Friday 9-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Cardinals vs. Cubs Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/28/2018

One of the most heated rivalries in baseball will have a little extra fuel this weekend. The Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday afternoon for the opener of a season-ending three-game series, with both teams fighting to determine their postseason fate.

The Cubs have clinched a playoff berth, but they're locked in a tight race with Milwaukee for the National League Central title - and the NL's top seed. Chicago increased its lead over the Brewers to one game with a 3-0 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday. The Cardinals' playoff hopes took a big hit earlier this week as they were on the wrong side of a three-game sweep in their showdown with Milwaukee, dropping them one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second wild-card spot. Adam Wainwright could be making his final start for the Cardinals in the series opener.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest (St. Louis), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (2-3, 4.08 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (13-11, 3.49)

Wainwright has made three starts since returning from the disabled list, and the Cardinals have won all three. The 37-year-old struck out six while allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against San Francisco in his last outing. Wainwright is 15-9 with a 3.94 ERA in 44 career games (35 starts) versus the Cubs, including an 11-2 record at Wrigley Field.

Hendricks has allowed fewer than three earned runs in seven straight starts, posting a 1.55 ERA over that stretch. The 28-year-old has given up just one run in each of his last two outings after limiting the crosstown White Sox to four hits over 7 2/3 innings in a win on Sunday. Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 career starts against St. Louis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 3B-OF Kris Bryant (wrist) missed his second consecutive game Thursday and is day-to-day.

2. Cardinals 1B Matt Carpenter is hitting .105 with two extra-base hits and 16 strikeouts over his last 11 contests.

3. Cubs 2B Daniel Murphy, who has gone 11-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak, is 8-for-20 with three extra-base hits against Wainwright.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Cardinals 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Pirates vs. Reds Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to clinch a winning campaign for the first time since 2015 when they begin a season-ending three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The Pirates managed just three hits in a 3-0 loss at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Thursday, their second straight setback following an 8-2 surge.

Pittsburgh (80-78) did manage five walks against the Cubs but they were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position while falling to 41-32 against National League Central opponents. The Reds have scored just five runs during a five-game losing streak, including a 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. After shutting down Luis Castillo due to an innings restriction, Cincinnati bumped Anthony DeSclafani into Friday's start. Rookie Nick Kingham goes for the Pirates, who swept a three-game set at Cincinnati in July.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Nick Kingham (5-7, 5.23 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (7-7, 4.91)

Kingham is coming off a disastrous start in a loss against Milwaukee on Sunday, giving up six runs (five earned) over 1 1/3 innings. He is 0-3 with a 12.19 ERA over his last four starts. The 26-year-old's last win came at Cincinnati on July 21, when he let up two runs and four hits across 6 1/3 innings.

DeSclafani tied a career high with 10 strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings but took the loss at Miami his last time out. The outing left the New Jersey native with an 0-3 record and an ERA of 7.04 in five September starts. Corey Dickerson is 3-for-7 with two home runs against DeSclafani.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates CF Starling Marte has 12 RBIs in 13 games against the Reds this year.

2. Reds 2B Scooter Gennett is 3-for-20 over his last five games to drop his average to .313, eight points behind NL leader Christian Yelich.

3. Pittsburgh has won each of the last six meetings by a combined margin of 42-11.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Astros vs. Orioles Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The Houston Astros will have plenty of opportunities to tune up for the playoffs over the final three days of the regular season. After a rainout in Baltimore on Thursday, the Astros and host Orioles will squeeze their four-game series into a three-day span, beginning with Friday's series opener and a doubleheader Saturday.

