Wednesday 4-3-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bobby Conn

Apr 03 '19, 7:05 PM in 10h
MLB | Cardinals vs Pirates
Play on: Cardinals +105 at GTBets

1* Free Play on Cardinals +105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tim Michael

Apr 03 '19, 8:00 PM in 11h
NCAA-B | South Florida vs DePaul
Play on: OVER 146½ -109

T.M. Selection: USF/DePaul over (FREE PLAY)
I had a play on USF and it would hold on for the 63-61 home victory in Game 1 of the CBI Tournament Championship on Monday. With a chance to take the title here, the defensive minded Bulls are going to be out to duplicate their performance, holding the Blue Demons to just 38.5 percent from the floor in the victory.
In Game 2 I’m expecting another competitive match-up, one which will likely be decided in the final moments again.
However this time around I expect more of an offensive affair. With the change in venue and with DePaul pushing the pace from start to finish as it looks to avoid elimination, everything points to a shootout.
USF is one of the best defensive teams in the nation, but at nearly 79 PPG average offensively for the Blue Demons, I think the Bulls’ unit gets pushed to the brink in Game 2. From a situational stand point I definitely think this one sets up great as an offensive “shootout.”

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Milwaukee Brewers haven't made it easy on themselves, but they're off to a strong start and will try to finish a three-game road sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. The Brewers are 5-1 with their five wins coming by a total of six runs, including a pair of 4-3 victories to start the series.



Milwaukee kept up its winning ways Tuesday, when Orlando Arcia's three-run homer in the sixth gave them a lead and the bullpen nailed down the team's fourth one-run victory in its first six games. The Brewers have won four straight contests and are outscoring opponents 27-25 overall. The Reds have lost three straight since an Opening Day win over Pittsburgh. Eugenio Suarez hit a solo homer in the eighth inning Tuesday for the Reds' third home run of the season, while four players in the majors had at least four entering play Tuesday.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (0-0, 12.00 ERA) vs. Reds RH Luis Castillo (0-0, 1.59)

Peralta had a tough time finding the zone in his season debut against St. Louis on Friday. The 22-year-old Dominican needed 39 pitches to get through the first inning and lasted only three frames, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks. The Reds have roughed up Peralta in two starts in Cincinnati, where he is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in 9 1/3 innings.

Castillo didn't quite live up to the hype last season, but he started 2019 with a bang. The 26-year-old Dominican struck out eight and limited Pittsburgh to one run and two hits over 5 2/3 innings in his season debut Thursday. Castillo is 2-1 with a 3.08 ERA in four starts against the Brewers.



WALK-OFFS

1. Suarez, who led the Reds with 104 RBIs last season, recorded his first two of the season Tuesday.

2. Arcia, who snapped an 0-for-16 skid to open the season with his go-ahead home run Tuesday, is 6-for-11 with a double against Castillo.

3. Reds C Tucker Barnhart is 4-for-7 with a double and a homer versus Peralta.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Brewers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

Bryce Harper made himself at home in his old stomping grounds, answering a raucous crowd by belting a two-run homer to highlight his three-hit performance as the Philadelphia Phillies improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1915. Harper and the Phillies look to continue their fast start on Wednesday afternoon when they conclude the abbreviated two-game series against the Washington Nationals.

After tipping his cap to the franchise with which he spent his first seven seasons, Harper withstood the jeers from the jilted fans and provided an exclamation point in Tuesday's 8-2 romp with a monster bat flip in the direction of the Nationals' dugout. Signed to a 13-year, $330 million contract in late February, Harper's addition has ignited a Phillies' offense that has erupted for 31 runs this season. While Philadelphia is receiving contributions from fellow offseason acquisitions Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura among others, Washington could be dealing with the subtraction of Trea Turner for a while with a reported broken right index finger after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Turner played in all 162 games last season for the Nationals, who are also without versatile Howie Kendrick (hamstring) and outfielder Michael A. Taylor (hip, knee).

