versus the club.

Leake had his two-start winning streak halted his last time out, when he gave up five runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings against Houston. The 30-year-old is 2-4 with a 3.88 ERA since the All-Star break but has issued just five walks over 62 2/3 frames during that stretch. Leake is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts against Oakland this season and 1-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven career outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lowrie needs five RBIs to reach 100 for the first time in his career.

2. Seattle RF Mitch Haniger was hitless in four at-bats in the series opener, halting his 11-game hitting streak.

3. Davis has registered 120 RBIs, putting him second in the majors behind Boston's J.D. Martinez (124).

PREDICTION: Athletics 4, Mariners 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-25-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Padres vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/25/2018

The San Diego Padres have split the first four contests of their six-game road trip and look to notch a second straight victory when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Padres blanked the Giants 5-0 in the series opener on Monday after losing two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road.

Jose Pirela homered as part of his 10th three-hit performance of the campaign and Franmil Reyes drove in two runs while recording his fifth two-hit effort in 10 games to lead the Padres' 12-hit attack in the series opener. Wil Myers notched two hits for the third time in four contests and Hunter Renfroe recorded a run-scoringI single for his 40th RBI since the start of August. The Giants have dropped five straight games and are a miserable 4-17 this month. San Francisco fired general manager Bobby Evans prior to the game - he will be reassigned in the organization - and CEO Larry Baer said the club with be "looking for someone that sort of is the 'next-gen' general manager, if you will."

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Robbie Erlin (4-7, 4.33 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Stratton (10-10, 4.88)

Erlin defeated the Giants on Wednesday, when he allowed three runs and five hits over five innings. The 27-year-old lost his previous four outings, posting a porous 7.85 ERA during that stretch. Erlin is 1-3 with a 5.64 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against San Francisco.

Stratton lost when matched up against Erlin last week as he surrendered five runs and six hits over three innings. The 27-year-old tossed his first career shutout in his previous outing as he limited Colorado to two hits while registering seven strikeouts. Stratton is 1-2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts against the Padres this season and 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA in five career appearances (four starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 1B Eric Hosmer is batting just .222 in 72 at-bats this month.

2. San Francisco OF Hunter Pence recorded two hits in the series opener and is 7-for-18 over his last five contests.

3. Renfroe has belted eight home runs in September and 17 in his last 44 games.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

Sep 25 '18, 7:10 PM in 4h
MLB | Braves vs Mets
Play on: Mets -143 at 5Dimes

My free play is on the NY Mets at 7:10 ET. The 88-68 Atlanta Braves have clinched the National League East, securing their first postseason berth since 2013 (club had lost 90-plus games each of the last three seasons!). Atlanta will complete its season with a six-game road trip this week, starting in Queens against the New York Mets and ending this weekend in Philadelphia against the Phillies. The Braves hope to build on their slim lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL's second seed and home-field advantage in the NLDS. However, while the Braves 'sat' on Monday, the Dodgers won and now at 88-69, are just a half-game back of Atlanta. The Mets opened 2018 at 11-1 but the season spiraled out of control during a 5-21 June. The 78-83 Mets took three of four from the Nationals this past weekend and have gone 41-35 since July 1.
Touki Toussaint (2-1, 4.30 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta and will go up against Noah Syndergaard (12-4, 3.36 ERA). Toussaint is coming the most important outing of his short big-league career, as he struck out eight while allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday to beat St. Louis and snap Atlanta’s four-game losing streak. Here, he makes his sixth appearance and fifth start of 2018 (he has posted a 3.27 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP in his four starts, going 2-1 and the team is 3-1). Syndergaard made only seven starts in 2017 because of injury but in 23 starts this year he has regained his place among the notable starters in MLB. He's averaging 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings and since the All Star break has gone 7-3 in 11 starts with a 3.75 ERA.
The Braves are 47-23 against the NL East this season, after going 103-124 within the division from 2015-17. Yes, the Braves want that No. 2 seed in the National League but they will be giving some of their regulars time off during this final week. Syndergaard has won his last SIX starts at Citi Field and makes it "lucky No. 7" right here!
Good luck...Larry

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Mike Williams

Sep 25 '18, 8:05 PM in 5h
MLB | Pirates vs Cubs
Play on: Cubs -137 at BMaker

1* on Cubs -137

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Scott Rickenbach

Sep 25 '18, 8:05 PM in 5h
MLB | Pirates vs Cubs
Play on: Pirates +130 at betonline

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MLB Game #955 Tuesday MLB Free Pick Pittsburgh Pirates Money Line (+) @ Chicago Cubs @ 8:05 ET - The Pirates are relishing the role of spoiler here and you know Chris Archer would love to be a part of it. The Pittsburgh right-hander was in the Cubs organization prior to being unloaded to the Rays before the 2011 season. Archer has a solid 3.00 ERA in his 3 starts versus the Cubs in his career. He is coming off of a great start in his most recent outing and the Pirates have won 7 of their last 9 games so Archer should get plenty of run support here. The Cubs Mike Montgomery has solid numbers on the season but opponents are actually hitting nearly .300 against him in his starts at Wrigley Field this season. Chicago is 0-6 in Montgomery's last 6 starts versus divisional opponents. Grab the underdog line value with a highly motivated team and a highly motivated pitcher. Keep in mind, the Pirates are playing with no pressure on them while the Cubs are feeling the pressure of the Brewers breathing down their necks for the NL Central division title. Free Pick PITTSBURGH

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Sal Michaels

Sep 25 '18, 8:10 PM in 5h
MLB | DET vs MIN
Play on: UNDER 9½ -120

Free Play on Tigers vs Twins under 9½ -120

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Bobby Conn

Sep 25 '18, 8:10 PM in 5h
MLB | Indians vs White Sox
Play on: White Sox +190 at

1* Free Play on White Sox +190

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Totals Guru

Sep 25 '18, 8:10 PM in 5h
MLB | CLE vs CWS
Play on: UNDER 8½ +105

Free Total Annihilator On Indians vs White Sox under 8½ +105

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Kenny Walker

Sep 25 '18, 8:10 PM in 5h
MLB | Indians vs White Sox
Play on: White Sox +190 at

Free Pick on White Sox

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Mike Lundin

Sep 25 '18, 8:10 PM in 5h
MLB | Tigers vs Twins
Play on: Tigers +139 at GTBets

#MLB FREE PICK FROM MIKE LUNDIN
The Detroit Tigers visit the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night for the opener of a three-game series. The Twins have won five of their last seven, but I think the value is on the underdog Detroit in this matchup.
The Twins are expected to use an opener and then hand over the ball to 23 year old Kohl Stewart (2-1, 4.40 ERA). He has made only seven appearances (four starts) in the big leagues and I don't think Minnesota deserves to be this big of a favorite.
Detroit turns to Spencer Turnbull (0-1, 10.80 ERA) who allowed six runs on six hits and a walk through four innings against Detroit last week. It was the 26 year old's first big league start ever, and he should be more composed in this contest. "I'm not worried about it. I'm sure I'll get better from it. I'm trusting myself more than I ever have. I know that I have the stuff. I know that I'm good (enough) to do it. It's just executing and not trying to do too much; just breathing, just calming down." Turnbull said.
Free pick on Detroit Tigers.