Houston, which has clinched the second seed in the American League playoffs, will try to take advantage of otherwise meaningless games to get primed for an ALDS matchup with Cleveland beginning next Friday. "I have stressed to them not to get sloppy," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "You don't want to play like it's spring training, then have to go back into playoff mode. I don't want them to get into bad habits. We have to play the games and you have to keep your edge. You can't not compete." Gerrit Cole will start Friday for Houston as he needs 5 2/3 innings to reach 200 for the second straight time. The Orioles, who already played a doubleheader Wednesday at Fenway Park, give the ball to David Hess.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.92 ERA) vs. Orioles RH David Hess (3-10, 5.14)

Cole ranks fifth in the AL in ERA and second behind teammate Justin Verlander with 272 strikeouts. He fanned 12 while allowing three runs over seven innings to defeat the Los Angeles Angels last Friday. The Orioles are one of three teams (also Pittsburgh, Minnesota) that Cole has never faced.

Hess is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four September starts but allowed just two runs and four hits over five innings at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. He gave up a total of five home runs over his last two contests after getting through three straight starts without serving up a homer. The Tennessee native will be facing the Astros for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston (100-58) needs three wins in the final series to set a franchise record for victories in a season.

2. Orioles LF Trey Mancini is 9-for-26 with four extra-base hits during a six-game hitting streak.

3. The Astros have won 11 of the last 12 meetings.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Orioles 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 28th September 2018 by Gracenote
Marlins vs. Mets Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/28/2018

Despite going hitless in his last game, Michael Conforto has enjoyed one of the finest Septembers in the history of the New York Mets. The 2017 All-Star hopes to take another few steps toward a team record Friday when the Mets host the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game set between National League East rivals.

Conforto finished 0-for-2 with a pair of walks as New York rolled to a 4-1 win Thursday in the rubber match of its three-game series with division champion Atlanta to improve to 16-9 in September. That success is due in no small part to the offensive contributions of the 25-year-old Seattle native, who has 29 RBIs this month - five shy of club mark for September set by Hall of Famer Gary Carter in 1984. The Marlins (62-96) are wrapping up their ninth consecutive losing season and have dropped eight of their last nine road contests. The first three of those setbacks came when they were outscored 22-5 in New York just over two weeks ago and the last three came earlier this week when they were swept in Washington, giving up at least seven runs in each contest.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (8-12, 4.07 ERA) vs. Mets RH Corey Oswalt (3-3, 6.08)

Urena is unbeaten in his last seven starts and won each of his four in September in dominant fashion, lowering his ERA for the month to 1.13 on Saturday when he blanked Cincinnati over 5 2/3 innings. One of those recent outings was a road victory versus the Mets on Sept. 11, holding them to one run over 6 1/3 frames. Urena, who will reach nine wins for a second straight season with a victory Friday despite beginning the year 3-12, is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts against the Mets this season.

Oswalt took his first loss since July 9 in Washington on Saturday, giving up two runs on four hits over five innings. The 25-year-old San Diego native has proven to be much more comfortable as a starter 16 games into his big-league career, going 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 turns versus 1-0, 12.54 in five relief appearances. J.T. Realmuto and Starlin Castro each have two hits in five career at-bats versus Oswalt, who has been tagged for nine runs in 8 2/3 frames while going 0-1 against Miami in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets OF Brandon Nimmo is only 1-for-13 over his last six games, but he has drawn 10 walks over that span - including nine in the last four contests.

2. Miami OF Brian Anderson has 159 hits this season, the most by a Marlin rookie since Chris Coghlan in 2009 (162)

3. New York starting pitchers are 10-4 with a major league-best 2.68 ERA this month.

PREDICTION: Marlins 4, Mets 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Yankees vs. Red Sox Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The New York Yankees watched the Boston Red Sox wrap up the American League East in the Bronx just over a week ago and they hope to have their own celebration at Fenway Park this weekend. The Yankees have a magic number of one for clinching the top wild card and can nail it down with a victory in Friday night's opener of a three-game series versus the Red Sox.