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Anibal Sanchez (2018: 7-6, 2.83)

Nola struggled to get untracked in the early going of his second straight Opening Day start, surrendering an RBI single in the second inning and issuing a career-high five walks before settling down to pick up the win in a 10-4 victory against Atlanta on Thursday. "He had some walks, but then he collected himself, and he put us on his back," manager Gabe Kapler said of the 25-year-old, who allowed just the one run on two hits in six innings. Nola handcuffed Washington last season, striking out 35 batters in five starts (33 2/3 innings) en route to posting a 3-1 mark while limiting the club to a .200 batting average.

Sanchez parlayed a strong comeback season with the Braves into a two-year, $19 million contract with Washington on Dec. 27. The 35-year-old Venezuelan struck out 135 batters in 136 2/3 innings in 2018, one year removed from posting a 3-7 record with a gaudy 6.41 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with Detroit. Sanchez has kept McCutchen (4-for-19, eight strikeouts) in check, while Harper is 4-for-14 against the hurler -- albeit with two triples and a homer.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco, who has matched Harper with three homers, has hit safely in all four games this season.

2. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon has multi-hit performances in three straight outings.

3. Nationals LF Juan Soto is just 3-for-16 with nine strikeouts this season.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Nationals 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Cleveland Indians rallied for a victory in their home opener and look to finish off a two-game sweep of the American League Central-rival Chicago White Sox in Wednesday afternoon's finale. The Indians fell behind by two runs in the top of the eighth inning Monday, but used four walks, two hits and an error to score four times in the bottom of the frame to earn a 5-3 victory.

"Like, man, 'this is Tribe baseball right here'," Cleveland's starting pitcher Mike Clevinger told reporters Monday of what he said to clubhouse guys while watching the comeback. "If there's anything, this reminds of me getting up to stay with the 2016 team. It wasn't all these flashy wins all the time. It was like grinding it out in the eighth and ninth inning, losing a lead, coming back. That's Tribe baseball. That's how we're going to win and I like it." Corey Kluber, who was 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA and 39 strikeouts across 28 innings against Chicago last year, gets the call Wednesday against White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon. Chicago has managed one victory in its first four games while giving up 21 runs and batting .211 as a team, but infielder Yoan Moncada is off to a strong start by going 7-for-17 with six runs scored, a homer and four RBIs. Slugger Jose Abreu launched two homers and knocked in four runs in the early going this season and has had success against Kluber, batting .320 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in 50 at-bats.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (0-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.57)

Rodon allowed three runs (two earned) over 5 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss at Kansas City on Opening Day, striking out six and walking one. The 26-year-old Miami native finished last season by losing five of six starts (0-5) with a 9.22 ERA in September, after starting the campaign with a 6-3 mark and a 2.70 ERA in his first 14 outings. Carlos Santana is 7-for-21 with a pair of doubles versus Rodon, who went 0-2 with a 3.42 ERA in four starts - walking 10 in 26 1/3 innings - against Cleveland last year.

Kluber suffered the loss Thursday at Minnesota despite giving up two runs on four hits across seven innings while throwing just 79 pitches. The 32-year-old two-time American League Cy Young winner, who won a career-high 20 games last season, struck out five and walked one in the opener after winning his last four decisions of the 2018 regular season. Yolmer Sanchez is 6-for-36 but has homered against Kluber, who is 13-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 24 career appearances (23 starts) versus the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox SS Tim Anderson left the team Monday to be with his wife, who went into labor, and is not expected back until Thursday in Chicago.

2. Santana has led the Indians' offense in the first four games, going 6-for-13 with two walks and four RBIs.

3. Chicago OF Daniel Palka is 0-for-14 with six strikeouts to open the season, but has gone deep once against Kluber.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, White Sox 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Rockies vs. Tampa Bay Rays Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB


The Colorado Rockies hope to wake up their dormant bats and avoid a three-game sweep when they complete a season-opening road trip against the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon. The Rockies, who were second in the National League in runs last season (780), have scored four times in the last four games after starting 2019 with a pair of comfortable wins.