New York needs one win or a loss by Oakland to secure home field for Wednesday's one-game playoff against the Athletics, a task made easier by the fact that Boston has nothing to play for. "We know what's at stake, and we took a good step toward it," said Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton after he homered twice in Thursday's 12-1 drubbing at Tampa Bay to move his team closer to the potential clincher. Left-hander J.A. Happ, who is 6-0 in 10 starts since he was acquired from Toronto, will get the nod against Boston in the series opener and is on track to start the wild-card game. Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez, who is 21-for-63 with 17 RBIs in 16 games against New York this season, enters the series batting .330 overall with 42 homers and 127 RBIs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, WPIX (New York), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH J.A. Happ (16-6, 3.57 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (4-4, 4.11)

Happ did not factor in the decision last time out, holding Baltimore to one run and five hits over five innings -- the eighth time in 10 starts since joining the Yankees that he allowed two runs or fewer. He also had a no-decision in his previous turn against the Red Sox, permitting only an unearned run on four hits over six innings. Steve Pearce has been a nemesis for Happ, going 10-for-29 with five homers.

Johnson has pitched primarily out of the bullpen in 2018 but the last of his 12 starts was an ugly one -- he lasted only 1 1/3 innings and was rocked for four runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings at the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 2. He beat the Yankees on Aug. 2 but had mixed results, striking out 11 while allowing five runs in five innings. Johnson also made three scoreless relief appearances versus New York this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees SS Didi Gregorius (wrist) was cleared for baseball activities and could play this weekend.

2. Martinez needs one homer to surpass Dick Stuart (1963) for the most in a player's first season with Boston.

3. The Yankees need four homers to match the major-league record of 264 set by Seattle in 1997.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:33 AM

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Blue Jays vs. Rays Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

Having been officially eliminated from postseason contention to start the week, the Tampa Bay Rays still have a pair of goals remaining entering the final series of the season Friday night against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays are two wins shy of reaching 90 for the season and need one more victory to post 50 wins at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay has dropped three of four following Thursday's 12-1 mauling by the New York Yankees, but they stayed in contention in a top-heavy American League East until the final week of the season. Tommy Pham had his 10-game hitting streak snapped Thursday but he has reached safely in 29 consecutive games, the longest active string in the AL. Toronto halted a three-game slide with a 3-1 win over Houston on Wednesday to give outgoing manager John Gibbons a victory in his final home game with the franchise. Randal Grichuk, who has hit safely in five of the last six games, belted a two-run homer in the victory to establish a career high with 25.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNET, TVA Sports (Toronto), FS Sun Tampa Bay

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Thomas Pannone (4-1, 3.58 ERA) vs. Rays RH Tyler Glasnow (2-7, 4.23)

Pannone is winding up his abbreviated rookie season on a high note, winning his third consecutive start after holding Tampa Bay to two runs -- both on solo homers -- and six hits over six innings. The long ball has been among the few concerns for the 24-year-old, who has allowed six runs and 14 hits over 20 innings, including five homers, during the winning streak. Pham and Jesus Sucre each homered off Pannone.

Although Glasnow lost for the fourth time in his last five outings, he posted his fourth quality start in that span by giving up three runs over six innings at Toronto on Saturday. He was superb in his previous turn, blanking Texas on two hits over six innings, and gave up two runs over seven innings in a loss to Cleveland on Sept. 11. Glasnow was rocked for seven runs in two-thirds of an inning at Toronto on Sept. 5.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays DH C.J. Cron went deep Thursday and is one shy of becoming the ninth player in franchise history to reach 30.

2. Blue Jays 1B Justin Smoak is 2-for-21 over the past eight games.

3. Rays 3B Matt Duffy (right quadriceps) missed Thursday's game and will be re-evaluated Friday.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Blue Jays 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:34 AM

Washington Nationals vs. Colorado Rockies Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Nationals vs. Rockies Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The red-hot Colorado Rockies embark on what could be a historic weekend at Coors Field in Denver when they begin a three-game series with the Washington Nationals on Friday. Colorado (89-70), which has won seven straight after Thursday's 5-3 victory over Philadelphia, has never won the National League West but controls its own fate with a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Rockies could also clinch a playoff berth with a victory Friday coupled with a St. Louis loss to the Cubs in Chicago. Colorado outscored the Phillies 39-7 in this week's four-game sweep with David Dahl homering in each game and totaling 11 RBIs in the series while Trevor Story (team-best 35 home runs), who shares the team lead in RBIs with Nolan Arenado (105), went deep in each of the last two contests. The Rockies' Kyle Freeland, a Denver native, is 9-2 with an eye-popping 2.36 ERA in 14 starts at Coors Field this season and opposes Joe Ross, who makes his third and final appearance in a season that began late because of Tommy John surgery. "The consistency in performance has been as good as anybody in the game, especially when you consider around half his starts have come at altitude," Rockies manager Bud Black told the Denver Post about Freeland, who hasn't lost since Aug. 1. "He's living on the black."

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (0-1, 4.09 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84)

Ross allowed four runs (three earned), eight hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings of a 4-2 loss to the New York Mets on Sept. 21. The 25-year-old Californian made his first start since July 9, 2017 when he received a no-decision after yielding two runs and four hits over five innings of Washington's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13. Ross has made one start against Colorado on April 25, 2017 at Coors Field, receiving a no-decision after permitting five runs across 4 2/3 innings of the Nationals' 15-12 victory.

Freeland allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings of a 2-0 victory at Arizona on Sunday, improving to 7-0 with a 2.10 ERA in his last 10 starts - all of the quality variety. The 25-year-old and eighth overall pick of the 2014 draft is 15-3 after going 1-4 with a 4.24 ERA in six April outings. Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-5 with a three-run homer versus Freeland, who is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in two starts versus Washington after allowing one run over 4 2/3 innings and earning a no-decision in April.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies RHP Wade Davis set a club record with his NL-leading 42nd save Thursday and hasn't blown one since Aug. 3.

2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper (.244, 34 home runs, 100 RBIs this season), who may have played his last home game in a Washington uniform Wednesday, is batting .377 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 61 at-bats with 14 walks and 18 runs scored at Coors Field.

3. Jorge De La Rosa, a LHP now with the Cubs, holds the Rockies record for lowest ERA in a season at Coors Field - 2.76 in 2013.

PREDICTION: Rockies 11, Nationals 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:34 AM

Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Athletics vs. Angels Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The Oakland Athletics have already secured an American League wild-card berth, so they'll switch their sights to wresting away homefield advantage from the New York Yankees when they begin a regular season-ending three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Oakland faces an uphill climb to avoid playing at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, though, as New York's magic number to clinch the top wild-card spot is one with a trip to Boston looming this weekend.

"Everything now is just a day-at-a-time mentality,'' Athletics right-hander Edwin Jackson told reporters. "Can't really look too far ahead. We'll find out what's next in due time, and I'll just sit back and enjoy (making the playoffs) and watch us continue to go out and battle and see how many games we can win in this last little stretch." Oakland continues to ride the bat of Khris Davis, who belted his major league-leading 47th home run Wednesday and has 192 career homers in his first six seasons - 132 in the last three years. Los Angeles (78-81) is coming off a three-game sweep of Texas and needs to win its last three games to avoid its first three-year stretch of losing seasons since 1992-94. Mike Fiers is 5-1 with a 2.90 ERA in nine starts since joining Oakland and opposes Jaime Barria, who has enjoyed a solid rookie season.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (12-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jaime Barria (10-9, 3.54)

Fiers received a no-decision after allowing one run, four hits and one walk while striking out five in six innings of Oakland's 3-2 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. The Athletics are 8-1 in starts made by 33-year-old Florida native, who was 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA while with Detroit before joining Oakland in August. Mike Trout is 6-for-17 with a home run, four doubles, five RBIs, four walks and six strikeouts versus Fiers, who is 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in nine starts versus Los Angeles after a no-decision this season when he yielded one run over 5 2/3 innings May 30.