Trevor Story, who owns the lone home run for Colorado through the first six contests, had the only two hits Tuesday as the Rockies could not figure out reigning American League Cy Young award winner Blake Snell in a 4-0 setback - striking out 14 times. German Marquez, who reportedly agreed to a five-year, $43 million extension with Colorado on Tuesday, will try to win his second straight to open the season and the Rays go after their sixth consecutive victory with veteran Charlie Morton on the mound. Tampa Bay scored three times in the first inning Tuesday, in part because of a challenge that overturned the second out of the frame when catcher Chris Iannetta did not have his foot on home plate for the force play and Guillermo Heredia followed with a two-run single. Rays outfielder Tommy Pham had a walk Tuesday to extend his on-base streak to 38 straight games dating back to last season, one away from tying the franchise record set by Johnny Damon in 2011.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Rays RH Charlie Morton (1-0, 3.60)

Marquez, who set career highs with 14 wins and 230 strikeouts last season, was outstanding in his 2019 debut Friday while limiting Miami to one run on two hits and fanning seven with three walks. The 24-year-old Venezuelan was 8-5 on the road last season and had a 2.61 ERA after the All-Star break overall to finish his second full season in the majors with a career-most 33 starts. Marquez faces Tampa Bay for the first time in his career, but is 5-0 with a 2.29 ERA in eight interleague starts.

Morton won his Tampa Bay debut Friday against Houston, allowing two runs on three hits along with a pair of walks across five innings and 85 pitches - 54 for strikes. The 35-year-old New Jersey native, who had eight strikeouts to go over 1,000 for his career (1,002), surrendered two singles and a two-run double by Michael Brantley in his season opener. Veteran Mark Reynolds is 4-for-9 against Morton, who gave up one run over six innings in a no-decision versus Colorado last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays INFs Yandy Diaz (ankle) and Daniel Robertson (illness) left Tuesday's game and are considered day-to-day.

2. Colorado placed LHP Jake McGee (knee sprain) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Carlos Estevez on Tuesday.

3. Tampa Bay INF Christian Arroyo singled home a run in the sixth inning during his 2019 debut after being recalled Monday.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Rockies 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Minnesota Twins attempt to continue their early success when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their brief two-game series. Minnesota posted its third win in four games this season Tuesday as it rallied to record a 5-4 victory in 10 innings.

Nelson Cruz went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, giving the Twins a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning with a two-run double before delivering a run-scoring single in the 10th. The 38-year-old Dominican slugger has gone 5-for-10 with five RBIs over his last two games after recording one hit in six at-bats and driving in one run in his first two contests. Adalberto Mondesi was 3-for-5 with two RBIs while Martin Maldonado also collected three hits for Kansas City, which has dropped two straight after opening the year with back-to-back victories. Mondesi's homer was an inside-the-parker - the 99th such hit in franchise history.

TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2018: 10-13, 3.62 ERA) vs. Royals RH Homer Bailey (2018: 1-14, 6.09)

Gibson will be making his season debut after battling E. coli in January and enduring a rough spring. The 31-year-old native of Indiana worked only 7 2/3 innings over three exhibition starts, surrendering five runs and 14 hits. Gibson has posted a 7-5 record with one complete game and a 3.59 ERA in 18 career turns against Kansas City.

Bailey, who was signed to a minor-league contract in February, is expected to join the Royals from extended spring training and attempt to turn around a career that has taken a downward spiral. The 32-year-old Texan went 0-9 over his final 11 starts for Cincinnati in 2018 and has won only nine of his 46 turns over the last four seasons. Bailey allowed six runs over 13 1/3 innings in four games (three starts) this spring but lost his only career start against Minnesota in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. Maldonado is 5-for-15 on the season but has yet to register his first RBI of 2019.

2. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton (back) left Tuesday's game after running into the wall in the eighth inning and is day-to-day.

3. Kansas City on Tuesday acquired C Andrew Susac from Baltimore for cash considerations.

PREDICTION: Twins 8, Royals 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Arizona Diamondbacks try for a three-game sweep of the Padres when they meet in San Diego on Wednesday afternoon. Arizona, which dropped three of four at Dodger Stadium to start the season, has scored 40 runs in its first six contests after Tuesday's 8-5 victory featured two home runs by pitcher Zach Greinke, giving the Diamondbacks 14 round-trippers this season.