Barria received a no-decision after allowing one run, four hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings of Los Angeles' 10-5 loss at Houston on Saturday. The 22-year-old Panamanian has a 1.27 WHIP with 117 hits allowed and 94 strikeouts against 41 walks across 124 2/3 innings this season. Barria, who makes his first career start versus Oakland, had a 3.55 ERA in 13 outings prior to the All-Star Game and 3.53 in 12 games after the break.

WALK-OFFS

1. Trout (.313, 38 home runs, 77 RBIs) needs one run scored to become the seventh player in history with six 100-run seasons in his first seven years (Alex Rodriguez, seven; Hank Aaron, Bill Dahlen, Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott and Albert Pujols, six apiece).

2. Oakland, which is third in the major leagues with 223 home runs, leads baseball with 132 on the road.

3. The teams have split 16 meetings this year as the Athletics try to win their first season series over Los Angeles since 2013.

PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Angels 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:34 AM

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Diamondbacks vs. Padres Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The Arizona Diamondbacks bid to secure a winning record this season Friday when they host the San Diego Padres (64-95) in the opener of a three-game series at Chase Field. That's likely little consolation for the Diamondbacks (81-78), who began September in first place in the National League West before a series of four-game losing skids dropped them out of postseason contention.

"You always want to finish up strong. It's been a really tough month for us, to say the least, but our last home game here we came out and played some really good baseball," said A.J. Pollock, who belted a three-run homer in Arizona's 7-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Pollock has gone deep three times during his five-game hitting streak and is 18-for-52 with three homers, 11 RBIs and nine runs scored in the season series versus San Diego. The cellar-dwelling Padres might not have much riding on the final three contests of the campaign, however Freddy Galvis doesn't see it that way as he closes in on playing in all 162 games for the second straight year. "I feel like when I'm on the field I can help the team to win some games," Galvis told reporters. "I can do it with the bat, I can do it with the glove, I can do it with my mind. Playing 162 is really important to me."

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.23 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (6-7, 4.60)

Corbin dropped his second straight start and fell to 1-3 in his last seven outings Saturday after allowing four runs on five hits in three innings of a 5-1 setback versus Colorado. The 29-year-old issued four walks in that contest, matching the sum total of his previous five starts. Corbin owns a 1-0 mark and has struck out 19 in two starts this season against San Diego despite permitting six runs in 12 innings.

Lauer posted his first win since July 10 after yielding one run on four hits in five innings of a 5-3 triumph at the Dodgers last Friday. The 23-year-old has been taken deep in each of his last two outings, but that wasn't the case in his lone encounter with Arizona this season. Lauer, who allowed one run in five frames of a 6-3 win versus the Diamondbacks on July 5, has permitted three runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego CF Travis Jankowski, who is 6-for-38 against Arizona this season, homered to highlight his three-hit performance in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over San Francisco.

2. Diamondbacks RF David Peralta, who hit his 30th homer Wednesday, is 9-for-40 against the Padres this season.

3. San Diego's 29 home wins are the fewest in the National League and second-worst in the majors (Baltimore).

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:34 AM

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants Preview and Predictions 09-28-2018 in MLB

MLB Previews 27th September 2018 by Gracenote
Dodgers vs. Giants Preview and Predictions

by Gracenote on 09/27/2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers have answered a scintillating 10-2 stretch with back-to-back losses to put their postseason plans in jeopardy. The Dodgers (88-71) aim to return to their winning ways Friday when they play the opener of a three-game series versus the reeling San Francisco Giants (73-86), who have lost 18 of their last 23 contests.

Los Angeles dropped two straight to Arizona and trails first-place Colorado by one game in the National League West, but lead St. Louis by one game for the second wild-card spot. Cody Bellinger was mired in a 1-for-12 rut before recording consecutive two-hit performances, highlighted by his RBI single in Wednesday's 7-2 setback to the Diamondbacks. While the Dodgers are entertaining postseason aspirations, the Giants -- manager Bruce Bochy contends -- will look to gain valuable experience while playing the role of spoiler. "I've never liked being in this position," Bochy told reporters. "I like being in the other position, but it's good for the guys. These games are going to mean a lot. It's good experience for the young guys. There's a lot at stake."