Arizona, which already has yielded 18 home runs, saw its team ERA drop to 7.57 while its batting average sits at .289 after Tuesday's outburst featured eight extra-base hits. Christian Walker, who was 14-for-84 with six home runs over four years with Baltimore (2014-15) and Arizona (2017-18) entering this season, is 7-for-15 in the early going after belting his third homer on Tuesday. The Padres have allowed 18 runs in their last two games after permitting five in winning three of four over San Francisco to open the campaign. San Diego's Joey Lucchesi is coming off a strong season debut but struggled against Arizona during his rookie campaign of 2018 as he opposes Robbie Ray, who lacked command in his 2019 opener.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (1-0, 0.00)

Ray threw only 53 of his 102 pitches for strikes, allowing three runs, five walks and three hits while striking out nine in five innings of Arizona's 13-inning 5-4 victory at Dodger Stadium on Friday. It was an uncharacteristic outing for the 27-year-old Tennessean, who boasts a career 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio and blamed his season debut to nerves. Wil Myers is 5-for-22 with two home runs, 10 walks and nine strikeouts against Ray, who is 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 13 games versus San Diego.

Lucchesi yielded three hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5 1/3 scoreless innings of a 4-1 victory over San Francisco on Friday. The 25-year-old Californian is tasked with being the No. 2 starter behind left-hander Eric Lauer after going 8-9 in 26 starts last season. Six came against Arizona as he was 0-5 with a 6.07 ERA in those outings, with Nick Ahmed - a career .230 hitter - doing the most damage by going 5-for-13 with two home runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres RF Hunter Renfroe, who hit 26 home runs in each of the last two seasons, belted his first two of 2019 on Tuesday.

2. Diamondbacks CF Adam Jones is batting .379 with three solo home runs in his first six games with the team.

3. San Diego 3B Manny Machado is 5-for-23 this season after going 1-for-5 on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Padres 3, Diamondbacks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Detroit Tigers have not seen much pop from their offense this season, but the light-hitting team enjoyed some late fireworks to even their three-game series against the host New York Yankees at one victory apiece. The Tigers look to cap their season-opening seven-game road trip on a positive note when they play the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.

After going 0-for-9 in Detroit's first series, Jordy Mercer collected both of his team's hits in Monday's 3-1 setback and followed rookie Dustin Peterson's RBI double with a run-scoring single in the ninth inning of a 3-1 win the following night. Nicholas Castellanos, who batted .379 versus New York last season, had a pair of singles as part of an 11-hit attack for the Tigers. DJ LeMahieu collected his third multi-hit performance of the season for the short-handed Yankees, who have nine players on their injured list. "One of the strengths of our organization is the depth," New York manager Aaron Boone said, before adding that each of the replacements were "capable of producing at the big-league level."

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Jonathan Loaisiga (2018: 2-0, 5.11)

Boyd's 10-strikeout performance in Friday's 6-0 setback at Toronto was marred by a four-run fourth inning that saw the 28-year-old extend his workload after leaving pitches over the plate. "I felt good the whole time," Boyd said. "I made a few mistakes in the fourth trying to overthrow a little bit. Unfortunately, those runs were the deciding factor in the game. Boyd rebounded from a pair of disastrous career starts against the Yankees by overcoming two solo homers and three runs total in six innings to pick up the win in an 11-7 victory on Sept. 2.

Loaisiga will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make the start in place of veteran left-hander CC Sabathia, who has served his five-game suspension but will be placed on the 10-day injured list with knee and chest ailments. The 24-year-old Loaisiga started four of the nine games in which he appeared last season, recording 33 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings. Loaisiga posted a 2-1 mark while permitting 13 runs and as many hits -- including four homers -- as he battled for the fifth starter's role in spring training.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York C Gary Sanchez, who sat out on Tuesday after hitting safely in his first four games, is expected to return to the lineup for the series finale.

2. Detroit 3B Jeimer Candelario has seven hits in his last three contests.

3. Yankees RF Aaron Judge has hit safely in all five games this season.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Yankees 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Baltimore Orioles hardly resemble the team that lost 115 games in 2018 as they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon. Baltimore (4-1) has won four straight on the road for the first time since taking four in a row spanning the 2016 All-Star break after Tuesday's 2-1 victory dropped Toronto to 2-4 on its season-opening seven-game homestand.