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network; Sportsnet Los Angeles, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (6-3, 2.00 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (6-6, 3.20)

Ryu has scattered four hits in back-to-back scoreless outings, highlighted by his eight-strikeout performance versus San Diego on Sunday. The 31-year-old South Korean has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his 14 appearances this season and has permitted only two earned runs with 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in two starts versus San Francisco. Hunter Pence (13-for-31, seven RBIs) and Gorkys Hernandez (3-for-8) have rattled Ryu in his career.

Bumgarner has given the home fans plenty for which to cheer, as the 29-year-old has not yielded a run in his last three starts (20 innings) at AT&T Park. Bumgarner followed up a 3-0 win versus Colorado on Sept. 15 by allowing three runs in six innings of a no-decision at St. Louis six days later. Enrique Hernandez is a robust 16-for-36 with four homers and eight RBIs versus Bumgarner, however the hurler has flustered Yasmani Grandal (1-for-13, seven strikeouts).

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford (6-for-51, 14 strikeouts) and 3B Evan Longoria (9-for-48, 10 strikeouts) have struggled mightily versus Los Angeles this season.

2. Dodgers SS Manny Machado is 7-for-24 with two homers, eight RBIs and three runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

3. Pence is 8-for-19 with a homer and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Dodgers 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:35 AM

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

Race 8 - Optional Claiming - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $70000 Class Rating: 100

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE AND APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $13,000 TWICE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $40,000. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 125 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES OTHER THAN CLAIMING OR STARTER SINCE MAY 1, 2018 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 1 SWORD FIGHTER 12/1

# 4 FLEET IRISH 8/1

# 5 DEZZER 3/1

SWORD FIGHTER is the top bet in this contest especially at 12/1. Could best this group here, showing formidable figs of late. Win percentage under similar conditions may be the key for this gelding. Has quite good Equibase Class Figures relative to this field - worth a look. FLEET IRISH - Should best this group of animals here, showing formidable numbers of late. Well above average win rate at this distance/surface. DEZZER - He looks very good in this spot and I expect will be on the front end or close at the midpoint. Ran a sharp last race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:36 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Churchill Downs - Race #4 - Post: 2:14pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $25,000 Class Rating: 91

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 DONWELL (ML=3/1)
#3 COME ON DOVER (ML=7/2)
#7 DROP KICK (ML=5/2)

DONWELL - I predict a perfect trip. Stalk the early speed, and make a bold move on the turn. Have to make this gelding a win candidate; he comes off a solid race on September 3rd. COME ON DOVER - Lower weight carried of -5. In my opinion, a movement of 5 is important, so this gelding falls into this category. DROP KICK - After a pair of sprints, he's routing today, which is probably what this colt wants to do. Took a big class drop last out, and I think he may have needed it. Tomlinson enters him at a similar level today. I'd expect an improved performance.

Vulnerable Contenders: #9 HONOR MISSION (ML=4/1), #5 AWESOME FU (ML=6/1),

HONOR MISSION - Equibase speed figs tell a tale of lessening condition. AWESOME FU - Don't think this mount will do much running in today's race. That last speed fig was mediocre when compared with today's class rating.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - COME ON DOVER - This magnificent animal should be your wagering choice today. This gelding has posted improving speed figures in his last two races.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #1 DONWELL on the nose if you can get odds of 3/1 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with [3,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,3,7] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[1,3,7] with [1,3,7] with [1,2,3,7,8] with [1,2,3,7,8] Total Cost: $36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:36 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