The Orioles' Trey Mancini, who hit 24 home runs in each of the last two seasons, is off to a fast start (9-for-20) with a pair of homers, five RBIs and five runs scored. Jonathan Villar has also has sprinted out of the gate (7-for-21), delivering an RBI triple and scoring on Mancini's single in the sixth inning on Tuesday. The Blue Jays have lost three straight - all by one run - and are hitting .182 while holding opponents to a .184 average. Nate Karns will serve as the Orioles' opener for the second time this season while Toronto takes a more traditional approach on the mound with Matt Shoemaker, who was sharp in his season debut.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Nate Karns (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Matt Shoemaker (1-0, 0.00)

Karns pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out one, in Baltimore's 5-3 victory over the Yankees in New York on Saturday. The 31-year-old Pennsylvanian was making his first appearance since May 2017 because of arm injuries, telling reporters: "I'm very grateful to be in this opportunity, and you take it one pitch at a time. I was proud of what I was able to accomplish during those two years injured. It's not done yet." Karns struck out 13 in 13 scoreless innings over two starts against Toronto in 2014 and 2015 while with Tampa Bay.

Shoemaker yielded two hits and two walks while striking out seven in seven innings of the Blue Jays' 6-0 victory over Detroit on Friday. "I grew up a Tigers fan," the 32-year-old Michigan native told reporters. "Cecil Fielder was my guy growing up. It's a little different excitement pitching against your hometown team." The Orioles' Chris Davis is 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts while Villar homered in his only at-bat versus Shoemaker, who is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 25 innings in four starts against Baltimore.

WALK-OFFS

1. Davis is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts to start the season.

2. Toronto on Tuesday signed OF Randal Grichuk (.247 career batting average) to a five-year, $52 million contract extension.

3. Baltimore became the second team to have four pitchers record a save in their first five games (1991 San Diego Padres), according to STATS, as RH Mike Wright, LH Paul Fry, LH Richard Bleier and RH Miguel Castro each have one.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 3, Orioles 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The New York Mets send reigning National League Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom to the mound Wednesday night seeking to cap an outstanding season-opening road trip with a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins. The Mets took two of three at Washington to begin the campaign and have scored 13 runs in the first two games of the series at Marlins Park after holding on for a 6-5 victory Tuesday.

New York registered four hits and scored five times in the first inning Tuesday, including a run-scoring single by red-hot Wilson Ramos (8-for-18, four RBIs), and has put 31 on the board while winning four of five to open the season. Trevor Richards will try to cool off the Mets' offense when he takes the hill for the Marlins in the series finale and fellow right-hander deGrom attempts to match a strong effort in his season debut last week. Miami split four games with Colorado to open its season, but coughed up four runs in the ninth inning to lose Monday's game against the Mets 7-3 and outhit New York 16-9 on Tuesday only to strand 14 runners. Starlin Castro has homered in back-to-back games and boasts seven hits in the past four outings for the Marlins while teammate Lewis Brinson matched his total in the first five contests with three hits Tuesday.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Florida

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (0-0, 1.50)

DeGrom picked up where he left off last season, allowing five hits and one walk over six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts to beat Washington on Opening Day. The 30-year-old Florida native had a 1.40 ERA in his last 10 starts last season to seal his first National League Cy Young award despite a 10-9 record. Miami's Brian Anderson is 4-for-10 with a homer versus deGrom, who went 0-2 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts against the Marlins in 2018 and is 4-6 all time in the series.

Richards did not give up a run in his final two outings last season and was solid in his 2019 debut, limiting Colorado to one run on four hits over six innings without being involved in the decision. The 25-year-old Illinois native finished with a 4-9 record and a 4.42 ERA a year ago, striking out 130 across 126 1/3 innings. Ramos is 2-for-3 with a home run versus Richards, who made a pair of starts against the Mets last season and went 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA - striking out 10 over 11 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins veteran INF Martin Prado is 7-for-10 in the last three games after going hitless in five at-bats during the first two.