09/28/18, GP, Race 9, 6.02 ET
1M [Turf] 1.31.02 CLAIMING. Purse $20,000.
Claiming Price $10,000 (Races where entered for $8,000 or less not considered in allowances). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES
$1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Top Horse Win Percent 24.10, $1 ROI 0.89, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 8 Peggity 8-1 Vasquez M A Pompay Teresa M. TS
099.5773 10 Soldiers Pride 2-1 Gaffalione T Nicks Ralph E. E
099.0831 11 Ashley's Rose 10-1 Panici L Laurato Michael V. FWC
098.3368 12 Michelle'z Laugh 6-1 Montalvo C Vitali Marcus J.
097.9985 5 Nailed It 6-1 Juarez N Vitali Marcus J. L
096.9648 2 Just Sassy 20-1 Camacho S Wasilewski Christine
096.8302 1 S S Illuminati 9/2 Zayas E J O'Connell Kathleen
095.8615 6 Stormy Arabella 6-1 Reyes L Thomas Monte R.
095.2012 3 Glamorous Thunder 15-1 Sanchez J Ubide Max
094.8531 9 Sunshine Treasure 15-1 Lopez P Orseno Joseph F. J
093.8383 4 Miss Lotus Flower 30-1 Mitchell R Morrison Michael S.
093.5576 13 Zarabanda 20-1 Medina A Rodriguez Juan Andres
089.7282 7 Princess Zoe 15-1 Maragh R R Sano Antonio
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse Win Percent 31.21, $1 ROI 0.86, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 8 Peggity 8-1 Vasquez M A Pompay Teresa M. TSF
099.5637 10 Soldiers Pride 2-1 Gaffalione T Nicks Ralph E. E
099.2003 5 Nailed It 6-1 Juarez N Vitali Marcus J. L
099.1336 11 Ashley's Rose 10-1 Panici L Laurato Michael V. WC
098.9077 1 S S Illuminati 9/2 Zayas E J O'Connell Kathleen
098.7961 12 Michelle'z Laugh 6-1 Montalvo C Vitali Marcus J.
097.0637 6 Stormy Arabella 6-1 Reyes L Thomas Monte R.
095.5099 3 Glamorous Thunder 15-1 Sanchez J Ubide Max
095.1843 2 Just Sassy 20-1 Camacho S Wasilewski Christine
094.8441 4 Miss Lotus Flower 30-1 Mitchell R Morrison Michael S.
094.4066 9 Sunshine Treasure 15-1 Lopez P Orseno Joseph F. J
094.1693 7 Princess Zoe 15-1 Maragh R R Sano Antonio
091.9165 13 Zarabanda 20-1 Medina A Rodriguez Juan Andres

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 09-28-2018, 07:37 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Indiana Downs
Indiana Downs - Race 5

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / 50 Cent Trifecta 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7) / 50 Cent Pick 4 (Races 5-6-7-8)

Claiming $5,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 82 • Purse: $11,000 • Post: 3:57P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR THREE YEAR OLDS. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE AUGUST 28 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (INDIANA BRED LIFETIME CONDITIONAL CLAIMING RACES FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * SAMARGO: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. OPPIDUM: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. SERVE: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. UBETTERECONIZESON: Today is a sprint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. MINI CHUNK: Horse's average winning distance is within half a furlong of today's distance (within 50 yards if a Quarter Horse race).
3
SAMARGO
20/1

5/1
6
OPPIDUM
9/5

6/1
1
SERVE
8/5

6/1
4
UBETTERECONIZESON
10/1

10/1
5
MINI CHUNK
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
6
OPPIDUM
6

9/5
Front-runner
82

78

81.8

69.8

65.3
4
UBETTERECONIZESON
4

10/1
Front-runner
76

73

69.8

61.7

54.2
1
SERVE
1

8/5
Front-runner
73

80

65.8

76.4

69.4
2
MIZUMI
2

6/1
Front-runner
87

87

0.0

0.0

0.0
5
MINI CHUNK
5

7/2
Alternator/Front-runner
80

74

74.0

65.0

56.5
3
SAMARGO
3

20/1
Alternator/Stalker
81

72

56.8

71.6

65.1

Friday 9-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 9-28-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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