2. The Mets bullpen had allowed two runs in 13 innings to start the season before giving up three on eight hits over four frames Tuesday.

3. Anderson is 3-for-9 in the series after managing one hit in 15 at-bats against Colorado.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Marlins 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The St. Louis Cardinals pulled off a dramatic comeback in the series opener against the Pirates and will be looking to complete a sweep of the two-game set Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. After dropping three of four in Milwaukee to open the season, St. Louis erased a four-run deficit to spoil Monday's home opener for the Pirates.

Paul Goldschmidt is riding a four-game RBI streak for the Cardinals, driving in a run in each contest since his three-homer eruption in Game 2. Teammate Kolten Wong also is off to a fast start, hitting safely in each of the first five games while going deep three times. Pittsburgh has received three solid outings from its starting pitchers but saw its bullpen cough up a three-run homer on Opening Day and allow all the runs from the seventh inning on in Monday's 6-5 setback. "When you're in the game, you never have it won until you win it," manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's a good ball club over there. They're always going to battle. We didn't play well enough to win."

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), AT&T Sportsnet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (0-1, 6.00 ERA)

Mikolas was 10-0 in 16 starts away from home in 2018 en route to winning 18 games but he had a rocky season debut on Opening Day, surrendering a career-high three home runs over five innings in a 5-4 loss at Milwaukee. Although he beat the Pirates only once in five starts last season, he permitted two runs or fewer in four of the outings in compiling a 2.90 ERA while striking out 26 and walking four. Adam Frazier is 5-for-15 with two doubles, two triples and two RBIs off Mikolas.

After allowing one run through six innings in his first start, Taillon was sent out for the seventh and wound up taking the loss after he was charged with four runs and six hits in six-plus innings. "I'm not going to lose too much sleep over it. I feel like I'm in a really good place," Taillon said after his streak of 22 straight starts without allowing more than three runs came to an end. The former first-round draft pick was 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA in three starts versus St. Louis last season.

EXTRA BASES

1. St. Louis has struck out a National League-worst 64 times through Monday's games, going down swinging at least 10 times in each contest.

2. Pirates IF Colin Moran homered, doubled and drove in three runs in the series opener.

3. Cardinals LF Marcell Ozuna has a hit in four of the first five games but does not have an RBI.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Cardinals 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

Ronald Acuna Jr. has made a tremendous impact for the Atlanta Braves since making his major league debut last April, and he will take the field for Wednesday's home contest against the Chicago Cubs with his future secured. The Braves and the National League Rookie of the Year reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $100-million contract extension on Tuesday's off day after the 21-year-old launched his first homer of the season in Atlanta's 8-0 home-opening victory.

After being outscored 23-11 in a season-opening sweep at Philadelphia, the Braves got homers from Acuna and center fielder Ender Inciarte, three hits from second baseman Ozzie Albies and - most notably - five scoreless, walk-free innings from their bullpen Monday. The Cubs have dropped three in a row after winning their season opener, and pitching remains a problem as Chicago has surrendered 27 runs on 34 hits across 24 1/3 innings during the losing streak. The Cubs were awful defensively in Monday's series opener, committing six errors in a nine-inning game for the first time since 1982. Third baseman Kris Bryant, coming off an injury-marred 2018, has at least one hit in each of Chicago's first four games and is 5-for-16 with two doubles and a homer to start 2019.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, ESPN, WGN (Chicago), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-1, 5.40)

Lester kicked off his season with a solid start on Opening Day Thursday, holding Texas to two runs on four hits with three strikeouts in six innings. It followed a spring training in which the 35-year-old gave up 18 earned runs on 23 hits over 15 1/3 innings across five starts. Lester, who shared the National League lead with 18 wins a season ago, did not face Atlanta in 2018 and is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.

Teheran made his sixth consecutive Opening Day start for the Braves on Thursday in Philadelphia and took the loss, but pitched well in giving up three runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts across five innings. The 28-year-old, who was bumped out of Atlanta's playoff starting rotation last October, struck out 21 with only two walks in 17 innings during spring training to solidify a rotation spot. Teheran is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the Cubs, winning his only start against Chicago last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber, who went 5-for-12 with two homers in the season-opening series at Texas, did not start Monday in favor of rookie OF Mark Zagunis.

2. In 115 career games, Acuna has 27 homers, 66 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .291/.366/.548 slash line.

3. Chicago's bullpen allowed only one unearned run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings Monday.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Cubs 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB


The Houston Astros have averaged 2.5 runs in their first six games, leaving some to wonder if they left their offense behind in spring training. Houston looks to get untracked Wednesday, when it visits the Texas Rangers for the rubber match of their three-game series.

Jose Altuve has four hits in his first 23 at-bats for the Astros, who went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Rangers. George Springer and Alex Bregman recorded two hits apiece, but Justin Verlander allowed four runs and six hits over four innings as he failed to complete five frames for just the second time while with the Astros. Asdrubal Cabrera led the charge for Texas with his third home run while Joey Gallo delivered a two-run single and Jose Leclerc recorded his third save. Shin-Soo Choo doubled and tripled from the leadoff spot in the victory and has notched multiple hits in six of his last 12 games against Houston.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest Plus (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (0-1, 11.57)

Cole took the loss against Tampa Bay on Friday after allowing four runs - one earned - and five hits while striking out 10 over six frames. "He was really explosive," Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters. "He's got some of the best stuff in the league." Nomar Mazara is hitless in 11 at-bats against the two-time All-Star, who owns a 3-0 record and 2.25 ERA in five career starts versus Texas - four of which took place last season.

Minor is looking to bounce back from a rough first outing against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, when he allowed six runs and five hits over 4 2/3 innings. "I wasn't locating anything," Minor told reporters. "I was kind of grinding all day, even though I was getting out of the innings." The 31-year-old Tennessean is 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 11 career games (eight starts) against Houston and has limited Bregman to three hits in 15 at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston INF Yuli Gurriel is 6-for-13 with two homers and five RBIs against Minor.

2. A day after belting his first home run of the season, Texas 1B Ronald Guzman went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Tuesday.

3. The Astros have won 14 of their last 16 games at Globe Life Park.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Rangers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 04-03-2019 in MLB

The Boston Red Sox finally received an admirable performance from a starting pitcher, but their offense was stagnant for a second straight game. Boston attempts to put it all together when it visits the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series.

Ace Chris Sale limited Oakland to one run and three hits in six innings Tuesday but suffered the hard-luck loss as the Red Sox were shut out for the second consecutive contest after scoring a total of 24 runs in their season-opening four-game series at Seattle. Mike Fiers combined with three relievers to post what has become an expected strong performance by Oakland's pitching staff. The Athletics have registered three shutouts over their last six games and have yielded a total of nine runs in that span, with six coming in their lone loss during the stretch. Slugger Khris Davis failed to homer Tuesday after going deep in four of his previous five contests while Matt Chapman has belted a shot in each of the first two games of the series.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 10.80 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Marco Estrada (0-0, 2.45)

Boston's starters struggled in the season-opening series against Seattle, and Eovaldi was no exception. The 29-year-old Texan managed to last five innings in Friday's loss and escaped with a no-decision despite being battered for six runs on eight hits - three homers - and two walks. Eovaldi has made six career starts against Oakland, going 1-2 while yielding 16 runs and 40 hits over 35 frames.

Estrada, who signed a one-year contract in January after spending four seasons with Toronto, had issues in his team debut but was superb in his second turn in the rotation. The 35-year-old Mexican gave up three runs and five hits - two homers - over five frames against Seattle in his first start with Oakland before allowing two hits in six scoreless innings versus the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. Estrada is 4-8 with a 4.68 ERA in 17 career appearances (15 starts) against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox have surrendered 15 home runs in their first six games, with the starting pitchers serving up 12.

2. Oakland 1B Matt Olson (hand) had his cast and stitches removed Monday but still is more than a month away from resuming baseball-related activities.

3. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) played nine innings of an extended spring training game Tuesday - two days before beginning a rehab assignment with Class A Greenville - and could be activated for the home opener April 9.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Athletics 3